This application claims priority of German patent application no. 10 2022 116 975.8, filed Jul. 7, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The disclosure relates to a handheld electric tool and a system including a handheld electric tool and a battery pack.
From the prior art US 2018/0133818 and US 2022/0297211, a handheld electric tool the housing of which has a receptacle for arranging a replaceable, elongate battery pack is already known.
The disclosure relates to a handheld electric tool, in particular garden electric tool, having a housing, having a receptacle for arranging a replaceable, in particular elongate battery pack, wherein the battery pack includes an insertion section and a grip section and can be inserted into the receptacle along an insertion axis, wherein the receptacle has an insertion receiving region which is shaped to be in particular mechanically and electrically compatible with the insertion section of the battery pack and a grip section receiving region, wherein the insertion section of the battery pack in the state inserted into the receptacle is arranged within an outer wall of the housing and wherein the grip section of the battery pack in the state inserted into the receptacle is arranged outside the outer wall of the housing. According to the disclosure, the outer wall of the housing is formed in such a manner that it delimits the grip section receiving region in a first section and a second section in a radial direction with respect to the insertion axis.
The disclosure further relates to a system including a handheld electric tool and an in particular elongate battery pack having an insertion section and a grip section, wherein the battery pack can be inserted along the insertion axis into the receptacle of the electric tool, and wherein the battery pack has an insertion section which is formed to be compatible with the insertion receiving region of the receptacle and a grip section.
A handheld electric tool is intended to be understood to be different embodiments of a battery-operated electric tool, in particular electric garden tool, for example, a brushcutter, a pole-mounted power pruner, a hedge cutter, hedge shears, a chain saw or other embodiment of an electric tool which appears advantageous to the person skilled in the art for use in the house and garden.
The electric tool has a housing having an outer wall, which delimits a device interior with respect to an environment of the electric tool. The outer wall of the housing forms in particular the surface of the housing. Inner sides of the outer wall are not visible externally. Outer sides of the outer wall are visible externally.
The term receptacle refers to the space in which a battery pack is located in the state arranged on the electric tool. The receptacle is composed of at least two receiving regions, of which one is arranged inside and one outside the housing. The insertion receiving region of the receptacle is located inside the housing, that is, inside inner sides of the outer wall of the housing. The grip section receiving region is located outside the housing. The grip section receiving region is delimited at least at two sections of the outer wall of the housing, in particular by outer sides of the outer wall, in a radial direction with respect to the insertion axis. The insertion receiving region of the receptacle has in particular a base which delimits the receptacle in the insertion direction. A base of a battery pack which is arranged on the electric tool faces the base of the receptacle. The base of the receptacle and the base of the battery pack are in particular at least partially in abutment with each other. In particular in the insertion receiving region, in particular on or adjacent to the base of the insertion receiving region, contacts for electrically contacting the battery pack, in particular the insertion section, are provided. The insertion receiving region has in particular an insertion opening through which the battery pack is inserted into the electric tool. The insertion opening is formed in particular in the outer wall of the housing. The insertion receiving region is in particular constructed to be closed at the periphery and/or base thereof towards the external environment of the electric tool. The term “closed” in this context means that no opening and/or aperture extends from the external environment into the insertion receiving region. The insertion section of the battery pack which is arranged in the insertion receiving region is accordingly not visible from the outer side in the arranged state of the battery pack. A contamination of the insertion section and the insertion receiving region and the contacts during the operation of the electric tool is thereby advantageously prevented.
The direction of the insertion or the removal of the battery pack defines the insertion axis. The insertion axis is located coaxially with respect to an insertion direction in which the battery pack is inserted into the receptacle. The removal of the battery pack from the receptacle is carried out along the insertion axis and in particular counter to the insertion direction. In one embodiment, the insertion axis may coincide with a center axis of the battery pack which is inserted into the receptacle, in particular the longitudinal center axis of the battery pack.
A battery pack is intended to be understood to be an accumulator bundle which includes in particular a plurality of electrochemical accumulator cells and which forms a secondary battery and, for example, in a state connected to a charging device, can be recharged. For the operation of the electric tool, the battery pack is inserted into the receptacle of the electric tool. In order to charge the battery pack, it can be removed from the receptacle. However, there may also be provision for the battery pack to be charged in the state inserted in the receptacle. The battery pack has in particular a lithium or lithium ion cell chemistry. The battery pack typically becomes heated during charging and during operation (discharging). The nominal voltage of the battery pack is in particular a maximum of 18V, in particular a maximum of 12V. The capacitance established in accordance with IEC 61960 is in particular below 5 Ah. The energy content is in particular less than 150 Wh, in particular less than 100 Wh. The weight of the battery pack is in particular less than 500 g, in particular less than 300 g, in particular less than 250 g. As a result of the low mass of the battery pack, the electric tool can also be held in the hand for a relatively long period of time without fatigue and be safely guided, but in conjunction with a lower energy content of the battery pack, it has to be recharged more often. For example, the running time with an energy content of 30 Wh for hedge shears is approximately 100 minutes, a wood cutter approximately 25 minutes and a brushcutter with plastics blades approximately 10 minutes (indications vary in accordance with the application and cutting quality). To this end, the battery pack is retained in the receptacle so as to be able to be changed. The battery can be removed from the receptacle or inserted therein without any tools.
The battery pack has an elongate shape. The length of the battery pack measured in the longitudinal detection of the battery pack is in particular at least 1.5 times, in particular at least 2 times the width of the battery pack. The battery pack is delimited radially with respect to the longitudinal center axis by a covering face and in the longitudinal direction by a base or an upper side. The battery pack has in particular a configuration which differs from the parallelepipedal shape. A cross section with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the battery pack has in particular a circular triangular shape.
The longitudinal center axis of the battery pack coincides in particular with the insertion axis of the receptacle. The battery pack has in the direction of the elongate extent thereof an insertion section and a grip section. The insertion section is in this instance the (longitudinal) section of the battery pack which is inserted into the insertion receiving region of the receptacle of the electric tool. The grip section is the (longitudinal) section of the battery pack which in the arranged state is arranged in the grip section receiving region of the receptacle. On the insertion section, in particular on the base of the battery pack, contacts are formed for electrical connection to the electric tool. At the grip section, an operator grips the battery pack in order to insert it into the electric tool and/or to remove it. The grip section of the battery is accessible for the operator when the battery pack is inserted in the receptacle. The insertion section is not accessible for the operator when the battery pack is inserted in the receptacle.
The outer wall of the housing is formed according to the disclosure in such a manner that it delimits the grip section receiving region in a first section and a second section in a radial direction with respect to the insertion axis. The grip section receiving region is delimited by two sections of the outer wall radially with respect to the insertion axis. In this manner, the grip section of the battery which is arranged in the receptacle is located in a protected manner between outer sides of the outer wall of the housing. Consequently, a grip section, which is arranged in the grip section receiving region, of the battery pack—and consequently also the battery pack—is protected by the first and second section of the outer wall of the housing from the actions of forces from at least two radial directions relative to the insertion axis. The risk of damage to the battery pack is reduced. Other sections of the outer wall can also be provided in order to protect the grip section receiving region in other radial directions with respect to the insertion axis.
The first and second sections of the outer wall are separated from each other in a peripheral direction with respect to the insertion axis via free spaces. By the periphery of the grip section of the battery pack which is inserted into the receptacle being partially exposed, ambient air can flow freely around the surface thereof. The battery pack is consequently cooled more effectively. This contributes to an improved temperature control of the battery pack during the operation of the electrical device, whereby the service-life of the battery can be increased. In particular, the first and second sections are opposite each other with respect to the insertion axis.
As a result of the fact that the outer wall of the housing delimits the grip section receiving region at two sides radially with respect to the insertion axis, the battery pack is, on the one hand, protected from impacts by the housing and can, on the other hand, nonetheless be effectively flowed against by air, in particular flowed around, and consequently cooled. By only the insertion section of the battery pack as required for electrical contacting being received in the housing, the housing can be configured in a more compact, in particular slimmer manner and consequently be produced in a more cost-effective manner.
In one embodiment, the first section of the outer wall is arranged at a side of the receptacle facing a tool of the electric tool and the second section of the outer wall is arranged at a side of the receptacle facing away from the tool of the electric tool. The battery pack which is inserted into the receptacle is accordingly not surrounded over the entire length thereof completely at all sides of the periphery thereof, that is, at the covering surface thereof, by the outer wall of the housing, but instead only at a first side, in particular facing the tool, and a second side, in particular facing away from the tool. Such an orientation of the sections of the outer wall with respect to the battery pack enables a further improvement of the impact protection. The first section of the outer wall which is located between the battery pack and tool prevents cutting material which interacts with the tool from striking the battery pack. Furthermore, as a result of this arrangement, a slim configuration of the electric tool can be achieved.
In one embodiment, the first section of the outer wall delimits the grip section receiving region over a peripheral angle of from 60° to 180°, in particular from 60° to 150°, very particularly from 60° to 100° with respect to the insertion axis in a radial direction and the second section of the outer wall delimits the grip section receiving region over a peripheral angle of from 30° to 150°, in particular from 40° to 100°, very particularly from 60° to 80° with respect to the insertion axis in a radial direction. The free spaces which are arranged between the first and second section in a peripheral direction with respect to the insertion axis have an extent measured in a peripheral direction with respect to the insertion axis of at least 30° in each case, in particular at least 60°, very particularly at least 90°, very particularly at least 120°. The battery pack which is inserted in the electric tool is thereby particularly easily accessible at two peripheral sections radially with respect to the insertion axis and can thereby be readily inserted by an operator and/or removed. In particular, the first and second sections of the outer wall have over the entire length of the grip section receiving region an angular spacing of at least 30° with respect to each other. The length of the grip section receiving region is the axial extent thereof with respect to the insertion axis. In this manner, it is ensured that the operator can reach and grip the grip section of the arranged battery pack over the entire length thereof. This is particularly advantageous with battery packs with an unlocking element at the end of the grip section facing the insertion section. Conversely, a minimum extent of the first and second section of the outer wall, that is, a minimal peripheral angle, is also required in order to protect the grip section of the battery pack from the direct action of force, such as, for example, an impact of the electrical device on the ground. The first and second sections of the outer wall form in particular a fall protection cage for the battery pack. By the first and second sections of the outer wall being arranged at in particular opposing sides of the receptacle, and in particular extending over a minimum peripheral angle, a particularly effective fall protection cage is formed with at the same time good operability and ventilation/air flushing.
In one embodiment, the receptacle has an overall height measured in the direction of the insertion axis and the insertion receiving region has a maximum insertion height, measured in the direction of the insertion axis, which is a maximum of 80%, in particular a maximum of 70%, very particularly a maximum of 60% of the overall height. The overall height is in this instance measured in the direction of the insertion axis from the base of the receptacle up to the upper edge of the first and/or second section of the outer wall. The upper edge of the outer wall of the first or second section is defined by the points of the outer wall which are closest to the upper side of a battery pack which is arranged in the receptacle and which at the same time have a tangent which intersects the upper side. The insertion height is measured in the direction of the insertion axis from the base of the receptacle up to the insertion opening.
In one embodiment, in which the upper side of the battery pack which is inserted in the receptacle is located flush with the upper edge of the outer wall, the battery pack is accordingly exposed over at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, very particularly at least 40% of the entire length thereof when it is arranged in the receptacle. The term “exposed” in this instance means being externally visible, in particular being able to be flowed against or around by air.
In an alternative embodiment, the outer wall of the housing protrudes over an exposed upper side of the battery pack which is inserted in the receptacle in the direction of the insertion axis. In particular, the upper edge protrudes over the upper side of the battery pack over a maximum of 10% of the battery length so that the battery pack is located in a state protected from impacts in the receptacle and at the same time is exposed over up to 20%, in particular at least 30%, very particularly at least 40% of the entire length thereof, minus the projection of the upper edge. The overall length of the receptacle (that is, from the base up to the upper edge) is in this embodiment greater than the length of the battery pack. The difference corresponds to the projection. The length of the battery pack is composed in particular of the length of the insertion section and the length of the grip section. In one embodiment, there may also be provision for both sections not to directly adjoin each other.
In particular, the first section of the outer wall and the second section of the outer wall have a substantially identical extent in the direction of the insertion axis. That is, a notional connection line between an upper edge of the first section and an upper edge of the second section has with respect to an upper side of a battery pack which is inserted into the receptacle a parallel path or encloses therewith an angle of a maximum of 10°, in particular a maximum of 5°. In particular, both the first section of the outer wall and the second section of the outer wall protrude over the battery pack in the direction of the insertion axis counter to the insertion direction. That is, the connection line does not intersect the battery pack.
In one embodiment, the first section of the outer wall and the second section of the outer wall are arranged in such a manner that the outer wall forms two freely accessible free spaces for gripping the battery pack, wherein the free spaces are located in each case at different sides of a longitudinal plane which is defined by the longitudinal direction of the electric tool and the insertion axis. An arrangement of the free spaces at opposing sides of the longitudinal plane contributes to a balanced electric tool. The free spaces enable an operator to comfortably insert and remove the battery pack. The operator can grip the battery pack with thumbs and index or middle finger on the grip section and introduce it into or remove it from the receptacle. By the grip section receiving region not being completely closed all the way round, the battery pack can be securely held until it has reached the base of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the battery pack has mechanical unlocking elements which in the arranged state of the battery pack are located in the free spaces so that they can be activated in a particularly comfortable manner—even with gloves. In particular, the grip section of the battery pack has a plurality of unlocking elements, wherein they are located when the battery pack is inserted in the receptacle in particular at different sides of the longitudinal plane. An unintentional unlocking of the battery pack can thereby be safely prevented.
In one embodiment, the receptacle, the first section of the outer wall and the second section of the outer wall are arranged between a rear handle which is arranged at a side facing away from the tool of the electric tool and a front handle which is arranged at a side facing the tool of the electric tool. As a result of the central arrangement of the battery pack between the handles, the battery pack is in contrast to a conventional arrangement in the prior art not concealed at the end of the handle by extremities of the operator. In this manner, when the battery pack is inserted in the receptacle, ambient air can flow unimpeded around the grip section of the battery. Furthermore, heating of a handle as a result of operation-related heating of the battery pack is excluded. By the battery pack not being exposed at the end of the electric tool, but instead being arranged centrally between the handles thereof, the handling of the electric tool can be improved and the robustness can also be increased. The free spaces which are present at both sides of the longitudinal plane form a housing narrowing in the region of the grip section receiving region which increases the capability for resilient deformation of the rear handle so that it can better absorb an impact on the ground.
In one embodiment, the rear handle extends along a handle longitudinal axis, wherein the handle longitudinal axis is arranged in an angled manner, in particular at an angle of from 70° to 120°, in particular from 80° to 110°, very particularly from to 100°, with respect to the insertion axis. The receptacle for the in particular elongate battery pack is accordingly not orientated parallel with a handle longitudinal axis, but instead (substantially) transversely. As a result of the angled arrangement of the receptacle and battery pack and handle longitudinal axis, a compact construction can be achieved. In one embodiment, there is provision for the upper side of the battery pack to include a display for the operator. With an angled arrangement of the insertion axis with respect to the handle longitudinal axis, the upper side of the battery pack, in particular a display, can comfortably be seen by the operator in a normal working position of the electric tool and is in particular not concealed by extremities of the operator.
In one embodiment, the handle longitudinal axis intersects the receptacle, in particular exclusively the grip section receiving region of the receptacle. The insertion receiving region is accordingly not located in the continuation of the handle longitudinal axis of the electric tool.
The surface, which is exposed radially with respect to the insertion axis or laterally with respect to the environment, of the battery pack which is inserted in the receptacle can be further increased by the cross section of the battery pack being configured differently from the rectangular shape. The cross sectional shape may in one embodiment be constructed to be in the form of a circular triangle so that a circular triangular side is opposite the first or second section of the outer wall and the other two circular triangular sides are each associated with a free space. This is substantiated in that with the same transverse extent of the battery pack the surface of the circular triangular side is greater than the surface located parallel with the longitudinal plane.
Particularly between the first and/or second section of the outer wall and the grip section, a radial gap with respect to the insertion axis is provided, whereby the cooling action can be even further improved. As a result of the sections of the outer wall which delimit the grip section receiving region radially with respect to the insertion axis, in particular a pre-positioning of the battery pack during insertion can be achieved, whereby the insertion is facilitated. The effect of the pre-positioning can be amplified when the radial gap with respect to the insertion axis between the grip section of the battery pack and outer wall of the housing particularly does not exceed a value of 1 cm, in particular 0.5 cm and/or decreases in the insertion direction.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
As shown in
The receptacle 44 includes a grip section receiving region 46 which is located outside the housing 42 and which is delimited by an outer wall 60 of the housing 42 and an insertion receiving region 48 which is illustrated with broken lines and which is located inside the housing 42. In the state inserted in the receptacle 44, the insertion section 148 of the battery pack 100 is arranged inside an outer wall 60 of the housing 42 and the grip section 146 of the battery pack 100 is arranged outside the outer wall 60 of the housing 42 in the state inserted into the receptacle 44.
The grip section receiving region 46 is in the embodiment delimited by a first section 63 of the outer wall 60 and a second section 64 of the outer wall 60 in a radial direction 17 with respect to the insertion axis 11 of the battery pack 100. In the embodiment, the first section 63 of the outer wall 60 and the second section 64 of the outer wall 60 are opposite each other with respect to the insertion axis 11. The first section 63 of the outer wall 60 is located at the side of the receptacle 44 facing the tool 22 and consequently also of a battery pack 100 which is arranged in the receptacle 44. The second section 64 of the outer wall 60 is located at the side of the receptacle 44 facing away from the tool 22 and consequently of a battery pack 100 which is arranged in the receptacle 44. The outer wall 60 of the housing 42 is constructed in the region of the grip section receiving region 46 of the receptacle 44 in a U-shaped manner, wherein the sections 63, 64 of the outer wall 60 form the legs of the U and a section 68, which connects the two sections 63, 64, of the outer wall forms a base of the U. The grip section receiving region 46 is delimited in a radial direction 17 with respect to the insertion axis 11 by the first section 63 and the second section 64 and in the insertion direction by the connecting section 68. An insertion opening 49 is arranged in the connecting section 68.
As shown in
The first section 63 of the outer wall 60 extends in the peripheral direction 18 with respect to the insertion axis 11 in the embodiment though a peripheral angle α of approximately 65°. The second section 64 of the outer wall 60 extends in a peripheral direction 18 with respect to the insertion axis 11 in the embodiment through a peripheral angle β of approximately 70°. A fall protection cage is formed for the battery pack 100 by the first section 63 of the outer wall 60 and the second section 64 of the outer wall 60. Furthermore, the first section 63 and the second section 64 of the outer wall 60 form a protective wall for the battery pack 100 against colliding branches and cutting material. In order to increase the action of the protective wall, in an alternative embodiment (
The first free space 73 extends in the peripheral direction 18 with respect to the insertion axis 11 in the embodiment through a peripheral angle γ of approximately 110°. The second free space 74 extends in the peripheral direction 18 with respect to the insertion axis 11 in the embodiment through a peripheral angle δ of approximately 110°. As a result of the free spaces 73, 74, the battery pack 100 can be readily flowed around by ambient air and consequently temperature-controlled, in particular cooled. The free spaces 73, 74 which are provided at both sides of the longitudinal plane 13 form a narrowed housing section 43 (
In an alternative embodiment, it is further conceivable for three or more sections 63, 64 of the outer wall 60 to be provided, wherein in a peripheral direction 18 with respect to the insertion axis 11 free spaces 73, 74 are provided in each case between the sections 63, 64. The sum of the peripheral angles α, β, γ, δ of all sections 63, 64 of the outer wall 60 and the free spaces 73, 74 is 360°.
As can clearly be seen in
The insertion receiving region 48 is not visible externally when the battery pack 100 is arranged in the receptacle 44.
In the present embodiment, the outer wall 60 with the upper edge 66 protrudes over the upper side 154 of the battery pack 100 which is inserted in the receptacle 44 in the direction of the insertion axis 11 by approximately 8% of the battery length L100. The battery pack 100 is arranged in a well-protected state in the receptacle 44. The overall height L44 of the receptacle 44 (that is, from the base 50 up to the upper edge 65/66) is in this embodiment greater than the length L100 of the battery pack 100. The insertion section 148 and grip section 146 directly adjoin each other in the embodiment so that the length L100 of the battery pack 100 is also derived from the sum of the lengths L148 of the insertion section 148 and L146 of the grip section 146.
The first section 63 of the outer wall 60 and the second section 64 of the outer wall 60 have a substantially identical extent in the direction of the insertion axis 11. The connection line 67 encloses with the upper side 154 of a battery pack 100 which is inserted in the receptacle 44 an angle E of approximately 4°. Both the first section 63 of the outer wall 60 and the second section 64 of the outer wall 60 protrude over the battery pack 100 in the direction of the insertion axis 11 counter to the insertion direction 12 so that the connection line 67 does not intersect the battery pack 100. The rear handle 6 extends along a handle longitudinal axis 14 which in the embodiment has an angle of approximately 85° with respect to the insertion axis 11. The handle longitudinal axis 14 intersects the receptacle 44 in the grip section receiving region 46, but not in the insertion receiving region 48.
It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2022 116 975.8 | Jul 2022 | DE | national |