EP1117508A1

EP1117508A1 - Pneumatic percussion power tool with pneumatic returning spring

Info

Publication number: EP1117508A1
Application number: EP99944386A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rudolf Berger; Wolfgang Schmid
Original assignee: Wacker Werke GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
Priority date: 1998-09-23
Filing date: 1999-08-13
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-13
Also published as: JP4518452B2; DE59903113D1; EP1117508B1; WO2000016948A1; JP2002526275A; DE19843642A1; DE19843642B4; US6523622B1; ES2186403T3

Abstract

A pneumatic percussion power tool has a percussion tool housing (1), in which a drive piston (2) and a percussion piston (9) are movable in axial direction. The motion of the drive piston (2) generated by a crank mechanism is transmitted to the percussion piston (9) through a pneumatic spring in a first chamber (10), said piston cyclically striking a ram (11) or a tool. The backward motion of the percussion piston (9) rebounding from the ram (11) is supported by increasing air pressure in a third chamber (15) that is supplied with air by the drive piston (2) through a second chamber (14) and a communicating channel (13).

Description

Air spring hammer mechanism with return air spring

The invention relates to an air spring hammer mechanism in which a drive piston and a percussion piston are axially movable in a hammer mechanism housing.

Striking mechanisms of this type are usually used in rotary or percussion hammers, two types of striking mechanism having proven themselves in practice. One type relates to a striking mechanism with a hollow drive piston, guided in the striking mechanism housing, in the cavity of which the striking piston is guided, while the other type relates to a striking mechanism with a hollow striking piston, which is guided in the striking mechanism housing, and in the cavity of which the driving piston is guided. Both types of drive have in common that the drive piston z. B. is driven oscillatingly via a crank mechanism and an air spring forms between the drive piston and the percussion piston, which transmits the drive movement of the drive piston to the percussion piston and drives it in a direction of impact, where it is finally placed on a tool, e.g. on a chisel, strikes and transmits its impact energy. The impact piston then rebounds and, supported by the drive piston, a new impact movement begins.

The advantages of the types of impact described are low demands with regard to the sealing of the joints, so that robust steel-steel sliding pairs can be used without the use of additional sealing elements in the high-pressure range. In addition, the striking mechanisms show good start-up behavior at low temperatures.

Nevertheless, under certain operating conditions there is the problem that the return movement of the percussion piston after the impact has occurred, despite the recoil pulse and a suction effect of the drive piston, is not sufficient to subsequently be able to execute a powerful impact.

The invention has for its object to provide an air spring hammer mechanism in which the recoil behavior of the percussion piston is improved.

According to the invention the object is achieved by an air spring hammer mechanism with a hammer mechanism housing; one axially in the striking mechanism housing and drivable drive piston; a, viewed in a striking direction, arranged in front of a drive surface of the drive piston and axially movable percussion piston axially to the drive piston; a first chamber arranged in front of the drive surface of the drive piston and behind a rear surface of the percussion piston; a second chamber formed behind the drive surface of the drive piston; and with a third chamber formed in front of the rear surface of the percussion piston; wherein the second chamber and the third chamber can be brought into communicating connection via a connecting channel.

The design of the air spring hammer mechanism enables the drive piston to pass on its energy to the percussion piston and thus indirectly to the tool during a forward movement via an air spring which is formed in the first chamber. When the drive piston moves back, air pressure builds up in the second chamber located behind the drive piston and is conducted via the connecting channel to the third chamber located in front of the percussion piston. As a result, when the drive piston moves back, the return movement of the percussion piston is supported regardless of its rebound after the blow and the suction effect of the drive piston transmitted via the first chamber. The result is a reliable return movement of the percussion piston even under difficult operating conditions, so that a further powerful stroke can be carried out when the drive piston moves forward again.

The communicating connection between the second chamber and the third chamber enables a pressure change in the second chamber caused by the movement of the drive piston to have an effect on a pressure change in the third chamber via the connecting channel.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive piston is guided in the percussion mechanism housing, while the percussion piston is guided in a cavity formed on an end face of the drive piston (claim 2).

Alternatively, in a likewise very advantageous embodiment, the percussion piston is guided in the percussion mechanism housing, while the drive piston is guided in a cavity formed in an end face Proverb 3).

The solution according to the invention is suitable for both of the air spring hammer types mentioned.

In a preferred further development of the invention, the second chamber is arranged between a rear surface of the drive piston and a rear tube plate fastened to the striking mechanism housing, while the third chamber is arranged between a front surface of the percussion piston and a front tube plate fastened to the hammer mechanism housing. This makes it possible that the additional chambers behind the drive piston and in front of the percussion piston can be realized without complex additional construction measures.

The drive piston is advantageously designed in such a way that it has a piston head forming the drive surface and the rear surface, a holder for attachment to a drive and a central member connecting the piston head to the holder. This design enables the rear tube plate to be arranged between the piston head and the holder, as a result of which the second chamber is formed in a simple manner.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an idle channel is provided which has at least one idle opening in a wall of the drive piston and penetrates a wall of the striking mechanism housing. The idle channel is connected either to the connection channel or to the environment. Via the idle channel, it is possible to short-circuit the first and the second chamber, so that no pressure conditions can build up in the air spring hammer mechanism, which act on the percussion piston when the air spring hammer mechanism is in idle mode.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a displaceable control slide is provided which can be switched between an impact position and an idle position and which in an impact position establishes the connection between the second and the third chamber via the connecting channel while blocking the idle channel. In an idle position, it interrupts the connection channel and opens the idle channel in order to to be able to precisely set the transition between idle and striking position. The axial displacement of the control slide takes place advantageously in that the control slide is coupled to the tool or the striker arranged between the percussion piston and the tool, the tool or striker being slightly moved forward from the housing when it changes to idling by lifting off the rock slides, allowing the spool to follow the movement.

These and other advantages and features of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying figures. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of an air spring hammer mechanism according to the invention in the striking position.

FIG. 2 the hammer mechanism from FIG. 1 in the idle position;

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the air spring hammer mechanism according to the invention in the striking position;

FIG. 4 the hammer mechanism according to FIG. 3 in the idle position;

5 shows a third embodiment of an air spring hammer mechanism according to the invention in the striking position;

6 shows the striking mechanism according to FIG. 5 in the idle position;

7 shows a fourth embodiment of an air spring hammer mechanism according to the invention in the striking position;

FIG. 8 the hammer mechanism according to FIG. 7 in the idle position;

Fig. 9 another type of striking mechanism as a fifth embodiment for an air spring hammer mechanism according to the invention in the striking and idling position.

1 and 2 show an air spring hammer mechanism according to the invention in Beat or idle position.

In a striking mechanism housing 1, a drive piston 2 is set into oscillating axial movement via a connecting rod 3 belonging to a crank drive (not shown) which is known per se.

The connecting rod 3 is articulated on a holder 4 of the drive piston 2. The holder 4 is connected in one piece to a piston head 6 via a central link 5. The drive piston 2 thus consisting of the holder 4, the middle member 5 and the piston head 6 can - unlike the figure - also be assembled from several parts if this is expedient for production or assembly reasons.

On a front end face 7 of the drive piston 2, a cavity 8 is formed, in which a percussion piston 9 is inserted so as to be axially movable. Provided between the drive piston 2 and the percussion piston 9 is a first chamber 10 surrounded by the drive piston 2, in which air with ambient atmosphere is located in the initial state.

At the start of the striking operation, the drive piston 2 moves forward, i.e. - based on Figures 1 and 2 - to the left. The impact piston 9, which is delayed due to its inertia, increases the air pressure in the first chamber 10, so that an air spring is formed which transmits its energy to the impact piston 9 with a delay. Finally, this is also accelerated forward and strikes a striker 11, only shown schematically, where the kinetic energy of the percussion piston 9 is transmitted as impact energy. The striker 11 gives the impact energy to a tool, not shown, e.g. a chisel, on. Instead of the striking tool 1 1, a shank of the tool can also be used directly.

At the time of the blow shown in FIG. 1, an air compensation duct 12 present in the wall of the drive piston 2 is opened, whereby the first chamber 10 is ventilated and air losses can be compensated for in a manner known per se.

After the blow, the percussion piston 9 bounces back in the direction of the drive piston. ben 2, which is already in reverse motion due to the crank mechanism. The backward movement of the percussion piston 9 is supported by a negative pressure forming in the first chamber 10 until the drive piston 2 starts to move forward again and a new percussion cycle begins.

In the case of percussion mechanisms known from the prior art, it has been found that the return movement of the percussion piston is only unsatisfactory under certain operating conditions and is not adequately supported by the suction effect in the first chamber. This leads to the fact that the percussion piston is not moved back far enough and cannot carry out the subsequent blow with the required energy. The result is an unsatisfactory work result and an irregular behavior of the hammer for the operator.

The problem is solved according to the invention in that a connecting channel 13 is provided, which brings a second chamber 14 into communication with a third chamber 15.

The second chamber 14 is - seen in the direction of impact - arranged behind a drive surface 16 of the drive piston 2. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the second chamber 14 is formed by a rear surface 17 provided on the piston head 6, a rear tube plate 18 belonging to the striking mechanism housing 1, the middle member 5 and the actual striking mechanism housing 1.

The third chamber 15 is arranged in front of a rear surface 19 of the percussion piston 9 and is formed by a striking surface 20 of the percussion piston 9 serving as the front surface, a front tube plate 21 belonging to the percussion mechanism housing 1, the actual percussion mechanism housing 1 and the drive piston 2.

Sealing the various joints between the moving parts is usually not necessary. Steel-steel sliding pairings are usually used here.

If after driving the drive piston 2 in reverse Movement is offset, not only - as already known from the prior art - a negative pressure is generated in the first chamber 10 for sucking back the percussion piston 9. An overpressure is created in the second chamber 14, which is led via the connecting channel 13 to the third chamber 15 and there acts on the striking surface 20 of the striking piston 9. The result is support for the backward movement of the percussion piston 9. Conversely, when the drive piston 2 moves forward, the forward movement of the percussion piston 9 is also increased, since a negative pressure which arises in the second chamber 14 is also conducted to the third chamber 15.

The function of the first chamber 10 formed between the drive surface 16 of the drive piston 2 and the rear surface 19 of the percussion piston 9 is not impaired thereby.

A plurality of idle openings 23 are formed in a wall 22 of the drive piston 2, which move back and forth in front of an idle groove 24 formed in the striking mechanism housing 1 when the drive piston 2 moves axially. The idle groove 24 is connected to the connecting duct 13 via an air duct 25. The idle openings 23, the idle groove 24 and the air duct 25 together form an idle duct.

The striking mechanism is idle when the operator of a hammer drill or percussion hammer in which the striking mechanism is used lifts the tool from the rock to be machined. As a result, the tool and the die 1 1 slide out of the striking mechanism housing 1 by a certain distance. The percussion piston 9 follows this path and arrives in the position shown in FIG. 2. The percussion piston 9 passes over a region of an edge 26 fixed to the housing, as a result of which a connection is formed between the first chamber 10 via the idle openings 23, the idle groove 24 and the air duct 25 to the connecting duct 13.

The air system is short-circuited by establishing the connection between the first chamber 10 and the second chamber 14 or the third chamber 15. This means that with the further movement of the drive piston 2, the air from the second chamber 14 not only into the third chamber 15, as in impact operation, but also into the first chamber 10 is pumped, where it ensures an air balance and thus largely the same air pressure in all three chambers. The percussion piston 9 is not displaced from its foremost position.

For completion, reference should also be made to a ventilation opening 27 with which a possibly building up air cushion between the rear tube sheet 18 and the holder 4 can be removed.

3 and 4 schematically show a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention. The same parts as in the first embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals, and a renewed description is omitted.

Compared to the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an axially displaceable control slide 28 is provided in the second embodiment, which is acted upon on one side by a spring 29 supported against the striking mechanism housing 1. The control slide 28 can be moved depending on the position of the striker 11 between a striking position shown in FIG. 3 and an idling position shown in FIG. 4.

A connecting opening 30 and an idling opening 31 are provided in the control slide 28. In the striking position, the control slide 28 is in a position in which the connecting opening 30 permits a connection between the connecting channel 13 and the third chamber 15, while the control slide 28 prevents a connection of the first chamber 10 to the environment in that the idle opening 31 is not above the air duct 25.

When changing between striking and idling operation, the striker 11, the striking piston 9 and the control slide 28 slide a certain distance in the direction of the tool, as a result of which the connection opening 30 interrupts the connection channel 13, while the idle opening 31 is displaced via the air duct 25. As a result, the first chamber 10 can be connected to the surroundings, which results in reliable idling behavior. The use of the control slide 28 requires a greater structural outlay, but has the advantage that the idle travel, ie the distance by which the tool has to slide out of the striking mechanism housing 1, can be shortened, which is reflected in a shorter construction.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, when the drive piston 2 moves back, an air pressure builds up in the second chamber 14 which cannot be discharged via the connecting channel 13. To avoid extreme pressures, a double-acting pressure relief valve 13a is therefore provided in the connecting duct 13.

A variant of this is shown as a third embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6 again in the striking and idling position. This third embodiment differs from the second embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4 in that the control slide 28 has a greater axial length and still extends over the region of the second chamber 14. In addition to the connection opening 30 and the idle opening 31, a connection opening 32 and a ventilation opening 33 are provided in the control slide 28.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control slide 28 is thus able to control all openings to the first chamber 10, the second chamber 14 and the third chamber 15. When the control slide 28 is in the striking position shown in FIG. 5, it establishes a communicating connection between the second chamber 14 and the third chamber 15 via the connecting channel 13 with the connecting openings 30 and 32.

In the idle position, the control slide 28 is guided to the front, as a result of which the idle opening 31 is moved via the air duct 25 and establishes a connection between the first chamber 10 and the surroundings in order to avoid pressure build-up in the first chamber 10. Furthermore, a connection between the second chamber 14 and the surroundings is established via the ventilation opening 33, so that the second chamber 14 can be vented without air having to be discharged via the connecting duct 13 or without an increased air pressure being generated in the connecting duct 13. As an alternative to this, a further fourth embodiment, which is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is proposed, which differs from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 in that the connecting channel 13 via a connecting piece 34 to the idle opening 31 in the control slide Over 28 is performed.

This makes it possible - similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 - to short-circuit the first and second chambers 10, 14, so that no pressure increase in the first or second chamber 10, 14 takes place when the drive piston 2 pumps.

The third chamber 15 is separated from the connecting channel 13 by the control slide 28 and therefore likewise does not experience any increase in pressure. The percussion piston 9 remains in the position shown in FIG. 8 without being able to be lifted off by the drive piston 2.

Only when the operator places the tool on the rock again and thus the striker 11 moves to the rear, are the percussion piston 9 and the control slide 28 moved to the rear, as a result of which the percussion operation is resumed.

9 shows, as a fifth embodiment, another type of air spring hammer mechanism according to the invention, in which a percussion piston 40 is axially movably guided in a hammer mechanism housing 1. The top half of FIG. 9 shows the striking mechanism in the striking position, while the lower half of FIG. 9 shows the striking mechanism in the idle position.

On a rear end face 41 of the percussion piston 40, a cavity 42 is formed, in which a drive piston 43 is guided.

The drive piston 43 is constructed in a manner similar to that in the above embodiments and essentially consists of a holder 44, a central member 45 and a piston head 46.

A first chamber 49 is formed between a drive surface 47 of the drive piston 43 and a rear surface 48 of the percussion piston 40. Analogous to the embodiments already described, a second chamber 50 is formed behind a rear surface 51 of the drive piston 43 and a third chamber 52 in front of a front surface 53 of the percussion piston 40. The second chamber 50 and the third chamber 52 are connected by a connecting channel 54.

The percussion piston 40 has an extension 55 which acts on a striker (not shown) or a tool (also not shown).

An idling duct 56 extends from the connecting duct 54, which enables a connection between the first chamber 49 and the second chamber 50 in the idle position of the striking mechanism. In this case, an orifice 57 of the connecting channel 54 is covered by the percussion piston 40, so that the communication between the second chamber 50 and the third chamber 52 is interrupted.

The further structure of the striking mechanism corresponds to that of the embodiments already described, so that a new description can be dispensed with. Of course, the various design options with regard to the connecting channel and the spool can also be applied to this type of hammer.

In other embodiments of the invention, the second chamber can also be a small space, which can be connected to the connecting channel and is sealed off from the environment, which is arranged behind the drive piston and in which at least part of the drive device is provided for the drive piston .

Claims

Patent claims

1. air spring hammer mechanism, with a hammer mechanism housing (1); - An axially drivable back and forth in the striking mechanism housing (1)

Drive piston (2; 43); a, viewed in a striking direction, in front of a drive surface (16; 47) of the drive piston (2; 43), coaxially movable to the drive piston percussion piston (9; 40); - a first chamber (10; 49) arranged in front of the drive surface (16; 47) of the drive piston (2; 43) and behind a rear surface (19; 48) of the percussion piston (9; 40); a second chamber (14; 50) formed behind the drive surface (16; 47) of the drive piston (2; 43); and with - a third chamber (15; 52) formed in front of the rear surface (19; 48) of the percussion piston (9; 40); wherein the second chamber (14; 50) and the third chamber (15; 52) can be brought into communicating connection via a connecting channel (13; 54).

2. Air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive piston (2) is guided in the striking mechanism housing (1); the drive surface (16) of the drive piston (2) is formed in a cavity (8) in a front end face (7) of the drive piston; the percussion piston (9) is guided in the cavity (8) of the drive piston (2); and that the first chamber (10) is provided in the cavity (8) of the drive piston (2).

3. Air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that - the percussion piston (40) is guided in the percussion mechanism housing (1); the rear surface (48) of the percussion piston (40) is formed in a cavity (42) in a rear end face (41) of the percussion piston; the drive piston (43) is guided in the cavity (42) of the percussion piston (40); and that - the first chamber (49) is provided in the cavity (42) of the percussion piston (40).

4. Air spring hammer mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second chamber (14) is arranged between a rear surface (17) of the drive piston (2) and a rear tube plate (18) fastened to the hammer mechanism housing (1).

5. Air spring hammer mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third chamber (15) is arranged between a front surface (20) of the percussion piston (9) and a front tube plate (21) fastened to the percussion mechanism housing (1).

6. Air spring hammer mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive piston (2) forms the drive surface (16) and the rear surface (17) forming the piston head (6), a holder (4) for attachment to a drive and a piston head (6) with the bracket (4) connecting middle member (5).

7. Air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that the rear tube sheet (18) between the piston head (6) and the holder (4) of the drive piston (2) is arranged and is penetrated by the central member (5) of the drive piston (2) .

8. Air spring hammer mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an idle channel (23, 24, 25) is provided, which has at least one in a wall (22) of the drive piston (2) existing idle opening (23) and a wall of the striking mechanism housing (1).

9. air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that in an idle mode, the first chamber (10) via the idle channel (23, 24, 25) with the connecting channel (13) can be connected.

10. Air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that an axially displaceable control slide (28) is provided which opens the connecting channel (13) in an impact position and interrupts the idling channel (23, 24, 25), and in an idling position the connecting channel ( 13) interrupts and opens the idle channel, the first (10) and the second (14) chamber being able to be brought into communicating connection are.

11. Air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that in an idle mode, the first chamber (10) via the idle channel (23, 24, 25) can be connected to the environment.

12. Air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 1 1, characterized in that an axially displaceable control slide (28) is provided which opens the connecting channel (13) in an impact position and interrupts the idle channel (23, 24, 25), and in an idle position the connecting channel (13) interrupts and opens the idle channel (23, 24, 25).

13. Air spring hammer mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the second chamber is arranged behind the drive piston (2, 43).