U.S. patent application number 14/187173 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for hand power tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Robert Bosch GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Bosch GmbH. Invention is credited to Daniel Barth, Cornelius Boeck, Florian Esenwein, Manfred Lutz, Joerg Maute, Joachim Schadow, Manfred Schuele, Helmut Wanek.
Application Number | 20140242889 14/187173 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51388609 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140242889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schuele; Manfred ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
Hand Power Tool
Abstract
An angle grinder including at least one ECO mode unit configured
to provide an ECO mode and at least one functional device
configured to make available a function of the angle grinder that
is at least partially essential for an operating state.
Inventors: |
Schuele; Manfred;
(Sulzbach-Laufen, DE) ; Wanek; Helmut;
(Kirchheim/Neckar, DE) ; Boeck; Cornelius;
(Kirchheim, DE) ; Schadow; Joachim; (Stuttgart,
DE) ; Maute; Joerg; (Sindelfingen, DE) ;
Esenwein; Florian; (Leinfelden-Echterdingen, DE) ;
Lutz; Manfred; (Filderstadt, DE) ; Barth; Daniel;
(Leinfelden-Echterdingen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Robert Bosch GmbH |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Robert Bosch GmbH
Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
51388609 |
Appl. No.: |
14/187173 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/358 ;
173/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 47/12 20130101;
B24B 23/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/358 ;
173/1 |
International
Class: |
B24B 47/12 20060101
B24B047/12; B24B 23/02 20060101 B24B023/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 22, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 202 945.4 |
Claims
1. An angle grinder, comprising: at least one ECO mode unit
configured to provide an ECO mode.
2. The angle grinder according to claim 1, further comprising: at
least one recuperation unit configured to recover at least a part
of an energy.
3. The angle grinder according to claim 2, further comprising: at
least one functional device configured to make available a function
of the hand power tool that is at least partially essential for an
operating state.
4. The angle grinder according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
recuperation unit is further configured to drive the at least one
functional device.
5. The angle grinder according to claim 1, further comprising: a
switchover unit configured to switch over, at least, between a
conventional mode and the ECO mode.
6. The angle grinder according to claim 3, further comprising: at
least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit configured for
open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the at least one functional
device according to need.
7. The angle grinder according to claim 3, wherein the functional
device includes at least one cooling unit.
8. The angle grinder according to claim 1, further comprising: a
drive unit including at least one EC motor.
9. An ECO mode unit of a hand power tool comprising: an ECO mode
module configured to operate the hand power tool according to an
ECO mode.
10. A method for operating a hand power tool comprising: operating
the hand power tool in an ECO mode using an ECO mode unit of an
electronic unit; and operating the hand power tool in a
conventional mode using the electronic unit.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to patent application no. DE 10 2013 202 945.4, filed on Feb. 22,
2013 in Germany, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hand power tools, such as angle grinders, are known in the
prior art.
SUMMARY
[0003] The disclosure is based on a hand power tool, in particular
an angle grinder.
[0004] It is proposed that the hand power tool comprise at least
one ECO mode unit, which is provided to provide an ECO mode.
"Provided" is to be understood to mean, in particular, specially
programmed, designed, configured and/or specially equipped. An "ECO
mode" in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular,
an operating mode of the hand power tool in which, at least at
times, it is possible to achieve an efficiency of the hand power
tool that, in particular, is at least 55%, preferably at least 60%,
preferably at least 65%, and particularly preferably at least 70%,
and/or that is provided, at least partially, for an energy-saving
operating state of the hand power tool, and/or that is provided to
optimize, at least at times, an energy consumption of the hand
power tool, and/or in which an energy consumption of at least one
consumer unit is reduced, at least partially. Particularly
preferably, the ECO mode unit is provided, at least partially, to
drive at least a part of the electrical consumer unit
recuperatively, at least partially, and/or according to need.
"According to need" in this context is to be understood to mean, in
particular, that the consumer unit is to be driven in dependence on
at least one parameter of the hand power tool, such as, in
particular, in the case of attainment of a limit temperature, a
limit torque and/or another limit parameter considered appropriate
by persons skilled in the art.
[0005] The design according to the disclosure makes it possible to
achieve a hand power tool that is advantageously economical, and
that is consequently environmentally benign and preferably
inexpensive to operate.
[0006] Moreover, it is proposed that the hand power tool comprise
at least one recuperation unit, which is provided, at least
partially, for recovery of at least a part of an energy. "Recovery
of energy" in this context is to be understood to mean, in
particular, storage and/or utilization of lost energy that is given
off in an operating state, in particular by a drive unit, by an
electronic unit and/or by another functional unit considered
appropriate by persons skilled in the art, and, in particular,
feedback of the lost energy to at least one functional unit of the
hand power tool. A "drive unit" in this context is to be understood
to mean, in particular, a unit provided, at least partially, to
drive an insert tool coupled to the hand power tool, in an
operating state. The drive unit preferably comprises at least one
electric motor. It is also conceivable, however, for the drive unit
to be realized, at least partially, such that it can be driven
pneumatically and/or in another manner considered appropriate by
persons skilled in the art. An "electronic unit" in this context is
to be understood to mean, in particular, a unit provided, at least
partially, to control, in particular, the drive unit of the hand
power tool, by open-loop and/or closed-loop control, at least when
the hand power tool is in an operating state. Preferably, the
electronic unit comprises at least one motor controller of the
drive unit. The electronic unit preferably has electronic
components such as, in particular, at least one transistor, at
least one capacitor, at least one processor, particularly
preferably at least one field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and/or at
least one bipolar transistor, in particular having an insulated
gate electrode (IGBT). It is thereby possible to achieve an
advantageously energy-saving and economic design of the hand power
tool.
[0007] It is furthermore proposed that the hand power tool comprise
at least one functional device, which is provided, at least
partially, to make available a function of the hand power tool that
is at least partially essential for an operating state. A
"functional device" in this context is to be understood to mean, in
particular, a device of the hand power tool that comprises at least
one consumer unit that is provided, at least partially, to make
available a function supporting and/or necessary for an operation
of the hand power tool, and/or that requires a drive energy, at
least partially, in at least one operating state. It is thereby
possible to achieve a preferably high degree of operating
comfort.
[0008] It is additionally proposed that the at least one
recuperation unit be provided, at least partially, for driving the
at least one functional device. For this purpose, the recuperation
unit may convert, in particular, the thermal energy that the drive
unit, the electronic unit and/or another functional unit of the
hand power tool considered appropriate by persons skilled in the
art, at least partially, into a form of energy suitable for driving
the at least one functional device, such as, in particular, into
electrical energy and/or into mechanical energy. It is thereby
possible, in an advantageously simple manner, to achieve operation
of the at least one functional device that is preferably
inexpensive, energy-saving and, consequently, environmentally
benign.
[0009] Moreover, it is proposed that the hand power tool have a
switchover unit, which is provided for switching over, at least,
between a conventional mode and the ECO mode. A "conventional mode"
in this context is to be understood to mean, in particular, an
operating state that corresponds, at least partially, preferably at
least mostly, and particularly preferably at least almost
completely, to an operating and/or working mode of an already known
hand power tool. In the ECO mode, the hand power tool, in an
operating and/or working mode, has a maximum available energy
consumption that, in particular, corresponds to less than 95%,
preferably less than 90%, preferably less than 85%, and
particularly preferably less than 80%, of a maximum available
energy consumption of the hand power tool in an operating and/or
working state in a conventional mode, with the same and/or at least
a comparable type of operation. In a particularly preferred
exemplary embodiment, the energy consumption of the hand power tool
in an operating and/or working state in an ECO mode corresponds to
less than 70% of the energy consumption of the hand power tool in
an operating and/or working state in a conventional mode. In the
conventional mode, the hand power tool can make available a greater
power in an operating and/or working state than in an ECO mode. It
is thereby possible to achieve an advantageously energy-saving and
economic design of the hand power tool.
[0010] It is additionally proposed that the hand power tool have at
least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit, which is
provided, at least partially, for open-loop and/or closed-loop
control of the at least one functional device according to need. An
"open-loop and/or closed-loop control" in this context is to be
understood to mean, in particular, an operation that is at least
partially independent of an operating state of the drive unit
and/or of the electronic unit, and that is provided, at least
partially, to actively influence, at least partially, an operation
of at least the functional device, and/or to adapt and/or
approximate the operation of the functional device, at least
partially, to a predefined functional sequence, and/or to alter, in
particular actively, in particular dynamically variable operating
parameters of the cooling device, preferably according to an
algorithm. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit may be
realized such that, in particular, it is at least partially
mechanical, particularly preferably, at least partially electronic.
"According to need" in this context is to be understood to mean, in
particular, that the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit for
open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the functional device in
dependence on at least one operating and/or working parameter of
the hand power tool, such as, in particular, a temperature of at
least one component of the hand power tool, a power consumption of
the drive unit and/or an operating period of the drive unit and/or
of the electronic unit, and/or in dependence on at least one other
parameter of the hand power tool considered appropriate by persons
skilled in the art. Preferably, the open-loop and/or closed-loop
control unit additionally comprises a computing unit and, in
particular, in addition to the computing unit, a memory storage
unit having, stored therein, an open-loop and/or closed-loop
control program provided to be executed by the computing unit. It
is thereby possible, in an advantageously simple manner, to achieve
operation of the at least one functional device that is preferably
inexpensive, energy-saving and, consequently, environmentally
benign.
[0011] It is furthermore proposed that the functional device
comprise at least one cooling unit. A "cooling unit" in this
context is to be understood to mean, in particular, a unit that is
realized to cool further components of the hand power tool, in
particular a drive unit and/or an electronic unit of the hand power
tool and that, in particular, is in thermal contact, and preferably
in direct mechanical contact, with these components. In a
particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the cooling unit is
provided to reduce or prevent a heating of the components to be
cooled, in particular of the drive unit and/or the electronic unit,
and/or, particularly preferably, to reduce a temperature of the
components to be cooled, in particular of the drive unit and/or of
the electronic unit. "Cooling" in this context is to be understood
to mean, in particular, an at least partial removal of thermal
energy that is produced and/or given off, in particular when the
hand power tool is in an operating state, in particular from at
least one heat-critical component of the hand power tool. A
"heat-critical" component in this context is to be understood to
mean, in particular, an element, a unit and/or a region of the hand
power tool whose operation and/or function may be negatively
affected by the thermal energy produced, in particular when the
hand power tool is in an operating state, and/or may be destroyed,
at least partially, by the thermal energy produced, in particular
when the hand power tool is in an operating state. In a
particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, in particular, the
drive unit and/or the electronic unit comprises/comprise the at
least one heat-critical component of the hand power tool.
Alternatively or additionally, the cooling unit may also be
provided, at least partially, for cooling another unit considered
appropriate by persons skilled in the art, and/or another element
and/or region considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art,
such as, in particular, a grip region, of the hand power tool. It
is thereby possible to achieve advantageously good cooling of the
hand power tool, and consequently a preferably high power density
of the hand power tool.
[0012] In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the
cooling unit is constituted, at least partially, by a fan unit. A
"fan unit" in this context is to be understood to mean, in
particular, a unit that is provided, at least partially, to
generate an air stream in at least one operating state, in
particular by electrical energy, and/or that preferably has a
rotating fan propeller, specially shaped thereon, which draws in
air on at least one side and expels air on at least one other side.
It is thereby possible to achieve advantageously good cooling of
the hand power tool.
[0013] It is additionally proposed that the drive unit comprise at
least one EC motor. An "EC motor" in this context is to be
understood to mean, in particular, a brushless, electrically
commutated motor. It is thereby possible to achieve a preferably
high-power, advantageously compact and inexpensive design of the
drive unit of the hand power tool.
[0014] The hand power tool according to the disclosure is not
intended in this case to be limited to the application and
embodiment described above. In particular, the hand power tool
according to the disclosure may have individual elements,
components and units that differ in number from a number stated
herein, in order to fulfill a principle of function described
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Further advantages are given by the following description of
the drawing. The drawing shows an exemplary embodiment of the
disclosure. The drawing, the description and the claims contain
numerous features in combination. Persons skilled in the art will
also expediently consider the features individually and combine
them to create appropriate further combinations.
[0016] In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a hand power
tool according to the disclosure, and
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the hand power
tool according to the disclosure, in a side view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] A hand power tool is represented in FIG. 1. The hand power
tool is constituted by an angle grinder. Also conceivable, however,
are other designs of the hand power tool considered appropriate by
persons skilled in the art, such as, for example, as a power drill,
hammer drill, oscillating hand power tool or orbital sander. The
hand power tool comprises a housing 24. The housing 24 is made of a
plastic. The housing 24 constitutes a main handle 26, which is
provided to be gripped by an operating hand of an operator. A power
cable 30 is disposed at one end of the housing 24, as viewed in the
direction of main extent 28 of the hand power tool. The power cable
30 is provided to supply electrical energy to a drive unit 22 of
the hand power tool. The power cable 30 is provided to be connected
to an electrical power network. For this purpose, the power cable
30 has a plug element, not represented. It is also conceivable,
however, for the hand power tool to be constituted by a
battery-powered hand power tool. The hand power tool additionally
has a switching element 32, which is designed to be operated by an
operator. The switching element 32 is provided to activate the
drive unit 22. The switching element 32 is constituted by a slide
switch.
[0020] The hand power tool additionally has a transmission housing
34. The transmission housing 34 is connected to the housing 24, at
an end of the housing 24 opposite to the power cable 30. The
transmission housing 34 is made of a metal. The transmission
housing 34 is made of aluminum. The hand power tool comprises a
tool receiver 36, not represented in greater detail, which is
provided to receive and captively hold an insert tool 38. The
insert tool 38 is constituted by an abrasive disk. The insert tool
38 is detachably connected to the tool receiver 36. The tool
receiver 36 is disposed at an open end of the transmission housing
34, as viewed perpendicularly in relation to the direction of main
extent 28 of the hand power tool. The tool receiver 36 projects out
of the transmission housing 34. In addition, a protective hood 40
is coupled to the tool receiver 36. The protective hood 40 is
detachably connected to the hand power tool 36.
[0021] The hand power tool additionally has an ancillary handle 42.
The ancillary handle 42 is provided to be gripped by a further
operating hand of the operator. The ancillary handle 42 is
detachably coupled to the hand power tool. When the ancillary
handle 42 is mounted on the hand power tool, a direction of main
extent 44 of the ancillary handle 42 is perpendicular to the
direction of main extent 28 of the hand power tool and parallel to
a plane of main extent of the insert tool 38.
[0022] The hand power tool has the drive unit 22, an electronic
unit 46 and a functional device 14 (FIG. 2). The housing 24 of the
hand power tool surrounds the drive unit 22, the electronic unit 46
and functional device 14. The drive unit 22 comprises an electric
motor. The drive unit 22 comprises an EC motor. The drive unit 22
has an output shaft 48, which is connected to a drive shaft 52 via
a transmission unit 50. The transmission unit 50 has a bevel gear
transmission, not represented. The drive shaft 52 is provided for
driving an insert tool 38, not represented here, which is coupled
to the tool receiver 36. The drive shaft 52 is coupled to the tool
receiver 36. The drive shaft 52 is coupled to the tool receiver 36
in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The drive shaft 52
extends perpendicularly in relation to the output shaft 48. The
drive shaft 52 is perpendicular to the direction of main extent 28
of the hand power tool.
[0023] The drive unit 22 is operatively connected to the electronic
unit 46. The drive unit 22 is electronically connected to the
electronic unit 46. The electronic unit 46 is provided for
open-loop control or closed-loop control of the drive unit 22.
Alternatively or additionally, the electronic unit 46 may also be
provided for open-loop control or closed-loop control of a further
functional unit considered appropriate by persons skilled in the
art. The electronic unit 46 comprises field-effect transistors. The
electronic unit 46 comprises metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect
transistors (MOSFET). Alternatively or additionally, the electronic
unit 46 may also comprise other electronic components considered
appropriate by persons skilled in the art, such as, for example, a
bipolar transistor having an insulated gate electrode (IGBT).
[0024] The hand power tool comprises an ECO mode unit 10, which is
provided to provide an ECO mode. The ECO mode unit 10 is realized
so as to constitute a single piece with the electronic unit 46. The
electronic unit 46 is provided to additionally provide a
conventional mode. The hand power tool has a switchover unit 16,
which is provided for switching over between the conventional mode
and the ECO mode. The switchover unit 16 comprises a switchover
element 54 that can be actuated by an operator. The switchover
element 54 is constituted by a slide switch. It is also
conceivable, however, for the switchover unit 16 to be provided for
automatic switchover, which is independent of the operator, between
the conventional mode and the ECO mode.
[0025] The hand power tool comprises a recuperation unit 12, which
is provided for recovery of a part of an energy supplied to the
hand power tool in an operating state. The part of the energy is
constituted by a lost energy that is given off by the drive unit
22, by the electronic unit 46 or by another functional unit
considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art. The lost
energy is realized as thermal energy. The recuperation unit 12
comprises a converter element 56, which is provided to convert the
lost energy into a different form of energy. The converted lost
energy can be made available again to the hand power tool, as
useful energy. The converter element 56 is constituted by a
thermoelectric element, and converts the lost energy, present as
thermal energy, into electrical energy. The recuperation unit 12
has a storage element 58, which is provided to store the converted
lost energy. The storage element 58 is constituted by a capacitor.
Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable for the
storage element 58 to comprise a storage battery or to be designed
in another manner considered appropriate by persons skilled in the
art.
[0026] The hand power tool additionally has a functional device 14,
which is provided to make available a function of the hand power
tool that is essential for an operating state of the hand power
tool. The functional device 14 comprises a cooling unit 20. The
cooling unit 20 comprises a fan element 60, which is provided to
generate a cooling stream, in an operating state. The fan element
60 is constituted by a micro-fan. The cooling unit 20 is provided
to cool the electronic unit 46, in an operating state. The fan
element 60 is disposed on the electronic unit 46, such that, when
the fan element 60 is in an operating state, the cooling stream
flows past the electronic unit 46 and cools the electronic unit
46.
[0027] The hand power tool additionally comprises an open-loop
and/or closed-loop control unit 18, which is provided for open-loop
and/or closed-loop control of the functional device 14 according to
need. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 18 is realized
as an open-loop control unit 62, and provided for open-loop control
of the functional device 14 according to need. Alternatively or
additionally, it is also conceivable for the open-loop and/or
closed-loop control unit 18 to be realized as a closed-loop control
unit, and to be provided for closed-loop control of the functional
device 14 according to need. The open-loop control unit 62 is
provided for open-loop control of the cooling unit 20 of the
functional device 14 according to need. The open-loop control unit
62 is provided for open-loop control of the cooling unit 20,
according to need, in dependence on a parameter. The open-loop
control unit 62 may additionally be provided for open-loop control
of the cooling unit 20 in dependence on a plurality of parameters.
The open-loop control unit 62 comprises a sensor unit 64, which is
provided to sense the parameters.
[0028] When the hand power tool is in an operating state, the
sensor unit 64 senses a temperature of the electronic unit 46. It
is also conceivable, however, for the sensor unit 64 to be provided
to sense an operating period of the hand power tool, a rotational
speed and/or a power consumption of the drive unit 22, and/or
another parameter of the hand power tool considered appropriate by
persons skilled in the art. The open-loop control unit 62 is
provided for open-loop control of the functional device 14 in
dependence on temperature, and puts the cooling unit 20 into an
operating state, if necessary. It is also conceivable, however, for
the open-loop control unit 62 to be provided for open-loop control
of the cooling unit 20 of the functional device 14 in dependence on
time, power and/or another parameter considered appropriate by
persons skilled in the art. The open-loop control unit 62 evaluates
the parameter sensed by the sensor unit 64, compares the parameter
sensed by the sensor unit 64 with predefined limit values stored in
the open-loop control unit 62, and controls the cooling unit 20
according to a control algorithm stored in the open-loop control
unit 62. If the sensed temperature of the electronic unit 46
attains or exceeds a maximum temperature, the cooling unit 20 of
the functional device 14 is activated and the fan element 60 of the
cooling unit 20 is driven, such that a cooling stream, generated by
the fan element 60, cools the electronic unit 46.
[0029] The recuperation unit 12 is provided for driving the
functional device 14. The fan element 60, in an operating state, is
driven by means of the electrical energy converted by the converter
element 56 of the recuperation unit 12. As a result, it is not
necessary for additional energy to be supplied to the fan element
60 of the cooling unit 20 from the outside. The fan element 60 of
the cooling unit 20 is driven by means of the lost energy of the
electronic unit 46.
[0030] The functional device 14 of the hand power tool additionally
has a lighting unit 66, which is provided to illuminate a working
region of the hand power tool. The lighting unit 66 may
additionally be provided to convey visual information to an
operator. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 18 is
provided to control the lighting unit 66 of the functional device
14 by open-loop and/or closed-loop control. The open-loop control
unit 62 activates the lighting unit 66 in a working state, and
deactivates the lighting unit 66 in an unused operating state
and/or standby state.
* * * * *