JP2022179435A - Suction device and suction hose for the suction device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a suction device which can more simply and quickly establish a radio link for a communication device connected to a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool, and can control a vacuum generator of the suction device according to an operation state of a power tool.SOLUTION: A suction device 2 has: a collection container 4; a vacuum generator 8; a suction hose 12 whose a first end 14 is connected to a suction opening and a second end 16 can be connected to an air outlet 18 of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool 20; and a communication device 32 having a radio receiver 28 for receiving a radio signal 30, a sensor element 34 which is arranged on the second end of the suction hole or its vicinity and detects an operation state of a power tool, and a radio transmitter 38 for transmitting a radio signal indicating the operation state of the power tool. The communication device and the radio receiver are designed so as to achieve only one-way communication from the radio transmitter of the communication device to the radio receiver of the suction device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention is an aspiration device adapted to filter dust, debris and particulates from a dust-laden airstream and to collect and temporarily store the dust, debris and particulates in a collection vessel. , for example a mobile vacuum cleaner or a suction device in the form of a mobile or stationary dust removal system. Such a suction device is known, for example, from EP-A-2628427. This known suction device
- a collection container adapted to contain dust, dirt and particulates;
- a vacuum generator for generating a low pressure below ambient pressure in the collection vessel;
- a suction opening provided in the collection container;
- a suction hose connected at a first end to a suction opening and connectable at an opposite second end to an air outlet of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool;
- a filter element arranged between the collecting container and the vacuum generator in the air flow created by the low pressure in the collecting container and adapted to filter dust, dirt and particulates from this air flow; ,
- turning on or off the vacuum generator depending on the operating state of the hand-held electric or pneumatic tool with the second end of the suction hose connected to the air outlet, and optionally taking into account further parameters; a controller adapted to control the vacuum generator for
- a radio receiver for receiving radio signals, the radio receiver being operatively connected to the controller;
- a communication device located at or near the second end of the suction hose,
- a sensor element for detecting the current operating state of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool and for outputting a sensor signal depending on the operating state of the power tool;
- a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals, and - a processing device operatively connected on the one hand to the sensor element and on the other hand to the radio transmitter, depending on the sensor signal received from the sensor element and optionally has a communication device having a processing unit adapted to cause the radio transmitter to emit a radio signal taking into account additional parameters.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a suction hose for the particular type of suction device mentioned above.

Known suction devices have a two-way wireless link between a communication device assigned to the handheld power tool and the suction device. In this way it is possible, on the one hand, to control the suction device as a function of the operating state of the power tool and, on the other hand, to control the power tool as a function of the operating state of the suction device. When turning the power tool on or off, the suction device vacuum generator may be turned on or off separately. The operating speed of the vacuum generator may be adapted to the operating speed of the power tool. Conversely, the operating speed of the power tool may be adapted to the suction and/or filtering capacity of the suction device. For example, if the filter element becomes partially blocked by dust, dirt and particulates, or if the collection container reaches a certain fill level, the suction capacity of the suction device is reduced, resulting in reduced airflow. The operating speed of the power tool is reduced to reduce the amount of dust, dirt and particulates carried through to the suction device.

Furthermore, in EP-A-2628427 two-way communication is required to set up, initialize and establish a wireless link between the communication device assigned to the hand-held power tool and the suction device. be. An essential part of establishing a radio link is the exchange of unique identifiers between the radio transmitter and radio receiver of the power tool and the suction device, respectively, as participants in the radio link. Additionally, establishment of a radio link includes the exchange of initialization messages to determine when and which participants are allowed to send and receive messages sent over the radio link. In summary, the radio link with two-way communication capability between the communication device assigned to the hand-held power tool and the suction device known from EP-A-2628427 requires a large amount of resources. and is rather complicated to establish.

Moreover, setting up, initializing and establishing a radio link takes some time and must wait until bi-directional communication over the radio link is fully operational and functional. In other words, the wireless link may not be fully operational and functional immediately after the suction device is turned on, for example by manually switching the main switch of the suction device from the inactive state to the active state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to be able to establish a radio link more easily and more quickly to a communication device connected to a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool, while still allowing the vacuum generator of the suction device to operate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a suction device which can be controlled according to the current operating state of the power tool.

To this end, a communication device forming part of the suction device on the one hand and connected to the hand-held power tool and, on the other hand, a radio receiver of the suction device are connected from a radio transmitter of the communication device. We propose that it is designed to provide only one-way communication to a radio receiver. In particular, all the details of the radio link, such as the unique identifiers of the participants, i.e. the radio transmitter and radio receiver, the frequency range or frequency band used for the radio link, the format of the signals and messages and the radio signal transmission used. It is proposed that protocols, etc., be preset prior to intentional use of the wireless link and suction device, respectively. Thus, the radio transmitter and radio receiver are ready to transmit or receive radio signals, respectively, as soon as they are powered and have completed a start-up procedure that does not require the transmission of radio signals or messages between the participants in the radio link. is arranged. In particular, the radio transmitter is ready to transmit a radio signal to the radio receiver (having a preset unique identifier), and the radio receiver transmits a radio signal from the radio transmitter (having a preset unique identifier). ready to receive. Furthermore, the frequency range or frequency band used for the radio link, the format of the signals and messages transmitted over the radio link, the protocol used for radio signal transmission are preset in the radio transmitter and radio receiver. . In particular, the hardware of the radio transmitter and radio receiver, respectively, and the software for controlling the radio signal transmission over the radio link ensure that after turning on the suction device, the given characteristics can be obtained with almost no time delay. is embodied and designed to enable wireless communication with Further, that wireless communication over the wireless link is conducted according to a specific proprietary protocol that does not require mutual data transmission between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver for initialization and establishment of the wireless link. suggest.

This involves wireless links between each communication device assigned to each power tool and suction device using very limited resources and (until full operation and functionality of wireless communication is reached). It can provide rapid availability of and easily implemented unidirectional wireless signal transmission. Nevertheless, the unidirectional wireless link allows control of the vacuum generator of the suction device according to the current operating conditions of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool. Furthermore, the invention allows reliable and accurate determination of the operating state even in the case of pneumatic power tools. Furthermore, the present invention can even be combined with existing power tools that do not have any wireless communication capabilities. By connecting the second end of the suction hose to the power tool, the power tool itself operates without current and even if it has no means of establishing its current operating state, the communication device. The operating state of the power tool can be determined simply and reliably by means of the sensor element.

The current operating state of the power tool is transmitted by unidirectional communication via a pre-established radio link between a radio transmitter assigned to the power tool and a radio receiver assigned to the suction device. The operating conditions of the power tool are taken into account for controlling the operation of the vacuum generator of the suction system. Optionally, further parameters may be taken into account for the control of the vacuum generator. Further operating parameters of e.g. hand-held electric or pneumatic power tools (e.g. continuous operating time since last stop, cumulative operating time since last change of polishing or polishing pad, temperature of power tool electronics, power tool state of charge of the battery of the power tool, the amount of dust produced by the power tool per unit time) or further operating parameters of the suction device (e.g. cumulative operating time since the last replacement of the filter element, air flow through the filter element pressure values across the filter element or respective differential pressures), environmental parameters and parameters of the workpiece being machined by the hand-held electric or pneumatic tool. Further operating parameters of the power tool are also preferably transmitted by unidirectional communication via a radio link established between a radio transmitter assigned to the power tool and a radio receiver assigned to the suction device. . Environmental parameters may be obtained by sensors forming part of the suction device and/or the power tool. Workpiece parameters are input to the power tool or suction device, for example, via a user interface of the power tool or suction device, or via a user's mobile device connected to the power tool or suction device, for example, via a wireless link. It can be manually entered by the user.

The collection container may be formed by part of the outer housing of the suction device. Preferably, the collection container is manufactured from plastics material. The collection container may be provided with external wheels to enable navigation to the intended site of use of the suction device. The collection container may have an opening for emptying the container and removing dust, dirt and particulates collected therein. The opening is sealed by a removable lid or cover or the like. A suction device with an opening in the collection container is known for example from EP 1 262 135 A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The collection container may optionally be equipped with a textile or paper dust bag. The dust bag may be removed through an opening in the collection container.

When a low pressure or vacuum is generated within the collection container by the vacuum generator, the differential pressure between the low pressure and the ambient pressure creates an air flow that is drawn through the suction opening of the container and into the collection container. This airflow can carry dust and other particulates from the working area of the power tool. The dust-laden air stream is drawn further through the filter element and towards the vacuum generator. The filter element separates dust and particles from the dust-laden airflow, resulting in a clean airflow. The vacuum generator discharges a stream of filtered, clean air into the environment through respective outlet openings provided in the outer housing of the suction device in which the vacuum generator is housed.

The suction device may have one or more filter elements. If more than one filter element is provided in the suction device, the filter elements are preferably arranged parallel to the airflow passing therethrough. Thus, the airflow can pass through all filter elements simultaneously or only through one or more selected filter elements. Further, during intended use of the suction device, the dust-laden airflow passes in the first direction through one or more selected filter elements while simultaneously passing through one or more other selected filters. During a temporary cleaning step of the elements, the opposite clean air flow may pass through one or more other selected filter elements. To this end, one or more selected filter elements may be washed, thereby continuing the intended use of the suction device. Air flow through the one or more filter elements may be controlled, for example, by pneumatic solenoid valves and/or respective air flaps controlled by the suction system's controller. Such cleaning of filter elements by backwashing one or more selected filter elements with a clean airflow in a direction opposite to the direction of the dust-laden airflow is described, for example, in reference herein. EP 1 997 415 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The vacuum generator may have a motor that drives a turbine for generating a flow of air from the collection vessel into the environment and through the filter element, thereby creating a low pressure within the collection vessel. The motor of the vacuum generator is preferably an electric motor, especially of the brushless type. However, it may also be a pneumatic motor operated by compressed air. In that case, the electrical energy required to operate the control device and radio receiver of the suction device may be provided by a battery or an electrical energy generator forming part of the suction device (e.g. pneumatic generators or generators driven by pneumatic motors).

The suction hose has an elongated intermediate section which is preferably flexible and manufactured from plastics material or metal. The intermediate section enhances flexibility of the intermediate section when bent about a bending axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hose and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hose. In order to improve the stability and elasticity of the intermediate section against external forces acting on the intermediate section in any direction, it is preferably corrugated.

The first and second ends of the suction hose are of rigid construction and are attached to an elongated, preferably flexible intermediate section. In particular, it is proposed that at least one of the rigid end pieces of the hose is attached to the elongate intermediate section so as to be freely rotatable relative to the intermediate section about the longitudinal axis of the hose. The first and second end pieces may be manufactured from plastic material or metal. A first end of the suction hose is attached to the suction opening of the container and a second end is attached to the air outlet of the handheld power tool. By connecting the air outlet of the power tool to the suction opening of the container via a suction hose, the low pressure in the collection container creates an air flow that flows from the air outlet through the suction hose and into the collection container. The air flow at the air outlet creates a low pressure in the working area of the power tool, the low pressure causing dirt, dust and particles to be drawn out of the working area by the air flow, sucked up by the suction device and by the filter element of the suction device. This causes it to be filtered out of the dust laden air stream.

The attachment of the first end piece of the suction hose to the suction opening of the collecting container of the suction device and the attachment of the second end piece of the suction hose to the air outlet of the power tool can each be realized by a plug-in connection. The first and second end pieces may be held in place relative to the suction opening and/or air outlet, respectively, by frictional forces, snap-in connections, bayonet connections, magnetic forces, or the like. A suction hose having a distal end piece magnetically secured to the suction opening of a collection container of a vacuum cleaner and the air outlet of a power tool, respectively, is disclosed, for example, in European Application No. 20178759.5.

In general, the power tool may be any electric or pneumatic power tool that, during its intended use, will generate some amount of dust, dirt or other particulates. The power tool may be equipped with a self-generated dust removal feature that creates an internal airflow that carries dust, dirt and particulates from the working area of the power tool towards the air outlet. Alternatively, the power tool may not have a self-generating dust removal function, in which case dust, dirt and particulates are removed from the working area of the power tool by the airflow created by the suction device. It is sucked towards the air outlet.

The power tool is preferably an abrasive tool (or sander) or a grinding tool (or grinder). The abrasive tool may have a support plate to which the abrasive media (e.g. abrasive paper or cloth, abrasive pad, etc.) may be removably attached, e.g. by Velcro. . Depending on the type of power tool, the support plate performs a purely rotary, random orbital, eccentric or rotary orbital (gear driven) working motion. However, the polishing pad may be attached directly to the polishing tool without an intermediate member in the form of a support plate. The grinding tool has a support member removably mounted with a grinding wheel made entirely of a rigid material. The support member and the grinding wheel attached thereto have a purely rotary working movement. Grinding wheels can be used for cutting stone and metal.

Alternatively, the power tool may be a drill or hammer drill having a drill chuck into which the drill bit is inserted and secured. Drill chucks and drill bits have a purely rotary working motion. A drill or hammer drill may be provided with a shroud that partially or wholly covers the working area, at least part of the drill bit and possibly also the drill chuck. The shroud may be attached to the front of the drill or hammer drill housing. The shroud may be provided with an air outlet to which the second end of the suction hose is attached.

According to one preferred embodiment, the processor of the communication device is adapted to cause the radio transmitter to emit a radio signal when the power tool changes from an off operating state to an on operating state. in that respect the control device is adapted to switch on the vacuum generator of the suction device, optionally taking into account further parameters, when the radio receiver receives the radio signal. Suggest. Additionally or alternatively, the processor of the communication device is adapted to cause the wireless transmitter to emit a wireless signal when the power tool changes from an ON operating state to an OFF operating state. in that respect, the control device is adapted to switch off the vacuum generator of the suction device upon reception of a radio signal by the radio receiver, optionally taking into account further parameters. Suggest.

Of course, switching on the vacuum generator without delay after the sensor element detects the operation of the power tool and each radio signal is transmitted by the radio transmitter and received by the radio receiver, and/or the sensor element It is possible to detect the end of operation of the power tool and switch off the vacuum generator without delay after each radio signal is transmitted by the radio transmitter and received by the radio receiver.

Preferably, at least one of the switching on or off of the vacuum generator is to some extent related to the detection of the start or end of movement of the power tool by the sensor element and to the reception of respective radio signals by the radio receiver of the suction device. Only after a time delay. This time delay may be in the range of one to several seconds. The time delay before switching on the vacuum generator allows the power tool to first generate dust, dirt or particles, and then immediately after its activation the dust, dirt or particles can be efficiently sucked by the suction device. In terms of energy saving. A time delay before switching off the vacuum generator provides efficient aspiration of dust, debris and other particulates generated during intentional use of the power tool. After intentional use and operation of the power tool, dust, dirt and particulates are still present within the working area and/or within the air outlet of the power tool and/or within the suction hose, therefore dust, Dirt and particulates are removed by the suction device still in operation during the time delay before switching off. The idea is to keep the vacuum generator switched on until all remaining dust, dirt and particulates are sucked into the suction device and collected in the collection container.

For this purpose, the processing unit of the communication device, when causing the wireless transmitter to transmit the wireless signal, may specify as a further parameter the time delay between the reception of the sensor signal from the sensor element and the transmission of the wireless signal by the wireless transmitter. It is proposed that it is adapted to take into account Additionally or alternatively, when switching the vacuum generator on or off, the controller of the aspiration device controls between receiving the wireless signal by the wireless receiver and switching the vacuum generator on or off. We propose that it is adapted to consider the time delay as a further parameter.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless link between the wireless transmitter of the communication device through which wireless signals are transmitted and the wireless receiver of the suction device is established at the factory prior to shipment and use of the suction device. It is proposed that it be set as part of the manufacturing process of the suction device. For example, a wireless link may be configured by writing to a storage element each parameter of the wireless link (frequency, channel, signal format, protocol) and a unique identifier of the wireless communication participant before shipment and use. The memory element may form part of the control unit of the suction device and/or the processing unit of the communication unit assigned to the power tool. Alternatively, the storage element may form part of a radio transmitter and/or radio receiver. Upon start-up of the communication device and suction device, the stored parameters and identifiers are loaded into the wireless transmitter and/or wireless receiver, thereby immediately establishing a wireless link according to the preset parameters and identifiers, and wireless communication. , between predetermined participants according to a predetermined format/protocol. No initialization messages need to be exchanged between wireless communication participants in order to establish a wireless link and conduct wireless communication.

Wireless links include any form or standard known short-range wireless radio link, including but not limited to Bluetooth, WLAN (WiFi), NFC and any form of proprietary form of radio link. may be The wireless link of the present invention is analogous to and works like a one-way remote control for TV and HiFi appliances.

Further, it is proposed that the unique identifier of the radio transmitter is preset in the radio receiver at the factory, and the unique identifier of the radio receiver is preset in the radio transmitter at the factory. Alternatively, the communication parameters and unique identifier may be preset by the user via the user interface of the aspiration device and/or communication device. Different unique identifiers of the radio link and possibly other communication parameters can be stored at the factory in the communication device assigned to the suction hose, and then a single communication between the communication device and the receiver via the radio link. Specific identifiers and specific parameters may be selected by the user to achieve directional data communication according to the requirements of the wireless receiver of the suction device. Alternatively, different unique identifiers and possibly further radio link parameters may be stored at the factory in the radio receiver or in a storage device assigned to the radio receiver and then aspirated via the radio link. Specific identifiers and specific parameters are selected by the user according to the requirements of the communication device or its wireless transmitter, respectively, to achieve unidirectional data communication between the communication device of the hose and the wireless receiver of the suction device. may

Additionally, communication parameters and unique identifiers may be set by a user via a mobile end-user device connected to the aspiration device and/or communication device via another wireless link.

A wireless link between a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver that transmits wireless signals from the communication device to the suction device may be manually set up by the user of the suction device after shipment and prior to use of the suction device. Preferably, the wireless link between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver is set manually via hardware and/or software by the user of the suction device. Hardware settings may include setting respective dip switches in the wireless receiver and/or wireless transmitter, or setting communication parameters and/or unique identifiers via a user interface forming part of the aspiration device and/or communication device. May contain settings. The software setup may include a computer program, such as an application or app, running on an end-user device, such as a personal computer, laptop or smart phone, which can be configured appropriately. The computer program can then send the settings to the wireless receiver and/or wireless transmitter to set up the wireless link. Transmission of settings can be done via cable or wirelessly.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the communication device has an independent local power supply unit. The power supply unit may have rechargeable and/or replaceable batteries. The electrical energy stored in the battery is used to power the sensor elements, processor and radio transmitter. It is also possible to provide a communication device with an energy conversion device capable of converting vibrations in the second end of the suction hose caused by a vibrating power tool during intended use into electrical energy. , the electrical energy is supplied to a battery for recharging (energy harvesting from mechanical motion) or directly to the electrical components of the communication device (e.g. sensor elements, radio transmitters and processing units). be. Alternatively, the energy conversion device may have a pneumatic generator disposed within the airflow through the second end of the suction hose, the pneumatic generator being a self-generating When the power tool with dust removal function is activated, it generates electrical energy for the electrical components of the communication device.

Since the communication device only transmits radio signals when the power tool is turned on and/or off at any given time, the power supply unit can It has an almost infinite service life. To this end, the energy conversion device may include piezoelectric material and may be in the form of an electrodynamic or induction generator, or may be in the form of an electrostatic generator.

According to another preferred embodiment, the suction device has a visual and/or acoustic signaling device for visually and/or acoustically communicating the state of the power supply unit of the communication device to the user of the suction device. We propose that we have The signaling device may be arranged in and form part of the communication device assigned to the power tool. Alternatively, the signaling device may be arranged in the part of the suction device where the low pressure or vacuum is generated. For example, a visual and/or audible signaling device may be placed in or on the outer housing of the suction device so as to be visible and/or audible to the user of the suction device. In this case, the communication device or radio transmitter respectively has to communicate the current state of the power supply unit to the radio receiver of the suction device for output by the signaling device. This may preferably be done by sending each status message over a wireless link established between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver. The state of the power supply unit preferably corresponds to the charge level of the power supply unit. In one simple embodiment, the condition is simply that the charge level of the power supply unit is sufficient to ensure proper functioning and full operability of the electrical components of the communication device (no green and/or audible signal). ) or not (red and/or flashing and/or audible signals). Alternatively, different charge levels of the battery of the power supply unit may induce different visual and/or audible output signals by the signaling device.

A communication device may be implemented in various embodiments. According to one preferred embodiment, the communication device is a self-contained unit removably attached to the second end of the suction hose, similar to a wrist watch attached to the user's wrist. In particular, the communication device may have a housing, for example made of plastic or rubber material, in which all the components of the communication device are arranged. The housing of the communication device can be completely sealed to provide a moisture and dust tight seal for the components. The communication device may be provided with a plurality of straps that are wrapped around the second end of the suction hose and then secured together, such as by buckles, Velcro®, or the like. Alternatively, the second end of the suction hose may be provided with some sort of fixing structure, for example a Velcro or snap-in structure, and the communication device may be attached to this fixing structure. is removably attached to the In this embodiment, the communication device can be replaced in its entirety if desired.

Alternatively, the communication device is preferably integrated into the second end of the suction hose via a molding process during the manufacture of the second end piece of the suction hose and/or the entire suction hose. I suggest that. According to this embodiment, the communication device is an integral part of the second end piece of the suction hose. To replace the communication device, the entire second end piece and/or the entire suction hose must be replaced. This embodiment can have significant advantages in terms of cost-effective manufacture and integration of the communication device in the suction hose. This is because the second end of the suction hose may be used as a housing for the communication device and its components. Even when incorporated into the second end of the suction hose, the suction hose or the second end piece, respectively, has a housing for repair or replacement, e.g. when the battery of the power supply unit is depleted. and/or to replace the radio transmitter to change the frequency band on which the radio signal is transmitted to the radio receiver, and/or to switch the radio transmitter to another radio frequency by switching a dip switch or the like. A closable maintenance opening may be provided to allow access to the components of the communication device to set the .

A sensor element for detecting operating conditions of a power tool can be embodied in many different ways. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor element is designed as an acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations of the suction hose during operation of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool or, during operation of the power tool, a power It is designed as a flow sensor for detecting airflow within the second end of the suction hose attached to the air outlet of the tool. The operation of power tools inevitably causes vibrations, which can be detected by acceleration sensors. This is particularly the case with oscillating power tools, such as random orbital sanders, gear driven sanders and the like. The acceleration sensor can be in the form of a piezoelectric accelerometer. If the power tool is provided with a self-generating dust removal function, the operation of the power tool inevitably causes an airflow of possibly dust laden air to flow from the working area to the air outlet of the power tool. This airflow can be detected by a flow sensor. The flow sensor preferably has a measuring probe positioned within the airflow. Alternatively, the flow sensor may optically detect airflow using ultrasound or other electromagnetic waves.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensor element includes an optical or other type of sensor for detecting the amount of dust and other particulates in the dust-laden air passing through the second end of the suction hose. may be included. Preferably, the sensor measures the amount of dust or other particulate matter per unit time. A status message containing or indicating the measured, preferably dust or particulate, amount per unit time can be transmitted by the wireless transmitter via a wireless link to the wireless receiver of the suction device. The rotation speed of the vacuum generator may be increased or decreased depending on the amount of dust or particulates measured.

Finally, the suction device has a main switch for manually switching the suction device between an active state (I) and a non-active state (0), the control device indicating that the suction device is in the active state (I ) is designed to turn on the vacuum generator in response to the operating state of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool having the second end of the suction hose connected to the air outlet only when the I suggest that. In other words, by switching the suction device to the operating state (I), the suction device may be brought into a kind of standby mode in which the vacuum generating device is still inactive. Additionally, the vacuum generator is switched on only when the sensor element detects movement of the power tool to which the suction hose is attached. As noted above, turning on the vacuum generator may be accomplished substantially simultaneously with activation of the power tool or with a time delay. When the sensor element detects the end of operation of the power tool, the vacuum generator is turned off. Again, this can be accomplished at about the same time as the power tool is deactivated or with a time delay.

Further features and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the illustrated preferred embodiments. It is emphasized that each feature shown can be an important aspect of the present invention. Moreover, the various features shown may be combined with each other in any possible fashion, even if not explicitly shown in the drawings and/or mentioned in the description.

1 shows one preferred embodiment of a suction device according to the invention attached to a hand-held power tool; FIG. Figure 2 shows the first embodiment of the second end of the suction hose of the suction device shown in Figure 1 attached to the air outlet of a hand-held power tool; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the second end of the suction hose of the suction device shown in Figure 1 attached to the air outlet of a hand-held power tool;

FIG. 1 shows a suction device 2 according to the invention in the form of a mobile vacuum cleaner or a mobile dust removal system. The suction device 2 is adapted to filter dust, dirt and particulates from the dust laden air stream 24 and to collect the dust, dirt and particulates 6 in the collection container 4 for temporary storage. In particular, the suction device 2 is
- a collection container 4 adapted to contain dust, dirt and particulates 6;
- a vacuum generator 8 for generating a low pressure _pv below the ambient pressure _p0 in the collection container 4;
- a suction opening 10 provided in the collection container 4;
- a suction hose 12 connected at a first end 14 to a suction opening 10 and at an opposite second end 16 to an air outlet 18 of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool 20;
- disposed between the collection vessel 4 and the vacuum generator 8 in the air flow 24 generated by the vacuum generator 8 and adapted to filter dust, dirt and particulates 6 from the air flow 24; a filter element 22;
a vacuum generator for turning the vacuum generator 8 on or off depending on the operating state of a hand-held electric or pneumatic tool 20 to which the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 is connected to the air outlet 18; a controller 26 adapted to control 8;
- a radio receiver 28 for receiving radio signals 30, operatively connected to the control device 26;
- a communication device 32 located at or near the second end 16 of the suction hose 12,
a sensor element 34 for detecting the current operating state of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool 20 and for outputting a sensor signal 36 depending on the operating state of the power tool 20;
- a radio transmitter 38 for transmitting the radio signal 30; and - a processing device 40 operatively connected to the sensor element 34 on the one hand and to the radio transmitter 38 on the other hand, the radio transmitter 38 to the sensor element 34 a processor 40 adapted to emit a wireless signal 30 responsive to the sensor signal 36 received from or representative of the sensor signal 36 received from the sensor element 34
and a communication device having

In general, power tool 20 may be any electric or pneumatic power tool that produces a certain amount of dust, dirt or other particulates during intended use. Power tool 20 has an electric or pneumatic motor 80 for operating a working member 82 thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, power tool 20 is an abrasive tool and working member 82 is a support plate. A polishing medium 84 (eg, abrasive paper or cloth, polishing pad, etc.) may be removably attached to the bottom surface of support plate 82, such as by a Velcro® attachment. Depending on the type of abrasive tool, the support plate 82 performs a purely rotary, random orbital, eccentric or rotary orbital (gear driven) working motion.

Power tool 20 may include a self-generating dust removal function provided by fan 86 , which is preferably driven by motor 80 . Fan 86 creates internal airflow 46 that carries dust, dirt and particulates from working area 78 of abrasive tool 20 toward air outlet 18 . Alternatively, the power tool 20 may not have a self-generating dust removal function, in which case the dust, dirt and particulates are removed by the airflow 24,46 created by the suction device 2 to work. From area 78 suction is drawn towards air outlet 18 .

The radio transmitter 38 of the communication device 32 forming part of the suction device 2 and connected to the hand-held power tool 20 on the one hand and the radio receiver 28 of the suction device 2 on the other hand are connected to the radio of the communication device 32 . We propose that it is designed to provide only unidirectional (and non-bidirectional) communication from transmitter 38 to radio receiver 28 . All details of the wireless link 30, such as the unique identifiers of the wireless transmitter 38 and the wireless receiver 28, the frequency range or frequency band used for the wireless link 30, the format of the wireless signal 30 and messages, and the format of the wireless signal 30. The protocols used for transmission may be preset prior to intentional use of wireless link 30 and suction device 2, respectively. Thus, the radio transmitter 38 and the radio receiver 28 are supplied with electrical energy and no radio signals 30 or initialization messages need to be transmitted between the participants 38 , 28 of the radio link 30 . As soon as the start-up procedure with receiver 28 is completed, radio transmitter 38 and radio receiver 28 are ready for transmitting or receiving radio signals, respectively.

In particular, the radio transmitter 38 is ready to transmit a radio signal 30 to the radio receiver 28 (with the preset unique identifier), and the radio receiver 28 is equipped with the radio transmitter (with the preset unique identifier). It is ready to receive radio signals 30 from 38 . Additionally, the frequency range or frequency band used for wireless link 30, the format of the signals and messages transmitted over wireless link 30, and the protocol used to transmit wireless signal 30 are determined by wireless transmitter 38 and wireless reception. can be preset in machine 28. hardware of the radio transmitter 38 and the radio receiver 28, respectively, in particular, so that after turning on the suction device 2 and the communication device 32, a radio transmission with given characteristics can be carried out substantially without time delay; and software for controlling the transmission of radio signals over the radio link 30 is embodied and designed. Moreover, wireless communication over wireless link 30 follows a specific proprietary protocol that does not require reciprocal data communication between wireless transmitter 38 and wireless receiver 28 for initialization and establishment of wireless link 30 . I propose that

By connecting the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 to the power tool 20, even if the power tool 20 itself operates without power and/or establishes a current operating state and establishes a fixed operating state. The operating state of the power tool 20 can be determined simply and reliably by means of the sensor element 34 of the communication device 32 without any means of transmission to the wireless receiver 28 of the suction device 2 .

The current operating state of the power tool 20 is indicated by unidirectional communication via the pre-established wireless link 30 between the wireless transmitter 38 assigned to the power tool 20 and the wireless receiver 28 of the suction device 2 . sent. The operating state of the power tool 20 is taken into account for controlling the operation of the vacuum generator 8 of the suction device 2 . Optionally, further parameters may be taken into account with respect to the control of the vacuum generator 8. For example, additional operating parameters of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool 20 (e.g., continuous operating time since last stop, cumulative operating time since last replacement of the polishing or polishing pad, temperature of power tool 20 electronics, the state of charge of the battery of the power tool 20, the amount of dust produced by the power tool 20 per unit time during the current operation of the power tool 20) or further operating parameters of the suction device 2 (e.g. the end of the filter element 22). Cumulative operating time since replacement, pressure values p _v , p _in or respective differential pressures p _in −p _v across filter element 22 (looking in the direction of air flow 24 through filter element 22), environmental parameters and handheld parameters of the workpiece machined by the electric or pneumatic tool 20 of the formula.

Further operating parameters of the power tool 20 are preferably also communicated unidirectionally via the wireless link 30 established between the wireless transmitter 38 assigned to the power tool 20 and the wireless receiver 28 of the suction device 2. sent. Environmental parameters may be obtained by respective sensors forming part of the suction device 2 and/or the power tool 20 . Workpiece parameters may be manually entered by a user of power tool 20 or suction device 2 , for example, via user interface 50 of power tool 20 or suction device 2 . User interface 50 may include a GUI touch screen and/or buttons or keys and/or a computer mouse and the like. Alternatively, the workpiece parameters may be manually entered by the user via their mobile end-user device 52, which is connected to the power tool 20 or suction device 2 via another wireless link 54, for example. . End-user device 52 may be a personal computer, laptop, smart phone, or the like.

The collection container 4 may be formed by a portion 56 of the outer housing of the suction device 2 . Preferably, the collection container 4 is manufactured from plastics material. The collection container 4 may be provided with an external wheel 58 to enable guidance of the suction device 2 to the intended site of use.

When a low pressure _pv or vacuum is generated in the collection container 4 by the vacuum generator 8, the differential pressure between the low pressure _pv and the ambient pressure _p0 causes suction into the collection container 4 through the suction opening 10 of the container. An air flow 24 is formed to be circulated. Airflow 24 may carry dust and other particulates from the working area of power tool 20 . The dust laden air stream 24 is drawn further through the filter element 22 towards the vacuum generator 8 . The filter element 22 separates the dust and particles 6 from the dust laden air stream 24 resulting in a clean air stream 60 . The vacuum generator 8 emits a stream of filtered clean air 60 into the environment through respective outlet openings 62 provided in another portion 64 of the outer housing of the suction device 2 in which the vacuum generator 8 is housed. do. A bottom portion 56 and an upper portion 64 of the outer housing of the suction device 2 may be separated from each other along a plane 66 extending through the filter element 22 . Preferably, the filter element 22 is attached to the upper portion 64 of the outer housing.

Although only one filter element 22 is shown in FIG. 1 , the suction device 2 may have more than one filter element 22 . By backwashing one or more selected filter elements 22 with clean air flow 60 in a direction opposite to the direction of dust-laden air flow 24, one or more filter elements 22 are temporarily can undergo a thorough cleaning step. Continuing the intended use of the suction device 2 during the cleaning step by operating the filter element 22 not currently undergoing the cleaning step in the normal way (passing through the dust laden air stream 24). can be done.

A vacuum generator 8 generates an air flow 24, 60 that flows from the collection vessel 4 into the environment and past the filter element 22, thereby driving a turbine 70 for creating a low pressure _pv within the collection vessel 4. It may also have a motor 68 . The motor 68 of the vacuum generator 8 is preferably an electric motor, especially of the brushless type. However, it may also be a pneumatic motor operated by compressed air.

The suction hose 12 has an elongated intermediate section 72 which is preferably flexible and manufactured from plastics material or metal. Suction hose 12 extends along longitudinal axis 74 . Intermediate section 72 enhances flexibility when bent about a bending axis that extends substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis 74 of hose 12 and is substantially flexible relative to longitudinal axis 74 of hose 12 . In order to improve the stability and elasticity of the intermediate section 72 against external forces acting on the intermediate section 72 in a direction perpendicular to the center section 72, it is preferably corrugated.

First and second ends 14 , 16 of suction hose 12 are of rigid construction and are attached to an elongated intermediate section 72 . In particular, at least one of the rigid end pieces 14, 16 of the hose 12 is attached to the elongated intermediate section 72 so as to be freely rotatable relative to the intermediate section 72 about the longitudinal axis 74 of the hose 12. . A freely rotatable connection is indicated at 76 in FIGS. The first and second end pieces 14, 16 may be manufactured from plastic material or metal. A first end 14 of the suction hose 12 is attached to the suction opening 10 of the container and a second end 16 is attached to the air outlet 18 of the handheld power tool 20 . By connecting the air outlet 18 of the power tool 20 to the suction opening 10 of the container via the suction hose 12 , the low pressure _pv in the collection container 4 is drawn from the air outlet 18 via the suction hose 12 into the collection container 4 . to generate an air flow 24 that flows to the _The airflow 24 at the air outlet 18 creates a low pressure _pw in the working area 78 of the power tool 20 where dirt, dust and particulates are drawn from the working area 78 by the airflow 46 and by the suction device 2 This causes it to be sucked up and filtered out of the dust-laden air stream 24 by the filter element 22 of the suction device 2 .

The attachment of the first and second end pieces 14, 16 of the suction hose 12 to the suction opening 10 of the collection container 4 and the air outlet 18 of the power tool 20, respectively, can be realized by bayonet connections. First and second end pieces 14, 16 may be held in place relative to suction opening 10 and/or air outlet 18, respectively, by frictional forces, snap-in connections, bayonet connections, magnetic forces, or the like.

The processor 40 of the communication device 32 is adapted to cause the wireless transmitter 38 to emit a wireless signal 30 when the power tool 20 changes from the OFF operating state to the ON operating state, thereby controlling the suction device 2 . It is proposed that the device 26 is adapted to switch on the vacuum generator 8 when the radio receiver 28 receives a radio signal 30, optionally taking into account further parameters. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 40 of the communication device 32 is adapted to cause the wireless transmitter 38 to emit the wireless signal 30 when the power tool 20 changes from the ON operating state to the OFF operating state. and the controller 26 is adapted to switch off the vacuum generator 8 of the suction device 2 when the wireless receiver 28 receives the wireless signal 30, optionally taking into account further parameters. I propose that there is

According to the present invention, the vacuum generating device detects any additional pressure after the sensor element 34 detects operation of the power tool 20 and each wireless signal 30 is transmitted by the wireless transmitter 38 and received by the wireless receiver 28 . and/or the vacuum generator 8 detects that the sensor element 34 has detected the end of operation of the power tool 20 and the respective wireless signal 30 is transmitted by the wireless transmitter 38 and wirelessly After being received by receiver 28, it may be switched off without any additional delay.

Preferably, at least one of the switching on or off of the vacuum generator 8 is associated with the detection of the start or end of movement of the power tool 20 by the sensor element 34 and the respective radio signal 30 by the radio receiver 28 of the suction device 2 . is received only after a certain time delay. This time delay may be in the range of one to several seconds.

For this purpose, the processing unit 40 of the communication device 32 , when causing the wireless transmitter 38 to transmit the wireless signal 30 , includes as further parameters the reception of the sensor signal 36 from the sensor element 34 and the transmission of the wireless signal by the wireless transmitter 38 . T.30 is adapted to take into account the time delay between transmissions. Additionally or alternatively, if the control device 26 of the suction device 2 switches the vacuum generator 8 on or off, further parameters are the reception of the radio signal 30 by the radio receiver 28 and the is adapted to take into account the time delay between switching on or off.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless link between the wireless transmitter 38 of the communication device 32 and the wireless receiver 28 of the suction device 2, which transmits the wireless signal 30, is used for shipping the suction device 2 and It is proposed that it be set up as part of the manufacturing process of the suction device 2 at the factory before use. For example, a radio link may be configured by writing each parameter of the radio link (frequency, channel, signal format, protocol) and a unique identifier of the radio communication participant 38, 28 into a storage element prior to shipment and use. The memory element may form part of the control device 26 of the suction device 2 and/or the processing device 40 of the communication device 32 assigned to the power tool 20 . Alternatively, the storage element may form part of the radio transmitter 38 and/or radio receiver 28 . Upon startup of the communication device 32 and suction device 2, the stored parameters and identifiers are loaded into the wireless transmitter 38 and/or the wireless receiver 28, thereby instantly establishing a wireless link according to the preset parameters and identifiers. , wireless communication takes place between given participants 38, 28 according to a given format/protocol. No initialization messages need to be exchanged between wireless communication participants 38, 28 in order to establish a wireless link and conduct wireless communication.

Further, the unique identifier of the wireless transmitter 38 is preset at the factory into the wireless receiver 28 or a storage element to which the wireless receiver 28 has access, and the unique identifier of the wireless receiver 28 is preset at the factory to the wireless transmitter. 38 or radio transmitter 38 is preset in a storage element to which it has access. Alternatively, the communication parameters and unique identifier may be set by the user through user interface 50 of suction device 2 (see FIG. 1) and/or communication device 32 (see FIG. 2) after shipment of suction device 2 and prior to use. can be preset via Additionally, communication parameters and unique identifiers can be communicated via a mobile end-user device 52 connected via another wireless link 54 to suction device 2 (see FIG. 1) and/or communication device 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). may be preset by the user.

If the user of the suction device 2 manually sets the unique identifiers of the participants in wireless communication (the wireless transmitter 38 and the wireless receiver 28) via the wireless link 30 after shipment of the suction device 2 and before use: Wireless link 30 is preferably set up using the hardware and/or software of suction device 2 and communication device 32 . Hardware settings may include setting dip switches in the wireless receiver 28 and/or wireless transmitter 38, or communicating parameters and / Or setting a unique identifier may be included. Software configuration may include a computer program, such as an application or app running on the end-user device 52, in which the appropriate configuration can be performed. The computer program may then send the settings to wireless receiver 28 and/or wireless transmitter 38 to set up wireless link 30 . Transmission of the settings may be done wirelessly via cable or via a separate wireless link 54 . In this case, the settings are taken into account by radio transmitter 38 and radio receiver 28 during data transmission over radio link 30 .

Furthermore, the communication device 32 has a separate local power supply unit 42 for supplying power for the operation of the electrical components of the communication device 32 (e.g. sensor element 34, wireless transmitter 38, processing unit 40, user interface 50). I suggest that you have The power supply unit 42 may have rechargeable and/or replaceable batteries. The power supply unit 42 may also include an energy converter, which is the vibration of the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 caused by the vibrating power tool 20 during intended use. into electrical energy, which is supplied to the battery for recharging (energy harvesting from mechanical motion) or directly to the electrical components of the communication device 32 . Alternatively, the energy conversion device may include a pneumatic generator positioned within the airflow 46 through the second end 16 of the suction hose 12, the pneumatic generator self-contained. When the power tool 20 with generative dust removal is actuated to create the airflow 46, it produces electrical energy.

By virtue of the fact that the communication device 32 only transmits the wireless signal 30 at any given time when the operating conditions of the power tool 20 change, the power supply unit 42 can provide an almost infinite amount of power without running out of electrical energy. It has a useful life. To this end, the energy conversion device may include piezoelectric material and may be in the form of an electrodynamic or induction generator, or may be in the form of an electrostatic generator.

In another preferred embodiment, the suction device 2 is configured to visually and/or acoustically communicate the state of the power supply unit 42 of the communication device 32 to the user of the suction device 2 visually and/or acoustically. It is proposed that the signal device 44 has a The visual and/or acoustic signaling device 44 may be arranged in and form part of the communication device 32 assigned to the power tool 20 . Preferably, the signaling device 44 is located in the upper portion 64 of the outer housing of the suction device 2 that houses the vacuum generating components of the suction device 2 (eg controller 26, vacuum generating device 8). This greatly improves the visibility and/or audibility of the suction device 2 by the user. In this case, the communication device 32 or the radio transmitter 38 respectively communicate the current state of the power supply unit 42 to the radio receiver 28 of the suction device 2, which forwards the current state to the control device 26. However, controller 26 also causes signal device 44 to output the current state. To this end, it is proposed that each status message is transmitted from the radio transmitter 38 to the radio receiver 28 via the radio link 30 .

The state of power supply unit 42 preferably corresponds to the charge level of power supply unit 42 . In one simple embodiment, the condition is simply that the charge level of the battery in the power supply unit 42 is sufficient (green and/or or no audible signal) or not sufficient (red and/or flashing and/or audible signals). Alternatively, different charge levels of the battery of power supply unit 42 may induce different visual and/or audible output signals by signaling device 44 .

Communication device 32 may be implemented in various embodiments. According to one preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 32 is a self-contained unit removably attached to the second end 16 of the suction hose 12, similar to a wrist watch attached to the user's wrist. is. In particular, the communication device 32 is made of, for example, a plastic or rubber material, inside which all the components of the communication device 32 (sensor element 34, radio transmitter 38, processing device 40, power supply unit 42, user interface 50) are arranged. It may have the housing 88 manufactured. Housing 88 may be completely sealed to provide a moisture and dust tight seal for the components. The communication device 32 may be provided with a plurality of straps 90 that are wrapped around the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 and then secured together, such as by buckles, Velcro® 92, or the like. . Alternatively, the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 may be provided with some sort of securing structure, such as a Velcro® or snap-in structure, to secure the housing 88 of the communication device 32 . is removably attached to this fixed structure.

According to one alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 32 is preferably formed by a molding process during the manufacture of the second end piece 16 of the suction hose 12 and/or the suction hose 12 as a whole. It is incorporated into the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 . According to this embodiment, the communication device 32 is an integral part of the second end piece 16 of the suction hose 12 . In order to replace the communication device 32, the entire second end piece 16 and/or the entire suction hose 12 must be replaced. This embodiment can have significant advantages in terms of cost-effective manufacture and installation of communication device 32 in suction hose 12 . This is because the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 may be used as a housing for the communication device 32 and its components. Even if incorporated into the second end 16 of the suction hose 12, the suction hose 12 or the second end piece 16, respectively, may have a depleted battery for repair or replacement, for example, of the power supply unit 42. and/or to replace the radio transmitter 38 to change the frequency band in which the radio signal 30 is transmitted to the radio receiver 28, and/or to toggle a dip switch or the like to change the radio A closable maintenance opening may be provided to allow access to the components of the communication device 32 in order to set the transmitter 38 to another radio frequency.

The sensor element 34 for detecting operating conditions of the power tool 20 can be embodied in many different ways. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor element 34 is designed as an acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations of the suction hose 12 during operation of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool 20 or during operation of the power tool 20. Secondly, it is designed as a flow sensor for detecting the airflow 46 in the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 attached to the air outlet 18 of the power tool 20 . Operation of the power tool 20 inevitably causes vibrations, which can be detected by an acceleration sensor. This is particularly the case for oscillating power tools 20, such as random orbital sanders, gear driven sanders, and the like. The acceleration sensor can be in the form of a piezoelectric accelerometer. If the power tool 20 is provided with a self-generating dust removal function, the operation of the power tool 20 will necessarily move the air outlet 18 of the power tool 20 and the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 out of the working range 78 . an air flow 46 of possibly dust-laden air through the . This airflow 46 can be detected by a flow sensor. The flow sensor preferably has a measuring probe positioned within the airflow 46 . The flow sensor may optically detect the airflow 46 using ultrasound or other forms of electromagnetic waves.

Alternatively or additionally, the sensor element 34 includes a sensor for detecting the amount of dust and other particulate contained in the dust-laden airflow 46 passing through the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 . Optical or other types of sensors may be included. Preferably, sensor element 34 measures the amount of dust or other particulate matter per unit time. A status message containing or indicating the measured, preferably dust or particulate, amount per unit time can be transmitted by the wireless transmitter 38 via the wireless link 30 to the wireless receiver 28 of the suction device 2 . The rotation speed of the vacuum generator 8 may be increased or decreased depending on the amount of dust or particulates measured.

Finally, the suction device 2 has a main switch 48 for manually switching the suction device 2 between an active state (I) and a non-active state (0), the controller 26 vacuum generator 8 in response to the operating state of a hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool 20 having air outlet 18 connected to second end 16 of suction hose 12 only when is in operating state (I). I suggest that it is designed to be turned on. In other words, by switching the suction device 2 to the operating state (I), the suction device 2 may be brought into a kind of standby mode in which the vacuum generating device 8 is still inactive. Additionally, the vacuum generator 8 is switched on only when the sensor element 34 detects movement of the power tool 20 to which the suction hose 12 is attached. As noted above, turning on the vacuum generator 8 may be accomplished substantially simultaneously with the activation of the power tool 20 or with a time delay. When the sensor element 34 detects the end of operation of the power tool 20, the vacuum generator 8 is switched off. Again, this may be accomplished at about the same time as power tool 20 is deactivated or with a time delay.

Suction hoses 12 according to the present invention are different for transmitting wireless signals 30 according to different parameters (e.g. frequency, channel, etc.) and standards (e.g. size and format of transmitted data packets and data frames, number of repetitions of data frames, etc.). It can be used with suction device 2 to establish various types of unidirectional wireless links. The particular type of unidirectional wireless link used is manually configured by a user, for example, by selecting a predetermined unique identifier and/or communication parameter from a plurality of pre-stored identifiers and/or communication parameters. obtain. The selection may be made via a dip switch to transfer the storage unit (e.g. USB stick, IC, etc.) containing the selected identifier and/or selection parameters to another record containing another identifier and/or further parameters. It may be done by replacing the unit, or it may be done with the user's mobile end-user device 52 connected to the power tool 20 or suction device 2 via another wireless link 54 .

Preferably, the suction hose 12 is connected to a first end 14 adapted to be connected to the suction opening 10 of the suction device 2 and to an air outlet 18 of a handheld electric or pneumatic power tool 20. and an opposite second end 16 adapted to. The second end 16 preferably includes a communication device 32 incorporated into the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 and/or through a molding process during manufacture of the suction hose 12 . I have. The communication device 32 comprises sensor elements 34 for detecting the current operating conditions of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool 20 and for outputting sensor signals 36 in response to the detected operating conditions of the power tool 20 . It is proposed that sensor element 34 is in the form of an acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations of suction hose 12 during operation of hand-held electric or pneumatic tool 20 .

Accordingly, the present invention provides a power tool 20 mounted on the power tool 20 for detecting the operating condition of the power tool 20 and for transmitting to the wireless receiver 28 of the suction device 2 the operating condition of the power tool 20 or a signal representative of the operating condition. It provides a highly integrated suction hose 12 with built-in communication device 32, where the form of wireless transmission is limited to unidirectional transmission, which is defined as follows:
- the radio link is ready for data communication immediately after startup,
- does not require any setup or initialization procedures prior to data communication over the radio link;
- manual setting of the wireless link is possible (for using the suction hose 12 with different suction devices 2 and wireless receivers 28, respectively);
has the advantage of

The communication device 32 is an integral part of the second end 16 of the suction hose 12 such that the communication device 32 is safely protected within the second end 16 from dust, moisture and mechanical stress. ing.

Claims (16)

a suction device (2), in particular a vacuum cleaner or dust removal system,
- a collection container (4) adapted to contain dust, dirt and particulates (6);
- a vacuum generator (8) for generating a low pressure (p _v ) below ambient pressure (p ₀ ) in said collecting vessel (4);
- a suction opening (10) in said collection container (4);
- a first end (14) connected to said suction opening (10) and an opposite second end connectable to an air outlet (18) of a handheld electric or pneumatic power tool (20); a suction hose (12) having (16);
- between said collection vessel (4) and said vacuum generator (8), placed in an air flow (24) generated by said vacuum generator (8), dust from said air flow (24); , a filter element (22) adapted to filter dirt and particulates (6);
- optionally depending on the operating state of said hand-held electric or pneumatic tool (20) to which said second end (16) of said suction hose (12) is connected to said air outlet (18) a controller (26) adapted to control said vacuum generator (8) in order to change the operating state of said vacuum generator (8) taking into account a further parameter;
- a radio receiver (28) for receiving radio signals (30), operatively connected to said controller (26);
- a communication device (32) located at or near said second end (16) of said suction hose (12),
- a sensor element for detecting the current operating state of said hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (20) and for outputting a sensor signal (36) depending on the detected operating state of said power tool (20); 34),
- a radio transmitter (38) for transmitting a radio signal (30), and - a processing device (40) operatively connected on the one hand to said sensor element (34) and on the other hand to said radio transmitter (38). adapted to cause said radio transmitter (38) to emit a radio signal (30) responsive to the sensor signal (36) received from said sensor element (34) and optionally taking into account further parameters. processed processing unit (40)
A suction device (2) comprising a communication device (32) comprising
The communication device (32) and the wireless receiver (28) provide unidirectional communication from the wireless transmitter (38) of the communication device (32) to the wireless receiver (28) of the suction device (2). A suction device (2), characterized in that it is designed for communication only. The processor (40) of the communication device (32) transmits a radio signal (30) to the radio transmitter (38) when the power tool (20) changes from an off operating state to an on operating state. said controller (26), optionally taking into account further parameters, said suction device when said wireless receiver (28) receives said wireless signal (30); A suction device (2) according to claim 1, adapted to switch on the vacuum generating device (8) of (2). The processor (40) of the communication device (32) emits a wireless signal (30) to the wireless transmitter (38) when the power tool (20) changes from an on operating state to an off operating state. said controller (26), optionally taking into account further parameters, said suction device when said wireless receiver (28) receives said wireless signal (30); 3. Suction device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, adapted to switch off the vacuum generating device (8) of (2). The processing unit (40) of the communication device (32), when causing the wireless transmitter (38) to transmit a wireless signal (30), includes as a further parameter the sensor signal ( 36) and the transmission of said radio signal (30) by said radio transmitter (38). A suction device (2) as described. Said control device (26), when switching on or off said vacuum generator (8) of said suction device (2), provides as a further parameter the amount of said radio signal (30) by means of said radio receiver (28). Aspiration according to any one of claims 1 to 4, adapted to take into account a time delay between reception and switching on and/or off of the vacuum generator (8). Device (2). a unique identifier for the wireless transmitter (38) is preset in the wireless receiver (28), and a unique identifier for the wireless receiver (28) is preset in the wireless transmitter (38); Suction device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A wireless link between the wireless transmitter (38) and the wireless receiver (28) through which the wireless signal (30) is transmitted is established at the factory prior to shipment and use of the suction device (2). 7. Suction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, set as part of the manufacturing process of the suction device (2). A wireless link between the wireless transmitter (38) and the wireless receiver (28) through which the wireless signal (30) is transmitted is determined after shipment and prior to use of the suction device (2) by: connected to the suction device (2) by the user of the suction device (2), in particular using the power tool (20) or the user interface of the suction device (2) or using another wireless link (54). 7. The suction device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is set manually using a mobile end-user device (52). The wireless link between the wireless transmitter (38) and the wireless receiver (28) is manually set up by a user of the suction device (2) using hardware and/or software. 9. Suction device (2) according to item 8. A suction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said communication device (32) comprises an independent local power supply unit (42). The suction device (2) communicates visually and/or acoustically the state of the power supply unit (42) of the communication device (32) to the user of the suction device (2), visually and/or 11. The suction device (2) as claimed in claim 10, comprising an acoustic signaling device (44). 12. Any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the communication device (32) is removably attached to the second end (16) of the suction hose (12) as a self-contained unit. suction device (2). Said communication device (32) is preferably attached to said second end (16) of said suction hose (12) and/or said suction hose (12) by a molding process during manufacture of said suction hose (12). 12. Suction device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, incorporated in the second end (16) of the. Said sensor element (34) is designed as an acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations of said suction hose (12) during operation of said hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (20) or said power tool ( 20) is designed as a flow sensor for detecting the air flow (46) in the second end (16) of the suction hose (12) during operation of the suction hose (12). A suction device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. Said suction device (2) has a main switch (48) for manually switching said suction device (2) between an active state (I) and a non-active state (0), said control device (26) said second end (16) of said suction hose (12) is connected to said air outlet (18) only when said suction device (2) is in operating state (I); 15. The vacuum generator (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, designed to turn on the vacuum generator (8) depending on the operating state of the hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (20). Suction device (2). A suction hose (12) with a first end (14) adapted to be connected to the suction opening (10) of the suction device (2) and a handheld electric or pneumatic tool (20). ) and an opposite second end (16) adapted to be connected to the air outlet (18) of the said second end (16) of said suction hose (12) and/or a communication device integrated into said second end (16) via a molding process during manufacture of said suction hose (12); 32), the communication device (32) comprising:
- a sensor element for detecting the current operating state of said hand-held electric or pneumatic power tool (20) and for outputting a sensor signal (36) depending on the detected operating state of said power tool (20); 34) and
- a radio transmitter (38) for transmitting radio signals (30);
- a processing unit (40) operatively connected on the one hand to said sensor element (34) and on the other hand to said radio transmitter (38), said radio transmitter (38) receiving from said sensor element (34) a processing device (40) adapted to emit a radio signal (30) responsive to the received sensor signal (36) and optionally taking into account further parameters. ) in
A suction hose (12), wherein said sensor element (34) is in the form of an acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations of said suction hose (12) during operation of said hand-held electric or pneumatic tool (20).

Images