Technical Field

The invention relates to small electrical devices, tools and appliances converting electrical energy into mechanical work utilizing a motor, where this method solves the problem of measuring and recording data on time worked, operating conditions, date, time, and GPS position coordinates, as well as the transmission of this data via a GSM network to the user in real-time and via communication hardware to an external computer for servicing purposes.

State of the Art

Today, there is a wide range of methods and systems that provide monitoring of the operation of electrical equipment. In particular, this involves tracking the net time worked of electrical equipment that is part of production processes. Based on this information, it is possible, for example, to control the use of electrical equipment, record downtime, plan technical inspections, lubricant and filling changes, and so on. In essence, however, it is about monitoring the operation of electrical equipment, the value of which is in the tens or hundreds of thousands of euros and is usually installed statically as part of production processes. These systems are usually supplemented by means for visual tracking of the time passing. Some systems provide diagnostics of the device in addition to condition and monitoring. Also known and common is a time counter comprising a time measuring element with a dial and control device placed in the housing of the time counter. The control device controls the time counter according to the running length of the motor, mainly to detect the net operating time of the electrical equipment. The time counter is usually equipped with a plug for connection to the power supply. It also contains a socket into which the plug of the supply cord of the appliance to be connected to the mains is inserted for the duration of the measurement. These devices are simple, installed mainly in electrical appliances and provide or create prerequisites for monitoring only one parameter of the operation of the appliance, namely the operating time.

The invention PCT/SK2002/000002 of August 2, 2006, can be considered a significant step forward in this field. It addresses the method of measuring net running time, particularly in the field of power tools such as drills, drill hammers, etc. Measuring only the net running time without recording the operating conditions has certain inaccuracies reducing effective service and repair activities. The invention stores operational data only in the device itself, it is not possible to transmit it wirelessly to the user for control purposes, there is no date or time associated with the data, and location information is also missing. Stored data can only be read via a special reading device connected via communication hardware to the service centre computer, and only when the electrical equipment is physically present.

Recently, communication systems transmitting information via wireless BlueTooth technology have also emerged. They allow setting the operating parameters of the tool, such as the speed of the electric motor, the number of impacts, tightening torques, etc. However, the disadvantage is the range of the signal emission, which depends on the version of the Bluetooth technology used. In direct visibility, the action radius can reach several hundred metres, but in confined spaces, it decreases to several tens of metres. Thus, there is no possibility to offer the user permanent control of the technical condition,

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) operating conditions and tool usage in connection with the monitoring of the productivity of the work of the electrical equipment in online time and space.

The Backround of the Invention

The invention solves the problems associated with heretofore known methods of measuring operating time, monitoring, recording and transmitting data of electrical equipment, in particular smaller equipment such as apparatus, tools and appliances, and their heretofore known uses for the user of the equipment and for servicing purposes.

The invention features the principle that each activation of a primary circuit switch of an electrical device connected to a voltage supply activates an electronic inspection microchip circuit that reads and records motor run time, operating temperature and motor load until the switch is turned off, at which time the supply of electrical voltage to the electronic inspection microchip is interrupted and the measurement is terminated.

The period between the engine on and off is the active mode of the engine. Measuring the net active time of the motor as stand-alone data is not sufficient, mainly because the lifetime of the electrical equipment is largely influenced by the operating conditions. Accordingly, a temperature sensor and a motor load sensor are included in the circuitry of the invention, and the number of times the motor switch of the electrical device is turned on is also recorded. These additional data significantly increase the objectivity of the assessment of the daily load of the electrical equipment for the user and are also important for service purposes, as they lengthen or shorten the set service interval depending on the measured operating conditions and the number of times the electrical equipment is switched on.

All data relating to the active mode, i.e. operating time, temperature, and engine load, number of switch triggers, date, time, and GPS position coordinates are chronologically written to the memory of the electronic inspection microchip.

By installing the SIM card in the electrical device, activating it and pairing it with the user's mobile GSM device using standard operations, the data written in the memory of the electronic inspection microchip is available to the user in its entirety. The use of this data for extensive analysis of the work productivity performed by the electrical equipment, its technical condition and location in a selected period is supported by a special application on the user's mobile GSM device.

Through the converter and communication hardware, the electrical equipment in the service centre can be connected to an external computer and allow access to the service data written in the memory of the electronic inspection microchip. This is data on the time worked, operating temperatures, motor load, and the number of times the switch of the electrical equipment has been turned on. They serve for more accurate identification of possible causes of failures and allow the creation of a technical and operational database for each specific model of electrical equipment to improve the production quality of the respective electrical equipment. Connection via communication hardware allows setting the next service interval and, if necessary, updating the program in the microcontroller.

The gist of the invention also includes a system unit. Its main component is an electronic inspection microchip - a micro-sized computer, which together with a SIM card case, connectors for connecting a temperature sensor, an engine load sensor and connectors for connecting to electrical equipment forms

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a compact unit transformed into a miniature case. It is designed to measure, record and transmit data, i.e. length of time worked, operating temperature and engine load, and this data is chronologically written to memory and automatically associated with the date, time and GPS coordinates of the device's location when it is written. The system unit is installed in the space enclosed by the enclosure of the electrical equipment either directly at the time of manufacture or subsequently by being connected in parallel via appropriate connectors to the primary circuit switch of the electrical equipment.

The invention has two limiting conditions. The first of these is the condition of layout space in the area bounded by the enclosure of the electrical equipment. Despite miniaturization, there may be cases where there is insufficient space in an electrical device to accommodate the invention. The second limiting condition is the manufacturing cost of the system unit. However, its mass production in mass use may reduce the cost of production so much that it will be negligible relative to the cost of any electrical device that converts electricity into work utilizing a motor.

However, the above limitations do not constitute a barrier to industrial production in the construction and engineering sectors, where most of the means of production are electrical devices that convert electricity into work utilizing a motor, such as power and battery-powered tools. These production means of professional design have space to accommodate a microscale system unit, and the benefit to the user from the invention exceeds the production cost of the invention many times over.

A significant advantage of the invention is also the fact that the system in no way limits or hinders the use of electrical equipment, does not reduce their technical parameters, does not increase the consumption of electricity, the use of the system and its installation is simple, has relatively low production costs for the implementation of the wiring in electrical equipment and several other advantages.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The method for measuring, recording, and transmitting data on the time worked and operating conditions of electrical equipment converting electrical energy into mechanical work utilizing a motor, as well as the equipment - a system unit designed to carry out this method, is explained in more detail in Fig.l. It shows a block diagram of the wiring to implement the method that is the subject of protection, as well as a block diagram of the system unit that is also the subject of protection and is connected to an electrical device, whereby the communication circuit includes a special application installed in the user's mobile GSM device and communication hardware allowing connection to an external computer for service purposes.

Examples of Application

The method and equipment - the system unit - which are the subject of protection represent the functional design and constructional complement of smaller electrical devices converting electrical energy into mechanical work utilizing a motor, such as various apparatus and tools, for example, drills, drill hammers, hand grinders, cordless tools, and the like.

The common feature (Fig.l) of these electrical devices is that switching on the switch of the primary electrical circuit 2 starts motor 6 of the electrical device 3. Turning on switch 1 of the primary electrical circuit 2 of the electrical device 3 enclosed by the housing 16 activates the electronic inspection

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) microchip circuit 4, which, in connection with the turning on of the switch 1, registers in the microcontroller 5 the turning on of the motor 6 and reads off the running time of the motor 6 until the switch 1 is turned off. The period between switch on and off switch 1 is an active measurement mode, where, in addition to the net running time of motor 6, data on the temperature, the load and the number of times the motor 6 is switched on are recorded in the microcontroller 5 through a temperature sensor 7 structurally located in the vicinity of the motor 6, an operating load sensor 8 connected in series with the motor 6 operating on the principle of evaluating the level of the current draw. The microcontroller 5 is interfaced with the combined GSM/GPS module 9, from which date, time and GPS coordinates are automatically assigned to the recorded data. The recorded data are chronologically written to the memory 10. An integrated antenna 11 and a SIM card housing 12 are connected to the combined GSM/GPS module 9.

By installing the SIM cardl2, activating it and pairing it using standard operations with the user's GSM mobile device 13 with the support of a special application, comprehensive use of the invention is made possible and all the data written in the memory 10 is available to the user at any time.

Using converter 14, the electrical device is connectable via the communication hardware to an external computer 15 to retrieve service data necessary for performing an inspection, for setting the next date for the next service inspection, or for updating a program in the microcontroller 5 of the electronic inspection microchip 4 installed in the electrical device 2.

Industrial Applicability

The invention is important for increasing the productivity of work and reducing the operating costs of the user-owner of the electrical equipment, especially in industrial construction and engineering production, where electrical equipment, e.g., electric and cordless tools, such as drill hammers, angle grinders, screwdrivers, etc., are the means of production. All data recorded in the memory is available to the user at any time, he has an overview of the technical status and modes of operation of the electrical equipment, the intensity of its use, operating performance, worker productivity, the date of the last service inspection or repair, the date of the next service inspection and much other important information. An infinite number of tools can be managed in the installed application, and from the wide range of control parameter options available, the user selects the ones he or she deems crucial for a particular device. The results of this review serve as a basis for analysing the causes of work stoppages and looking for opportunities to improve work performance. Clear information on the working hours and working conditions of the electrical equipment allows timely replacement of spare parts and scheduling of service inspections. Since the user is also provided with the GPS coordinates of the location, the invention also makes it possible to create effective measures against theft, misuse for private teaching, etc. The use of the invention creates good conditions for ensuring efficient service and repair activities. The obtained data can be used to more accurately identify the causes of failures, to determine the rate of wear of certain components of electrical equipment depending on the time worked and operating conditions, as well as to create a technical and operational database for each specific model of electrical equipment. The results of the processing of recorded data can be a reliable basis for the design of equipment, as well as for the evaluation or improvement of reliability and lifetime parameters of electrical equipment and thus make a significant contribution to the protection of the environment from electrotechnical waste.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)