EP2801446B1 - Tool with exchangeable tool component - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

1. a) der Werkzeugkopf ein Wechselsystem für ein Werkzeugteil enthält,
2. b) das Werkzeugteil ein Antriebsteil umfasst, und
3. c) das Werkzeug einen Ver- und Entriegelungsmechanismus aufweist, mit dem das Werkzeugteil lösbar an dem Werkzeugkopf befestigt ist
4. d) ein Verschlussmechanismus für den Ver- und Entriegelungsmechanismus vorgesehen ist.

The invention relates to a tool with a basic tool body and a tool head, wherein

1. a) the tool head contains a changing system for a tool part,
2. b) the tool part comprises a drive part, and
3. c) the tool has a locking and unlocking mechanism with which the tool part is releasably attached to the tool head
4. d) a locking mechanism for the locking and unlocking mechanism is provided.

State of the art

Such tools are mainly used for workpieces, such as screws, which have different sizes. In order not to constantly use a new tool to operate these different workpieces, only tool parts with their differentiated drive parts are exchanged. The tool has a basic tool body with a tool head. The tool head has the changing system for the tool parts. So that the tool parts Suitable locking mechanisms are known from the tool head can not solve independently. This can be, for example, a spring-loaded pin in the tool part, which engages in a corresponding recess or bore in the tool head and clamps it. The tool part can then only be changed against the force of the spring.

Torque wrenches are expensive measuring tools, so they are often not used with firmly connected tool drive parts, e.g. Ratchets, square, open-ended or ring spanners, but equipped with so-called interchangeable systems, in order to be able to use appropriate tools with these profile shapes in a torque wrench for a wide variety of screw drive profiles. With the change systems there are in particular plug-in, plug-on and dovetail systems. The plug-in or plug-on systems differ in different profiles, such as round, square, rectangular. All systems have in common the possibility of locking the plug-in tool in the receptacle to ensure a firm fit. Often, a resilient pin also snaps into a corresponding hole. Quick-release systems are also used here for unlocking a holding pin of the plug-in tool. This is an elegant, convenient and quick solution to change the plug-in tool, since no auxiliary tool with a suitable diameter is required.

From the DE 202007015971 U1 is a multifunctional pneumatic tool known that consists of a base body or a handle and a tool head. The base body comprises a cylinder, an impeller and a rotor. Compressed air is introduced externally to turn the blade and thus the rotor. The rotor is firmly connected to the gear shaft as an active element of a drill head, so that the gear shaft is driven to rotate and the drill head is thereby also rotated for operation. A connecting element is detachably connected to a gear shaft of a tool head.

In the DE 202011050280 U1 an adjustable torque wrench with a tool drive part is described. The torque tool there has a tubular tool shaft which extends in its longitudinal direction. A handle is arranged at the first end section thereof and is mounted on the tool shaft so that it can rotate about the longitudinal axis. The handle is directly or indirectly coupled to a clamping unit inside the handle and / or tool shank. By turning the handle, a spiral spring is tensioned or relieved, by means of which the respective tightening torque to be applied is preset. The handle also has a folding lever, which rests on the handle in its rest position. A scale is arranged in a transition area between the tool shank and the handle, which can have numerical information about the currently set tightening torque. The transition area is tapered with respect to the tool shank, its cross section being reduced. A second end section of the tool shank opposite the first end section is used for coupling to a tool drive part, which is used to hold tools, usually push-on nuts. For this purpose, the tool shank, which is otherwise circular in cross section, is flattened at its second end section, so that a rectangular opening is formed at the end.

The DE 730 278 describes a wrench that has a fixed. but has interchangeable mouth. As a result, different sized key mouths can be attached to the same handle as required. In difficult assemblies, the advantages of a conventional wrench with a fixed jaw can be exploited in hard-to-reach places. The document discloses the key mouth and the key handle, which can be assembled with a clamp lock. When closed, the mouth is inserted into the handle and finally closed with a clamping tab.

The DE 102006009775 A1 discloses a screwing tool, the screwing tool can be in an operating position in which a drive arm in a recess is swiveled in, can be used as an ordinary screwdriver. If the drive arm is pivoted into a transverse position, a freewheel gear can be actuated. The drive arm forms, on its outward-facing surface, fillet sections which correspond to the fillets of the screwdriver handle, so that the wall sections of the screwdriver handle merge into the wall section of the drive arm essentially flush. The drive arm sits in the recess to fill the contours. In this position, the screwdriver handle is secured against being pulled off the drive section. A securing projection, which is assigned to the drive arm near a folding axis, is used for securing. The bottom of the recess has a securing recess near the end of the screwdriver handle. The securing projection is immersed in this securing recess when the drive arm is pivoted into the recess.

The disadvantage of the known exchange systems is that every user, fitter can change the plug-in tool. In aerospace technology in particular, applications are known where, for a specific operation, e.g. When an aircraft is overhauled, a specific torque tool with a specific tool part is prepared from a magazine. For example, this tool combination is specially calibrated for an application. Unauthorized persons or even the respective fitter can use the tool part against another tool part, e.g. with a different length. As a result, the torque set can change in the case of triggering torque tools, so that the screw connection is not tightened with the intended pretensioning force. The screw connection may be too loose or too tight, or the screw may even break. This can have catastrophic consequences in the aerospace industry.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a tool with a changing system for a tool part, which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art and in which only authorized persons can replace the tool part.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in that, in the case of a tool with a basic tool body and a tool head of the type mentioned at the beginning
e) the locking mechanism contains a screw which engages in a fixing hole of the tool head for locking.

The invention is based on the principle of protecting the actuation of the unlocking device against unauthorized use. In this way it is prevented that the tool part with the special drive part is replaced intentionally or inadvertently. Because of the locking mechanism, some effort has to be made to open it and to replace the tool part. On the one hand, you want the tool part to be quickly replaced if necessary, but on the other hand, this should only be allowed by authorized users. Surprisingly, it has been shown that both is possible. Namely to meet the need of the user of the tool that the tool part with the drive part can be exchanged quickly. Nevertheless, the tool part can be locked with a locking mechanism and only unlocked by authorized persons for replacement.

It has proven to be an advantageous embodiment of the invention if the changing system for the tool part of the tool according to the invention is designed as a plug-in, plug-on or dovetail system. These are plug-in systems that are relatively easy to implement in the manufacture of a tool according to the invention. These plug systems have therefore proven to be particularly advantageous for the change system.

Another advantageous aspect of the invention is that the locking mechanism contains a screw which engages in a fixing bore of the tool head for locking. The screw is screwed into a threaded hole in the locking mechanism. To anchor the locking mechanism the screw protrudes into the corresponding fixing hole of the tool head. Depending on the position of the screw, the locking mechanism can be released or locked, ie the locking and unlocking mechanism is used to unlock the Tool part either accessible or not accessible. The screw is designed such that it is secured with a suitable O or snap ring, for example, so that it cannot be completely unscrewed and then lost.

In a variant of the tool according to the invention, the locking and unlocking mechanism preferably contains a spring-loaded pin or a spring-loaded body, which are located in a corresponding bore or recess for locking. As a result, the pin or the body for locking, when it is in the correct position in the tool head, engages in the bore of the tool head by the spring force. A "quick release mechanism", e.g. an actuating button or an expression plate can be provided, which enables unlocking or releasing the locking and unlocking mechanism without additional tools. This increases the comfort of the changing system for loosening or attaching the tool part to the tool head. Because the tool part can be positioned correctly on the tool head. The locking mechanism is arranged above the locking and unlocking mechanism, so that the locking and unlocking mechanism can no longer be actuated for unlocking. The locking mechanism can be locked, for example, with a suitable key system or with an Inbus® or Inbus® with the central pin above.

In a preferred embodiment of the tool according to the invention with a changing system for a tool part, the locking mechanism has a locking housing which is arranged so as to be lockable above the locking and unlocking mechanism. The locking and unlocking mechanism or its quick-unlocking mechanism is no longer freely accessible due to the lock housing. The locking and unlocking mechanism is namely enclosed by the lock housing in such a way that it cannot be operated without removing the lock housing. This prevents unauthorized persons from being able to replace the tool head by somehow getting to the locking and unlocking mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the tool is designed as a measuring tool. For example, the tool body is as Measuring instrument designed, which determines measured values. The tool part can then be equipped with different tool modules, such as an external square profile for attaching tools, open-end or ring spanners. These can be used for different screw profiles, for example. In a special embodiment, these tools according to the invention then preferably have means for detecting the torque and / or angle of rotation. Finally, screws can be tightened with a specific torque and / or angle of rotation.

In a further embodiment of the tool according to the invention with a basic tool body and a tool head, this is designed as a manually operated tool. In the case of a torque and / or angle measuring tool, the basic tool body is provided as a shaft-like basic body with a handle at one end. At the other end, the tool part is releasably attached to the tool head. For this purpose, the tool head of the tool has at the end facing away from the handle e.g. an inner square profile. The tool part is inserted into this inner square profile as a plug-in tool.

For this purpose, the tool part has a corresponding connection profile. The connection profile of the tool part is e.g. an external square profile, which is releasably locked to the tool head with the locking and unlocking mechanism. The locking and unlocking mechanism is locked with the locking mechanism, so that the locking and unlocking mechanism can no longer be unlocked. For example, the lock housing is pushed over the locking and unlocking mechanism. The lock housing is slidably seated on the tool head. The lock housing therefore has an inner profile, which encloses the outer profile of the tool head in a form-fitting manner.

Instead of the manual tool, the tool according to the invention can be designed as a machine-operated tool. Even with machine-operated tools, it often happens that the tool part has to be replaced. For example, an exchangeable tool part can be useful for a drill or a pneumatically operated torque tool. At the drill the drill chuck the tool head. If you want to prevent special drills from being used by the fitter, this can be achieved by the size of the drill chuck. The drill chuck must then no longer be detachable. This is again achieved with the locking mechanism.

In a special embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the locking and unlocking mechanism preferably has an actuating button which can be locked with the locking mechanism. This measure serves in particular to be able to operate the locking and unlocking mechanism particularly well. It is then sufficient to lock the operating button with the locking mechanism. This can be done in that the locking mechanism holds the actuating button in a locked position or it cannot be actuated. This is achieved, for example, by the closure housing covering the actuation button, so that the actuation button is not accessible to an unauthorized person.

Further configurations and advantages result from the subject matter of the subclaims and the drawings with the associated descriptions. An embodiment is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawing

Fig. 1

shows a perspective view of a section of a torque tool with a locking mechanism.

Fig. 2

shows a section of the torque tool according to Fig. 1 in the area of the locking mechanism in the locked state without a tool part.

Figure 3

shows a section of the torque tool according to Fig. 1 in the area of the locking mechanism in the open state without a tool part.

Fig. 4

shows a perspective view of a torque tool with a locking mechanism, the locking housing is removed from the tool head.

Preferred embodiment

In Fig. 1 a detail of a torque tool 10 with a locking mechanism 12 is shown in perspective. The torque tool 10 comprises a shaft-like tool base body 14. A handle 18 is provided on the shaft-like tool base body 14 at a first end 16. A tool head 22 is provided at a second end 20 of the shank-like tool base body 14. The tool head 22 has a changing system 24 with a receiving mechanism 26 for possibly different tool parts 23.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the tool part 23 is an insertion tool 23a or 23b. The insertion tool 23a or 23b has a drive part 25. The insertion tool 23a or 23b is detachably fastened in the receiving mechanism 26 of the tool head 22. In the present illustration, two exemplary variants of the insertion tool 23a or 23b are shown, which can be used optionally.

The torque tool 10 is designed with the changing system 24 for the insert tool 23a or 23b, so that different tool parts 23 with different drive parts 25 can be used. In the present case, the one insertion tool 23a is designed as a drive part 25 with a spanner. The other insertion tool 23b has an external square profile as the drive part 25, which attachment tools, not shown, can be attached.

A display and operating module 27 for the torque tool 10 is also provided on the shaft-like tool base body 14. With controls 28 of the display and control module 27 that Torque tool 10 is set or measured values and other representations can be shown on display 30.

The tool head 22 has an inner square profile 32, which serves as a receiving mechanism 26 for the insertion tools 23a and 23b. There, the insertion tools 23a and 23b can be detachably inserted into the tool head 22. For this purpose, the insertion tools 23a and 23b have a connecting profile 34, which in the present exemplary embodiment is an external square profile. The connecting profile 34 is inserted into the inner square profile 32 of the tool head 22 in a form-fitting manner. A locking and unlocking mechanism 50 detachably locks the connecting profile 34 of the tool part 23 in the inner square profile 32 of the tool head 22.

A closure housing 40 is slidably provided over the tool head 22. The closure housing 40 has an inner square profile 41 which is positively fitted onto an outer square profile 42 of the tool head 22. A threaded bore 43 is provided in the closure housing 40, into which a screw 44 is screwed for closing. The screw 44 engages in an appropriate fixing bores 45 of the tool head 22 for anchoring the lock housing 40. Depending on the position of the screw 44, the lock housing 40 can be displaced on the tool head 22. The unlocking of the locking and unlocking mechanism 50 is accessible or blocked. Correspondingly, the respective insertion tool 23a, 23b is provided on the tool head 22 such that it can be released or locked or locked.

The locking housing 40, the threaded bores 43, the screw 44 and the fixing bores 45 are jointly part of the locking mechanism 12. The screw 44 can be designed, for example, as a hexagon socket or Torx® with a centrally projecting pin, so that they can only be loosened with a special tool key leaves. A snap ring 46 (see Fig. 2 ) or possibly an O-ring to prevent the screw 44 from being completely unscrewed and possibly lost. For this purpose, a small recess 47 is provided in the closure housing 40 in the inner profile area.

In Fig. 2 10 is a section of the torque tool 10 according to FIG Fig. 1 shown in the area of the locking mechanism 12 or the tool head 22 without the tool part 23. The locking mechanism 12 is shown in the closed state. The closure housing 40 encloses the outer square profile 42 of the tool head 22. The threaded bore 43 is provided in the closure housing 40, into which the screw 44 is screwed for closing. The snap ring 46 secures the screw 44 and prevents the screw 44 from being completely unscrewed and lost when the screw is unscrewed. For this purpose, the suitable small recess 47 for receiving the snap ring 46 is provided in the closure housing 40. The screw 44 prevents the closure housing 40 from moving. The locking and unlocking mechanism 50 is located below the closure housing 40.

The locking and unlocking mechanism 50 also serves to releasably fix the respective insertion tool 23a, 23b. In the present exemplary embodiment, the locking and unlocking mechanism 50 contains a spring-loaded pin 52 which is caulked in a bore 54 in the connecting profile 34. The spring-loaded pin 52 engages in a bore 55 of the inner square profile 32 of the tool head 22 for locking. The spring-loaded pin 52 is displaceable with an actuating button 56 of the locking and unlocking mechanism 50. The actuation button 56 is countersunk in the tool head 22. By pressing the actuating button 56, the pin 52 is pushed into the bore 54 against the spring force. As a result, the connecting profile 34 of the insertion tool 23a, 23b can be pulled out of the inner square profile 32 again.

For this purpose, the actuation button 56 is provided in the tool head 22. The spring-loaded pin 52 locks the connecting profile 34 of the tool part 23 in the inner square profile 32 of the tool head 22. The pin 52 presses into the bore 55 of the tool head 22 to lock with the spring force. The insertion tool 23a, 23b is then in a fixed locking position. or rest position. The actuating button 56 moves the pin 52 out of the locked position by pushing the pin 52 against the spring force from the bore 55 to remove the tool head 22. In order to avoid that the operating button 56 is used by a user, the closure housing 40 is pushed over the operating button 56.

The actuation button 56 is then located under the closure housing 40 and is no longer accessible. So that the closure housing 40 is not displaced, the screw 44 is located in the threaded bore 43 and is screwed into the fixing bore 45 of the tool head 22. The fixing bore 45 is provided on an outer surface of the outer square profile 42 of the tool head 22. As soon as a locking position has been set with the locking housing 40, the threaded bore 34 of the locking housing 40 and the fixing bore 45 come flush with one another. The screw 44 can engage in the fixing hole 45. As a result, the closure housing 40 can no longer be moved on the outer square profile 42 of the tool head 22. The screw 44 can only be loosened with a special key (not shown here).

To release the tool part 23, the pin 52 must be pushed into the bore 54 of the connecting profile 34 by actuating the actuating button 56. For this purpose, the closure housing 40 must be pushed away from the actuation button 56 of the locking and unlocking mechanism 50. This is because the closure housing 40 covers the actuation button 56, so that it cannot be used to loosen the tool head 22.

In Fig. 3 is also a section of the torque tool 10 according to FIG Fig. 1 shown in the area of the locking mechanism 12 or the tool head 22. The locking mechanism 12 is in contrast to Fig. 2 shown in the dissolved state. Otherwise the pictures are identical. Corresponding components are therefore also designated with the same reference symbols. In the present illustration, the screw 44 is screwed out of the threaded bore 43 to such an extent that it no longer protrudes into the fixing bore 45 and releases it. As a result, the closure housing 40 can be displaced on the outer square profile 42 of the tool head 22. As soon as the closure housing 40 releases the actuation button 56 by sliding, the actuation button 56 can be used to release the locking and unlocking mechanism 50. The snap ring 46 holds the screw 44 in the closure housing 40 and thus prevents the screw 44 from being lost. The recess 47 in this case partially receives the widened snap ring 46.

In Fig. 4 the torque tool 10 is shown in perspective from below. The torque tool 10 comprises the shaft-like tool base body 14. The handle 18 and the display and operating module 27 are provided on the shaft-like tool base body 14. The tool head 22 with the inner square profile 32 and the outer square profile 42 is shown on the opposite side of the shaft-like tool body 14. The inner square profile 32 is designed for the positive reception of the connecting profile 34 of the respective insertion tool 23a or 23b.

In the present case, the closure housing 40 is pulled off the outer square profile 42 of the tool head 22 of the shank-like tool body 14. As a result, the actuation button 56 of the locking and unlocking mechanism 50 is visible. The screw 44 is unscrewed from the fixing bore 45 of the tool head 22 in order to release the locking housing 40, as a result of which the locking housing 40 is displaceable. As far as the components of the present Fig. 4 correspond to the previous figures, the same reference numerals are also used. The actuation button 56 of the locking and unlocking mechanism 50 is particularly clear in this figure. The actuation button 56 is only accessible when the lock housing 40 is moved. By pushing the closure housing 40 over the actuation button 56 and fixing it in the fixing bore 45 with the screw 44 (see Fig. 1 ), an unauthorized user is prevented from actuating the actuation button 56 of the locking and unlocking mechanism 50 in an unauthorized manner. The tool part 23 can then no longer be detached from the tool head 22. 10 torque tool 12 locking mechanism 14 Tool body 16 First end 18 Handle 20 Second end 22 tool head 23 tool part 23a, 23b Working tool 24 change system 26 uptake mechanism 25 driving part 27 Display and control module 28 controls 30 display 32 Internal square profile of the tool head 34 Connection profile of the tool part 40 shutter housing 41 Inside square profile of the lock housing 42 Outside square profile of the tool head 43 threaded hole 44 screw 45 locating pin 46 snap ring 47 small recess 50 Locking and unlocking mechanism 52 pen 54 Bore of the connection profile 55 Bore of the square inner profile 56 Actuation button of the connection profile

Claims (9)

1. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22), whereby

   a) the tool head (22) includes an exchange system (24) for a tool component (23),

   b) the tool component (23) comprises a drive component (25),

   c) the tool (10) has a locking and unlocking mechanism (50) with which the tool component (23) is releasably connected to the tool head (22),

   d) a closing mechanism (12) for the locking and unlocking mechanism (50) is provided,
   characterized in that

   e) the closing mechanism (12) includes a bolt (44), which closes by engaging a fixing hole (45) of the tool head (22).
2. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to claim 1, characterized in that the exchange system (24) for the tool component (23) is designed as a plug-in (23a, 23b), plug-on, or dovetail system.
3. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking and unlocking mechanism (50) includes a spring-loaded pin (52) or a spring-loaded body, which is located in a hole (54) or recess for locking.
4. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closing mechanism (12) has a lock housing (40), which is lockably arranged for the purpose of locking via the locking and unlocking mechanism (50).
5. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the tool (10) is designed as a measuring tool.
6. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to claim 5, characterized by means to measure the torque and/or angle of rotation.
7. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tool (10) is designed as a hand-operated tool.
8. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tool (10) is designed as a machine-operated tool.
9. Tool (10) with a tool body (14) and a tool head (22) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking and unlocking mechanism (50) has an actuating button (56), which is designed to close with the closing mechanism (12).

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