Hand-held power tool

Abstract

In a method for locating a hand-held power tool using a communications unit, the communications unit receives an activation signal. A locating signal is triggered when the activation signal is received.

Claims

1. A method for locating a hand-held power tool, the method comprising: receiving an activating signal with a communications unit of the hand-held power tool; and triggering a locating signal upon receiving the activating signal, the triggering of the locating signal including generating a mechanical movement of a tool holder of the hand-held power tool, the tool holder being configured to receive an insertion tool, the generating of the mechanical movement of the tool holder including performing at least one of (i) a rotating movement and (ii) a stroke movement; and deactivating the locating signal in response to detecting that the hand-held power tool is operated by a user, the locating signal being suppressed upon continuing to receive the activating signal while the user continues to operate the hand-held power tool.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering of the locating signal includes emitting the locating signal with an output unit.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering of the locating signal includes emitting the locating signal as an acoustic and/or visual locating signal.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering of the locating signal includes emitting the locating signal for a period of at least 1 second.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering of the locating signal includes emitting the locating signal at least a sound pressure level of at least 5 dB(A).

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering of the locating signal includes generating the locating signal with an electric motor which performs rotary oscillations.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rotary oscillations have a maximum amplitude of 120°.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the maximum amplitude of the rotary oscillations is 10°.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein a frequency of the rotary oscillations is in a range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the frequency of the rotary oscillations is in a range from 200 Hz to 10 kHz.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generating of the mechanical movement of the tool holder includes performing the rotating movement of the tool holder at a maximum amplitude of 5°.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generating of the mechanical movement of the tool holder includes performing the stroke movement of the tool holder with a maximum stroke length of 3 mm.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generating of the mechanical movement of the tool holder includes performing the mechanical movement during a period of at least 1 s.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering of the locating signal includes emitting the locating signal for a period of at least 10 seconds.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical movement is generated for a predetermined time period after receiving the activating signal and, after a predetermined time interval, is generated again for the predetermined time period.

16. A hand-held power tool comprising: a tool holder configured to receive an insertion tool; a communications unit configured to receive an activating signal; and an output unit configured to trigger a locating signal by generating a mechanical movement of the tool holder, in response to receipt of the activating signal, the generating of the mechanical movement of the tool holder including performing at least one of (i) a rotating movement and (ii) a stroke movement, the output unit being further configured to deactivate the locating signal in response to detecting that the hand-held power tool is operated by a user, the locating signal being suppressed upon continuing to receive the activating signal while the user continues to operate the hand-held power tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure will be explained hereunder by means of a preferred exemplary embodiment. In the drawings hereunder:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic lateral view of an electric apparatus according to the disclosure; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a method according to the disclosure for locating the electric apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows an electric apparatus according to the disclosure, this here being configured as a hand-held power tool 100. The hand-held power tool 100 in an exemplary manner is configured as an exemplary rechargeable battery screwdriver. The hand-held power tool 100 comprises a primary output shaft 120 and a tool holder 150. The hand-held power tool 100 has a hand-held power tool housing 110 with a handle 126. The hand-held power tool housing 110 here is configured so as to be T-shaped, whereby a pistol-shaped hand-held power tool housing is also conceivable. The hand-held power tool 100 for a mains-free power supply is mechanically and electrically connectable to a power supply for an operation by a rechargeable battery, so that the hand-held power tool 100 is configured as a rechargeable battery operated hand-held power tool 100.

(5) The hand-held power tool housing 110 for illustrative purposes here comprises a drive unit 111. The drive unit 111 furthermore comprises an electric motor 114 having an electric motor housing 113 and a gearbox unit 118. The gearbox unit 118 can be configured as at least one shiftable planetary gearbox. The gearbox unit 118 is connected to the electric motor 114 by way of a motor shaft 116. The gearbox unit 118, by way of the primary output shaft 120, is provided for converting a rotation of the motor shaft 116 into a rotation between the gearbox unit 118 and the tool holder 150. In this embodiment, the primary output shaft 120 serves as a tool axis 104. For illustrative purposes, the gearbox unit 118 is assigned a gearbox housing 119. The gearbox housing 119 in an exemplary manner is disposed in the hand-held power tool housing 110. However, it is also conceivable that the electric motor 114 and the gearbox unit 118 can be disposed directly in the hand-held power tool housing 110 if the hand-held power tool 100 is configured in an “open frame” construction mode. The hand-held power tool 100 furthermore comprises a hand switch 130 which can be activated by the user. The hand switch 130 controls the drive unit 111. The hand-held power tool 100 furthermore has a control unit 102 for controlling in a closed loop and/or open-loop the drive unit 111. The drive unit 111 is switched on when the hand switch 130 is activated by the user. The drive unit 111 is able to be electronically controlled in an open-loop and/or closed loop such that a reversing operation and presetting of a desired rotating speed can be implemented by means of the hand switch 130. The electric motor 114 in this embodiment is configured as an electronically commutated motor.

(6) The tool holder 150 is preferably molded and/or configured on the primary output shaft 120. The tool holder 150 here is configured as a collet chuck which is provided for receiving an insertion tool 160.

(7) The hand-held power tool 100 in this embodiment has a power supply unit 300 for supplying power to the hand-held power tool 100. The power supply here takes place by means of a hand-held power tool rechargeable battery pack not illustrated in more detail. Providing the power by the power supply unit 300 takes place by means of the hand-held power tool rechargeable battery pack, whereby the hand-held power tool rechargeable battery pack is configured so as to be replaceable.

(8) The hand-held power tool 100 in this embodiment comprises a communications unit 140. The communications unit 140 here is disposed within the hand-held power tool housing 110. The communications unit 140 is configured for receiving an activating signal 180. The activating signal 180 is transmitted by an external electric apparatus not illustrated in more detail. A transmission of the activating signal 180 takes place in a wireless manner by means of a wireless connection between the communications unit 140 and the external electric apparatus. The communications unit 140 transmits the activating signal 180 by way of a line to the control unit 102. The control unit 102 receives the activating signal 180 and converts the latter into a locating signal 190.

(9) The hand-held power tool 100 furthermore comprises an output unit 170 for emitting the locating signal 190. To this end, the control unit 102 transmits the locating signal 190 to the output unit 170. The output unit 170 comprises an output element 172 for outputting the locating signal 190. The output unit 170 is preferably the drive unit 111. The locating signal 190 in this embodiment generates a sound pressure level of at least 5 dB(A).

(10) FIG. 2 shows a flow chart 200 of a method according to the disclosure for locating the hand-held power tool 100. In method step 210, the communications unit 140 receives the activating signal 180 from the external electric apparatus. In a method step 220, the communications unit 140 transmits the activating signal 180 to the control unit 102. The control unit 102 in a method step 230 receives the activating signal 180 and converts the latter into the locating signal 190. In method step 240, the control unit 102 transmits the locating signal 190 to the output unit 170. In a method step 250, the output unit 170 by means of the output element 172 emits the locating signal 190 during a period of 1 s. The locating signal 250 here generates at least the sound pressure level of 5 dB(A). In an option 250a, the locating signal 190 is emitted as an acoustic locating signal 190a, whereas the locating signal 190 in an option 250b is emitted as a visual locating signal 190b; and in an option 250c, the locating signal 190 is emitted as a haptic locating signal 190c. A combination of the acoustic locating signal 190a, the visual locating signal 190b and the haptic locating signal 190c is also conceivable. In an option 250d, the locating signal 190 is emitted by the electric motor 114 in the form of rotary oscillations. The rotary oscillations here have a maximum amplitude of 120°, whereby a frequency of the rotary oscillations is in a range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. In an option 250e, the locating signal 190 is emitted by the tool holder 150 in the form of a mechanical movement. The mechanical movement of the tool holder 150 is performed during a period of 1 s. In an option 250f, the mechanical movement of the tool holder 150 here is a rotating movement with a maximum amplitude of 5°. In an option 250g, the mechanical movement of the tool holder 150 is a stroke movement with a maximum stroke length of 3 mm. When the hand-held power tool 100 is in operation and is used by the user, the locating signal 190 is deactivated in a method step 260. The control unit 102 hereby does not transmit the locating signal 190 to the output unit 170.