Tool Chain, Chain Tool, Method for Identifying a Property of a Tool Chain and System for Identifying a Property of a Tool Chain

Abstract

A tool chain has a plurality of chain links arranged in a row, wherein the plurality of chain links include at least two marked chain links. The marked chain links each have information, wherein at least one spatial sequence of the information together determines a logical sequence of at least the information. The logical sequence of at least the information forms overall information for identifying a property of the tool chain.

Claims

1. A tool chain, comprising: a plurality of chain links arranged in a row, wherein the plurality of chain links comprises at least two marked chain links, wherein the at least two marked chain links each comprise information, and wherein at least one spatial sequence of the information together determines a logical sequence of at least the information, wherein the logical sequence of at least the information forms overall information for identifying a property of the tool chain.

2. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the property is a type and/or a value of the plurality of chain links, and/or a length and/or an authenticity of the tool chain.

3. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the information of one marked chain link alone does not constitute the overall information for identifying the property.

4. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the information is at least 0.5 times as high as the marked chain link, and/or wherein the information is at least 0.5 cm high.

5. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the information is embossed or lasered into the marked chain link.

6. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the information is at least one character, at least one symbol, and/or at least one code.

7. The tool chain according to claim 6, wherein the character is a numeral and/or a letter, the code is a DataMatrix code.

8. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of chain links comprises different types of chain links, and wherein the at least two marked chain links are of the same type, and/or at least 20% of the chain links of one of the different types, each have information.

9. The tool chain according to claim 8, wherein the different types of chain links comprise drive links, connecting links and/or cutting links, and wherein the marked chain links are connecting links, and/or at least 90% of the chain links of one of the different types, each have information.

10. The tool chain according to claim 8, wherein the spatial sequence of the information and at least one distance between the marked chain links and/or at least one position of the information on the marked chain link together determine the logical sequence of the information and of the at least one distance and/or of the at least one position, and wherein the logical sequence of the information and of the at least one distance and/or of the at least one position forms the overall information.

11. The tool chain according to claim 10, wherein the at least one distance comprises a number of unmarked chain links of the same type as the marked chain links.

12. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of chain links comprises at least eight marked chain links, and/or wherein the information is from a set of at least eight different pieces of information.

13. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein the tool chain is a cutting chain.

14. The tool chain according to claim 1, wherein at least the spatial sequence of the information on a common side of the tool chain determines the logical sequence of at least the information.

15. A hand-guided and/or motor-driven chain tool comprising a tool chain according to claim 1.

16. The hand-guided and/or motor-driven chain tool according to claim 15, wherein the chain tool is a garden, forestry and/or construction chain tool.

17. A method for identifying a property of a tool chain having a plurality of chain links arranged in a row, wherein the plurality of chain links comprises at least two marked chain links, wherein the at least two marked chain links each comprise information, and wherein at least one spatial sequence of the information together determines a logical sequence of at least the information, the method comprising the steps of: a) detecting at least the spatial sequence of the information; b) determining the logical sequence of at least the information based on at least the detected spatial sequence of the information, wherein the logical sequence of at least the information forms overall information for identifying the property of the tool chain; and c) identifying the property of the tool chain based on the overall information formed.

18. A system for identifying a property of a tool chain, wherein the tool chain comprises: a plurality of chain links arranged in a row, wherein the plurality of chain links comprises at least two marked chain links, wherein the at least two marked chain links each comprise information, and wherein at least one spatial sequence of the information together determines a logical sequence of at least the information, wherein the logical sequence of at least the information forms overall information for identifying a property of the tool chain, the system comprising: a detection device, wherein the detection device is designed to detect the at least one spatial sequence of the information; a determination device, wherein the determination device is designed to determine the logical sequence of at least the information based on at least the detected spatial sequence of the information, wherein the logical sequence of at least the information forms the overall information for identifying the property of the tool chain; and an identification device, wherein the identification device is designed to identify the property of the tool chain based on the overall information formed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the outside of a tool chain according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the upper side of the tool chain of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an opposite outer side of the tool chain of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a method and system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a chain tool comprising the tool chain of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an outer side of a further tool chain according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a drive link for the tool chain according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIGS. 1 to 5 and 6 show, in particular in each case, a tool chain 1. The tool chain 1 has a plurality of chain links 2 arranged in a row. The plurality of chain links 2 has at least two marked chain links 2ID. The marked chain links 2ID each have information 3. At least, in FIGS. 1 to 5 only, a spatial sequence RR of the information together determines a logical sequence LR of at least, in FIGS. 1 to 5 only, the information 3. The logical sequence LR of at least the information 3 forms overall information ID for identifying a property EI of the tool chain 1.

[0042] In detail, the tool chain 1 is a cutting chain 1, in particular a saw chain 1.

[0043] Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows a chain tool 10. The chain tool 10 has the tool chain 1.

[0044] In particular, the chain tool 10 is a hand-guided and/or motor-driven chain tool.

[0045] In detail, the chain tool 10 is a garden, forestry and/or construction chain tool 10, in particular a cutting tool 10, in particular a chainsaw 10.

[0046] In addition, FIG. 4 shows a system 20 and a method for identifying the property EI of the tool chain 1, in particular exhibited by the chain tool 10.

[0047] The system 20 has a detection device 21, a determination device 22 and an identification device 23. The detection device 21 is designed to detect the at least spatial sequence RR of the information 3. The determination device 22 is designed to determine the logical sequence LR of at least the information 3 based on at least the detected spatial sequence RR of the information 3, wherein the logical sequence LR of at least the information 3 forms the overall information ID for identifying the property EI of the tool chain 1. The identification device 23 is designed to identify the property EI of the tool chain 1 based on the overall information ID formed.

[0048] The method has the following steps: a) detecting at least the spatial sequence RR of the information 3, in particular by means of the detection device 21; b) determining the logical sequence LR of at least the information 3 based on at least the detected spatial sequence RR of the information 3, in particular by means of the determination device 22, wherein the logical sequence LR of at least the information 3 forms the overall information ID for identifying the property EI of the tool chain 1; c) identifying the property EI of the tool chain 1 based on the overall information ID formed, in particular by means of the identification device 23.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the information 3 can be detected optically.

[0050] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the detection device 21 is an optical detection device, in particular in the form of a digital camera.

[0051] In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the detection device 21 is a user-operated detection device or input device, in particular in the form of a touchscreen.

[0052] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the detection device can be either an optical detection device or a user-actuatable detection device.

[0053] In addition, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the system 20 comprises a mobile device 30, in particular in the form of a smartphone. The mobile device 30 comprises the detection device 21.

[0054] Furthermore, the system 20 comprises a stationary device 35, in particular in the form of a cloud server. The stationary device 35 comprises the determination device 22 and the identification device 23.

[0055] In addition, the detection device 21 and the determination device 22 or the mobile device 30 and the stationary device 35 are designed for transmitting, in particular wirelessly, at least the detected spatial sequence RR of the information 3, in the exemplary embodiment shown in particular transmitting an image and/or a user input of at least the spatial sequence RR of the information 3.

[0056] The system 20 also has an output device 24, in particular an electrical output device. This output device 24 is designed to output the identified property EI, in particular automatically.

[0057] The method comprises the step of: outputting, in particular automatically outputting, the identified property EI, in particular to a user, in particular by means of the output device 24.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the output device 24 is an optical output device, in particular in the form of a display.

[0059] In addition, the mobile device 30 comprises the output device 24.

[0060] Furthermore, the identification device 23 and the output device 24 or the stationary device 35 and the mobile device 30 are designed to transmit, in particular to transmit, in particular wirelessly, the identified property EI.

[0061] In addition, the system 20 or the method is designed to recognize whether the tool chain 1 has been lengthened or shortened and to take this into account when identifying the property EI, and/or to identify in such a way that a lengthening or shortening of the tool chain 1 does not cause an error, in particular a safety-relevant error, and/or to output if identification is not possible, in particular safely.

[0062] In detail, the property EI is a type TY and/or a value WE of the plurality of chain links 2 and/or a length LE and/or an authenticity EH of the tool chain 1.

[0063] Furthermore, the information 3 of the marked chain link 2ID alone does not constitute overall information for identifying the property EI.

[0064] In addition, the information 3 is at least 0.5 times as high as the marked chain link 2ID and/or at least 0.5 cm high, in particular in a direction z orthogonal to a row direction x of the tool chain 1.

[0065] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the information 3 is embossed into the marked chain link 2ID.

[0066] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the information can be lasered into the marked chain link.

[0067] Furthermore, in FIGS. 1 to 5, the information 3 is a character 3, in particular a numeral 3.

[0068] In FIG. 6, the information 3 is a symbol 3 and/or a code 3, in particular a 2D code, especially a DataMatrix code.

[0069] In alternative exemplary embodiments, the character can be a letter.

[0070] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the plurality of chain links 2 has different types of chain links 2a, 2b, 2b, 2c, 2d, in particular drive links 2a, in particular in the row direction x right and left, connecting links 2b, 2b, cutting links 2c and/or riveting links 2d.

[0071] Each riveting link 2d can have a rivet or be a rivet and have widened rivet heads K, K opposite each other. The rivet heads K, K may face each other along a direction y, wherein the direction y is orthogonal to the row direction x and the direction z. At least one of the rivet heads K, K can be widened to connect other chain links 2a, 2b, 2b, 2c by reshaping, in particular by riveting, in particular after the chain links 2a, 2b, 2b, 2c to be connected have been arranged in the assembly position.

[0072] In addition, the marked chain links 2ID are of the same type, in particular the right-hand connecting links 2b.

[0073] In addition, at least 20 percent %, in FIGS. 1 to 5 100%, of the chain links 2 of one of the types, in particular the right-hand connecting links 2b, each have information 3.

[0074] In addition, in FIG. 6, the spatial sequence RR of the information 3 and at least one spacing AB, in particular a number AZ of unmarked chain links 2, in particular of the same type as the marked chain links 2ID, in the exemplary embodiment shown the right-hand connecting links 2b, between the marked chain links 2ID and/or at least one position PO of the information 3 on the marked chain link 2ID together determine the logical sequence LR of the information 3 and of the at least one spacing AB and/or of the at least one position PO. The logical sequence LR of the information 3 and the at least one distance AB and/or the at least one position PO forms the overall information ID.

[0075] Furthermore, in FIGS. 1 to 5, the plurality of chain links 2 has at least eight marked chain links 2ID.

[0076] In addition, the information 3 is from a set of at least eight different pieces of information 3, in FIG. 1 from the set 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

[0077] In detail, in FIG. 1 the marked chain links 2ID have the information 3 1, 8, 2, 7, 4, 5, 6, 3. The spatial sequence RR of the information 3 1, 8, 2, 7, 4, 5, 6, 3 together determines the logical sequence LR of the information 3 18274563. The logical sequence LR of the information 3 18274563 forms the overall information ID 18274563.

[0078] If in FIG. 1 a distance AB, in particular the number AZ of unmarked chain links 2, in particular of the same type as the marked chain links 2ID, in the exemplary embodiment shown the right-hand connecting links 2b, between the marked chain links 2ID having the information 3 1 and 8 were one, as shown in FIG. 6, then for example for the one distance AB 0 could be inserted between the information 3 1 and 8 of the marked chain links 2ID. The logical sequence LR of the information 3 and the at least one distance AB would therefore be 108274563. The total information ID would therefore be 108274563.

[0079] If in FIG. 1 a position PO of information 3 1 were in the middle, a position PO of information 3 8 at the top and a position PO of information 3 2 at the bottom, as shown in FIG. 6, then, for example, m could be inserted after information 3 1 for the position PO in the middle, o after information 3 8 for the position PO at the top and u after information 3 2 for the position PO at the bottom. The logical sequence LR of information 3 and at least one position PO would therefore be 1m8o2u74563. The total information ID would therefore be 1m8o2u74563.

[0080] In particular, the at least one distance AB and/or the at least one position PO could or would need to be taken into account more when the detection device 21 is designed in the form of an optical detection device and less when the detection device 21 is designed in the form of a user-actuated detection device.

[0081] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, at least the spatial sequence RR of the information 3 on a common side 1S1 of the tool chain 1 determines the logical sequence LR of at least the information 3.

[0082] For example, at least one marked chain link 2 can be a rivet link 2d, in particular as an alternative or in addition to marked chain links 2 of other types. With regard to the marked chain link 2 formed by the rivet link 2d, the information 3 can be present on at least one of the rivet heads K, K of this rivet link 2d. The information 3 present on the rivet head K, K corresponds, for example, to a rivet head shape 3 of the rivet head K, K, in particular a rivet head detail of the rivet head K, K. The rivet head shaping 3 of the rivet head K, K is generated, for example, before the chain links 2 to be connected are arranged in the assembly position. Alternatively or additionally, the rivet head shaping 3 can be generated after or during riveting.

[0083] For example, at least one marked chain link 2 can be a drive link 2a with recesses V, in particular spherical caps S, for receiving lubricant. In this case, the information 3 can correspond to a number 3 of recesses V of this drive link 2a. Alternatively or additionally, the information 3 can correspond to a formation 3 of the recesses V of this drive link 2a. FIG. 7 shows an example of such a driving link 2a with a number 3 of recesses arranged in a formation 3. In the case of other numbers 3 and/or formations 3 selected recesses V can be omitted, for example, based on the example shown in FIG. 7.

[0084] For example, information 3 can consist of at least two sets of at least two different pieces of information 3. The sets can each form a separate marking set, wherein the marking sets are each based on a common marking type. The information 3 from at least two sets can, for example, form a common spatial sequence RR or parallel spatial sequences RR. In this way, a particularly high information density can be achieved, in particular with reference to a detection area, in particular the detection device 21 for detecting the at least spatial sequence RR.

[0085] For example, the tool chain 1 has a guide area F that is free of information 3, in particular information markings. The guide area F can be guided on a guide rail 11 of a chain tool 10, in particular if the tool chain 1 is guided by the chain tool 10. If the tool chain 1 is guided on the guide rail 11, the guide area F of the tool chain 1 can be covered by the guide rail 11; see FIG. 5. In other words, the information 3, in particular the information markings, can be present outside the guide area F in such a way that they can also be detected when the tool chain 1 is guided on the guide rail 11, in particular from the outside. In particular, any markings on the tool chain 1 within the guide area F are not information 3 in this example scenario. If the tool chain 1 is designed as an endless chain, for example as shown in FIG. 5, the guide area F can be arranged radially on the inside.

[0086] For example, when carrying out step b) and/or step c) of the method already explained above by way of example, a multi-stage database query can be carried out. The multi-stage database query may comprise a first query stage and a second query stage following the first query stage. It is understood that the second query stage can be followed by further query stages. The query stages may differ, for example, in terms of the complexity and/or acquisition speed of the information 3, in particular information markings, acquired in accordance with step a). For example, in the first query stage, the database query can be performed for information 3, in particular information markings, which can be captured relatively quickly and/or have a relatively low complexity. In the second query stage, the database query can be performed, for example, for information 3, in particular information markings, which can be captured less quickly and/or are more complex than the information 3, in particular information markings, processed in the first query stage. For example, characters, in particular numerals and/or letters, can be captured more quickly and/or are less complex than the formation of recesses V, in particular spherical caps S, for receiving lubricant.

[0087] As the exemplary embodiments shown and explained above make clear, the invention provides an advantageous tool chain, wherein the tool chain enables identification of a property of the tool chain. Furthermore, the invention provides an advantageous chain tool comprising such a tool chain, an advantageous method for identifying a property of such a tool chain and an advantageous system for identifying a property of such a tool chain.

[0088] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.