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  Sanding systemUSPTO Application #: 20070184754Title: Sanding system Abstract: A sanding system has a sanding device with a carriage, and a control unit configured so that it carries out unmanned steering of the sanding device by controlling the carriages (end of abstract) Agent: Striker, Striker & Stenby - Huntington, NY, US Inventors: Karla Guertler, Violaine Holtzmann USPTO Applicaton #: 20070184754 - Class: 451005000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Abrading, Precision Device Or Process - Or With Condition Responsive Control, Computer Controlled The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070184754. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also described in German Patent Application DE 102005062587.8 filed on Dec. 27, 2005. This German Patent Application, whose subject matter is incorporated here by reference, provides the basis for a claim of priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a sanding system. [0003] Jobs involving sanding of woods or metals are typically done with a hand sanding device, such as an orbital sander, eccentric sander, belt sander, delta sander, or the like, in which a user holds the sanding device with his hands and guides it over the surface to be sanded. Sanding jobs are often tedious and monotonous and create a great deal of noise and dirt. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sanding system which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art. [0005] In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, the present invention deals with a sanding system having a control unit and a sanding device with a carriage. [0006] It is proposed that the control unit be prepared for unmanned steering of the sanding device by control of the direction of motion. The sanding device can be guided along a surface to be sanded without the aid of a user, and thus the user can be relieved of a noisy, tiresome job. Automatic, unmanned sanding can be achieved by means of the sanding device. The control unit is expediently prepared for the control in such a way that the sanding device moves, unmanned, performing sanding along a sanding path that is monitored by the control unit. The sanding path can be predetermined or can be a random sanding path that is monitored by the control unit by simulation. [0007] The control of the carriage can include regulation, for instance in that a job outcome is detected and the motion is regulated in accordance with progress of the job. The sanding device is expediently battery- or rechargeable-battery-operated (accumulator-operated). Especially advantageously, the sanding device is a hand power tool that is intended for manual operation by a user. Thus the sanding device can be used both automatically and manually, for instance for postmachining, without having to use two different devices for the purpose. [0008] In an advantageous feature of the invention, the control unit is located in a separate station from the sanding device and is prepared for remote control of the carriage. The sanding device can be embodied in a simple and sturdy way and can be replaced inexpensively, with the intelligent control unit remaining in the station. The station is expediently provided for a stationary location relative to a workpiece to be machined. The remote control can be done by means of infrared, radio, or radar radiation, with suitable transmitters and sensors. [0009] Long-term operation of an accumulator-operated sanding device can be attained if the sanding system includes a separate station from the sanding device, having a power supply unit, and if the control unit is provided for producing a power supply connection between the sanding device and the power supply unit. The sanding device can be moved toward the station and the power supply connection can be made and an accumulator of the sanding device can be automatically recharged without requiring any intervention on the part of a user. The power supply can be a mains connection with a power supply network, with or without an interposed transformer. A powerful accumulator in the station is equally conceivable. [0010] Expediently, the sanding device includes an integrated vacuum cleaning action by means of a vacuum cleaning means, so that soiling of the environment can be counteracted and as a result reliable operation of the sanding system can be achieved. Unmanned evacuation of a dust holder of the sanding device can be attained if the sanding device has a dust holder, and the control unit is provided for-controlling an evacuation of the dust holder. To that end, an evacuation unit, such as a slide or a blower, may be present in the sanding device or in the station. Advantageously, there is a dust collection container in the station. By means of a fill level sensor for the dust holder, the control unit can automatically tell when evacuation is necessary. The sanding device can drive automatically to the station and transfer the dust there. [0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sanding system includes a limiting transducer, which specifies a barrier of a sanding region, and by a signal transducer for outputting a signal if the barrier is crossed. A sanding region can be specified by a user or by the control unit, and the sanding device automatically stays inside this sanding region. The limiting transducer can include a mechanical barrier, for instance in the form of a wall, or it may be provided for producing a radiation boundary, for instance by means of a beam or a curtain of infrared or radar radiation. A sensor element can detect the mechanical barrier or boundary or radiation boundary and cause the signal transducer to output the signal, for instance to the control unit. The control unit can also serve as the signal transducer that sends a suitable signal, for instance for turning the sanding device around, to the carriage. [0012] A good sanding outcome can automatically be achieved if various sanding modes are stored in memory and the control unit, and the control unit is provided for an automatic selection of a sanding mode. Expediently, the control unit is provided for automatically changing among sanding modes, particularly as a function of a detected outcome of sanding. [0013] A high degree of safety of the sanding system can be attained if the control unit is provided for an automatic shutoff of a sanding unit upon lifting of the sanding device. This can be attained by means of a contact sensor, which mechanically, electrically, or by means of radiation monitors a contact of the sanding device with the workpiece. As a result, if the sanding device falls down from the workpiece, this can be detected and the sanding unit can be shut off. [0014] A good outcome of sanding can be attained by means of a measuring means for measuring a removal of material attained by a sanding operation. The sanding operation can be monitored, and excessive removal of material can be avoided. The measuring means can be a dust sensor, for instance in the form of an optical photoelectric barrier. By means of a measuring means for measuring a depth or a thickness, the thickness of a layer of material removed, or of the remaining workpiece, can be measured and the sanding operation can be adapted accordingly. By means of a measuring means for measuring a surface quality of a workpiece to be machined, the sanding operation can be adapted directly to the surface, and for instance by means of an input unit, a surface quality that is automatically established can be input. The surface quality may be a waviness, roughness, or hardness of the workpiece. [0015] If the carriage includes rollers for moving the sanding device, then the sanding device can be moved especially simply. The rollers can be wheels, in particular steerable wheels. A very flexible, fast, and easily controlled two-dimensional motion can be achieved if the rollers are balls. The balls can be driven by two motors, each being responsible for a motion in one direction. [0016] Further advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description of the drawings. In the drawings, exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, description and claims include numerous characteristics in combination. One skilled in the art will expediently consider the characteristics individually as well and put them together to make useful further combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1, a sanding system, with an automatically controlled sanding device and with a station, in accordance with the present invention; [0018] FIG. 2, the sanding device in a schematic sectional view, in accordance with the present invention; and [0019] FIG. 3, a sanding region, adjusted by limiting transducers and within which the sanding device moves, in accordance with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Continue reading... Full patent description for Sanding system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sanding system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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