JP2001008372A - Electrical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an electric device capable of reliably informing an operator of a crimping operation of a remaining number of operations that can be continuously performed without charging a secondary battery 6. SOLUTION: The discharge capacity required for the immediately preceding crimping operation is defined as a unit operation capacity WQ, and the unit operation capacity WQ is divided from the current remaining capacity of the secondary battery 6 to calculate and display the number of remaining operations RC. It is displayed on the device 10. Note that not only secondary batteries but also primary batteries can be used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electric device such as an electric crimping tool using a battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a hand-held electric crimping tool using a secondary battery is shown in FIG. In this electric crimping tool, an operator presses a lever 1 with a finger, thereby pressing a crimp terminal (not shown) set on the head 2 by advancing a tool tip 3 to perform crimping. The tool chip 3 of the head 2 is driven forward by rotating a motor in the main body 5 by a secondary battery in the battery pack 4 and operating a hydraulic cylinder (not shown).

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of a control circuit using a microcomputer of the electric crimping tool. The secondary battery 6 in the battery pack 4 is connected to a motor 8 via a switch circuit 7. When the lever 1 is pressed, the microcomputer 9 detects this and turns on the switch circuit 7. When the switch circuit 7 is turned on, the discharge current of the secondary battery 6
The head 2 moves forward by the driving of the hydraulic cylinder to perform the pressure bonding operation.

The control circuit of the electric crimping tool has a function of detecting the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 6 and displaying the remaining capacity on the display device 10. That is, the microcomputer 9 detects the charge / discharge current of the secondary battery 6 by the current detector 11 using a Hall element, a shunt resistor, and the like, and inputs this through the A / D converter 12. I have. Further, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed for each sampling period Ts. In this process, in the first step (hereinafter referred to as “S”), it is determined whether the battery pack 4 is charged or discharged based on whether the current I detected by the current detector 11 is positive or negative (S21). , The discharge current I
And the sampling period Ts is the product of the discharge capacity D
A new discharge capacity DQ is calculated by integrating digitally by integrating with Q (S22). During charging, the current I detected by the current detector 11 becomes positive (S21). Therefore, the product of the charging current I and the sampling period Ts is integrated digitally by integrating it with the charging capacity CQ up to that time. To calculate a new charging capacity CQ (S23). Then, by subtracting the discharge capacity DQ from the charge capacity CQ calculated in this way, the remaining capacity RQ currently remaining in the secondary battery 6 is obtained (SS2
4) This is displayed on the display device 10 (S25). The display device 10 can display the remaining capacity as a numerical value such as a unit of mAh by using a segment type or dot matrix type liquid crystal display device or the like. It may be displayed in the form of a bar graph.

[0005] When the remaining capacity of the secondary battery 6 is calculated by the above method, errors accumulate in the charge capacity CQ and the discharge capacity DQ, which are integrated as charge / discharge is repeated. The characteristics of the secondary battery 6, such as charge and discharge efficiency, change according to the environmental temperature and the like. Therefore, in practice, the value of the integrated charging / discharging current I is corrected based on information such as the terminal voltage and the battery temperature, or the calculated charging / discharging capacities CQ and DQ and the remaining capacity R
The value of Q is set / reset. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal voltage of the secondary battery 6 is detected,
By inputting this to the microcomputer 9 via the A / D converter 13, when the terminal voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage, the charge capacity CQ and the discharge capacity DQ are reset assuming complete discharge, and the terminal voltage becomes When the voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage, the charge capacity CQ is set to the battery capacity assuming that the battery is fully charged, and the discharge capacity DQ is reset, thereby preventing accumulation of miscalculation. Further, the temperature of the secondary battery 6 is detected by a temperature detector 14 using a thermistor or the like, and the detected temperature is input to the microcomputer 9 via the A / D converter 15 so as to be integrated according to the battery temperature. Charge / discharge current I and calculated remaining capacity RC
Can also be corrected. Further, the integrated discharge current I can be corrected in consideration of the discharge loss rate corresponding to the magnitude of the discharge current I.

[0006] The microcomputer 9 is an EEPROM.
The above control operation is executed by using the RAM 17 as a work area in accordance with the program stored in the program 16.

[0007]

However, the operator of the crimping operation wants more information on how many more times the crimping operation can be actually performed than the remaining capacity RQ of the secondary battery 6 of the electric crimping tool. I have. For example, an operator performing crimping work of a certain number of crimp terminals can perform crimping of all remaining crimp terminals to the end without charging the secondary battery 6,
Alternatively, depending on whether charging needs to be performed during the work, the work procedure may need to be changed. However, if the discharge capacity required for one pressing operation is always constant, the remaining number of operations can be easily calculated by dividing the remaining capacity RQ of the secondary battery 6 by this one discharge capacity. Yes, the worker can also have the remaining capacity RQ
It is easy to predict this from the value of. However, since the electric crimping tool can be used for crimping crimp terminals of various sizes by replacing the head 2, the discharge capacity required for one crimping operation greatly differs depending on the size of the crimp terminals. Knowing only the remaining capacity RQ of the secondary battery 6 makes it difficult to accurately predict how many more times the crimping operation can be performed based on the remaining capacity RQ.

For this reason, even if the conventional electric crimping tool has a function of displaying the remaining capacity RQ of the secondary battery 6,
There is a problem that the operator of the crimping operation cannot accurately know how many times the crimping operation is actually possible.

[0009] This problem is not limited to the electric crimping tool, but is common to electric equipment in which operations can be distinguished once and operation patterns in each operation are substantially the same.

The present invention has been made in order to cope with such a situation. By detecting a discharge capacity required for past work, the remaining work that can be performed in the future without charging or replacing a battery is performed. An object is to provide an electric device capable of estimating the number of times.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an operation of substantially the same kind of pattern is repeated by receiving supply of power from a battery, so that one operation is performed for each operation pattern.
In an electric device that performs work each time, a remaining capacity detection unit that detects a remaining capacity of a battery, and a unit work capacity detection unit that detects a discharge capacity of a battery required to perform one work as a unit work capacity, A unit work capacity estimating means for estimating a unit work capacity required for one execution of a future work based on one or more unit work capacities detected by the unit work capacity detecting means in the past; and a remaining capacity detecting means. From the detected remaining capacity, the remaining work count calculating means for calculating the remaining work count by dividing the unit work capacity estimated by the unit work capacity estimation means, and displaying the remaining work count calculated by the remaining work count calculation means, or Display means for performing display in accordance with the number of remaining operations.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the remaining work count is calculated and displayed by dividing the unit work capacity detected during the past work from the current remaining capacity of the battery. The operator can accurately know the remaining number of work that can be continuously performed without charging the battery or replacing the primary battery. In addition, even when the work is switched to a work having a different load, the remaining work count of a new work can be accurately displayed by executing the work several times.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the unit work capacity estimating means estimates the unit work capacity detected by the unit work capacity detecting means at the time of the immediately preceding work as a unit work capacity required for one execution of a future work. It is characterized by that.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the remaining work count is calculated and displayed by dividing the unit work capacity detected during the immediately preceding work from the current remaining capacity of the battery. The operator can accurately know the remaining number of work that can be continuously performed without charging the battery or replacing the primary battery. Moreover, even if the work is switched to a work with a different load, the work only needs to be performed once.
It is possible to accurately display the remaining work count of a new work.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the unit work capacity estimating means calculates the average of the unit work capacities detected by the unit work capacity detecting means during the predetermined number of works up to the previous time, and executes the average of one work in the future work. It is estimated as a unit work capacity required for

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the unit work capacity required for one work in the future is obtained by the moving average of the past unit work capacity, so that even if the unit work capacity varies to some extent for each work. Thus, the accurate remaining work count can be displayed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the unit working capacity detecting means continuously outputs a predetermined value or more of the discharge current after the discharge current of a predetermined value or more has continuously flowed for a predetermined time or more. It is characterized in that the unit working capacity is detected by integrating a value corresponding to the discharge current during a period up to the end of the flow for a time or more.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a discharge current of a predetermined value or more continuously flows for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that one operation has been performed and the unit work capacity is detected. Even when a single-time operation or a light load operation is applied an indefinite number of times during the work, the unit work capacity can be accurately detected. The unit working capacity may integrate the discharge current as it is, or may integrate the discharge current with a value in consideration of the discharge efficiency and the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the electric device is an electric crimping tool for crimping a crimp terminal by advancing a tool tip of a head by a motor. A single crimping operation is performed by zero or one or more inching steps of moving forward and one caulking step of pressing the crimp terminal with the head.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the unit working capacity can be accurately detected even for an electric crimping tool requiring an infinite number of inching steps before the original caulking step.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control circuit of the electric crimping tool, and FIG. 2 is a discharge current during crimping work of the electric crimping tool. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing changes in
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process of calculating a unit working capacity by a moving average, in detail, a time chart showing a change in discharge current at the time of a single pressing operation. In addition, FIG.
Components having the same functions as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, an electric crimping tool similar to the conventional example shown in FIG. 5 will be described. Further, the hardware configuration of the control circuit of the electric crimping tool is the same as that of the conventional example shown in FIG.

In the electric crimping tool shown in FIG. 5, when a crimping terminal (not shown) is first set on the head 2, the lever 1 is lightly pressed for a short time to advance the tool tip 3 of the head 2 until it comes into contact with the crimping terminal. Perform the inching process several times. Then, when the tool tip 3 comes into contact with the crimp terminal, the lever 1 is reliably pushed to further advance the tool tip 3 to perform a crimping step of crimping the crimp terminal. Then, one press bonding operation is completed by such several inching steps and one caulking step.

The discharge current flowing from the secondary battery 6 to the motor 8 shown in FIG. 6 during the above-mentioned crimping operation is, as shown in FIG. Since this is a very short time of about .1 to 0.2 seconds, the current immediately decreases and becomes an impulse-like current. When this inching step is performed several times, a caulking step with a large load is performed, and a relatively large current flows continuously. Then, one press bonding operation is performed by a series of the inching process and the caulking process. However, the inching step is usually performed two to three times, but the number of times is not always constant, and in some cases, the process may shift from the inching step to the caulking step, and these steps may not be distinguished.

The operation of the control circuit of the electric crimping tool according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The microcomputer 9 repeatedly executes a series of processes shown in FIG. 1 every sampling period Ts based on a program stored in the EEPROM 16. First, in the first step, it is checked whether or not the current I detected by the current detector 11 is a negative discharge current I (S1).
If so, the process ends. But,
If it is the discharge current I, it is determined whether the absolute value of the discharge current I is greater than the absolute value of the predetermined current value Ith, that is, whether the discharge current I has exceeded the predetermined current value Ith (S2). . The discharge current I is a negative value, and the predetermined current value I
Since th is also set to a negative value, I <Ith is actually checked. This predetermined current value Ith is a current value whose absolute value is sufficiently smaller than the discharge current flowing in the inching step and the caulking step. In order to eliminate the influence of noise and a weak current during the inching step, the absolute value of the predetermined current value Ith is reduced. It is set to a value slightly larger than 0.

Here, if the crimping operation has not been performed,
Since the discharge current I does not exceed the predetermined current value Ith,
Next, it is determined whether or not the count value CNT has become larger than a predetermined count value Wc (S3). If the crimping operation has not been performed, the count value CNT does not become larger than the predetermined count value Wc. Therefore, the count value CNT is reset to 0 (S4), and the discharge current I is set to the unit work capacity WQ. The product with the sampling period Ts is integrated (S5), and the process ends. This unit working capacity W
The integration process of Q is for time integration of the discharge current I digitally.

However, at times t1, t3, t5, and t5 shown in FIG.
When the inching step or the caulking step of the crimping operation starts after t7, it is determined that the discharge current I has exceeded the predetermined current value Ith in the process of S2. Therefore, the count value CNT is incremented (added by 1). (S6) The unit work capacity WQ in S5 is integrated, and the process is terminated. Then, while the discharge current I continuously exceeds the predetermined current value Ith, the processing of S1, S2, S6, and S5 is repeated, and the count value CNT is sequentially counted. Here, the time spent in the inching step does not actually exceed 0.3 seconds, and the caulking step requires a much longer time. Further, the predetermined count value Wc is a value set for temporally distinguishing the inching process and the caulking process, so that the sampling period Ts is set to 0.1.
In the case of seconds, the predetermined count value Wc may be set to three times (0.3 seconds = Wc × Ts). Therefore, at times t1, t
In the inching step after t3 and t5, it is determined that the discharge current I does not exceed the predetermined current value Ith in the processing of S2 at times t2, t4 and t6 after 0.1 to 0.2 seconds.
It is determined that the count value CNT is equal to or smaller than the predetermined count value Wc in the process of S3, and the count value CNT is reset to 0 again in the process of S4. Therefore, at time t1,
In each of the three inching steps after t3 and t5, the counting is completed before the count value CNT reaches the predetermined count value Wc.

On the other hand, in the caulking process after time t7, the discharge current I continuously exceeds the predetermined current value Ith for a sufficiently long time than 0.3 seconds (= Wc × Ts). When it is determined in step S2 that the discharge current I has not exceeded the predetermined current value Ith, the count value CNT is also determined to be larger than the predetermined count value Wc in step S3. Then, first, the current remaining capacity RQ is read, and the remaining work number RC is calculated by dividing the current remaining capacity RQ by the unit work capacity WQ that has been accumulated up to that time (S7). In the case of the present embodiment, the remaining capacity RQ is calculated at any time by the processing shown in FIG. 7, so that the calculation result is read. Next, the value of the number of remaining operations RC is displayed on the display device 10 and (S
8) Reset the unit working capacity WQ to 0. In the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, the remaining capacity RQ is displayed on the display device 10. However, in the present embodiment, the remaining work number RC is displayed in the process of S <b> 8 instead. Become.
Then, in step S4, the count value CNT is reset, and in step S5, a new integration of the unit working capacity WQ is started, and the process ends.

Values such as the discharge current I, the count value CNT, the number of remaining operations RC, and the unit working capacity WQ are stored in the RAM 17.
And updated by the microcomputer 9 as needed. The remaining capacity RQ is also stored in the RAM 17 and is updated as needed by the microcomputer 9 executing another routine. Then, in the process of S7, the remaining capacity RQ is read from the same RAM 17.
Since the predetermined current value Ith and the predetermined count value Wc are constants, they are stored in the EEPROM 16 in advance. The display device 10 may display the numerical value of the number of remaining operations RC as it is, or may display a bar graph or the like according to the number of the numerical values. However, even in the case of a bar graph or the like, it is preferable that specific approximate numerical values can be immediately understood, for example, by adding a scale next to the graph.

As described above, the electric crimping tool of the present embodiment always integrates the unit working capacity WQ, and completes the integration of the unit working capacity WQ no matter how many times the inching process of the crimping operation is repeated. When the caulking step is performed without performing the above operation, the integration of the unit working capacity WQ is completed at the end, and this can be detected as the discharge capacity of the secondary battery 6 required for one pressure bonding operation. Then, by dividing this unit work capacity WQ from the remaining capacity RQ at that time, the remaining work count RC indicating how many times the subsequent crimping work can be continuously performed without charging the secondary battery 6 is obtained. Can be displayed. Therefore, by comparing the number of crimp terminals that have not yet been completed with the number of remaining operations RC, the operator can perform all crimp operations on these crimp terminals without charging the secondary battery 6. It is possible to easily and reliably determine whether the charging can be completed or whether charging is required halfway. Further, even when the size of the crimp terminal is changed on the way, the new remaining number of operations RC for the new crimp terminal can be displayed by executing the crimp operation only once.

In the above embodiment, the unit working capacity WQ at the time of the immediately preceding crimping operation is estimated as the unit working capacity WQ required for one execution of the subsequent crimping operation. However,
Even if the crimp terminals are of the same type, the number of times of the inching process may change or the time of the caulking process may change, so the detected unit working capacity WQ is not always constant, Each time the crimping operation is completed, there is a possibility that the number of remaining operations RC fluctuates greatly without monotonically decreasing.
Therefore, if the processing shown in FIG. 4 is added before the processing in S7, the moving average of the unit work capacity WQ required for the work of the predetermined number MAXma up to immediately before is used as the unit work capacity WQ of the work in the future. Since the estimation can be made, a more accurate remaining work number RC can be obtained. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the sum SUM
And initialization of the array element counter C, and S13 to S18
, The old unit working capacity in the array LWQ is replaced with the new unit working capacity WQ, and the sum SUM of these unit working capacities is calculated.
A process of resetting the value obtained by dividing M by the predetermined number of times MAXma, that is, the moving average, to the unit working capacity WQ is performed.

When the unit working capacity WQ is calculated by the moving average as described above, if the size of the crimping terminal is changed, an accurate remaining work number RC is calculated until the crimping work is performed a predetermined number of times MAXma. Can not do it. Therefore, if the unit working capacity WQ accumulated when one crimping operation is completed is significantly different from the unit working capacity stored in the array LWQ, the unit working capacity in these arrays LWQ All capacity is new unit working capacity W
The remaining number of operations RC for a new crimp terminal may be calculated only by performing one crimping operation by replacing with Q.

The average of the unit working capacity in the array LWQ can be calculated by assigning a greater weight to the latest one. Also in this case, it is possible to respond to the change in the size of the crimp terminal to some extent quickly. The calculation of such a weighted average can also be processed by a digital filter.

Further, the remaining capacity RQ is not limited to the processing as shown in FIG. 7, but can be calculated by the method shown in the conventional example or any other method. For example, information on the remaining capacity may be obtained from a smart battery in a smart battery system.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the number of remaining operations RC is calculated by digital processing using the microcomputer 9 has been described. However, it is also possible to calculate by analog processing.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the secondary battery 6 is used has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where a primary battery is used. In this case, the number of remaining operations R
The display of C allows the operator to easily and reliably determine whether or not the work can be completed without replacing the primary battery.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electric crimping tool has been described. However, the operation can be distinguished one by one, and the present invention can be similarly applied to electric equipment having almost the same operation pattern in each operation. is there. For example, as an electric tool other than the electric crimping tool, the present invention can be applied to an electric drill. In this electric drill, the unit work capacity required for one drilling operation greatly changes depending on the depth and thickness of the hole. However, by displaying the number of remaining operations RC according to the unit work capacity, it is easy and reliable. It is possible to determine the remaining number of operations. In addition, during drilling work, the drill may be slightly rotated for positioning, but in such a case, the unit working capacity can be accurately calculated in the same manner as the inching process of the electric crimping tool. it can. In addition, even in the case of a reinforcing bar cutter, the present invention can be carried out since one operation is performed every time one reinforcing bar is cut. In this rebar cutter, the unit work capacity required for one operation greatly changes according to the thickness of the rebar to be cut or the like. However, by displaying the number of remaining operations RC according to the unit work capacity, it is easy and reliable. The remaining number of operations can be determined.

As described above, the present invention is particularly suitable for increasing the working efficiency and improving the productivity when using an electric crimping tool or other electric tools. However, the present invention can be applied to electric devices other than electric tools. For example, when the present invention is applied to a rechargeable electric shaving machine using a secondary battery, a unit working capacity required for one shaving due to shading of the beard or the like. However, by displaying the number of remaining operations RC according to the user's usual unit work capacity, the necessity of charging can be accurately notified in advance. In the case of this shaving, one operation (shaving operation) is usually performed at a sufficient time interval, so even if the power is turned off for a short time while the power is on, It can be determined that the same one operation is being performed. Further, the present invention can be applied to a camera using a primary battery. In the case of a camera, for example, whether or not a flash is used or the amount of light emitted from the flash differs depending on the difference in shooting conditions such as daytime and nighttime, outdoor and indoors,
A difference occurs in the unit work capacity required for one photographing. However, if the remaining work number RC according to the immediately preceding or recent unit work capacity is displayed, it is possible to notify the user in advance of the necessity of battery replacement. become able to. In addition, in the case of this camera, one work is performed between the time when the shutter is pressed last time and the time when the next shutter is pressed, so that the unit working capacity can be easily reduced irrespective of, for example, the number of times of autofocusing. Can be determined.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the electric device of the present invention, the number of remaining operations is calculated based on the unit operation capacity detected during the past operation, so that the electric discharge required for one operation. Even when the capacity differs depending on the type of work or the like, the accurate remaining work count can be displayed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control circuit of an electric crimping tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a time chart showing a change in discharge current during crimping work of an electric crimping tool.

FIG. 3, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a time chart showing in detail a change in discharge current during one compression bonding operation.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart illustrating a process of calculating a unit working capacity by a moving average.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electric crimping tool.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the electric crimping tool.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of calculating the remaining capacity of the secondary battery of the electric crimping tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Head 3 Tool tip 4 Battery pack 6 Secondary battery 7 Switch circuit 8 Motor 9 Microcomputer 10 Display device 11 Current detector 14 Temperature detector

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G016 CA00 CB12 CB13 CB21 CB22 CB31 CC01 CC04 CC06 CC12 CC13 CC15 CC16 CC27 CC28 CE00 5G003 BA01 CA05 CA11 CA20 DA13 EA05 GC05 5H030 AA04 AS12 FF42

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electric appliance that performs operations once for each operation pattern by repeating operations of substantially the same pattern upon receiving supply of power from a battery, and detects a remaining capacity of the battery. A capacity detecting means, a unit working capacity detecting means for detecting a discharge capacity of a battery required to execute one operation as a unit working capacity, and one or more unit working capacities detected by the unit working capacity detecting means in the past And a unit work capacity estimating means for estimating a unit work capacity required for one execution of a future work based on the remaining work capacity estimated by the unit work capacity estimating means. A remaining work count calculating means for calculating the remaining work count by dividing, and displaying the remaining work count calculated by the remaining work count calculation means, or according to the degree of the remaining work count. Electrical appliances, characterized by a display means for displaying is provided. 2. The unit work capacity estimating means for estimating a unit work capacity detected by a unit work capacity detecting means at the time of the immediately preceding work as a unit work capacity required for one execution of a future work. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The unit work capacity estimating means calculates an average of the unit work capacities detected by the unit work capacity detecting means during a predetermined number of works up to the last time, and calculates a unit work capacity required for one execution of a future work. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein the electric device is estimated as: 4. When the unit working capacity detecting means continuously discharges a predetermined value or more continuously for a predetermined time or more, and then continuously discharges a predetermined value or more of a discharging current not less than a predetermined value for a predetermined time or more. The electric device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unit working capacity is detected by integrating a value corresponding to a discharge current in a period up to. 5. The electric appliance is an electric crimping tool for crimping a crimp terminal by advancing a tool tip of a head by a motor, wherein the tool tip is advanced with a light load for a short time until it comes into contact with the crimp terminal. The electric device according to claim 4, wherein one crimping operation is performed by at least one inching step and one caulking step of pressing the crimp terminal with the head.