Abstract:
A handheld tool battery device includes: a communication unit; at least one cell unit for storing energy; and at least one induction charging unit for charging and/or discharging the at least one cell unit. The communication unit transmits design-specific parameters to a charging device during a charging process.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a handheld tool battery device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A handheld tool battery device has been proposed in the past, having a communication unit, having at least one cell unit for storing energy, and having at least one induction charging unit for charging and/or discharging the at least one cell unit. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a handheld tool battery device having a communication unit, at least one cell unit for storing energy, and at least one induction charging unit for charging and/or discharging the at least one cell unit. 
         [0006]    It is proposed that the communication unit be provided to transmit design-specific parameters to a charging device during a charging process. By “handheld tool battery device” one should particularly understand in this connection a battery device for a handheld machine tool. A “battery device” is to be understood in this context in particular as a device for the temporary storage of electrical energy, in particular an accumulator. Preferably, this is to be understood in particular as a rechargeable storage device. Various battery devices that seem useful to one skilled in the art are conceivable, but in the present case the battery device is to be understood in particular as a lithium-ion accumulator. A “handheld machine tool” in this instance is to be understood in particular as a workpiece-machining machine tool, advantageously a drilling machine, a drilling and/or percussion hammer, a saw, a plane, a screwdriver, a milling tool, a grinder, an angle grinder, a gardening device and/or a multifunctional tool. Furthermore, “communication unit” should particularly be understood in this connection as a unit provided for the exchange of data signals and/or control signal. By this one should preferably understand a unit that is at least provided to transmit data signals and/or control signals actively and/or passively, particularly to a receiving unit. In this context, a transmission may take place in an analog and especially a digital manner. Moreover, a transmission may take place in a wireless manner as well as wire-bound. Various wireless transmitting techniques are conceivable, that appear useful to one skilled in the art, such as via Bluetooth, WLAN, UMTS, NFC or via an optical interface. Moreover, various wire-bound transmitting techniques are conceivable, that appear useful to one skilled in the art. It should particularly be understand in this connection by “active and/or passive” that data signals and/or control signals are able to be transmitted completely actively, completely passively, partially actively or varyingly actively, passively or partially actively. In this context, “passively” should particularly be understood to mean that the data are selected for transmission by the charging device. Furthermore, one should understand in this connection by “partially active” that the data signals and/or control signals are transmitted only partially actively. By a cell unit one should understand in this connection, particularly a part of an accumulator device which is provided directly to store electrical energy temporarily. Preferably one should thereby particularly understand a unit that is provided to store electrical energy temporarily on an electrochemical basis. Particularly preferably this is to be understood as a rechargeable unit. The cell unit particularly preferably is made up of one or more cell elements that are especially connected to one another electrically. Various cell elements that seem useful to one skilled in the art are conceivable, but in particular, one should understand a lithium-ion cell. An “induction charging unit”, in this connection, is to be understood in particular as a unit that is provided to convert electrical energy to a magnetic field or especially a magnetic field to electrical energy. Preferably, this is to be understood as a part of an induction charging device that is provided to transmit energy, in particular at least partially contactlessly, by induction from a charging device to a battery device. The charging device preferably has an induction charging unit, which is provided to convert electrical energy to a magnetic field, which is able to be converted back to electrical energy again by the induction charging unit The induction charging unit particularly preferably has at least one charging coil. A “charging coil” in this context is to be understood in particular as an element that is made up, at least partially, of an electrical conductor, in particular a wound electrical conductor, which is disposed at least partially in the form of a circular disk. Preferably, a voltage is induced in the electrical conductor when a magnetic field is applied. Furthermore, in this connection, a “charging operation” is to be understood in particular as a process in which the cell unit of the handheld tool battery device is supplied with energy externally. Preferably, one should understand by this in particular a process, in which the cell unit of the handheld tool battery device temporarily stores the energy supplied externally. By “design-specific parameters” one should understand in this connection particularly parameters which are in each case assigned to at least one property and/or at least one state of the handheld tool battery device, and which describe these at least partially. Preferably one should understand in this connection particularly parameters which are in each case assigned to at least one permanent property and/or at least one long-term state and which describe these at least partially. A “charging device” is to be understood in this context in particular as a device for charging battery devices, in particular accumulators. The device preferably has at least one control and/or regulating unit, which is provided to control and/or regulate a charging process. 
         [0007]    Because of the embodiment of the handheld tool battery device according to the present invention, it may advantageously be achieved that the design-specific parameters of the handheld tool battery device are able to be transmitted to a charging device. Thereby it may advantageously be achieved that, in a charging device, design-specific parameters are able to be taken into account in a charging process. 
         [0008]    It is further proposed that the communication unit be provided to transmit a battery quality factor to the charging device during a charging process. By a “battery quality factor” one should understand, in this connection, particularly a design-specific parameter of the handheld tool battery device which at least partially describes a condition and/or a quality and/or a system property of the handheld tool battery device. Various battery quality factors, that appear sensible to one skilled in the art, are conceivable, such as a parameter of a charging quality of the handheld tool battery device and/or a parameter of a resonant circuit quality of the handheld tool battery device and/or a parameter of the state of wear of the handheld tool battery device. In this context, by “charging quality” one should understand in this connection particularly a current state and/or a current quality of a charging process of the battery device by the charging device. Preferably one should understand by this particularly a current quality and/or a current efficiency of a charging process of the battery device by the charging device. Particularly preferred, one should understand by this an efficiency of an energy transmission by the charging device to the battery device. Because of this, in particular, a charging process is able to be adjusted to at least one battery quality factor of the handheld tool battery device. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that thereby battery quality factors are able to be output by the charging device to an operator. 
         [0009]    It is further provided that the handheld tool battery device have a memory unit, which is provided for the nonvolatile storage of the design-specific parameters. By a “memory unit” one should understand in this connection especially a unit that is provided to store at least one information that is independent of the power supply. The memory unit is preferably designed as a nonvolatile data memory for nonvolatile storage. In this context, by a “nonvolatile data memory” one should understand in this connection particularly a memory unit which is able to store information and/or other data permanently, independently of a power supply and particularly free of data losses. Various nonvolatile data memories, that appear useful to one skilled in the art, are conceivable, such as magnetic storage media, digital memory chips or optical memories. By using these, design-specific parameters are able to be filed, particularly permanently, on the handheld tool battery device. Moreover, an advantageous retrieval of the design-specific parameters is able to take place. In addition, the design-specific parameters do not have to be ascertained time and again. 
         [0010]    It is further provided that the communication unit be provided to transmit to the charging device, in addition, at least one characteristics variable of a maximum current of the cell unit, during a charging process. By a “characteristics variable of a maximum current” one should understand in this connection particularly a characteristics variable which describes and/or represents at least partially a maximum admissible charging current and/or another maximum current. Thereby a characteristics variable of a maximum current may advantageously be transmitted to the charging device and particularly taken into account by the charging device. Furthermore, the communication unit for transmitting various characteristics variables and parameters may thereby be used, whereby in particular, the number of parts in the handheld tool battery device may be held low. 
         [0011]    It is further provided that the communication unit be provided to transmit to the charging device, in addition, at least one characteristics variable of a temperature of the cell unit, during a charging process. By a “characteristics variable of a temperature” one should understand in this connection particularly a characteristics variable which at least partially describes or represents a current temperature of the cell unit. Thereby a characteristics variable of a temperature may advantageously be transmitted to the charging device and particularly be taken into account by the charging device, especially so as to avoid overheating. Furthermore, the communication unit for transmitting various characteristics variables and parameters may thereby be used, whereby in particular, the number of parts in the handheld tool battery device may be held low. 
         [0012]    It is further provided that the communication unit be provided to transmit to the charging device, in addition, at least one characteristics variable of a voltage of the cell unit, during a charging process. By a “characteristics variable of a voltage” one should understand in this connection particularly a characteristics variable which at least partially describes or represents a current temperature of the cell unit. Thereby a characteristics variable of a voltage may advantageously be transmitted to the charging device and particularly taken into account by the charging device. Furthermore, the communication unit for transmitting various characteristics variables and parameters may thereby be used, whereby in particular, the number of parts in the handheld tool battery device may held low. 
         [0013]    Moreover, it is provided that the handheld tool battery device have at least one registration unit for registering at least one characteristics variable of a maximum current and/or a temperature and/or a voltage of the cell unit having at least one sensor unit. By a “registration unit” one should understand in this connection particularly a unit having at least one sensor unit. Preferably one should understand thereby particularly a unit that is provided for registering at least one characteristics variable, particularly preferably of a maximum current and/or of a temperature and/or of a voltage. Various registration units are conceivable, that appear useful to one skilled in the art. By a “sensor unit” one should understand in this connection particularly a unit that is provided to register at least one characteristics variable and/or a physical property, a registration being able to take place actively, such as especially by generating and emitting an electrical measuring signal, and/or passively, such as particularly by registering property changes of a sensor component and/or by registering a current and/or a voltage flowing through a resistor. Thereby current characteristics variables of the handheld tool battery device may advantageously be registered. 
         [0014]    The handheld tool storage device according to the present invention should not, in this case, be restricted to the application and the execution described above. In order to fulfill a method of functioning described herein, the handheld tool battery device according to the present invention may in particular have a number of individual elements, components and units that deviates from a number mentioned herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an handheld tool battery device having an induction charging unit and a charging device according to the present invention in a charging operation, in a schematic representation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a partial section of the handheld tool battery device and the charging device according to the present invention in a charging operation, in a schematic sectional representation. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a simplified circuit diagram of the handheld tool battery device according to the present invention and the charging device according to the present invention in a charging operation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a handheld tool battery device  10  according to the present invention and a charging device  18  according to the present invention. Handheld tool battery device  10  has a housing unit  32  and a cell unit  14  for storing energy. Furthermore, cell unit  14  is provided to supply a handheld machine tool, that is not further visible, with energy. Cell unit  14  is situated in housing unit  32 . Cell unit  14  has five cell elements  34 , which are each formed by lithium-ion cells ( FIG. 2 ). Cell elements  34  are connected electrically conductively to one another in a series connection. Moreover, handheld tool battery device  10  has an induction charging unit  16  for charging cell unit  14 . Induction charging unit  16  is formed by a secondary induction charging unit. Induction charging unit  16  is provided for wireless energy transmission for a charging process of cell unit  14 . Induction charging unit  16  has a charging coil  36  and a core unit  38 . Charging coil  36  is developed to be annular. Charging coil  36  is made up of a plurality of electrical conductors, which extend in the circumferential direction. The electrical conductors are wound in the circumferential direction about a winding axis  50 . Core unit  38  is developed in the form of plates, and is made up of a magnetic material. Induction charging unit  16  is situated between cell unit  14  and a housing wall  40  of housing unit  32 . Starting from housing wall  40  in the direction of cell unit  14 , there follows first charging coil  36  of induction charging unit  16 , core unit  38  of induction charging unit  16 , a screening unit  42  and an electronics unit  44 . Screening unit  42  is provided to protect electronics unit  44  from interference effects of charging coil  36 , and vice versa. 
         [0019]    Electronics unit  44  has charging electronic system  46 . Furthermore, electronics unit  44  has a circuit board, not further visible, on which the charging electronic system  46  is situated. Charging electronic system  46  is connected to cell unit  14  via a line. Furthermore, charging electronic system  46  is connected to charging coil  36  via a line ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0020]    Handheld tool battery device  10  is set up onto a charging area  52  of charging device  18 . Charging area  52  forms a part of a housing unit  54  of charging device  18 . In a provided stand, charging area  52  extends parallel to a sub-surface, and faces away from the sub-surface. Charging area  52  is provided to accommodate handheld tool battery device  10  for a charging process. 
         [0021]    Moreover, charging device  18  has an induction charging unit  56  for transmitting energy. Induction charging unit  56  is formed by a primary induction charging unit. Induction charging unit  56  is provided for the wireless energy transmission from charging device  18  to handheld tool battery device  10 . Induction charging unit  56  is provided to convert electrical energy to a magnetic field which is able to be reconverted to electrical energy by induction charging unit  16 . Induction charging unit  56  has a charging coil  58 , a core unit  60  and an electronics unit  62 . Charging coil  58  is developed to be annular. Core unit  60  is developed in the form of plates, and is made up of a magnetic material. Induction charging unit  56  is totally situated in housing unit  54 . Starting from charging area  52  of housing unit  54  in the direction of the center of charging device  18 , there follows first charging coil  58  of induction charging unit  56 , core unit  60  of induction charging unit  56 , a screening unit  64  and an electronics unit  62 . Screening unit  64  is provided to protect electronics unit  62  from interference effects of charging coil  58 , and vice versa. Electronics unit  62  is connected to the energy supply by a cable  48  that is not further visible. 
         [0022]    In addition, internal handheld tool battery device  10  has a communication unit  12 . Communication unit  12  is formed by an NFC interface. Communication unit  12  forms a part of electronics unit  44 . Communication unit  12  is also situated on the circuit board, that is not further visible, of electronics unit  44 . Communication unit  12  is provided to transmit design-specific parameters to a charging device  18  during a charging process. For this purpose, charging device  18  also has a communication unit  66 . Communication unit  66  of charging device  18  is also formed by an NFC interface. A transmission of design-specific parameters takes place automatically during an operation of charging device  18  when handheld tool battery device  10  approaches charging device  18 . Communication units  12 ,  66  have a transmission distance which approximately corresponds to the transmission distance of induction charging units  16 ,  56 . Because of the short transmission distance of NFC interfaces, it may be ensured that when there are two mutually registering units, they are charging device  18  and handheld tool battery device  10  that is to be charged, and not an handheld tool battery device  10  standing on the side. In principle it would also be conceivable that, via communication units  12 ,  66  additionally also the beginning of a charging process is being controlled. With the approach of handheld tool battery device  10  to charging device  18 , in this context, a charging process is able to be begun automatically as soon as handheld tool battery device  10  is located at a sufficiently low distance. 
         [0023]    Communication unit  12  is provided to transmit a battery quality factor to charging device  18  during a charging process. The battery quality factor describes a quality condition of handheld tool battery device  10 . 
         [0024]    Handheld tool battery device  10  has a memory unit  20 , which is provided for the nonvolatile storage the design-specific parameters. The design-specific parameters are permanently filed on memory unit  20 . Memory unit  20  is formed of a nonvolatile memory. Memory unit  20  forms a part of electronics unit  44 , and is situated on the circuit board, that is not further visible, of electronics unit  44 . Electronics unit  20  is connected to communication unit  12 , that is not further visible. 
         [0025]    Communication unit  12  of handheld tool battery device  10  is provided additionally to transmit characteristics variables of a maximum current of cell unit  14  to charging device  18 , during a charging process. During a charging process, a maximum current of cell unit  14  is continuously or intermittently registered, and is transmitted via communication unit  12  to charging device  18 . Moreover, communication unit  12  of handheld tool battery device  10  is provided additionally to transmit characteristics variables of a temperature of cell unit  14  to charging device  18 , during a charging process. During a charging process, a current temperature of cell unit  14  is continuously or intermittently registered, and is transmitted via communication unit  12  to charging device  18 . Moreover, communication unit  12  of handheld tool battery device  10  is provided additionally to transmit characteristics variables of a voltage of cell unit  14  to charging device  18 , during a charging process. During a charging process, a current voltage of cell unit  14  is continuously or intermittently registered, and is transmitted via communication unit  12  to charging device  18 . 
         [0026]    The characteristics variables of handheld tool battery device  10 , as well as the design-specific parameters of handheld tool battery device  10  are utilized by charging device  18  to adjust a charging process optimally to handheld tool battery device  10 . 
         [0027]    Handheld tool battery device  10  also has a registration unit  22  for registering characteristics variables of a maximum current, a temperature and a voltage of cell unit  14 . Registration unit  22  has three sensor units  24 ,  26 ,  28 . Registration unit  22  also has an arithmetic unit  68 . Arithmetic unit  68  is situated on the circuit board of electronics unit  44 , and is provided to control sensor units  24 ,  26 ,  28  and to process sensed characteristics variables. Arithmetic unit  68  of registration unit  22  is connected to communication unit  12 , and is provided to transmit processed characteristics variables of a maximum current, a temperature and a voltage of cell unit  14  to charging device  18 . Sensor unit  24  is formed of an ammeter and is provided to register characteristics variables of a maximum current of cell unit  14 . Sensor unit  24  is integrated into charging electronic system  46  and is connected to arithmetic unit  68  in a manner not further visible. Sensor unit  26  is formed of a voltmeter and is provided to register characteristics variables of a current voltage of cell unit  14 . Sensor unit  26  is integrated into charging electronic system  46  and is connected to arithmetic unit  68  in a manner not further visible. Sensor unit  28  is formed of a thermometer and is provided to register characteristics variables of a current temperature of cell unit  14 . Sensor unit  28  is situated in cell unit  14  between cell elements  34 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a simplified circuit diagram of handheld tool battery device  10  according to the present invention and charging device  18  according to the present invention in a charging operation. The circuit diagram of handheld tool battery device  10  has, in this context, charging coil  36 , charging electronic system  46  and cell unit  14 . The circuit diagram of charging device  18  has induction charging unit  56 , having charging coil  58  and having electronics unit  62  and an alternating voltage source  70 . Charging electronic system  46  of handheld tool battery device  10  has a rectifier  72 . Rectifier  72  is formed by a bridge rectifier. Rectifier  72  is connected directly to charging coil  36  and brings into line a voltage incoming at charging coil  36 . An output side of rectifier  72  is connected to cell unit  14 . Rectifier  72  is connected to cell unit  14  in such a way that charging cell unit  14  via rectifier  72  is possible, but discharging is not. Sensor unit  26  is connected in parallel to cell unit  14 . Terminals  74  for a handheld machine tool, that is not further visible, are also connected in parallel to cell unit  14 . Furthermore, a switch  76  and sensor unit  24  are connected in series to cell unit  14 , switch  76  and sensor unit  24  being connected in parallel to each other. An additional switch  78  is connected in series to sensor unit  26 . Sensor units  24 ,  26  may each be excluded from the circuit via switches  76 ,  78 . Switches  76 ,  78  are automatically closed and opened by registration unit  22  during a registration. Thereby a mutual interference of sensor units  24 ,  26  may be excluded. 
         [0029]    Charging coil  58  of charging device  18  is situated opposite charging coil  36  of handheld tool battery device  10 , in a contactless manner. Charging coil  58  is connected in series to alternating voltage source  70 . A capacitor  80  and a resistor  82  are connected in series to charging coil  58  and alternating voltage source  70 , capacitor  80  and resistor  82  being connected in parallel to each other. Alternating voltage source  70  is formed indirectly from cable  48 . 
         [0030]    Handheld tool battery device  10  and charging device  18  form a system  30 .