EP2529890B1 - Torque wrench - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a torque tool, in particular rotary angle / torque wrench, according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

Screw connections require the application of a defined tightening torque to ensure a secure and durable connection. To meet the required tightening torque values, special screwdriving tools are also used as torque tools in the form of angle or torque wrenches. Their operation provides that when the usually adjustable torque is reached, a noticeable and / or audible signal is triggered for the user. In this way, in addition to a too loose connection of the components consequently also over-tightening the screw effectively prevented. As an alternative to these triggering torque tools, the respective tightening torque can also be visually displayed continuously via scales or digital representations.

Compared to the purely indicative torque tools, the triggering types have a clamping unit, usually arranged on the inside, via which the required tripping torque can be set. Functionally, the clamping unit for this purpose a spring-loaded release, which is usually in operative relationship with a couplable with the fitting tool. During the application of the torque of the trigger is displaced until it overcomes the spring force on reaching the previously set value, and then this abruptly, for example, by tipping escapes. To transmit higher torques, the bias of the spring is increased accordingly, so that the tilting of the trigger is difficult.

The preload and relaxation is usually done via rotational movements, which are displaced by which parts of the clamping unit and compress the spring designed as a spiral spring axially or relax. To generate this rotational movement by manual force, several embodiments are already known in the art.

In the DE 20 2010 003 273 U1 The applicant is already described a torque tool in the form of a torque wrench, which has a tubular tool shank and arranged on an end portion of the tool shank handle. The clamping unit required for clamping the coil spring is in this case arranged within the handle. In order to generate the necessary rotational movement for adjusting the triggering moment, the handle is rotatably mounted on the tool shank. By the displacement of the handle in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool shank against a restoring force, the rotational movement is transmitted to the clamping unit. The respective length of the helical spring thus determines the set tightening torque, which can be read via a scale arranged on the tool shank.

By this embodiment, an extremely compact and easy-to-use handling torque tool is shown, which is used to set the respective triggering moment only the required components for such a torque wrench anyway.

In order to adjust the respective torque, therefore, a combined movement of displacing in the longitudinal direction with subsequent rotation is required. In this case, the handle must be held during its rotation in the longitudinal position against the restoring force to maintain the necessary coupling between the handle and clamping unit.

With this in mind, torque tools offer room for improvement in terms of ease of adjustment.

The present invention is based on the object to improve a torque tool of the type described above in such a way that the adjustability of the tightening torque on the rotation of the handle for the user is made more comfortable.

The solution to this problem consists according to the invention in a torque tool with the features of claim 1.

Hereinafter, a torque tool, in particular Drehwinkel- / torque wrench is shown, which has a tool shank and arranged in a known manner at an end portion of the tool shaft handle.

The handle is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis of the tool shaft. Within the handle and / or the tool shank is a clamping unit, via which the respective triggering torque is adjustable by turning the handle relative to the tool shank. The handle is displaceable on the tool shank in the direction of the longitudinal axis, whereby the handle is displaceable from a rest position into a setting position provided for setting the triggering moment. It is conceivable that a coupling between the handle and clamping unit takes place only by the axial displacement. Preferably, however, the coupling is permanent, with an adjustment is possible only in the setting position. In the rest position, however, there is a blockage the handle against the clamping unit, which prevents unintentional adjustment.

According to the invention, the handle has a locking means to fix the handle in its adjusted position.

The particular advantage is the fact that the adjustment of the clamping unit initially makes a displacement of the handle in the longitudinal direction required, this setting position, however, must not be held by force or that after grasping during twisting again not a displacement of the handle in the Setting position must be performed. By the locking means, the handle is moved as needed from its rest position to the adjusted position in which it is then fixed.

In the adjustment position, the clamping unit can be actuated via the handle, so that only a comfortable twisting of the handle is required to set the triggering torque. Even when gripping during the rotation of the handle this remains in its adjusted position, so that concentrates the entire force required for adjusting the twist. The fixing of the adjustment position takes place both in the direction in which the spring of the clamping unit is tensioned, d. H. when increasing the torque, as well as in the direction in which the spring is relaxed, d. H. when reducing the torque.

After reaching the tightening torque to be set, the locking means is released again, so that the handle is automatically shifted back over its restoring force from its setting position to its rest position.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims 2 to 7.

In order to realize this comfort, the invention provides that the clamping unit comprises an adjusting ring which can be rotated via the handle. The adjusting ring has at least one cam, which corresponds to at least one arranged on the handle undercut. Preferably, the adjustment ring a total of four cams, which are each arranged offset by 90 degrees circumferentially on the adjusting ring. In contrast, the handle preferably has four undercuts, which are arranged within the handle and correspond with the cam. In this way, the locking means is formed by the at least one cam and the at least one undercut. The locking is caused by the fact that the cam engages behind the undercut, so that a movement in the longitudinal direction of the handle is inhibited and the handle is fixed in its setting position.

Furthermore, it is considered advantageous that the handle has at least one groove extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool shank. The groove serves to ensure that at least part of the clamping unit is guided in the groove until reaching the setting position of the handle. Advantageously, the adjusting ring of the clamping unit is guided over its at least one cam in the groove. Due to the connection between the handle and at least part of the clamping unit, these are at least partially connected to each other and guided defined in their possible movement possibility.

Advantageously, the handle has at least one recess, which is preferably located within the handle. Particularly preferably, the undercut is formed by a transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis extending part of the recess. With this configuration, the groove opens into the recess, wherein the recess is made wider in relation to the groove and thus forms the undercut in the transition region between the groove and the recess. Even if the undercut can extend at an angle smaller or greater than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis, this preferably forms a right angle with respect to the course of the groove.

In order to achieve a clear guidance of the individual components, the invention provides that the recess has a projection arranged in extension of the groove. The projection is thus arranged within the recess and constitutes a structural resistance spaced from the transitional region of the groove to the recess. The projection delimits the handle in its displacement from the rest position into the setting position.

In this case, the adjusting ring and the handle are preferably displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to one another, so that the cams guiding the adjusting ring emerge from the groove and terminate the relative displaceability in the longitudinal direction when the projection is reached.

Furthermore, it is provided that the handle has a rotary knob, which is rotatable from a blocking position to an open position. Preferably, the knob is disposed at the end of the handle and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. Advantageously, the center of the rotary knob and the longitudinal axis lie on each other. Preferably, the handle is blocked in the blocking position of the rotary knob with respect to its displacement in the setting position. In contrast, the open position of the knob allows a displacement of the handle from its rest position to the set position.

The displacement of the handle in the longitudinal direction can in principle be limited by the striking of the knob on the adjusting ring. The projection described above can then be omitted.

A preferred embodiment provides that at least one nose is arranged on the front side of the rotary knob. In contrast, the adjusting ring of the clamping unit has at least one pocket corresponding to the nose. Advantageously, thus the nose in the open position of the knob by the displacement of the handle in its setting position with the pocket of the adjusting ring is engageable. The knob itself is in this case rotatable relative to the handle, but set in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle. To engage the nose and pocket, the axial displacement of the handle relative to the tool shaft occurs, with the knob within the handle following the movement and engaging with its nose into the pocket of the adjustment ring.

In the present case, a torque tool is shown, which offers a very comfortable handling for the user with respect to the adjustability of the respective triggering moment. The arrangement of the locking means within the handle becomes a before mechanical stress and dirt Protected system shown, over which the handle is fixable in its setting position. Without the need to trigger the lock, for example via a knob or a rotary ring thus the entire handle is available to enable or disable the adjustability of the respective triggering moment. In particular, in difficult conditions, which are present, for example, dirty tool, so no filigree elements are used to adjust the respective release torque.

By using the already robust and well-graspable components already an increased comfort is offered, which is significantly improved by the possibility of locking, closer to the fixation of the handle in its setting position.

Figur 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Drehmomentwerkzeug in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Figur 2

einen endseitigen Detailausschnitt des Drehmomentwerkzeugs aus Figur 1 in einer teilweisen Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 3

den Detailausschnitt aus Figur 2 im montierten Zustand;

Figur 4

den montierten Zustand des Detailausschnitts der Figur 3 mit funktional geänderter Lage einzelner Bauteile;

Figur 5

den Detailausschnitt der Figur 4 mit einem zusätzlichen Schnitt;

Figur 6

ein Bauteil aus den Detailausschnitten der Figuren 2 bis 4 sowie

Figur 7

ein Detail der Detailausschnitte der Figuren 2 bis 6.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to some schematically illustrated in the drawings embodiments. Show it:

FIG. 1

an inventive torque tool in a perspective view;

FIG. 2

an end detail of the torque tool FIG. 1 in a partial exploded view;

FIG. 3

the detail from FIG. 2 in the assembled state;

FIG. 4

the assembled state of the detail of the FIG. 3 with functionally changed position of individual components;

FIG. 5

the detail of the FIG. 4 with an additional cut;

FIG. 6

a component from the detail of the FIGS. 2 to 4 such as

FIG. 7

a detail of the detail of the FIGS. 2 to 6 ,

FIG. 1 shows a torque tool 1 according to the invention in a perspective view. This is an adjustable torque wrench in the present case. The torque tool 1 has a tubular Tool shank 2, which extends in its longitudinal direction X. To whose - with reference to the representation of FIG. 1 - Located right end portion A, a handle 3 is arranged, which is mounted around the longitudinal axis X in the direction X1 rotatably mounted on the tool shank 2.

The handle 3 is coupled to a clamping unit, not shown in the interior of the handle 3 and / or tool shank 2. By the rotation of the handle 3, a helical compression spring is tensioned or relieved, in a manner not shown, via which the respective applied tightening torque is preset.

In a transition region B between the tool shank 2 and the handle 3, a scale 4 is arranged, which may have not shown in detail numerical information about the currently set torque. The transition region B is tapered with respect to the tool shank 2, wherein it is reduced in its cross section.

Towards the transitional region B, the handle 3 opens into a circumferential rim 5 which bears tightly against the transitional region B of the tool shank 2. Due to the possible rotational movement of the handle in the direction of X1, the ring 5 is displaced together with the handle 3 in a manner not shown in the direction of the longitudinal axis X limited. The rim 5 has a circumferentially extending grid 6 with further numerical information. The respective position of the free edge of the ring 5 relative to the scale 4 of the tool shank 2 reveals the currently set tightening torque. In combination with screening 6, this information is additionally specified.

Furthermore, the handle 3 to the rim 5 toward an annular collar 7, which has a relation to the handle 3 1.5 times to 2 times larger diameter. The collar 7 serves to clearly define a grip area 8 of the handle 3, which is available for grasping with the hand of a user. At the same time, the collar 7 serves to allow the user's hand to rest on it, effectively preventing any slippage in the direction of the longitudinal axis X.

With regard to the end portion A, it is clear that the handle 3 at its opposite end of the collar 7 has a circumferential thickening 9 relative to the handle portion 8. This also serves to limit the grip area 8 and the secure guidance of the hand of the respective user.

A the end portion A opposite end portion C of the tool shank 2 is used for coupling with a tool head, not shown, which serves to accommodate also not shown tools, usually Aufstecknüsse. For this purpose, the otherwise circular in cross-section tool shank 2 is flattened at its end portion C, so that forms a rectangular opening 10 at the end. The opening 10 has two opposite parallel extending long walls 10a, which are interconnected by correspondingly short walls 10b. The transition between the long walls 10a and the short walls 10a is rounded.

The handle 3 is displaceable relative to the tool shank 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. During the displacement of the rim 5 remains in its respective position, so that the handle 3 on the rim 5 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X is displaceable. In this case, the handle 3 is during use of the torque tool 1 in its rest position X2, from which it is displaced by displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axis X out in a setting position X3.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the handle 3 in the region of its end-side thickening 9. In the exploded view shown here, the handle 3 is partially cut in the region of its thickening 9 and releases the view into its interior. In this view, it can be seen that the handle 3 has a cylindrical cavity 11 at the end. The cavity 11 serves to receive a likewise substantially cylindrical rotary knob 12. The visible in the inserted state of the rotary knob 12 in the cavity 11 of the handle 3 part has two recesses 13, between which a tangible web 14 is arranged. The web 14 serves to rotate the rotary knob 12 about the longitudinal axis X from a blocking position D1 to an open position D2.

Furthermore, the rotary knob 12 circumferentially on two opposing slots 15, which correspond with pins not shown here within the cavity 11 of the handle 3. In other words, the slots 15 serve to limit the rotary knob 12 in its rotatability about the longitudinal axis X around. At the front, the rotary knob 12 at its end opposite the web 14 on two lugs 16, of which in the present case only one can be seen.

Within the cavity 11 of the handle 3, an adjustment ring 17 is shown as part of the clamping unit. The adjusting ring 17 has two opposite depressions in the form of pockets 18, which correspond to the lugs 16 of the rotary knob 12. The adjusting ring 17 is mounted on an axis 19 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis X and fixed by a nut 20. The adjusting ring 17 has circumferentially each offset by 90 degrees cam cams 21, which are guided in grooves 22 within the handle 3.

Between the adjusting ring 17 and the knob 12, a coil spring 23 is arranged, which causes a corresponding restoring force between the adjusting ring 17 and the knob 12 and thus the handle 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates the assembled state of handle 3 and knob 12. In compliance with the FIGS. 2 and 3 It is clear that the knob 12 is currently in its blocking position D1, so that its lugs 16 do not engage in the pockets 18 of the adjusting ring 17.

FIG. 4 shows the knob 12 in its open position D2. With reference to the FIGS. 2 and 3 the knob 12 is rotated by 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis X, so that its lugs 16 can engage in the pockets 18 of the adjusting ring 17. In order to perform the coupling between the knob 12, closer to its lugs 16 and the pockets 18 of the adjusting ring 17, the handle 3 has been moved in a manner not shown here relative to the tool shank 2 in the longitudinal direction of its rest position X2 in the setting position X3 shown here. The set relative to the tool shank 2 in the longitudinal direction X adjustment ring 17 is thereby moved with its cam 21 from the grooves 22 out. The movement takes place counter to the restoring force of the coil spring 23. The previously run in the grooves 22 cam 21 exiting from the grooves 22 until they abut against a obstacle in the form of a projection 24, or until the adjusting ring 17 abuts in the axial direction against the knob 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates the engagement of cam 21 of the rotary knob 12 and pockets 18 of the adjusting ring 17. For this purpose, the adjusting ring 17 is shown cut in this area, so that the nut 20 is visible.

FIG. 6 shows the cavity 11 of the handle 3 without the otherwise arranged therein components such as adjusting ring 17 and coil spring 23 and knob 12. In this view, it is clear how the grooves 22 are arranged within the handle 3.

The grooves 22 meet in their extension to the projection 24. Furthermore, the handle 3 within its cavity 11 also four circumferential recesses 25, within which the respective projection 24 is arranged. The recess 25 has over the groove 22 has a greater width, which in the present case corresponds to three times the width of the groove 22. As a result, an undercut 26 is formed in the transition region between the groove 22 and the recess 25 in each case to the right and left side of the groove 22, with which the cam 21 of the adjusting ring 17, which is not shown here, correspond. Due to the symmetrical design, d. H. Characterized in that on both sides of the groove 22, an undercut 26 is provided, the setting position X3 can be held regardless of the direction of rotation.

FIG. 7 illustrates the interaction of undercut 26 and cam 21 of the adjusting ring 17 in detail. The holding function becomes active when the cam 21 emerges from the groove 22 and is brought into the recess 25 behind its undercut 26 via a rotational movement running about the longitudinal axis X. The rotational movement is possible until the cams 21 abut against the side walls 27 of the recess 25.

To be able to make the setting of the respective triggering moment, the rotary knob 12 is first rotated by its locking position D1 by 90 degrees in the open position D2. As a result, the previously blocked displaceability of the handle 3 relative to the tool shaft 2 is made possible, in which the lugs 16 of the rotary knob 12 and the pockets 18 of the adjusting ring 17 are in a common alignment. In order to produce the necessary contact between the handle 3 and the clamping unit, the handle 3 is displaced from its rest position X2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X relative to the tool shank 2 in its setting position X3. The displacement of the handle 3 takes place counter to the restoring force of the coil spring 23.

During the displacement of the handle 3 from the rest position X2 to the setting position X3, the cams 21 of the adjusting ring 17 are guided in the grooves 22 of the handle 3 until they leave them and reach the region of the recesses 25. The relative displaceability of the handle 3 is terminated when the cams 21 abut against the projections 24 or when the adjusting ring 17 abuts against the knob 12. By a slight rotation of the handle 3 about the longitudinal axis X around the cam 21 of the adjusting ring 17 are screwed into the recesses 25 until they abut on the side walls 27. At this moment, the cams 21 are behind the undercut 26 of the recesses 25, so that the automatic displacement of the handle 3 is blocked back to the rest position X2.

The necessary for fixing rotational movement of the handle 3 is of course already in the direction of rotation X1, which is necessary for the release torque to be set. Since the undercuts 26 are arranged to the right and left of the grooves 22, their interaction with the cam 21 is independent of direction.

In the setting position X3, the handle 3 is now easily rotated relative to the tool shaft 2, whereby the clamping unit is either relaxed or tensioned to adjust the required release torque.

In order to solve the fixation of the handle in its setting position X3 again, there is a slight rotational movement of the handle 3 in the opposite direction. As soon as the cams 21 get back into the grooves 22, the handle 3 is automatically moved back to its rest position X2 via the restoring force of the coil spring 23. Once this is achieved, the knob 12 is rotated back to its blocking position D1. As a result, the displacement of the handle 3 is blocked in the longitudinal direction, so that an undesirable adjustment of the triggering torque is excluded.

Reference numerals:

1 -

torque tool

2 -

tool shank

3 -

handle

4

scale

5 -

wreath

6 -

scanning

7 -

collar

8th -

grip area

9 -

thickening

10 -

opening

10a -

Wall, long

10b -

Wall, in short

11 -

cavity

12-

knob

13-

recess

14 -

web

15 -

slot

16-

nose

17-

adjustment

18-

bag

19 -

axis

20

mother

21 -

cam

22-

groove

23 -

coil spring

24 -

head Start

25 -

recess

26 -

undercut

27 -

Side wall

A -

end

B -

Transition area

C -

end

D1 -

blocking position

D2 -

open position

X -

longitudinal axis

X1 -

direction

X2 -

rest position

X3 -

adjustment

Claims (7)

1. Torque tool, particularly a torque spanner or wrench, which comprises a tool shaft (2) and a handle (3) arranged on an end portion (A) of the tool shaft (2), said handle (3) being mounted to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis (X) of the tool shaft (2), while inside the handle (3) and/or the tool shaft (2) is arranged a tensioning unit by means of which the actuating torque can be adjusted by rotating the handle (3) relative to the tool shaft (2), the handle (3) being movable on the tool shaft (2) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X) such that the handle (3) can be moved out of a resting position (X2) into an adjustment position (X3) provided for adjustment of the actuating torque, characterised in that the handle (3) comprises a locking means for fixing the handle (3) in its adjustment position (X3).
2. Torque tool according to claim 1, characterised in that the tensioning unit comprises an adjustment ring (17) rotatable by means of the handle (3), the adjustment ring (17) comprising at least one cam (21) which corresponds with at least one undercut (26) provided on the handle (3), the locking means being formed by the at least one cam (21) and the at least one undercut (26).
3. Torque tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the handle (3) comprises at least one groove (22) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis (X), at least part of the tensioning unit being guided in the groove (22) until the adjustment position (X3) of the handle (3) is reached.
4. Torque tool according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the handle (3) comprises at least one recess (25), the undercut (26) being formed by a part of the recess (25) extending transversely with respect to the direction of the longitudinal axis (X).
5. Torque tool according to claim 4, characterised in that the recess (25) comprises a projection (24) arranged on an extension of the groove (22), said projection (24) limiting the handle (3) in its movement from the resting position (X2) into the adjustment position (X3).
6. Torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the handle (3) comprises a rotary knob (12) which can be turned from a locked position (D1) into an open position (D2), while in the locked position (D1) of the rotary knob (12) the handle (3) is blocked from moving into the adjustment position (X3).
7. Torque tool according to claim 6, characterised in that on the end face of the rotary knob (12) is provided at least one lug (16) and the adjustment ring (17) of the tensioning unit comprises at least one pocket (18) corresponding with the lug (16), while in the open position (D2) of the rotary knob (12) the lug (16) is able to be brought into engagement with the pocket (18) by moving the handle (3) into its adjustment position (X3).

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