Abstract:
An optical indicating device unit includes at least one first housing, a mechanical interface, and a data interface. The at least one first housing includes at least one illumination device and/or at least one optical device, wherein the at least one illumination device and/or the at least one optical indicating device is configured to visually indicate information. The mechanical interface is configured to connect the at least one first housing to a second housing. The data interface is configured to transmit information to the at least one illumination device and/or the at least one optical indicating device.

Description:
[0001]    The invention relates to an optical indicating device unit for use in an external application unit. 
       PRIOR ART 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    An optical indicating device unit according to the invention has the advantage that it can be connected to a variety of external application units such as, for example, a hand-held power tool. Advantageously, at least one first housing has an illumination device and/or an optical indicating device. Thus, advantageously, information can be indicated optically, for example to a user of the external application unit. 
         [0003]    An illumination device is to be understood to mean, in particular, a device that visually indicates information by the emission of visible light. 
         [0004]    Visible light is to be understood here to mean, in particular, light that, in particular, has the following indications:
       a change in the light color   a change in the light intensity   light pulses of differing length   light pulses of differing brightness   running light, which change in the running direction of the light   light pulses, varying in pulse frequency and/or brightness       
 
         [0011]    An optical indicating device is to be understood here to mean, in particular, a device that visually indicates information by means of a digital indication, a display, or the like. 
         [0012]    It is proposed that the optical indicating device unit have at least one mechanical interface, for connecting the first housing to at least one second housing. Thus, particularly advantageously, the optical indicating device unit can be connected to any external application unit. 
         [0013]    A mechanical interface is to be understood here to mean, in particular, the contact surface of the optical indicating device unit that can come into contact with an external contact surface. 
         [0014]    It is additionally proposed that the optical indicating device unit have at least one data interface, which is designed to transmit, in particular, information of an external electronic unit to the optical indicating device. The data interface in this case may be a UART interface or the like, an interface considered appropriate by persons skilled in the art, or realized by means of SPI, I 2 C or the like. 
         [0015]    Advantageous developments of the battery-operated hand-held power tool as claimed in claim  1  are rendered possible by the features stated in the dependent claims. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, the second housing is disposed, at least, on a hand-held power tool. Thus, advantageously, the optical indicating device unit can be connected to an external application unit, in particular a hand-held power tool. This renders possible a modular structure of an external application unit such as, for example, a hand-held power tool. The term “modular structure” is to be understood here to mean a structure, in particular, according to a modular design principle. This means that the optical indicating device unit can be assembled with a multiplicity of differing external application units. This modular structure renders possible simple and inexpensive assembly. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, at least one external electronic unit is disposed in the second housing. The electronic unit is designed, advantageously, to evaluate data, and/or to communicate with other electronic units. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the optical indicating device unit can be connected, in particular separably, to a variety of external application units. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, the illumination device has at least one light source and/or at least one light conductor. Thus, particularly advantageously, light can be transported from a light source by means of light conductors, and an environment close to a tool, such as, for example, a work area, can be illuminated. It is also conceivable, however, for optical information to be projected onto the environment close to a tool, or onto the workpiece. A light source is to be understood here to mean, in particular, a device that emits visible light. 
         [0020]    In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the light conductor is realized as a light bar. Thus, advantageously, the environment close to a tool can be illuminated at an angle a by light. The angle is advantageously greater than 0° and less than 270°. 
         [0021]    Advantageously, the light source has at least one LED. In an advantageous embodiment, the light source has a multiplicity of LEDs. The LEDs may be provided in a variety of designs and sizes. The LEDs may be disposed in various configurations on the first housing. 
         [0022]    Advantageously, the optical indicating device unit may be designed to provide an indication relating to the parameters of the external application unit. 
         [0023]    In the embodiment according to the invention, the optical indicating device unit has at least one second electronic unit, which is designed to integrate further functions. 
         [0024]    Advantageously, the external application unit is at least one hand-held power tool. The hand-held power tool comprises at least one external electronic unit, which is designed to provide an optical parameter, which is designed to be transmitted via the data interface. 
         [0025]    In an advantageous embodiment, the hand-held power tool is realized as a random-orbit sander. 
         [0026]    In another advantageous embodiment, the hand-held power tool is realized as an angle grinder. 
         [0027]    In another advantageous embodiment, the hand-held power tool is realized as an orbital or delta sander. 
         [0028]    In another advantageous embodiment, the hand-held power tool is realized as an oscillating multitool. 
         [0029]    In another advantageous embodiment, the hand-held power tool is realized as a router. 
         [0030]    It is also conceivable, however, for the hand-held power tool to be realized as a straight grinder, as an oscillating multitool, as a jigsaw, as a circular saw, as a riveter, as a hammer drill or percussion hammer, as a drill, as a screwdriver or as an impact wrench, or the like. 
         [0031]    Further advantages and expedient embodiments are given by the description of the figures and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       Drawings 
         [0032]    The drawings show exemplary embodiments of an optical indicating device unit according to the invention, and the external application units according to the invention, each having an optical indicating device unit. 
           [0033]    There are shown in: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  a first embodiment of an optical indicating device unit according to the invention, in three perspectives, with an external application unit according to the invention, in a schematic representation, 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  a second embodiment of the optical indicating device unit according to the invention, in a schematic representation, 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  a first external application unit according to the invention, with an optical indicating device unit, in a schematic representation, 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  a second external application unit according to the invention, with an optical indicating device unit, in a schematic representation, 
           [0038]      FIG. 4 a    the second external application unit according to the invention, with an optical indicating device unit, in a schematic representation, 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  a third external application unit according to the invention, with an optical indicating device unit, in a schematic representation, 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  a fourth external application unit according to the invention, with an optical indicating device unit, in a schematic representation, 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  a fifth external application unit according to the invention, with an optical indicating device unit, in a schematic representation. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    Components that are the same in the differing exemplary embodiments are denoted by the same references. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  shows an optical indicating device unit  10  in three perspectives. The optical indicating device unit  10  is designed, in particular, to be connected to an external application unit  12 . The optical indicating device unit  10  has a first housing  14 . In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 1 , there is an illumination device  15  disposed on the first housing  14 . The illumination device  15  is designed to visually indicate information by emission of visible light. In particular, an environment, in particular a work region, is illuminated. 
         [0044]    The illumination device  15  may realize the following indications: 
         [0045]    Light, in particular having the following indications
       a change in the light color   a change in the light intensity   light pulses of differing length   light pulses of differing brightness   running light, with change in the running direction of the light   light pulses, varying in pulse frequency and/or brightness       
 
         [0052]    In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 2 , there is an optical indicating device  16  disposed on the first housing  14 . The optical indicating device  16  is designed to visually indicate information by means of a digital indication, a display or the like. A display visualizes information such as images or characters. The display of the optical indicating device  16  shows information relating to parameters, such as a rotational speed, a temperature, a mode indication, or the like. 
         [0053]    Furthermore, it is conceivable for the illumination device  15  and/or the optical indicating device  16  to be realized as a projection device, which project information into an environment, in particular into a work environment. 
         [0054]    In the embodiment according to the invention, the optical indicating device  10  has a mechanical interface  20  for connecting the first housing  14  to a second housing  22 . The mechanical interface  18  produces a mechanically solid, but separable, connection of the two housings  14 ,  22 . 
         [0055]    The optical indicating device unit  10  comprises a data interface  24 . The data interface  24  transmits information, provided by an external electronic unit  26 , to the illumination device  15  and/or to the optical indicating device  16 . This information is visualized in the form of visible light or a digital indication. 
         [0056]    The second housing  22  is disposed on an external application unit  12 . In the exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 ), the external application unit  12  is a hand-held power tool  100 . The optical indicating device unit  10  can thus be attached to hand-held power tools  100  of various types. The advantage consists in that the optical indicating device unit  10  can be attached to any of a variety of external application units  24 , and can thus be used in a flexible manner. 
         [0057]    Via the mechanical interface  20 , the first housing  14  is solid with the second housing  22 , but is connected so as to be manually separable, without the use of a tool or by means of a suitable tool. The optical indicating device unit  10  can thus be connected, in particular separably connected, to a variety of external application units  24 . 
         [0058]    This renders possible a modular structure of a power tool. The term “modular structure” is to be understood here to mean a structure, in particular, according to a modular design principle. This means that the optical indicating device unit  10  can be assembled with a multiplicity of differing external application units  24 . This modular structure renders possible simple and inexpensive assembly. 
         [0059]    The second housing  22  accommodates the external electronic unit  26 . The external electronic unit  26  consists of at least the following components:
       electronics components that supply current to an electric-motor drive   at least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit   electronic components that generate the optical data       
 
         [0063]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the illumination device  15  comprises a light conductor  30 . The light conductor  30  is a transparent element that transports data, or optical information, in the form of light. In  FIG. 1 , the light conductor  30  is realized as a light bar. 
         [0064]    A multiplicity of LEDs serve as a light source. The LEDs may be mounted on a circuit-board conductor by through-holemounting. However, the LEDs may also be realized as SMD LEDs. The light emitted by the light source may have differing colors. The light emitted by the light source may vary in brightness. The light emitted by the light source may be a flashing light that periodically changes in brightness. 
         [0065]    The optical indicating device unit  10  has a second electronic unit  40 . The second electronic unit is designed to integrate further functions. Thus, the second electronic  40  may comprise a sensor means, a communication means, a data processing means, a storage means, an energy means, an identification means, or the like. 
         [0066]    Thus, at least the following functions may be integrated:
       measurement of characteristic quantities   conversion of the characteristic quantities into sensor signals   indication of characteristic quantities and/or parameters   sending, receiving, exchanging and/or storing visual information and/or electronic data   open-loop and/or closed-loop control of parameters       
 
         [0072]    The optical indicating device unit  10  has a communication module  50 . The communication module is preferably realized as a wireless communication module. The communication module in this case may be realized as a WLAN communication module, as a Bluetooth communication module, as a radio communication module, as an RFID communication module, as an NFC communication module, as an infrared communication module, as a mobile telephony communication module, or the like. Advantageously, the communication module is designed for bidirectional data transmission. In an alternative design, the communication module is realized as a wired communication module, such as, for example, as a LAN communication module, as a USB communication module, or the like. 
         [0073]    The optical indicating device unit  10  has a sensor module  60 . The sensor module  60  is equipped with one or more sensors. The sensors are designed to sense a characteristic quantity that is to be determined, and convert it into a sensor signal, or a plurality of sensor signals. 
         [0074]      FIG. 3  shows an external application unit  12  realized as a hand-held power tool  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the hand-held power tool  100  is realized as a random-orbit sander  100   a.  The second housing  22  comprises a motor housing part  122 . Adjoining the motor housing part  122  there is a handle region  150 . The handle region  150  is realized as a handle, or serves an operator of the random-orbit sander as a handle. The term “handle” is to be understood to mean a structural part around which at least one hand of the operator can be placed in order to guide the hand-held power tool  100 . Disposed in the second housing  22  there is an electric-motor drive, not represented in greater detail. 
         [0075]    An optical indicating device unit  10  is disposed on the motor housing part  122 . The motor housing part  122  in this case has its maximum diameter. The illumination device  15  is disposed along the housing circumference, at the maximum diameter. The illumination device  15  is designed to illuminate a work environment  124 . To illuminate in this case is to be understood to mean to “light up” or to “light up in combination with a transmission of information”. The optical illumination device  15  may be connected to the motor housing part  122  by adhesive bonding, latching, clamping, clipping, or the like. 
         [0076]    The hand-held power tool  100  comprises an external electronic unit  26 , which is designed, at least, to provide an optical parameter. The optical parameter is transmitted via the data interface  24  of the optical indicating device unit  10 . 
         [0077]    Furthermore, the optical indicating device unit  10  may comprise a sensor means, a communication means, a data processing means, a storage means, an energy means, an identification means, or the like. 
         [0078]    Thus, at least the following functions may be integrated:
       measurement of characteristic quantities   conversion of the characteristic quantities into sensor signals   indication of characteristic quantities and/or parameters   sending, receiving, exchanging and/or storing visual information and/or electronic data   open-loop and/or closed-loop control of parameters       
 
         [0084]    In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 3 , the hand-held power tool  100  is realized as a random-orbit sander  100   a.    
         [0085]    In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 4 , the hand-held power tool  100  is realized as an angle grinder  100   b   1 . The angle grinder  100   b  in this case is realized as a mains-operated appliance. 
         [0086]    In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 4 a   , the hand-held power tool  100  is realized as an angle grinder  100   b.  The angle grinder  100   b   2  in this case is realized as a battery-operated hand-held power tool. 
         [0087]    In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 5 , the hand-held power tool  100  is realized as an orbital sander  100   c.    
         [0088]    In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the hand-held power tool  100  is realized as an oscillating multitool  100   d.    
         [0089]    In the exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 5 , the hand-held power tool  100  is realized as a router  100   e.    
         [0090]    It is also conceivable, however, for the hand-held power tool to be realized as a straight grinder, as an electric scraper, as a jigsaw, as a circular saw, as a riveter, as a hammer drill or percussion hammer, as a drill, as a screwdriver or as an impact wrench, or the like.