This application claims the benefit of CN 201610013236.8, filed on Jan. 9, 2016, and CN 201610126467.X, filed on Mar. 4, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates generally to power tools, and more particularly to a power tool system.
With the development of networks and the application of mobile equipment popular in our daily life, a number of objects are linked by a communication link or network to share information therebetween.
In the field of power tools, the power tools can be used more efficiently if the internal performance information of the power tool is obtained by the external mobile equipment or another power tool linked to the power tool. The performance information of the power tool will also help the user to enable a personal control suitable for the respective power tool, and to diagnose problems with the power tools or to perform preventative maintenance before problems arise. The above-described is important for the power tool to be later developed and improved.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
In one aspect of the disclosure, a power tool system comprises a power tool including a motor thereof, a detection device for detecting performance parameters of the power tool, a store device for storing data corresponding to performance parameters of the power tool, a transceiver for transmitting data corresponding to performance parameters of the power tool, a controller, capable of being in data communication with at least one of the detection device, the store device and the transceiver, and a wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system adapted for receipt of data from the transceiver and/or transmission of control command to the transceiver, wherein the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system includes a data process equipment independent of the power tool and configured to be remotely removed away from the power tool so as to provide a separate and/or remote piece of equipment for processing a select data from the power tool or the power tools on the data process equipment.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a power tool system comprises a power device for powering the power tool, a detection device for detecting performance parameters of the power device, a store device for storing data corresponding to performance parameters of the power device, a source-based transceiver for at least transmitting data corresponding to performance parameters of the power device, a controller, capable of being in data communication with at least one of the detection device, the store device and the transceiver, and a wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system adapted for receipt of data from the transceiver and/or transmission of control command to the transceiver, wherein the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system includes a data display equipment independent of the power tool and configured to be remotely removed away from the power tool so as to provide a separate and/or remote piece of equipment for displaying a select power data from the power tool or the power tools on the data display equipment.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of exemplary embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention hereinafter claimed, its application, or uses.
The detection device is provided for detecting performance parameters of the grass cutter 10, which includes any parameters that affect a desired function of the grass cutter 10. The performance parameters preferably include hardware parameters corresponding to hardware characteristics of the tool itself, such as types of power tools, usage purposes of power tools, factory dates of the power tools, and types of battery suitable for the associated power tools. By obtaining hardware parameters of the power tools via a wireless link or network, operators can recognize and/or manage different power tools by an electronic way, even at a location remote from the grass cutter 10. The performance parameters may also include operational parameters the components of the grass cutter 10 or the grass cutter 10 generates when the operator uses the grass cutter 10. The operational parameters may therefore correspond to a rotation speed, a rotation direction, a rotation angle of a driven motor, and/or the remaining power the battery pack has or the like.
The store device is used for storing data corresponding to performance parameters of the grass cutter 10, and the transceiver is for transmitting data corresponding to performance parameters of the power tool, as well as for receipt of data from the external device such as an external transceiver, via a wireless or hardwired communication. The controller is operable to control the operation of the grass cutter 10, and is capable of being in data communication with at least one of the detection device, the store device and the transceiver so as to perform a desired function of the grass cutter more efficiently by using the data directly or indirectly from the detection device, the store device or the transceiver.
The wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system includes a data process equipment independent of the power tool such as the grass cutter 10, and configured to be remotely removed away from the power tool. Preferably, the data process equipment is a mobile device in the form of a handset or a computer, or any other device that can be in data transmission with an external equipment via a mobile network.
Alternatively, the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system may include mobile terminals or parts different from the mobile handset and act as accessories separately and remotely connected to the power tool or grass cutter 10. The accessories are custom-made to be suitable for special uses. The remote data process and control of the power tools can be achieved in predetermined remote locations by use of respective mobile terminals for processing, controlling and/or displaying a select data thereon.
In an example, the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system includes a data process unit and a transmitting unit in data link therebetween. The data process unit and the transmitting unit may be included within separate mobile terminals, and be in data communication therebetween in some situation.
As noted here, the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system may include a plurality of data retrieval and process parts or terminals for processing, controlling and/or displaying a select data from the power tool or tools on a predetermined location which may be adjacent to the power tool and/or remote from the power tool. The data retrieval and process parts or terminals are in data communication with a select transceiver of the power tool or tools 10 so as to perform a desired function of the power tool or tools more efficiently and/or further evaluate how the grass cutter 10 is being driven.
In one example, the grass cutter 10 includes the motor, a motor shaft driven by the motor, and a plurality of cutter blades associated with the motor shaft. The motor is configured for driving the cutter blades to rotate with respect to the motor shaft. The detection device includes a motor sensor for measuring performance parameters of the motor shaft as the motor shaft rotates by the motor so as to monitor the operation state of the motor. Specially, such performance parameters detected by the detection device and transmitted to the mobile handset 31, include parameters such as rotation speeds, rotation directions, rotation angles of the driven motor shaft, and/or duration time the rotate of the motor shaft maintains.
The present wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system includes data processing terminals or parts for receipt of data corresponding to internal performance parameters of the motor shaft or motor for processing and/or analyzing data so as to have a better control of the power tool by modifying the operation state of the motor shaft or motor.
In another example, the grass cutter 10 includes an identifier for generating an identification code corresponding to a select performance parameter of the grass cutter 10. The data process terminal or equipment can be configured to recognize the performance parameters of the grass cutter 10 by the corresponding identification codes.
The performance parameters, detected by the detection device and further recognized by the identifier, include parameters such as types of power tools, usage purposes of power tools, factory dates of power tools, and types of battery packs suitable for the associated power tools.
In another example, the detection device includes a position sensor for sensing a position of the grass cutter 10 relative to a select point or a global position of the grass cutter 10, and for monitoring position variables of the grass cutter 10. Therefore, the performance parameters including positions and/or position variables associated with the grass cutter 10 are detected by the sensor so as to permit the user to control the movement of the grass cutter 10 by the position information.
Specially, the internal controller of the grass cutter 10 is activated by the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system such as a mobile handset, and configured to enable the internal transceiver to transmit to the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system the data corresponding to the position of the power tool 10. Thus, by viewing the mobile handset, the position of the grass cutter 10 is obtained by the user at a display panel of the mobile handset remote from the grass cutter 10.
Preferably, the data process equipment is a mobile device in form of a handset or a computer, and configured to be in data communication with the transceiver of the grass cutter 10 via a select one from a group of Bluetooth, Zig Bee, Wi-Fi and NFC protocols. In an alternative embodiment, the data process equipment may be a device that can be in data transmission with a similar mobile equipment via a network, or any other equipments via a wireless or hardwired communication. It should be noted that the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system may include a plurality of data process equipments or terminals via a wireless or hardwired communication for processing, controlling and/or displaying a select data from the power tool or tools on a predetermined location which may be adjacent to the power tool and/or remote from the power tool.
In an example, the grass cutter 10 includes an operating element for starting the motor or the grass cutter 10 for the user, an operating sensor for sensing the operation state of the operating element, and a power detection device for detecting the power state of the battery pack. When the user starts the grass cutter 10 by the operating element, the operating sensor upon sensing the start state of the motor, triggers the controller to cause the power detecting device to detect the power state of the battery pack and to decide whether to start the motor of the grass cutter 10 depending on the current power state of the battery pack of the grass cutter 10.
In an example, the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system is provided with a data display equipment or unit having a display interface and/or touch interface for displaying performance information of the power tool or tools, and/or for control of the power tool or tools by touch of the touch interface. In another example, the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system is provided with a plurality of data display units or parts for displaying a selected data on the different data display units or parts as needed. The data display unit or part is either in motion or stationary in different usage states.
In a further example, the detection device includes a current detection unit or device for measuring the current of the motor. The data retrieval and/or process sub-system or data process equipment such as a mobile handset 31 is for receipt of data corresponding to the associate current parameters of the motor, and may be adapted to further analyze the current data so as to monitor the operation states of the motor by the user.
The associate current parameters as detected by the current detection device include current values of the motor, current variables of the motor, and/or duration time that the current of the motor maintains. Preferably, the data retrieval and/or process sub-system is used to analyze the current data of the motor by employing the frequency analysis, and further to obtain the remaining power of the battery pack by calculating electric energy consumed by the motor through integration of the data results from frequency analysis.
Different from the power tool of
In a further example, the user can select and/or modify the predetermined or suitable operation mode or process on the interface of the notebook 30 linked to the drill 10′ via a wireless communication. Of course, the user can select and and/or modify the suitable operation mode or process on any other portable or mobile terminals in data linked with the drill 10′ via a wireless or hardwired communication.
In an example, the drill 10′ transmits data corresponding to the present performance parameters of the drill 10′ via a wireless link to the notebook 30, which remotely compares the received data with a predetermined data and determines when to stop or adjust the motor of the drill 10′ as the unexpected arises.
Alternatively, the drill 10′ stores a specification or instruction in an electronic format by the store device, and the notebook 30 reads from the drill 10′ the electronic specification to be displayed on the display interface of the notebook 30 for view by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the drill 10′ is supposed to be at a remote location away from the notebook 30 which is being wirelessly linked to the drill 10′. A command is sent from the drill 10 ‘ or the notebook 30 to prompt the user whether to view the instruction. If the user selects to view, the controller of the drill 10’ reads the instruction to enable the instruction to be uploaded to the notebook 30, or the notebook 30 directly reads the instruction in the store device via the communication device. It should be noted the instruction of the drill 10′ can be read from the notebook or any terminals directly or indirectly linked to the drill 10′ or the notebook via a wireless or hardwired communication.
In another example, the notebook 30 may download the latest instruction or specification or a website address associate therewith via the network, and then transmit it to the drill 10′ by a wireless communication and store it in the store device or memory of the drill 10 ‘.
In another example, the drill 10’ has operation or control processes, which are stored in the store device and set for controlling the operation of the drill 10′. The notebook 30 reads and modifies the stored control processes by which the notebook 30 remotely controls the drill 10′ via a wireless communication. The modification of the control processes may be done on the notebook 30 and then the modified processes are controlled to be stored in the store device of the drills, or be directly done within the store device on the drill 10′.
Alternatively, the user obtains the newly-updated process or processes by the notebook 20′, and is authorized to update the corresponding old process or processes within the drill 10′. An indicator is provided on the drill 10′ or the notebook 30 for indicating a newly-updated processes or instruction that can be obtained by the notebook 30, which sends a signal to light the indicator of the drill 10′, the notebook 30 or any other terminals wirelessly linked to the drill 10′. It should be noted the indicator may be provided on the drill 10′ itself or any other terminals wirelessly linked to the drill 10′, and the newly-updated process or processes may be stored on the drill 10′ itself, or directly or indirectly stored on the notebook 30 or the terminals wirelessly linked to the drill 10′.
In a further example, the drill 10′ stores predetermined performance parameters within the store device. The controller of the drill 10′ or the notebook 30 compares a detected parameter as detected by the detection device, with a predetermined parameter and determines whether the drill 10′ has failed, and the failure of the drill 10′ is then signaled to the notebook 30 remotely linked to the drill 10′ so as to permit the user to view the failure directly from the notebook 30. It should be noted the failure can be viewed by either the drill 10′ or any other terminal wirelessly linked to the drill 10′ or the notebook 30, and the compare and/or determination work can be done by either the drill 10′ or any other terminal or a select terminal wirelessly linked to the drill 10′.
In a further example, the detection device may include a vibration sensor, a noise sensor, a position sensor, and/or a motor sensor used for detecting different performance parameters of the drill 10′. Of course, the combination of select different performance parameters can be employed to help the user to determine the failure.
In another example, the detection device includes a position sensor for sensing a position of the power tool relative to a select point, for monitoring position variables and/or accelerations of the power tool. The performance parameters as detected includes of the drill 10′ positions, position variables and accelerations by which the notebook 30 compares with the corresponding predetermined parameters to judge whether the drill 10′ has dropped so as to inform the user the failure and/or maintenance of the drill 10′.
The power tool system of
The present power tool system includes a power tool, a power device, a detection device, a store device, a source-based transceiver, a controller and a wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system. In an example, the power tool includes a housing thereof, at least one of the detection device, the store device, the source-based transceiver and the controller is disposed within the housing of the power tool. In another example, the power device includes a battery and a battery case for receiving the battery, at least one of the detection device, the source transceiver and the controller is disposed within the case of the power device. It should be noted that the detection device, the store device, the source-based transceiver and/or the controller may be included within the power tool or the power device or both of the power tool and the power device.
In the example illustrated in
The first detection device 41 is configured for detecting performance parameters of the battery pack 20. The performance parameters of the battery pack 20 refer to any parameter including types of battery packs, temperatures of the battery pack and/or remaining power the battery pack has. The first store device 71 is a device for storing data corresponding to performance parameters of the battery pack 20.
The first source-based transceiver 61 is for at least transmitting data corresponding to performance parameters of the battery pack 20 thereto and/or receipt for data from another terminal in data link to the first transceiver 61 of the battery pack 20 via a wireless or hardwired communication. In an example, the first transceiver 61 of the battery pack 20 is set to be in data communication with either the second transceiver 62 of the grass cutter 10 or the data retrieval and/or process sub-system 30 if needed. It should be noted the first transceiver can be transmitted data corresponding to performance parameters of the battery pack 20 to any other data-linked terminals except for the grass cutter 10 and the data retrieval and/or process sub-system 30 such as a handsets 312 of
The first controller 51 is for controlling the power operation of the battery pack 20. In order to control the battery pack 20 efficiently, the first controller 51 is configured to be in data communication with at least one of the first detection device 41, the first store device 71 and the first source-based transceiver 61 via a wireless or hardwired link. In an example, the first controller 51 may be activated by the data retrieval and/or process sub-system 30 such as a handsets 312 or wrist-watch 311, 303 to enable data corresponding to performance parameters such as temperature of the battery pack 20 and/or the remaining power the battery pack 20 has, from the first source-based transceiver 61 to be transmitted to the data retrieval and/or process sub-system 30 in a form of a handsets 312 and/or wrist-watch 303.
As shown in
The second detection device 42 is for detecting performance parameters of the grass cutter 10, which includes any parameter such as types of grass cutters, usage purposes of grass cutters, factory dates of grass cutters, and types of battery suitable for the associated grass cutter, a rotation speed of a driven motor, or the remaining power the battery pack 20 has, and etc.
The second store device 72 is a device for storing data corresponding to performance parameters of the grass cutter 10. The second source-based transceiver 62 is for transmitting data corresponding to performance parameters of the grass cutter 10 thereto and/or receipt for data from the data retrieval and/or process sub-system 30 having a data display or process equipment thereof.
In another example, the grass cutter 10 also includes a second controller being in data communication with at least one of the second detection device 42, the second store device 72 and the second source-based transceiver 62 preferably via a wireless or link.
In an example shown in
In an example shown in
In another example, each data retrieval and process terminal may include a data display or process equipment or a plurality of data display units or parts for displaying a selected data on the different data display units or parts as needed. In one example, a select display part is either in motion or stationary in different usage states. For example, a select data display part is configured to be removably attached to the power device or the power tool so as to set the data display part in stationary, while a certain data display part is capable of being remotely removed away from the power device or the power tool to a remote location for consideration of permitting the display part in motion. In a preferred implementation, the data display part in stationary is an accessory separately affixed to the power tool or the power device as shown in
In
The hedge trimmer 31 has a structure similar to the hedge trimmer 11 of
In the example shown in
It should be noted, the wireless data retrieval and/or process sub-system may include a plurality of data display or process units or parts 23 on a select location which may be adjacent to the power tool or the power device, or remote from the power tool as needed.
In
It is appreciated that the data retrieval and/or process sub-system may include a plurality of data display or process units in data linked to any one of the power devices or the power tools, so that a select data associated with the power devices or the power tools is controlled to be displayed or processed on a certain display or process unit which is adjacent to the power tool or remote from the power tool.
The above illustrates and describes basic principles, main features and advantages of the invention hereinafter claimed. For example, usefulness of the described embodiments is that the power tool can achieve balance of power by the multi-battery packs. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the above examples do not limit the present invention in any form. Technical solutions obtained by equivalent substitution or equivalent variations all fall within the scope of the invention claimed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201610013236.8 | Jan 2016 | CN | national |
201610126467.X | Mar 2016 | CN | national |