AU2011202764B2

AU2011202764B2 - Bolt-firing device and method for operating a bolt-firing device

Info

Publication number: AU2011202764B2
Application number: AU2011202764A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Klaus Bertsch; Harald Fielitz; Stefan Miescher; Peter Roth
Original assignee: Hilti AG
Current assignee: Hilti AG
Priority date: 2010-06-15
Filing date: 2011-06-09
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-09
Also published as: DE102010030055A1; EP2397260A2; KR101898287B1; KR20110136729A; US20110303428A1; EP2397260B1; EP2397260A3; TW201206646A; JP2012000751A; CN102284934A; TWI562866B; JP5723686B2; AU2011202764A1; CN102284934B

Abstract

The invention relates to a bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically and that assumes different device states during operation. In order to further increase 5 the safety during operation of bolt-firing devices that can be operated electrically, the bolt-firing device (1) comprises a monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism (24) that monitors the device states. (Figure I) ...............2..

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant/s: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft Actual Inventor/s: Peter Roth and Klaus Bertsch and Stefan Miescher and Harald Fielitz Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: BOLT-FIRING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BOLT FIRING DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: File: 70456AUP00 -2 BOLT-FIRING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BOLT-FIRING DEVICE 5 FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY The invention relates to a bolt-firing device. The invention further relates to a method for operating a bolt-firing device. 10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 15 Bolt-firing devices that can be operated electrically advantageously involve a hand controlled driving device for fastening elements as disclosed, for example, in the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2006 000 517 Al. From the International Publication WO 2007/142997 A2, a similar driving device with a controller is known 20 that comprises at least one timer. The timer monitors, for example, the time period for a partial or complete return stroke. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically and that assumes different device states during operation, 30 wherein the bolt-firing device comprises: a monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism that monitors one or more different device states; and an electric drive motor which is -3 commutated electrically or electronically, wherein the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism counts the number of commutations of the electric drive motor to determine one or more of the different device states. 5 Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". 10 The entire sequence of the different device states can be protected by the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism. The monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism could be integrated into an electronic controller internal to the device. A preferred embodiment of the bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically is 15 characterized in that the bolt-firing device comprises switch and/or sensor mechanisms that monitor the device states. The switch and/or sensor mechanisms could have a noncontact or touch construction. The switch and/or sensor mechanisms could comprise mechanical and/or electronic components. The switch and/or sensor mechanisms could be connected by means of corresponding control lines or 20 wirelessly to the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism. In certain embodiments, the bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically and that comprises an electric drive motor that outputs drive energy to an intermediate storage device that buffers the drive energy and can output it in a pulse-like manner in 25 a firing procedure, in order to seat a bolt, the diagnostics mechanism monitors the electric drive motor, wherein operating data of the electric drive motor is detected during operation of the bolt-firing device. The diagnostics mechanism advantageously comprising diagnostics electronics allows disturbances in the device sequence to be diagnosed without a delay in time. The electric drive motor can be 30 controlled immediately when a disturbance occurs and differently according to the -4 disturbance, in that, for example, the energizing of the electric drive motor is changed, interrupted or reversed in rotational direction. A preferred embodiment of the bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically is 5 characterized in that the diagnostics mechanism is connected to the electric drive motor so that a rotational speed of the electric drive motor is detected during operation of the bolt-firing device. The rotational speed could be detected, for example, by means of a sensor-less method or by means of sensors or switches, in particular, Hall sensors that are integrated, in particular, into the electric drive motor. 10 From the detected operating data, such as rotational-speed profile, current, voltage, cycle time and the like, before the occurrence of the disturbance, conclusions can be drawn on the type of disturbance or its cause. The connection between the diagnostics mechanism and the electric drive motor can comprise, for example, at least one signal line or control line. The connection could also, however, have a wireless construction. 15 Another preferred embodiment of the bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically is characterized in that the intermediate storage device comprises a tensioning mechanism with an actuator that can perform a translational movement and whose position is detected during operation of the bolt-firing device. The 20 tensioning mechanism comprises, for example, a drive spring element that interacts with a locking mechanism. The drive spring element can be tensioned by means of a threaded spindle and a spindle nut guided locked in rotation on the threaded spindle. Here, a rotational movement of the threaded spindle generated by the electric drive motor is converted into a linear movement or a translational movement of the spindle 25 nut. The spindle nut then involves the actuator of the tensioning mechanism that can perform a translation movement. As the intermediate storage device, alternatively or additionally, gas storage devices and/or flywheels could also be used. Another preferred embodiment of the bolt-firing device that can be operated 30 electrically is characterized in that the diagnostics mechanism is connected according to the controller to the electric drive motor so that the electric drive motor is turned -5 off by the diagnostics mechanism when an error occurs. The electric drive motor is advantageously turned off such that the energizing of the electric drive motor is interrupted. Therefore, an undesired overload of the electric drive motor can be reliably prevented. 5 Another preferred embodiment of the bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically is characterized in that the diagnostics mechanism comprises signal processing electronics in which the operating data of the electrical drive motor, such as an electrical voltage, an electrical current, a rotational speed, a temperature or 10 similar detectable data, are evaluated, with this data being detected during operation of the bolt-firing device. Certain errors can be responded to specifically by means of the signal-processing electronics. For certain errors, automatic measures can be taken in order to correct an error source. The temperature of the device components could be determined by, in addition to the direct measurement, measuring a physical 15 quantity, such as temperature, only at one or a few points, such as, for example, at the power section of the electronics, and then other, not-directly-measured temperatures in the device, such as that of the motor, could be determined with the help of an algorithm. According to another variant, the temperature is calculated through analysis of operating parameters, such as firing rhythm, current, voltage or the like. 20 Another preferred embodiment of the bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically is characterized in that the diagnostics mechanism comprises a data storage device and/or a signal output. By means of the signal output, information on the error or instructions for eliminating it can be transmitted to the user selectively. 25 The stored errors could be read out and used at a later time, for example, in a repair shop, in order to repair a defective bolt-firing device. Another preferred embodiment of the bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically is characterized in that the electric drive motor is constructed as an 30 electrically or electronically commutated electric motor. The electric motor -6 advantageously involves a brushless direct-current motor that is also designated as a BLDC (brushless direct current) electric motor. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for 5 operating a bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically via an electric motor which is commutated electrically or electronically, the device assuming one or more different device states during operation, wherein at least one device state is detected, monitored and/or analyzed for the introduction of drive energy into the intermediate storage device, wherein the detecting, monitoring and/or analyzing includes counting 10 the number of commutations of the electric drive motor. The intermediate storage device advantageously comprises at least one spring. Consequently, the device state is analyzed during the tensioning of the spring. 15 In certain preferred embodiments, a position or location or a state of a spring, an intermediate storage device, a trigger pawl, a locking mechanism, a trigger, a coupling, a bolt, a spindle, a spindle nut, a contact-pressing rod, a piston, an accumulator, a roll holder and/or a band or a belt is detected, monitored and/or analyzed. Therefore, with the help of a controller it can be monitored whether the 20 bolt-firing device can assume or has assumed a defined device state. In certain preferred embodiments, operating data, such as a temperature, an electrical voltage, an electrical current and/or a rotational speed of an electric drive motor, a controller mechanism and/or an energy-supply mechanism, is detected, monitored 25 and/or analyzed. The operating data are advantageously present in the form of signals that are provided by a switch and/or sensor mechanism. The energy-supply mechanism advantageously involves an accumulator. One preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the operating data 30 are compared with specified limit values, wherein information on the result of the comparison is output by means of a display and/or interface mechanism. The -7 information is output, for example, to a user of the bolt-firing device or to a service technician when the bolt-firing device is being serviced or repaired. Through the information, conclusions on a device state are made possible, without the bolt-firing device having to be disassembled. 5 According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically and that comprises an electric drive motor which is commutated electrically or electronically and outputs drive energy to an intermediate storage device that buffers the drive energy and can output 10 it in a pulse-like manner during a firing procedure, in order to seat a bolt, wherein the electric drive motor is monitored by counting the number of commutations of the electric drive motor to determine one or more of different device states during operation of the bolt-firing device, wherein operating data of the electric drive motor is detected. 15 The monitoring of the electric drive motor and/or the detection of the operating data supplies the advantage that disturbances in the intermediate storage device can be diagnosed without a delay in time. The electric drive motor can be turned off immediately when a disturbance occurs in that, for example, the energizing of the 20 electric drive motor is interrupted. Therefore, undesired damage can be avoided during the operation of the bolt-firing device. The monitoring and/or detection of the operating data is advantageously performed with a diagnostics mechanism that is integrated in the bolt-firing device. 25 One preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the rotational speed of the electric drive motor is derived from a commutation frequency of the electric drive motor. The electric drive motor is advantageously constructed as an electrically or electronically commutated electric motor and is also designated as a brushless direct-current motor or as a BLDC (brushless direct current) electric motor. 30 - 7A Another preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the current position of an actuator of a tensioning mechanism is determined by counting the number of commutations of the electric drive motor. The intermediate storage device of the bolt-firing device advantageously comprises a tensioning mechanism with a 5 drive spring element that interacts with a locking mechanism. The drive spring element can be tensioned by means of a threaded spindle and a spindle nut guided locked in rotation on the threaded spindle. Here, a rotational movement of the threaded spindle generated by the electric drive motor is converted into a linear -8 movement or translational movement of the spindle nut. The spindle nut then involves the actuator of the tensioning mechanism. Additional advantages, features, and details of the invention are given from the 5 following description of various embodiments, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1, a simplified diagram of a bolt-firing device according to the invention in section in a first device state; 10 Figure 2, the bolt-firing device from Figure 1 in a second device state; Figure 3, a greatly simplified diagram of interfaces for controlling the bolt-firing device from Figures I and 2; 15 Figures 4-6, each a Cartesian coordinate plot in which a rotational speed, an electrical voltage and an electrical current, respectively, are plotted versus a tensioning stroke; Figure 7, a similar bolt-firing device as in Figure I with an additional display and an 20 interface; Figure 8, the bolt-firing device from Figure 7 with a computer that is connected to the interface of the bolt-firing device; 25 Figure 9, a similar bolt-firing device as in Figures I and 8 with different monitoring functions; and Figure 10, a schematic diagram of the configuration of a controller of a bolt-firing device from Figures 1, 2 and 7-9. 30 -9 DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The bolt-firing device according to the invention is constructed, for example, as a hand-operated driving device as disclosed in the Figures 1-4 and the associated 5 description of the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2006 000 517 A1. The bolt firing device comprises, as the drive spring element, a spring and is therefore also designated as a spring nailer. The spring is tensioned by an electric motor that drives a ball-screw spindle by means ofa belt drive or a gearwheel or friction-wheel gear. A rotational movement of the threaded spindle is converted into a linear movement of 10 the spindle nut by means of a spindle nut guided locked in rotation on the threaded spindle. The spring is tensioned by means of the linear movement of the spind le nut in that a tappet contacting the spring is moved against the spring by the spindle nut that 15 represents an actuator of the tensioning mechanism. At the end of a tensioning movement, the tappet locks in a pawl and is held in the tensioned position, while the spindle nut is moved back into its starting position by the electric motor for reversed rotational direction. The spring is held by the pawl in its tensioned position until the user opens the pawl by pressing a trigger and thus triggers a bolt-firing procedure. 20 After the firing of the bolt, the spring is tensioned again with the help of the electric motor. The spring is thus tensioned in that the spindle nut performs a back and forth movement on the threaded spindle, wherein the electric motor is energized for a 25 certain time in one direction and then again in the opposite direction. The energizing of the electric motor is controlled by an electronic controller, wherein the controller energizes the electric motor in one direction until the spindle nut triggers a control signal by reaching the respective end position, for example, by moving over the pawl. Through the control signal, the controller reports that the respective end position was 30 reached. Then the energizing of the electric motor can be turned off by the controller, or the electric motor can be energized in the opposite direction.

-10 The controller comprises a diagnostics mechanism that is in the position to monitor, detect or measure the rotational speed ofthe electric motor driving the tensioning mechanism and/or the position of the tensioning mechanism, in particular, the 5 actuator of the tensioning mechanism during all of the tensioning and tension releasing processes in the bolt-firing device. Therefore, the entire profile of the rotational speed of the electric motor can be recorded versus the respective tensioning or tension-releasing process of the tensioning mechanism. 10 With the help of the diagnostics mechanism according to the invention, a mechanical disturbance, such as, for example, jamming of the tensioning mechanism, can be diagnosed immediately and without a delay in time. From this is given the advantage that when a disturbance occurs, the energizing of the electric motor can be immediately ended. Therefore, damage of the tensioning mechanism and/or the 15 electric motor can be effectively prevented. From the operating data, for example, the rotational speed profile, before the occurrence of the disturbance, conclusions can be drawn on the type of disturbance or its cause. The control electronics can respond much more specifically to certain errors 20 due to the diagnostics mechanism according to the invention. For certain errors, the control electronics that are advantageously integrated into the diagnostics mechanism and can also be designated as diagnostics electronics can also initiate automatic measures, in order to correct the cause of the error. In addition, information on a previous device failure could be provided and/or output. 25 In addition, the diagnostics mechanism could give to the user selective information on the error or instructions for its correction. In addition, the control electronics of the diagnostics mechanism according to the invention can store information on the errors. The stored data can then be read out later in a repair shop for system diagnostics or 30 for repair of the bolt-firing device.

- lI The electric motor for driving the tensioning mechanism is constructed according to one especially preferred embodiment as a BLDC (brushless direct current) electric motor that is electrically or electronically commutated. Here, the diagnostics mechanism according to the invention is used for measuring the rotational speed of 5 the electric motor. According to one preferred variant, the rotational speed of the electric motor is derived from the commutation frequency of the electric motor. If a slip-free movement transfer from the electric motor to the tensioning mechanism is given in the bolt-firing device according to the invention, for example, by means of 10 a toothed belt or a gearwheel pair, then with the help of the diagnostics mechanism according to the invention, the position ofan actuator of the tensioning mechanism can be determined by counting the number of commutations of the electric motor. Here, for example, before the beginning of an energizing of the electric motor, a 15 counter is set to zero for determining the number of commutations. Then, in the energized state of the electric motor, the number of commutations is detected by incrementing the counter. When the counter exceeds a specified limit value, then this can be evaluated as an error in the tensioning mechanism, and the energizing of the electric motor can be interrupted. The limit value can be determined, for example, by 20 comparison measurements with a reference bolt-firing device and stored in a storage device of the controller electronics, for example, by calibration or tuning with sensor signals. The commutation frequency can be detected, for example, by Hall sensors that are 25 attached to a stator of the electric motor and are used to detect a rotor position in the operation of the electric motor. Each time when the rotor moves over a certain rotor position, a corresponding counter could be incremented. The counter is advantageously set to zero before the tensioning or tension releasing of the tensioning mechanism. As soon as the counter exceeds a limit value or a limit value per unit of 30 time, an error can be determined in the tensioning mechanism.

- 12 In Figures 1 and 2, a bolt-firing device I with a housing 2 is shown simplified in section. The bolt-firing device I comprises a magazine 3 for fastening elements, in particular, bolts, of which a supply is contained in the magazine 3. The bolt-firing device I also comprises a grip 4 that can be gripped by the hand of the user. 5 A safety mechanism 6 that comprises a contact-pressing rod 8 is attached to one bolt firing end 5 of the bolt-firing device 1. When the bolt-firing device I is set against a wall with the bolt-firing end 5, the contact-pressing rod 8 is moved from its rest position shown in Figure 1 into a work position shown in Figure 2. When the contact 10 pressing rod 8 has assumed its work position, then, as indicated with dashed lines in Figure 2, a bolt 9 from the magazine 3 can be positioned in a driving channel of the bolt-firing device 1. The bolt-firing device I comprises an intermediate storage device 10 for buffering 15 drive energy that can be output in a pulse-like manner for a bolt-firing procedure, in order to seat a bolt. The intermediate storage device 10 comprises a spring I I that is shown in Figure 1 in a tension-released state and in Figure 2 in a tensioned state. The spring I I is constructed as a coil compression spring and contacts with one end on a stop 12. The stop 12 is guided movable back and forth in a translational motion on a 20 guide 14. By means of a coupling element 13, the stop 12 is coupled with a threaded spindle 15 that is guided in a spindle nut 16 so that it can rotate. The spindle nut 16 is supported in the housing 2 so that it can rotate and can be driven by means of a belt drive 18 by 25 a drive motor 20. The threaded spindle 15 is guided in the housing 2 so that, for corresponding driving by the drive motor 20, it moves out of its rest position shown in Figure 1 into its work position shown in Figure 2. The threaded spindle 15 has, on its end facing away from the coupling element 13, a 30 catch tab 23. The catch tab 23 is arranged in Figure 1 in the vicinity of the belt drive 18. In Figure 2, the threaded spindle 15 is displaced so far away from the bolt-firing - 13 end 5 that the catch tab locks with a pawl 21 of a locking mechanism 22, so that the threaded spindle 15 is held in its work position shown in Figure 2 in which the spring I I is tensioned between the stop 12 and the spindle nut 16. 5 The bolt-firing device I comprises, in the grip 4, an electronic controller 24, an accumulator 25 and a trigger or release 26 with which the bolt-firing device I is actuated. In Figure 3, interfaces to the controller of the bolt-firing device I from Figures I and 10 2 are shown greatly simplified. The controller 24 of the bolt-firing device I is indicated by a central square. The controller 24 connects to the accumulator 25 by means of control lines, signal lines and/or supply lines. In addition, the controller 24 is connected to the electric drive motor 20 by means of control lines, signal lines and/or supply lines. In addition, the controller 24 is connected to switch and/or sensor 15 mechanisms 31, 32, 33 by means of control lines or signal lines or supply lines. The switch and/or sensor mechanisms 31-33 allow monitoring functions that are described in detail below with reference to Figure 9. In the Figures 4-6, three Cartesian coordinate plots each with an x-axis 41 and a y 20 axis 42 are shown. In Figure 4, the rotational speed of the drive motor 20 of the bolt firing device I in the form of a rotational-speed profile 44 is plotted versus a tensioning stroke of the spring 11. In Figure 5, the electrical voltage of the drive motor 20 is plotted in the form of a voltage profile 45 versus the tensioning stroke. In Figure 6, the electrical current of the drive motor 20 is plotted in the form of a current 25 intensity profile 46 by means of the tensioning stroke. Through crosshatched rectangles 48 and 49 in Figures 4-6, poor operating ranges of the drive motor 20 are indicated. Between the poor ranges 48, 49, a good range 50 is arranged in which runs the 30 characteristic lines 44, 45, 46. The profiles 44-46 are detected with the help of the switch and/or sensor mechanisms 31-33 and analyzed and monitored in the controller -14 24. As soon as one of the profiles 44-46 leaves the good range 50 during operation of the bolt-firing device 1, this is identified in the controller 24. Problems in the device could also be identified by plausibility tests from the states of the sensor mechanisms 31-33. 5 In Figure 7 it is indicated that the bolt-firing device I can have, at the free end of the grip 4, a display 5 1 and an interface 52. The display 5 1 is used for forwarding information of the controller 24 to the user or operator of the bolt-firing device. Through an optical signal of the display 5 1, it can be reported to the user that, for 10 example, a signal of the profiles 44-46 lies in one of the poor ranges 48, 49. Then the user could, for example, turn off the bolt-firing device 1, in order to avoid damage to this device. Acoustic signals could also be forwarded to the user. According to another embodiment, the interface is used for programming the 15 controller. Thus, also in a completed device, modifications to the device controller can still be adapted and/or tuned easily. According to another embodiment, the interface is used for expanding the controller. This allows the linking of an additional controller module that transfers, for example, the detected operating data (by means of suitable methods, such as GSM) directly and in close to real-time to the user and/or 20 to the manufacturer. According to another embodiment, the device has a display for illuminating the environment (lighting) and also allows the device to be used in poor lighting conditions. In particular, information is reported to the user by means of the display 25 in the case of a disturbance, for example, by blinking. In Figure 8 it is indicated that, with the help of a connecting line 54, a computer 55 can be connected at the interface 52 to the bolt-firing device 1. The connection could also have a wireless construction. By means of the interface 52, a service technician 30 can read out information from the controller 24 of the bolt-firing device I with the - 15 computer 55. In this way, it is possible to draw conclusions on the state of the bolt firing device without disassembly. In Figure 9 it is indicated that the bolt-firing device I can have different monitoring 5 functions. The overall device sequence of the bolt-firing device I can be protected in that different sequences are implemented. For this purpose, the bolt-firing device I comprises a bolt guide monitoring 61, a front intermediate storage device monitoring 62, a rear intermediate storage device monitoring 63, a locking mechanism monitoring 64, an accumulator monitoring 65, a trigger monitoring 66 and a contact 10 pressing monitoring 68. With the bolt guide monitoring 61, it can be monitored, for example, whether a bolt has been removed, whether a bolt is located in the bolt guide, whether the bolt guide is locked or unlocked. With the front intermediate storage device monitoring 62, it 15 can be monitored, for example, whether the spring I I is relaxed, whether the stop 12 that is also called a piston is located at the front, that is, in the vicinity of the bolt firing end 5, and/or whether the coupling is closed. With the rear intermediate storage device monitoring 63, it can be monitored, for example, where the threaded spindle 15 is located or what position the spindle nut 16 has assumed. With the locking 20 mechanism monitoring 64, it can be monitored, for example, whether the pawl 21 of the locking mechanism 22 is opened or closed. With the accumulator monitoring 65, for example, the current intensity and the voltage of the accumulator 25 are monitored. With the trigger monitoring 66, it can be monitored, for example, whether the trigger 26 has been pressed slightly, completely or not at all. 25 As the accumulator 25, the following accumulators, in particular, could be used: Lilon, LiPol, Li-metal, Zn-Air. Here, Li means lithium. As the electric drive motor 20, for example, BLDC, BLAC, DC or universal electric motors could be used. Here, BL means brushless, DC means direct current and AC means alternating current.

-16 The energy buffered in the spring I I is released by freeing the pawl 21 of the locking mechanism 22. The pawl 21 may be opened only when the bolt-firing device is pressed against a work piece to be fastened for a firing procedure. 5 With the help of the contact-pressing monitoring 68, it can be monitored whether the bolt-firing device I is being pressed against the work piece to be fastened. For this purpose, a mechanical and/or electronic locking could be provided that guarantees that the bolt-firing device I is pressed against the work piece or the 10 substrate. Here, an extension step prevents impermissible opening of the pawl 21 of the locking mechanism 22 such that the pawl 21 can be actuated only when the bolt firing device I is not only pressed against the substrate or the work piece, but also is still located in the tensioned state. That can be detected, for example, with the intermediate storage device monitoring 62, 63. The pawl 21 of the locking 15 mechanism 22 is monitored or controlled with the locking mechanism monitoring 64. After each firing, the electronics in the controller 24 comprising the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism according to the invention tests whether a bolt has been driven into the substrate or whether a bolt 9 has become jammed in the bolt 20 firing end 5 of the bolt-firing device 1. This takes place advantageously with the bolt guide monitoring 61. The intermediate storage device 10 is recharged with energy only when the bolt-firing device is located in a defined, error-free device state. Due to a testing of the sequence of the individual components, it can be guaranteed 25 that error states are identified, like a jammed bolt 9 or nail, and the device is brought in a controlled manner into a low-energy or no-energy state. The identified error can then be corrected without risk of injury. According to one embodiment, the stored energy can be discharged such that the 30 discharged energy is used for recharging the accumulator.

-17 The mechanical and/or electronic contact-pressing locking guarantees that the bolt firing device I can be pressed onto the substrate only when a bolt 9 is present. After each bolt firing, the electronic controller 24 guarantees that, for example, by lifting the bolt-firing device 1, a new bolt 9 is again positioned in the bolt-firing end 5. 5 The electronic controller 24 with the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism according to the invention comprises, with the help of the previously described switch and/or sensor mechanism 31-33, for example, the position of the bolt guide, the position of the trigger pawl 21, the position of the trigger 26, the position of the 10 threaded spindle 15, the position of the contact-pressing rod 8, the position of a piston, a roll holder or a belt. By turning off after a defined time without actuation of the trigger 26, it can be guaranteed that the bolt-firing device remains in the charged state only for a relatively 15 short time. Through monitoring and/or communications in the accumulator 25, it is guaranteed that sufficient energy is present and remains to bring the bolt-firing device into a defined device state before the accumulator 25 is empty. The accumulator 25 is monitored with the accumulator monitoring 65. 20 By means of the communications interface, an identification of the accumulator is also possible, which guarantees that only an accumulator suitable for the device can be used. Parameters could also be read from the accumulator, with these parameters specifying the application conditions to the device and thus different accumulators could be used and the device could respond accordingly. 25 By detecting the device parameters, such as tensioning time, rotational speed, current, voltage and the like, conclusions can be drawn on the device state. With the help of the electronic controller 24, it can then be prevented that the bolt-firing device is used even when there is very clear evidence of wear or defects. Alternatively or 30 additionally, the temperature of the electronic controller 24 and/or the temperature of the drive motor 20 and optionally also the temperature of additional components - 18 could be detected, in order to draw conclusions on critical device states. Therefore, undesired damage due to, for example, overloading can be prevented. With the help of the electronic controller 24, certain operating states could also be 5 limited in time. For example, after contact pressure on the bolt-firing device 1, only a few seconds may pass until the bolt firing takes place. Ifno bolt firing is performed within this time, then the tension in the bolt-firing device is automatically released. Therefore, the user can be protected in the case of a jammed bolt guide. 10 After a bolt firing, the bolt-firing device remains ready-to-use for only a certain time, for example, one minute, and is then automatically turned off by means of the electronic controller 24. After that, the bolt-firing device must be consciously turned on again by contact with the hand. Therefore, undesired bypassing by taping the trigger 26 can be prevented. Contact with the hand can be detected with a suitable 15 sensor and/or switch mechanism. The trigger 26 is monitored with the trigger monitoring 66. According to one embodiment, pressing the device against the substrate again is used for reactivation. In Figure 10, a possible controller configuration of the bolt-firing device I is shown 20 simplified. Through a central rectangle, the controller 24 is indicated. The switch and/or sensor mechanisms 31-33 supply information or signals, as indicated by arrows, to the controller 24. A main circuit 70 of the bolt-firing device I is connected to the controller 24. Through a double-headed arrow it is indicated that the controller 24 communicates with the accumulator 25. Through additional arrows and a 25 rectangle, self-locking 71 is indicated. According to one embodiment, the main circuit detects holding by the user, and the controller responds to a release of the switch in that the stored energy is discharged. Thus, for unexpected errors, such as dropping the bolt-firing device, safety is 30 increased.

-19 Through additional arrows and rectangles 72 and 73, a voltage measurement and a current measurement are indicated. Through an additional rectangle 74, a shutdown device is indicated. Through an additional rectangle, a B6 bridge 75 is indicated. This involves a 6-pulse bridge circuit with semiconductor elements for controlling the 5 electric drive motor 20. This is preferably controlled by driver components that are controlled, in turn, preferably by a controller. Such integrated driver components have, in addition to the suitable controlling of the bridge, also the advantage that they bring the switch elements of the B6 bridge into a defined state when a low voltage appears. 10 Through an additional rectangle 76, a temperature sensor is indicated that communicates with the shutdown device 74 and the controller 24. Through an additional arrow, it is indicated that the controller 24 outputs information to the display 51. Through additional double-headed arrows it is indicated that the controller 15 24 communicates with the interface 52 and with another service interface 77. Preferably, for protecting the controller and/or the drive motor, in addition to switches of the B6 bridge, another switch element is used in series that separates the power flow from accumulator to loads by the shutdown device 74 due to operating 20 data, such as excess current and/or excess temperature. For an improved and stable operation of the B6 bridge, the use of storage devices, such as capacitors, is useful. So that, when the accumulator and controller are connected, no current spikes are produced by the rapid charging of such storage 25 device components, which would lead to increased wear of the electrical contacts, these storage devices are preferably placed between the additional switch element and the B6 bridge and supplied with charge in a controlled manner after the accumulator supply by means of suitable wiring of the additional switch element. 30 Through additional rectangles 78 and 79, a fan and a locking brake are indicated that are controlled by the controller 24. The fan 78 is used for circulating cooling air in the -20 bolt-firing device I for cooling. The locking brake 79 is used for slowing movements when the intermediate storage device 10 is in the tension-releasing state and/or for holding the intermediate storage device in the tensioned or charged state. For this purpose, the locking brake 79 can interact, for example, with the belt drive 18. 5 Accordingly, it is an advantage of at least a preferred embodiments of the invention to further increase the safety during the operation of bolt-firing devices that can be operated electrically. 10 Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. Bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically and that assumes different device states during operation, wherein the bolt-firing device comprises: 5 a monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism that monitors one or more different device states; and an electric drive motor which is commutated electrically or electronically, wherein the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism counts the number of commutations of the electric drive motor to determine one or more of the different 10 device states.

2. Bolt-firing device according to claim 1, wherein the bolt-firing device comprises switch and/or sensor mechanisms that monitor the device states. 15

3. Bolt-firing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the electric drive motor outputs drive energy to an intermediate storage device that buffers the drive energy and can output it in a pulse-like manner for a firing procedure, in order to seat a bolt, wherein the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism monitors the electric drive motor, wherein operating data of the electric drive motor is detected 20 during operation of the bolt-firing device.

4. Bolt-firing device according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism is connected to the electric drive motor so that a rotational speed of the electric drive motor is detected during operation of the bolt-firing device. 25

5. Bolt-firing device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the intermediate storage device comprises a tensioning mechanism with an actuator that can make a translational movement and whose position is detected during operation of the bolt firing device. 30 - 22

6. Bolt firing device according to claim 5, wherein the current position of the actuator is determined by the counting of the number of commutations of the electric drive motor. 5

7. Bolt-firing device according to any one of claims 3-6, wherein the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism is connected via a controller to the electric drive motor so that the electric drive motor is turned off or its rotational direction is reversed by the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism when an error occurs. 10

8. Bolt-firing device according to any one of claims 3-7, wherein the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism comprises signal-processing electronics in which the operating data of the drive motor is evaluated, with this data being detected during operation of the bolt-firing device. 15

9. Bolt-firing device according to any one of claims 3-8, wherein the monitoring and/or diagnostics mechanism comprises a data storage device and/or a signal output.

10. A method for operating a bolt-firing device that can be operated 20 electrically via an electric motor which is commutated electrically or electronically, the device assuming one or more different device states during operation wherein at least one device state is detected, monitored and/or analyzed for the introduction of drive energy into an intermediate storage device, wherein the detecting, monitoring and/or analyzing includes counting the number of commutations of the electric drive 25 motor.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein a position or location or a state of a spring, an intermediate storage device, a trigger pawl, a locking mechanism, a trigger, a coupling, a bolt, a spindle, a spindle nut, a contact-pressing rod, a piston, an 30 accumulator, a roll holder and/or a band or a belt is detected, monitored and/or analyzed. - 23

12. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein operating data, such as a temperature, an electrical voltage, an electrical current and/or a rotational speed, of an electric drive motor, a control mechanism and/or an energy-supply mechanism, 5 is detected, monitored and/or analyzed.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the operating data is compared with specified limit values, wherein information on the result of the comparison is output by means of a display and/or interface mechanism. 10

14. A method for operating a bolt-firing device that can be operated electrically and that comprises an electric drive motor which is commutated electrically or electronically and outputs drive energy to an intermediate storage device that buffers the drive energy and can output it in a pulse-like manner for a 15 firing procedure, in order to seat a bolt, wherein the electric drive motor is monitored by counting the number of commutations of the electric drive motor to determine one or more of different device states during operation of the bolt-firing device, wherein operating data of the electric drive motor is detected. 20

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the rotational speed of the electric drive motor is derived from a commutation frequency of the electric drive motor.

16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the current position 25 of an actuator of a tensioning mechanism is determined by the counting of the number of commutations of the electrical drive motor.

17. A bolt-firing device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings 30 and/or examples. - 24

18. A method for operating a bolt-firing device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.