EP2247414B1 - Device system - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on a device system according to the preamble of claim 1.

A device system with a device and a sensor device separate from the device is already known.

The DE 100 50 655 C1 discloses a radar module for the detection of embedded in a substrate objects, which is fastened to a hand tool, in particular a drilling tool. The radar detector for the detection of objects embedded in the subsurface has at least three antennas with their positions spanning an area of an antenna arrangement for electromagnetic waves in the high frequency range, which are individually connected to at least one transmitting / receiving unit, a timed signal processor, an evaluation unit for SAR and a display unit. A hand tool connected to the radar detector in the form of a drilling machine with a tool extending through the antenna arrangement contains a device electronics, which is bidirectionally connected to the radar detector.

A similar device according to the preamble of claim 1, is in US 2002/0044078 A1 disclosed.

The US 5,854,603 discloses an ultra-wideband radar system for detecting near-enclosed objects enclosed in walls. The system of US 5,854,603 typically operates in a frequency range from 2 MHz to 15 GHz.

Advantages of the invention

The invention is based on a device system having at least one device and a sensor device formed separately from the device.

It is proposed that the device system has at least one coupling device which is provided for coupling the sensor device to the device. In this context, "intended" should be understood to mean in particular specially equipped and / or specially designed and / or specially programmed. Furthermore, a "coupling device" is to be understood in particular to mean a device which is provided for a connection, in particular a mechanical connection of the sensor device to the device, in particular an electrically and / or pneumatically driven device. Alternatively or additionally to the mechanical connection, an electrical connection and / or a connection, which is provided for a data exchange and / or for a power supply, may be provided to the device of the sensor device. A "sensor device" is to be understood here as a device be formed independently of the device and / or independent of components, in particular additional components, such as an additional handle and / or attachable to the device protective device, etc., of the device. In this case, the sensor device is preferably formed by an ultra-wideband sensor device, the ultra-wideband unit emitting and / or detecting an ultra-wideband signal. In this case, an "ultra wideband signal (or ultra wide band signal or UWB signal)" should be understood in particular to be an electromagnetic signal having a useful frequency range with a center frequency in the frequency range from 1 GHz to 15 GHz and a frequency bandwidth of at least 500 MHz.

Due to the configuration according to the invention, advantageously at least one additional function can be achieved by means of the sensor device in an operation of the device. In particular, in this case, a moisture measurement of an object to be processed, a distance measurement, in particular of the device to a wall and / or an object to be processed, a safety sensor to protect an operator of the device, a material thickness measurement of an object to be processed and / or further, the skilled person as meaningful appearing additional functions can be realized if the sensor device, in particular the ultra-wideband sensor device at least partially a distance sensor, a material thickness sensor, a protection sensor and / or further, the skilled person appears useful as sensors. The device system may also comprise a plurality of devices, in particular electrically and / or pneumatically driven devices, and / or a plurality of sensor devices, so that different additional functions provided by the different sensor devices are available for different devices or for different areas of use for an operator.

The device is preferably formed by an electrically driven and / or a pneumatically driven device. Particularly advantageous in this case the device is formed by an electrical device, in particular a power tool, whereby a comfort, in particular a high working comfort, can be achieved for an operator of the power tool and / or increased safety for the operator can be achieved.

The coupling device according to the invention has at least partially at least one mechanical coupling unit, whereby according to the invention a structurally simple, mechanical coupling between the device, in particular the electrical device, and the sensor device is achieved. In addition, the sensor device by means of the mechanical coupling to the device, in particular the electrical device, be arranged wiederabnehmbar for an operator.

The mechanical coupling unit may further comprise a captive arrangement of the sensor device on the device, in particular the electrical device, a latching unit and / or a holding unit.

It is further proposed that the sensor device comprises the mechanical coupling unit, whereby a mechanical connection or a mechanical arrangement of the sensor device to the device can be achieved structurally simple regardless of an embodiment of the device. For example, a sensor device for determining a distance of the device, in particular an electrical appliance, to a wall and / or for determining an object within the wall can be particularly easily arranged or attached to a drill and / or connected to the drill.

In addition, if the device, in particular the electrical device, has the mechanical coupling unit, a particularly stable and in particular captive arrangement of the sensor device on the device can be achieved. Preferably, both the sensor unit and the device each have a mechanical coupling unit, which are advantageously adapted to each other.

The coupling device according to the invention has at least partially at least one signal coupling unit. In this context, a "signal coupling unit" is to be understood in particular as a coupling unit which is provided for an exchange, in particular a transmission or transmission, of signals and / or data between the device, in particular the electrical device, and the sensor device. The configuration according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to adapt a measuring process of the sensor device to an operation of the device and / or to an operating parameter and / or to process a sensed data value within the device, in particular of the electrical device, such as by an optical and / or acoustic device output to an operator.

Particularly advantageous additional components, space, installation costs and costs can be saved if the mechanical coupling unit is at least partially formed integrally with the signal coupling unit. In addition, in this case a structurally simple coupling for an operator during a coupling process or an assembly step of the sensor unit can take place by at the same time a connection to a signal and / or with the mechanical connection Data exchange between the sensor device and the device, in particular the electrical device is provided or a mechanical connection for signal and / or data exchange is constructed, such as a connection by means of interlocking plug contacts in a mechanical coupling of the sensor unit to the device. In this context, the term "integral" is to be understood in particular as one-piece and / or formed from a cast and / or designed as a component.

The signal coupling unit according to the invention has at least a first and a second signal coupling element, wherein the first signal coupling element is at least partially covered by the device and the second signal coupling element is at least partially covered by the sensor device. In this way, according to the invention, a data or signal transmission between the sensor device and the device can be achieved, in particular with signal coupling elements of the sensor device and the device, in particular of the electrical device, adapted to one another.

In addition, it is proposed that at least one of the signal coupling elements is formed by a Berührkontaktelement, thereby structurally simple connection, in particular a mechanical connection between two Berührkontaktelementen, or contact to a signal transmission between the device, in particular the electrical device, and the sensor device by an operator can be produced. In this case, the contact-contact element is particularly advantageously arranged in a region of the mechanical coupling unit. The Berührkontaktelement can in this case be formed by a socket, a plug contact element, etc.

At least one of the signal coupling elements is provided for a wireless coupling, whereby a particularly simple installation of the sensor device is achieved in a coupling to the device for an operator. In addition, in this case, a transmission of signals and / or data regardless of a mechanical coupling or a mechanical connection of the sensor device to the device, in particular to the electrical device occur. In this context, a "wireless coupling" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an electromagnetic coupling, such as, for example, a coupling by means of a radio link and / or by means of a radio frequency identification (RFID) and / or further couplings that appear appropriate to the person skilled in the art.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is proposed that the device is provided for at least partial adjustment of at least one operating parameter as a function of a parameter of the sensor device, whereby an advantageous adaptation of at least one operating parameter of the device, in particular of the electrical device, to a sensed characteristic of the sensor device is achieved can be. The operating parameter may in this case be formed by an operating parameter to a control and / or regulation of an engine operation, such as a change in engine speed, and / or formed by an operating parameter to control other functions of the electrical appliance, such as activation of a mechanical protection device, and / or be formed by an operating parameter that contributes to an output of an optical and / or acoustic signal, such as an output of an alarm signal. The adjustment or adjustment of the operating parameter can be carried out particularly advantageous operator-independent.

It is also proposed that the sensor device has a power supply unit, which is coupled to a power supply unit of the device, in particular of the electrical device, which advantageously further components, such as a separate power supply in the form of a power cord of the sensor device, etc., can be saved and thus a high ease of use for an operator of the device system, in particular a device system formed by an electrical appliance system, can be achieved.

If the sensor device has a power supply unit which comprises an internal energy storage element, it is advantageously possible to achieve a power supply to the sensor device which is independent of the device, in particular the electrical device. In principle, however, a further development of the power supply unit that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, a connection to a power supply through a mains connection line, etc., is also conceivable at any time for the power supply of the sensor device. In this context, an "energy storage element" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a battery storing an electrical energy and / or a rechargeable battery.

drawing

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes von einem Elektrogerätesystem gebildetes Gerätesystem in einer schematischen Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

ein alternatives Elektrogerätesystem mit einer Signalkopplungseinheit in einer schematischen Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3a, 3b

eine Kopplungsvorrichtung des Elektrogerätesystems mit einer mechanischen Kopplungseinheit und der Signalkopplungseinheit an dem Elektrogerät (Fig. 3a) in einer schematischen Teilansicht und an der Sensorvorrichtung (Fig. 3b) in einer schematischen Darstellung und

Fig. 4a, 4b

eine zu den Figuren 3a und 3b alternativ ausgebildete Kopplungsvorrichtung an dem Elektrogerät (Fig. 4a) in einer schematischen Teilansicht und an der Sensorvorrichtung (Fig. 4b) in einer schematischen Darstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an inventive device system formed by an electrical appliance system in a schematic side view,

Fig. 2

an alternative electrical appliance system with a signal coupling unit in a schematic side view,

Fig. 3a, 3b

a coupling device of the electrical appliance system with a mechanical coupling unit and the signal coupling unit on the electrical appliance ( Fig. 3a ) in a schematic partial view and on the sensor device ( Fig. 3b ) in a schematic representation and

Fig. 4a, 4b

one to the FIGS. 3a and 3b alternatively formed coupling device on the electrical appliance ( Fig. 4a ) in a schematic partial view and on the sensor device ( Fig. 4b ) in a schematic representation.

Description of the embodiments

In FIG. 1 a device system 10a formed by an electrical appliance system is shown schematically. The electrical appliance system has a device 12a formed by an electrical appliance and a sensor device 14a. The electrical appliance formed by a power tool 20a is also formed by a power tool 42a designed as a hammer drill. The sensor device 14a is formed by an ultra-wideband sensor device 18a and in operation for determining a distance of the power tool 20a to an object to be processed and / or for detection of elements disposed in the object to be processed or from the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a along a working direction 44a of the power tool 20a, viewed from behind the object to be processed and / or enclosed by the object to be processed, are provided. For this purpose, the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a has an ultra-wideband unit 46a with an ultrabreitbandsendeeinheit 48a and an ultra-wideband receiver unit 50a, which are provided in operation for transmitting or for receiving ultra wideband measurement signals.

In addition, the electrical appliance system has a coupling device 16a which is provided for coupling the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a to the electric tool 20a. For this purpose, the coupling device 16a has a mechanical coupling unit 22a, by means of which the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a is coupled to the electric tool 20a, the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a comprising the mechanical coupling unit 22a. The mechanical coupling unit 22a has a mechanical coupling element 52a, by means of which the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a is arranged on the electric tool 20a and, if appropriate, can be removed or coupled again by an operator of the electric tool 20a. In this case, the mechanical coupling element 52a can be formed by an elastic retaining band, a latching element and / or further mechanical coupling elements 52a which appear to be appropriate to a person skilled in the art. A coupling of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a to the power tool 20a takes place exclusively via the mechanical coupling element 52a of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a and is therefore independent of a configuration of the power tool 20a or of a shape of a housing 54a of the power tool 20a.

For a power supply, the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a has a power supply unit 34a which comprises an internal energy storage element 38a formed by a battery and is independent of a power supply unit 36a of the power tool 20a.

If during operation of the power tool 20a, in particular in a drilling and / or chiseling operation, the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a is activated by the operator, a current drilling depth or a distance of the power tool 20a to a surface of the object to be processed can be determined by means of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a and be transmitted to the operator via an optical and / or acoustic output unit of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a, not shown. In addition, the operator may also be informed of an item in the object, invisible to the operator and detected by the ultra-wideband sensor device 18a, such as a power line, water pipe, etc., by means of the ultra wideband sensor device 18a, thus undesirably damaging the element and / or of the power tool 20a can be prevented.

In the FIGS. 2 to 4b Alternative embodiments are shown. Substantially identical components, features and functions are basically numbered by the same reference numerals. For distinguishing the embodiments, however, the reference numerals of the embodiments the letters a to c are added. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the embodiment in FIG FIG. 1 , wherein with respect to the same components, features and functions on the description of the embodiment in FIG. 1 can be referenced.

In FIG. 2 FIG. 3 schematically shows an alternative device system 10b formed by an electrical appliance system with a device 12b formed by a power tool 20b, an ultra-wideband sensor device 18b and a coupling device 16b. The coupling device 16b has two mechanical coupling units 22b, 24b, which are arranged on the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b or on the electric tool 20b ( Figures 2 to 3b ). The mechanical coupling unit 24b of the power tool 20b is integrated in a housing 54b of the power tool 20b and has a receiving area 56b formed by a recess, in which the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b can be inserted. In addition, the mechanical coupling unit 24b of the electric tool 20b has two holding elements 58b, 60b which, together with two holding elements 62b, 64b of the mechanical coupling unit 22b of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b, effect a coupling between the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b and the electric tool 20b ( FIGS. 3a and 3b ). The holding elements 58b, 60b, 62b, 64b may in this case be formed by latching elements and / or further holding elements 58b, 60b, 62b, 64b which are suitable for the person skilled in the art. Furthermore, the mechanical coupling unit 22b of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b has a release element 66b (FIG. FIG. 2 ), which moves by means of a mechanism not shown in detail at least one of the holding members 62b, 64b from its holding position, so that a detachment or a decrease in the ultrabreitbandsensorvorrichtung 18b of an electric tool formed by the power tool 20b or the mechanical coupling unit 24b of the power tool 20b for an operator by pressing the release element 66b or pressing on the release element 66b is achieved. The two mechanical coupling units 22b, 24b may further have a shape that allows only one possible insertion position of the ultra wide band sensor device 18b on the receiving portion 56b of the power tool 20b, such as a tapered receiving portion 56b having a corresponding shape of the ultra wide band sensor device 18b or its mechanical coupling unit 22b.

Furthermore, the coupling device 16b has a signal coupling unit 26b, which is provided for a transmission of signals or characteristics between the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b and the power tool 20b. The signal coupling unit 26b has first and second signal coupling elements 28b, 30b, wherein the first signal coupling element 28b is comprised by the device 12b formed by the power tool 20b, and the second signal coupling element 30b is included by the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b. The first signal coupling element 28b is formed integrally with the mechanical coupling unit 24b of the electric tool 20b and the second signal coupling element 30b is formed integrally with the mechanical coupling unit 22b of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b. The two signal coupling elements 28b, 30b are each formed by a socket 68b, 70b with a Berührkontaktelement 32b, 40b, whose shapes are adapted to each other, so that in a mechanical coupling between the ultrabreitbandsensorvorrichtung 18b and the power tool 20b, a mechanical contact or a mechanical Connection between the two Berührkontaktelementen 32b, 40b is present, via which or in the operation of the electrical device system signals and / or characteristics of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b on the power tool 20b and of the power tool 20b on the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b are transferable ( FIGS. 3a and 3b ). Furthermore, an embodiment of the signal coupling unit 26b which is independent of the mechanical coupling units 22b, 24b would also be conceivable at any time, for example by connecting the two touch contact elements 32b, 40b to one another by a transmission cable from an operator of the electrical appliance system.

The ultra-wideband sensor device 18b has a power supply unit 34b, which is coupled via the coupling device 16b to a power supply unit 36b of the power tool 20b ( Figures 2 to 3b ). For this purpose, the coupling device 16b has two plug-in elements 72b, 74b which connect the power supply unit 34b of the ultrabroadband sensor device 18b and the power supply unit 34b of the electric tool 20b with a mechanical coupling of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b to the power tool 20b. The plug-in elements 72b, 74b are in each case arranged in a region of the mechanical coupling units 22b, 24b (FIG. FIGS. 3a and 3b ).

During operation of the device system 10b or of the electrical appliance system, the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b coupled to the power tool 20b is supplied with electrical energy by the power supply unit 36b of the power tool 20b by means of the plug-in elements 72b, 74b, so that the operator activates the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b during operation of the power tool 20b can be used and used for measurements. In this case, the parameters detected by means of the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b are applied via the signal coupling unit 26b the power tool 20b and directed to a control unit 76b of the power tool 20b, which is connected via a data line, not shown, with the signal coupling element 28b. Within the control unit 76b, during operation of the power tool 20b, an operating parameter, for example an engine speed, is adapted to the characteristics detected by the ultra-wideband sensor device 18b, for example by a motor unit being switched off by the control unit 76b when a desired borehole depth is reached. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to output an acoustic and / or optical warning signal via an acoustic and / or optical output unit of the power tool 20b (not shown).

In the FIGS. 4a and 4b is one to the Figures 2 to 3b alternative embodiment of a coupling device 16c of an appliance system 10c formed by an electrical appliance system. A mechanical connection of an ultra wideband sensor device 18c to a device 12c formed by a power tool 20c takes place analogously to the description of FIGS Figures 2 to 3b , A signal coupling unit 26c of the coupling device 16c has two signal coupling elements 28c, 30c, which are provided for a wireless coupling between the ultra-wideband sensor device 18c and the power tool 20c. An exchange of data and / or characteristics takes place in an operation of the electric tool 20c and the ultra-wideband sensor device 18c by means of the two signal coupling elements 28c, 30c by emitting or receiving signals, such as a radio signal and / or signal exchange via an RFID method ,

In addition, the ultra-wideband sensor device 18c has a power supply unit 34c, which comprises an internal energy storage element 38c formed by a battery. Alternatively, a power supply of the ultra wideband sensor device 18c by means of a power supply that connects the ultra-wideband sensor device 18c to a power grid, any time conceivable.

Claims (10)

1. Device system having at least one device (12a-c) and a sensor device (14a-c) formed separately from the device (12a-c), and having at least one coupling device (16a-c) at least partly having at least one mechanical coupling unit (22a, 24a; 22b, 24b; 22c, 24c), which is provided for coupling the sensor device (14a-c) to the device (12a-c), the coupling device (16b; 16c) at least partly having at least one signal coupling unit (26b; 26c), the signal coupling unit (26b; 26c) having at least a first and a second signal coupling element (28b, 30b; 28c, 30c), and the first signal coupling unit (28b; 28c) being at least partly contained by the device (12b; 12c), and the second signal coupling element (30b; 30c) being at least partly contained by the sensor device (14b; 14c), characterized in that at least the signal coupling elements (28c, 30c) are provided for cable-free coupling.
2. Device system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (14a-c) is at least partly formed by an ultra-wideband sensor device (18a-c) .
3. Device system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (12a-c) is formed by an electric tool (20a-c).
4. Device system at least according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (14a-c) contains the mechanical coupling unit (22a-c).
5. Device system at least according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device (12b; 12c) contains the mechanical coupling unit (24b; 24c).
6. Device system at least according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical coupling unit (22b, 24b; 22c, 24c) is at least partly formed in one piece with the signal coupling unit (26b; 26c) .
7. Device system at least according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the signal coupling elements (28b, 30b) is formed from a touch contact element (32b, 40b).
8. Device system at least according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device (12b; 12c) is provided for at least partial adjustment of at least one operating parameter, depending on a characteristic variable from the sensor device (14b; 14c).
9. Device system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (14b) has a power supply unit (34b), which is coupled to a power supply unit (36b) of the device (12b).
10. Device system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (14a; 14c) has a power supply unit (34a; 34c) which contains an internal power storage element (38a; 38c).

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