WO2018149727A1 - Monitoring of an electr hand-held power tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring an electric hand-held power tool, comprising the following steps: detecting the use of the hand-held tool; determining a cumulative period of use: and guaranteeing the device as long as the period of use does not exceed a predetermined maximum period of use.

Description

 Description title

 Monitoring an electrical hand tool prior art

The invention relates to the monitoring of an electric hand tool. In particular, the invention relates to a load determination of the electric hand tool.

An electric hand tool is set up to perform an operation with the aid of electrical energy. The operation may include, for example, sawing, drilling, screwing, cutting or lighting. The electrical energy can by means of a cable from a

Power supply network can be removed or the hand tool can be wireless, with electrical energy can be carried in an energy storage. The electric hand tool may be set up for indoor or outdoor use. In a further embodiment, the hand tool comprises a garden tool such as a

Hedge trimmer or a lawn edge trimmer.

The hand tool wears both by operation and by storage. A manufacturer of the hand tool may issue a device warranty that includes repair or repair free of charge to the user if the hand tool has some type of damage within a predetermined warranty period. The warranty period usually applies from the time of purchase or the first use of the hand tool. Technically, however, the consideration of the age of the hand tool is not a reliable measure of its burden. An object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technique for monitoring the electric hand tool. The invention is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Subclaims give preferred embodiments again.

Disclosure of the invention

A method of monitoring an electric hand tool includes steps of detecting a use of the hand tool; determining a cumulative usage duration; and granting a device warranty as long as the usage duration does not exceed a predetermined maximum usage time.

The equipment warranty is usually a voluntary benefit that a manufacturer or dealer of the hand tool can offer. By means of the described method, it is possible to bind the guarantee not to an age of the hand tool, but to its cumulative period of use. This represents a much more realistic parameter, which is based on a burden on the

Indicates hand tool. For example, a user who has the

Hand tools rarely used, the warranty take significantly longer than another user who often works with the hand tool. An assessment basis for the device warranty can thus be determined improved in a technical way.

It is preferred that further data indicating the duration of use be transmitted to a central entity, wherein it is determined by the central authority whether the period of use exceeds the maximum useful life. The central authority can make sure that no wrong

Determination of the cumulative period of use. Also a manipulation of the cumulative period of use or the predetermined

Maximum usage time can be prevented at the central instance improved. The central instance may be provided or operated by, for example, a neutral body or the guarantor. By connecting the hand tool with the central entity, the hand tool can become part of a device network (Internet of Things, loT). Additional ways of controlling or improving the

Hand tools, such as predicting date dates, offering accessories, or a performance-enhancing package, can access these

Way improved to be assigned to the electrical hand tool.

In addition, the hand tool can be coupled to a user as part of a registration process. User behavior can be determined thereby improved. In addition, the hand tool can be better secured against theft.

In a preferred embodiment, the determination result is sent back by the central entity and an indication of the determination result is output on the hand tool. The determination result can be output acoustically, optically or haptically. Thus, a user can be immediately informed whether the device warranty is granted, will not be granted in the foreseeable future or has expired. The user can plan his work with the hand tool so improved. In a further embodiment, the use of the hand tool is restricted if the duration of use is the predetermined one

Maximum usage time exceeds. For example, a maximum retrievable power of the hand tool can be reduced, so that a defect due to overloading of the hand tool can be made less likely. The restriction may be increased as the usage time exceeds the predetermined maximum usage time. In extreme cases, the hand tool can be shut down if the period of use exceeds the predetermined maximum useful life by a predetermined amount. A

Occupational safety can be increased and a possible consequential damage through an overloaded hand tool can be prevented.

In yet another embodiment, the central entity sends a

Receipt confirmation back and on the hand tool becomes a hint

issued if the acknowledgment fails for more than a predetermined time. This can be improved to ensure that the Hand tool makes contact with the central instance when it is used. Monitoring and service functions as mentioned above can thereby be continuously improved. In a further embodiment, the use of the hand tool is restricted if the acknowledgment fails for longer than a predetermined time. Similar as above regarding the predetermined ones

Maximum useful life has been described, the hand tool can be limited in its performance or functionality. The requirement of regular or permanent data link of the

 Hand tools with the central instance can be met so improved.

It is further preferred that the transmission takes place via a mobile device. For example, a first data transmission from the electrical

Hand tool to mobile device and a second transfer of this to the central instance done. In particular, the mobile device may comprise a mobile phone with additional function (smartphone) or a portable computer (tablet computer, laptop). The data transmissions can be done using different technologies. For example, the first

Data transmission via Bluetooth and the second data transmission via

WLAN or mobile data.

It is further preferred that transmitted information is output on the mobile device. In this case, the transmitted information can be derived, processed or put together in context, before they are issued. The mobile device can also be used for caching the data if one of the transmission paths can not be used in the meantime. A system for monitoring an electric hand tool includes

A control module adapted to detect use of the hand tool and a device for determining a cumulative one

Duration of use of the hand tool. The device may also compare the cumulative usage duration with a predetermined one

Be set maximum usage time. As long as the period of use the Maximum use time can be granted a device warranty on the hand tool.

The control module can be permanently installed or retrofitted in the electrical hand tool. It is preferred that a binding of the control module to the hand tool, for example by means of cryptographic methods. It is also preferred that transmissions between the hand tool and the mobile device, the mobile device and the central entity or the central entity and the hand tool are encrypted or authenticated. A compromise of the system can be prevented.

The system may be configured to perform the method described above in whole or in part. Characteristics or advantages of the system can therefore also apply to the method and vice versa. The control module and / or the device may comprise a programmable microcomputer. The method can be designed as a computer program product with program code means, of which at least parts can run on the microcomputer.

It is further preferred that the control module is adapted to establish a wireless communication connection with a central entity. The communication connection can be direct or via an intermediate device. In particular, the intermediate device may be more accurate in the above

include described mobile device.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached figures, in which:

1 shows a system for monitoring an electric hand tool; and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring a

electric hand tool represents.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for monitoring an electrical system

Hand tools 105. By means of the system 100 can also several

Hand tools 105 are monitored simultaneously. By way of example, a wired hammer drill and a cordless cordless screwdriver are shown as electrical hand tools 105. In principle, any type of electric hand tool 105 can be used. The hand tool 105 may be used indoors or out of the house. It may, for example, be configured for drilling, lighting, sawing, grinding, hammering, cutting or milling. The hand tool 105 does its job with the help of electrical energy by means of a cable from a

Supply network or can be removed from an entrained electrical energy storage. On or in the hand tool 105, a control module 1 10 is attached, which preferably mechanically and / or by means of cryptographic

Methods can be tied to the respective hand tool 105. The control module 110 is configured to sense a flow of electrical energy indicative of use of the hand tool 105. Based on this observation, a usage period of the hand tool 105 can be determined. In a first embodiment, the period of use is determined locally on the hand tool 105 and in particular by means of the control module 1 10. In this case, the duration of use is determined cumulatively, that is to say it is preferably determined how long the hand tool 105 has been used overall, if breaks in which it has not been used are neglected. The cumulative usage time can be expressed in terms of operating hours, for example.

It is proposed to bind a device warranty that the cumulative usage time does not exceed a predetermined maximum usage time. A comparison between the cumulative period of use and the

Maximum useful life can be done by the control module 1 10. A comparison result can be signaled locally, for example by means of an optical, acoustic or haptic output device. For example, lighting a green LED may inform a user that a device warranty is being granted for the hand tool 105, and the flashing of a red LED indicates that the warranty period has expired and the device warranty has expired.

In a preferred embodiment, the control module 1 is 10 for this purpose

set up to communicate wirelessly. In the illustrated, preferred

Embodiment takes place wireless communication with a mobile device 1 15, for example by means of WLAN, Bluetooth or WiMAX. The determination of the duration of use, the cumulative duration of use or the comparison with the predetermined maximum useful life can also be performed by the mobile device 15. The communication between the mobile device 1 15 and the control module 1 10 is preferably secured by means of cryptographic methods against misuse or corruption. The mobile device 15 can output the received information in its raw or in a processed version, for example optically, as indicated in FIG.

In particular, those associated with a hand tool 105

 Duration of use and the predetermined maximum useful life can be represented numerically or graphically. Furthermore, a remaining

Duration of use until reaching the predetermined

Maximum usage time are displayed graphically or numerically.

The mobile device 15 can be wirelessly connected to a central entity 120

communicate. The central entity 120 ("server") can be physically provided at or abstracted from any location (cloud) .The communication between the mobile device 15 and the central entity 120 preferably takes place wirelessly, for example by means of mobile data transmission If the mobile device 15 can also be dispensed with and the electric hand tool 105 can communicate directly or via another intermediate device with the central entity 120. The central entity 120 can be set up to store or process the received data the cumulative usage time of a hand tool 105 may be determined by the central instance 120. A comparison of the cumulative usage time with the maximum usage time may also take place there Hand tools 105 are returned. From hand tools 105

received information can also be answered or acknowledged by the mobile device 15. For example, the answer may be the result of comparing the cumulative usage time with the

Maximum usage time include. In another embodiment, it may be noted at what time the accumulated usage time reaches the predetermined maximum usage time. Should be on the electric

If a damage occurs, its time may also be recorded and compared with the expiry date of the guarantee. This will help to determine if the damage occurred within or outside the warranty period.

FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a method 200 for monitoring an electric hand tool 105. The method 200 is based on the system 100 of FIG. Different embodiments of the system 100 may be used with different embodiments of the method 200

correspond. By way of example only, steps of the method 200 shown in a left-hand area are assigned to an electrical hand-held tool 105, steps shown in the middle to the mobile device 15 and steps of the central instance 120 shown on the right. If the mobile device 1 15 is omitted, the corresponding steps can be assigned corresponding to the hand tool 105 and / or the central instance 120. If the central instance 120 is omitted, then all steps can be assigned to the electric hand tool 105. These steps are preferably carried out by means of the control module 1 10 in or on the hand tool 105.

In a first step 205, a maximum useful life of the

Hand tools 105 are determined. The maximum period of use may be general, for example in the context of the production of the hand tool 105, or individually, for example after a second hand inspection

 Hand tool 105, to be measured. A subsequent increase in the maximum period of use, for example in connection with the purchase of a warranty extension, may also be offered. In particular

Embodiments, step 205 is performed by the central entity 120 rather than by the hand tool 105. In a step 210, use of the hand tool 105 is detected. The use can be determined, in particular, when an electric current that is required for the usual use of the hand tool 105 flows. The usage time can be integrated to a cumulative

 Useful duration, which can be given for example in operating hours or minutes of operation of the hand tool 105. A single usage duration, a portion of a single usage duration, or a cumulative usage duration may be communicated to the central entity 120 in a step 215. In a step 220, the cumulative

 Use period can be determined if it has not previously been determined by the hand tool 105. In a step 225, it may be determined whether the cumulative usage time exceeds the maximum usage time. In an alternative embodiment, the cumulative usage time is not determined, but the maximum usage time is determined by the

Duration of use reduced. When the remaining maximum usage time reaches zero or another predetermined threshold value, in the aforementioned embodiment, this corresponds to exceeding the

Maximum usage time by the cumulative usage time.

In step 230, it may be determined that a device warranty for the hand tool 105 has expired if the cumulative usage time has exceeded the maximum usage time or has reached zero the maximum usage time decremented by the usage duration. A time of this event can be recorded.

A result of this determination may be sent in step 235 to the

Hand tool 105 are returned. In another embodiment, also only an acknowledgment or response of the message of step 215 may be transmitted in step 235.

In a step 240, information received on the hand tool 105 may be provided, for example by means of an acoustic, optical or haptic output. In particular, this issue may indicate whether a device warranty for the hand tool 105 currently applies or not. In a In another embodiment, it may also be determined whether more than a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after a transmission attempt in step 215 without a response from central entity 120 having arrived at step 235. In this case, the communication link between the hand tool 105 and the central instance 120 is disturbed or interrupted. In this case, or when the device warranty of the hand tool 105 has expired, a function restriction of the hand tool 105 may be performed additionally or alternatively to indicate this fact.

For example, by means of the control module 110, a performance of the hand tool 105 can be reduced. Individual functions of the

 Hand tool 105 can be turned off. Waiting times between uses of the hand tool 105 can be increased.

Claims

claims A method (200) for monitoring an electric hand tool (105), the method (200) comprising the steps of:  - detecting (210) a use of the hand tool (105);  Determining (220) a cumulative usage duration; and  - granting (230) a device warranty as long as the usage time does not exceed a predetermined maximum usage time. The method (200) of claim 1, further comprising communicating data indicative of the duration of use to a central entity (120), wherein it is determined by the central entity (120) whether the  Duration of use exceeds the maximum usage time (225). The method (200) of claim 2, wherein the determination result is returned from the central entity (120) and an indication of the determination result is output (240) on the hand tool (105). The method (200) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the determination result is returned (235) from the central entity (120) and the  Use of the hand tool (105) is restricted (240) if the duration of use exceeds the predetermined maximum useful life. The method (200) of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the central entity (120) returns an acknowledgment of receipt and on  Hand Tool (105) issued an indication (240), if the  Acknowledgment (235) is missing for more than a predetermined time. The method (200) of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the central entity (120) returns an acknowledgment (235) and the Use of the hand tool (105) is limited if the receipt confirmation (235) is absent for more than a predetermined time. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission takes place via a mobile device. 8. The method (200) according to claim 7, wherein transmitted information is output on the mobile device (1 15). A system (100) for monitoring an electrical hand tool (105), the system (? 100) comprising:  - A control module (1 10), which is adapted to detect a use of the hand tool (105); and  - Device for determining a cumulative period of use of the hand tool (105); and  - granting a device warranty, as long as the period of use does not exceed a predetermined maximum period of use. 10. System (100) according to claim 9, wherein the control module (1 10) thereto  is arranged to establish a wireless communication link with a central entity (120).