JP2003291073A - Motor-driven wrench - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for a motor-driven wrench capable of easily adjusting the opening phase of its socket opening with respect to the head opening. <P>SOLUTION: The motor-driven wrench is composed of a body 103 accommodating a motor, a motor drive controlling means, a head part 109 connected with the body 103 and furnished with the head opening 111, and a socket 141 installed rotatably on the head part 109, wherein the socket 141 has the socket opening confronting the head opening 111 and is rotated by the motor within the head part 109 for performing the fastening work for a nut inserted into the socket opening, while the motor drive controlling means operates the motor to rotate the socket 141 to cause the socket opening to confront the head opening 111 when the nut fastening work is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric wrench,
The present invention relates to a technique that enables an electric wrench to be easily removed from a nut tightening work location when the nut tightening work is completed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an electric wrench used for tightening a nut, a main body portion containing a motor, a head portion connected to the main body portion and having a head opening portion, and a rotatably provided head portion. A structure having a socket portion is known. A socket opening is formed in the socket, and the nut inserted through the socket receives the tightening torque as the socket rotates in the head via the motor.

In the conventional electric wrench, the socket portion stops rotating when the tightening work is completed.
It may happen that the socket opening containing the nut does not face the head opening. When the opening phase of the socket opening does not match the opening phase of the head opening, in the conventional electric wrench, the motor is reversely driven to rotate the socket until the socket opening reaches the position facing the head opening for adjustment. According to this method, in order to match the opening phases of the socket opening portion and the head opening portion, a complicated work of performing a reverse driving operation of the motor is required every time the tightening work is completed, and there is room for improvement.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a technique capable of easily adjusting the opening phase of the socket opening and the head opening of the electric wrench. With the goal.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in each claim is constituted. According to the invention described in claim 1, an electric wrench having a main body that houses a motor, a motor drive control means, a head, and a socket is configured. The head part is connected to the main body part and a head opening is formed. The socket is rotatably provided on the head portion. The head portion may be directly connected to the main body portion, or may be indirectly connected to the head portion via a gear housing or the like that accommodates a speed change mechanism that changes the speed of rotation of the motor and transmits the rotation. Further, the main body portion and the head portion may be connected linearly or may be connected crosswise.

The socket has a socket opening facing the head opening. Further, the socket is rotated in the head portion by the driving of the motor to perform the tightening work of the nut inserted through the socket opening portion. Typically, with the socket opening facing the head opening,
In other words, with the opening phase of the socket opening and head opening aligned, the nut is tightened by engaging the nut from the outside of the electric wrench with the socket opening and rotating the socket in the head in this state. It will be tightened to the attached object. The head opening and the socket opening are preferably set to dimensions that allow insertion and engagement of the nut and the object to be tightened, respectively.

The motor drive control means in the present invention rotates the socket through the drive of the motor so that the socket opening faces the head opening when the nut tightening work is completed. By rotating the socket so that the socket opening faces the head opening, that is, the opening phases of both openings match, the electric wrench can be easily removed from the tightening work site when the tightening work is completed. It becomes possible. Especially when performing a nut tightening operation on a long object to be tightened, such as a pipe-shaped structure, the electric wrench should be used in the radial direction of the object to be tightened only when the opening phases of both openings match. It is useful because it can be removed toward.

According to the present invention, when the nut tightening work is completed, the motor drive control means rotates the socket so that the socket opening faces the head opening. It is possible to obtain a state in which an object or the like can be removed from the electric wrench. Especially in the present invention,
Since the phase adjustment of both openings is performed through the motor drive by the motor drive control means, compared with the configuration in which the socket is rotated by mechanical means such as an urging spring or a floating piece,
It is rational because the phase of both openings can be adjusted with a simpler structure. Regarding the motor drive control means in the present invention, the motor drive control part when performing the nut tightening work and the motor drive control part when performing the socket rotation at the end of the work may be set separately. One motor drive control unit may perform drive control at the time of tightening work and socket rotation control at the end of work.

(Invention according to claim 2) In the electric wrench according to claim 2, when the nut tightening work is completed, the socket opening portion and the head opening portion are aligned in phase by the magnitude of the nut tightening torque. And is performed based on the on / off state of the trigger switch. Specifically, when the nut tightening torque increases and exceeds a predetermined range due to the completion of the nut tightening work, the motor drive control means stops the driving of the motor, thereby stopping the rotation of the socket. .

Next, when the trigger switch is released, that is, when the operator releases the trigger switch, the motor drive control means re-drives the motor to rotate the socket, whereby the socket opening is opened. Make sure that it faces the head opening. This makes it easy to remove the electric wrench from the work area where the nut is tightened.

(Invention of Claim 3) According to the electric wrench described in claim 3, the motor drive control means controls the phase between the socket opening and the head opening based on the signal from the rotational position detecting means. Since the socket opening where screw tightening work is completed faces the head opening by a simple method without setting a complicated mechanical structure, the nut or tightening work object is pulled out from the electric wrench. It becomes possible.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an electric wrench 101 that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the detailed structure of the head portion 109 of the electric wrench 101, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the schematic structure of the electric wrench 101.

The electric wrench 101 is generally viewed as a main body 103 having a motor housing 105 and a gear housing 107, and the gear housing 1 of the main body 103.
It has a head portion 109 which is connected to the 07 side and has a head opening portion 111, and a battery pack 113 which is detachably connected to the motor housing 105.

A motor 121 for driving the electric wrench 101 is housed in the motor housing 105. The motor 121 receives drive current from a battery (not shown for convenience) housed in the battery pack 113 and is drive-controlled by the drive controller 161. Motor 1
When 21 is driven, the drive shaft 123 of the motor is rotated and the rotation of the drive shaft 123 is caused by the rotation of the planetary gears 12.
A reduction mechanism 125 mainly composed of 5a and a clutch 127
It is transmitted to the spindle 131 via. Spindle 13
The rotation of No. 1 is transmitted to the first spur gear (spur gear) 135 through the bevel gears 133 and 133, and the spur gear 13
Rotate 5 in the horizontal plane.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the head portion 10
9 includes first to third spur gears 135, 137, 139.
Is arranged, and the rotation of the first spur gear 135 is
It is transmitted to the socket 141 via the second and third spur gears 137 and 139 to rotate the socket 141 in a horizontal plane. A notched socket opening 143 facing the head opening 111 is formed in the socket 141. A nut 151 is provided in the socket opening 143.
Is removably inserted.

The socket 141 is rotatable (spinnable) within the head portion 109, and with the rotation of the socket 141, the socket opening 143 faces the head opening 111 and a state where it does not. You can In FIG. 3, the socket opening 143 faces the head opening 111, that is, the socket opening 143 and the head opening 11
The state where the socket 141 is stationary is shown in a state where the opening phases of the opening portions 143 and 111 of 1 and the opening portions 1 and 1 match each other.

On the bottom surface of the socket 141, the socket 141
A magnet 165 that rotates together with the magnet 165 is provided.
The Hall IC circuit 163 is arranged (see FIG. 2). The magnet 165 and the Hall IC circuit 163 correspond to an example of the "rotational position detecting means of the socket opening" in the present invention. The Hall IC circuit 163 is electrically connected to the drive control means 161 via the harness 163a. The Hall IC circuit 163 is mainly composed of a Hall element (not shown), and detects the magnet 165 configured to be located above the Hall IC circuit 163 when the socket opening 143 faces the head opening 111. As a result, a match signal of the opening phase of the socket opening 143 and the hole opening 111 is output, and the harness 16
The matching signal is sent to the drive control means through 3a. The Hall IC circuit 163 and the harness 163a are arranged below the angle head cover 117 and are detachably covered by the circuit cover 115.

The electric wrench 101 according to this embodiment is constructed as described above. Next, the operation and usage of the electric wrench 101 will be described. Note that the drive control procedure of the motor 121 by the drive control means 161 in the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, but in the following description, the drive control procedure shown in FIG. Explain.

In the present embodiment, the electric wrench 101 is
It is used for joining long pipe members for automobiles, for example, anti-brake lock device (ABS) pipes (hereinafter referred to as ABS pipes) in a car factory by nut tightening. In this case, with the nut 151 inserted in the socket opening 143 of the electric wrench 101,
The trigger switch 162 shown in FIG. In Figure 4,
Steps S1 and S2 correspond to this. The drive current is supplied from the battery pack 113 side by the operation of the trigger switch 162, and the motor 121 drives the drive control means 16
Driven through 1. In FIG. 4, in step S2, “Yes
The state in which "s" is output and step S3 is executed corresponds to this.

The rotation torque of the motor 121 is the same as that of the drive shaft 12.
3, reduction mechanism 125, clutch 127, spindle 13
1, the bevel gear 133, the first spur gear 135, and the second and third spur gears 137 and 139 are transmitted to the socket 141.
It is rotationally driven within 9. When the socket 141 is rotationally driven, the nut 151 inserted in the socket opening 143 is rotated to tightly connect the pipe member. Figure 4
Then, while the motor 121 is being driven, it is determined to be “Yes” in step S4 and “N” in step S5.
This corresponds to the state in which the procedure of steps S4 and S5 is repeated when it is determined to be "o".

When the tightening of the nut 151 reaches the end stage,
The tightening torque of the nut 151 (the tightening reaction torque received by the socket 141 from the nut 151 side) increases. When the tightening torque of the nut 151 exceeds a predetermined range, in other words, when it exceeds a predetermined set torque, the clutch teeth on the side that transmits the drive torque of the motor 121 has a clutch tooth on the side that receives the drive torque. The meshing engagement of the clutch teeth is released by riding on the teeth. By operating the clutch 127 in this way, the transmission of the driving torque of the motor 121 to the socket 141 is cut off. In FIG. 4, the state in which the operation of the clutch 127 is detected and "Yes" is determined in step S5 corresponds to this.

At the same time, the clutch 127 is released by disengaging the clutch teeth by using, for example, a micro switch.
The drive control means 161 that has detected the operation of the
Stop driving. In FIG. 4, step S6 corresponds to this. When the driving of the motor 121 is stopped, the work of tightening the nut 151 is completed. When the motor 121 is stopped, the tightening torque of the nut 151 is released, so that the clutch teeth of the clutch 127 return to the engaged state again.

When the tightening work with the nut 151 is completed, the operator holds the electric wrench 101 in the longitudinal direction of the pipe (the nut 15
The nut 151 is pulled out from the socket opening 143. At this time, the pipe member is inserted into the socket opening 143 from which the nut 151 has come out. In FIG. 4, “Yes” is output in step S7 and the determination in step S7 is repeated until the release of the trigger switch 162 is detected. At this time, the motor 12 in step S6
The driving stop state of No. 1 is maintained.

With the nut 151 coming out of the socket opening 143, the operator releases the trigger switch 162. In FIG. 4, this corresponds to the state in which “No” is output in step S7. Then, with the trigger switch 162 being released, the drive control means 161 rotationally drives the motor 121 (corresponding to step S8 in FIG. 4), so that the socket opening 143 faces the head opening 111, in other words, the socket. The socket 141 is rotated so that the opening phase of the opening 143 and the opening phase of the head opening 111 match.
Specifically, the magnet 16 installed in the socket 141
5 until the Hall IC circuit 163 detects the motor 12
1 is driven to rotate the socket 141. In FIG. 4, “No” is output in step S10, and steps S9 and S10 are repeated while the rotational driving of the motor 121 in step S8 is maintained.

When the magnet detection signal is output, the drive of the motor 121 is stopped assuming that the socket opening 143 faces the head opening 111 (as the opening phases of both openings 143, 111 match). In Figure 4,
“Yes” is output in step S10, and step S
The state in which the driving of the motor 121 is stopped at 11 corresponds to this. As a result, the socket 141 stands still with the socket opening 141 facing the head opening 111. If the trigger switch 162 is released without the nut 151 coming out of the socket opening 143, the clutch 127 operates again. In FIG. 4, the process proceeds to “Yes” in step S9, and step S1
At 1, the motor 121 stops.

The worker inserts the pipe member in the socket opening 143 into the socket opening 143 in a state where the opening phases of the socket opening 143 and the head opening 111 match each other.
43 and the head opening 111 to be released outward, whereby the electric wrench 101 is removed from the pipe member, and the nut tightening work is completed.

According to the present embodiment, when the nut tightening work is completed, the drive control means 161 causes the trigger switch 1 to operate.
Based on the release of 62, the motor 121 is driven so that the socket opening 143 faces the head opening 111 to rotate the socket 141. As a result, when the tightening work is completed, a state in which the opening phase of the socket opening 143 and the opening phase of the head opening 111 match each other can be obtained.
1 can be easily removed from the work site.

Moreover, in this embodiment, in order to match the opening phases of the socket opening 143 and the head opening 111, the operator reverses the motor 121 to rotate the socket 141.
Back to adjust, or spur gear 13
The drive control means 161 drives the motor 121 simply by releasing the trigger switch 121 at the end of the nut tightening work, without separately providing an urging spring, a floating piece, or the like on 5, 137, 139. Since it is possible to automatically obtain a state in which the opening phases of both opening portions 143 and 111 match,
The electric wrench 101 having a simple structure and high practicality can be obtained.

In view of the spirit of the present invention, the following various forms can be constructed. (Mode 1) "The electric wrench according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the automobile pipe is joined by the nut tightening work."

According to the electric wrench described in the first aspect, the nut and the object to be tightened by the nut are often removed from the socket opening in a narrow space for automobile pipe joining work. Since each electric wrench is provided, it is possible to rationally perform the screw tightening work.

(Mode 2) "A main body for accommodating a motor,
A method of using an electric wrench having drive control means for the motor, a head portion connected to the main body portion and having a head opening formed therein, and a socket rotatably provided on the head portion, When the motor is driven to rotate the socket in the head portion, thereby tightening the nut inserted into the socket opening, and when the nut tightening work is completed, the motor drive control means A method of using an electric wrench, comprising the step of driving the motor to rotate the socket so that the socket opening faces the head opening. "

According to the invention described in the second aspect, there is disclosed an invention of a method of using an electric wrench having a configuration substantially equivalent to that of the invention described in claim 1. Of course, it is also possible to construct a method of using an electric wrench by appropriately combining the characteristic components of the inventions according to other claims.

(Mode 3) In the method of using the electric wrench according to mode 2, when the trigger switch for energizing the motor is turned on, the motor drive control means drives the motor to cause the socket to operate. When the nut tightening torque due to exceeds the predetermined range, the drive of the motor is stopped,
Further, when the trigger switch is released, there is a step of re-driving the motor so that the socket opening faces the head opening to rotate the socket. . "

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is shown an invention of a method of using an electric wrench having a configuration substantially equivalent to that of the second aspect of the invention. Of course, it is also possible to construct a method of using an electric wrench by appropriately combining the characteristic components of the inventions according to other claims. Note that the following configuration example is possible as a specific embodiment of the form 3. In the method of using the electric wrench according to the third aspect, a nut for pipe joining is inserted into the socket opening with the socket opening facing the head opening, and a trigger switch for energizing a motor is turned on. By doing so, the motor drive control means drives the motor,
As a result, the socket is rotated, and the tightening work of the nut inserted through the socket opening is performed.
When the nut tightening torque by the socket exceeds a predetermined range, the motor drive control means stops the drive of the motor in a state where the trigger switch is kept closed, and the trigger switch is kept closed. With the driving of the motor stopped, the nut is disengaged from the socket opening in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and the trigger switch is operated with the nut disengaged from the socket opening. When released, the motor drive control means re-drives the motor so that the socket opening faces the head opening to rotate the socket, thereby moving the pipe from the socket opening. A method of using an electric wrench, comprising the steps of detaching and removing the electric wrench from the joined pipe. "

According to such a specific application example, when the pipes are joined by tightening the nuts,
Not only can the nut tightening work be performed effectively, but the electric wrench can be easily removed from the pipe joint at the end of the tightening work, so the screw tightening work can be completed rationally. It becomes possible. In particular, in this example of the form, use in an automobile manufacturing line or the like which is often forced to work in a small space, for example, AB in an automobile
This is useful when joining S pipes and the like.

[0036]

According to the present invention, a technique effective for easily adjusting the opening phase of the socket opening and the head opening in the electric wrench is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an electric wrench according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed sectional structure of a head portion of the electric wrench according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of the head portion of the electric wrench according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a motor control procedure by the drive control means of the electric wrench according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 electric wrench 103 main body 105 motor housing 107 gear housing 109 head 111 Head opening 113 battery pack 115 Circuit cover 117 angle head cover 121 motor 123 Motor drive shaft 125 reduction mechanism 125a planetary gear 127 clutch 131 spindle 133 Bevel Gear 135 1st spur gear 137 Second spur gear 139 Third spur gear 141 socket 143 Socket opening 151 nuts 161 Drive control means 163 Hall IC circuit 165 Magnet

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A main body for accommodating a motor, drive control means for the motor, a head connected to the main body and having a head opening, and rotatably provided on the head. An electric wrench having a socket, wherein the socket has a socket opening portion facing the head opening portion, and a nut inserted into the socket opening portion by rotating in the head portion by driving the motor. The tightening operation is performed, and when the nut tightening operation is completed, the motor drive control means drives the motor so that the socket opening faces the head opening to rotate the socket. Electric wrench characterized by 2. The electric wrench according to claim 1, further comprising a trigger switch for energizing the motor, wherein the motor drive control means drives the motor when the trigger switch is turned on. When the nut tightening torque by the socket exceeds a predetermined range, the motor is stopped so that the socket opening faces the head opening when the trigger switch is released. An electric wrench characterized by rotating the socket by re-driving. 3. The electric wrench according to claim 1, further comprising a rotational position detecting means for the socket opening, wherein the motor drive control means, when the nut tightening work is completed, An electric wrench characterized by rotating the socket through driving of the motor until the socket opening faces the head opening based on a signal from the rotational position detecting means.