JP2004273127A - Switch unit and torque tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a torque wrench having an easy-to-assemble switching device that eliminates the need to adjust the position of a reed switch relative to a permanent magnet. <P>SOLUTION: A unitized transmitter 20 accommodating a switch device is attached to a lever 2 of the torque lever 1 with screws 21. On a base 26 provided inside the case of the transmitter 20, a permanent magnet 28 is mounted in a position where it turns on the reed switch 7. A switching lever 29 having a spring property and secured to the case at one end has a tip 29a located between the reed switch and the permanent magnet. A stud pin 5 of the toggle mechanism of the torque wrench can engage the portion of the switching lever 29 close to its fixed side. The switching lever 29 is operated by the operation of the stud pin 5 to turn the reed switch 7 on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switch unit including a magnetic sensing type switching element such as a reed switch that performs ON / OFF operation by detecting magnetism, and a torque tool such as a torque wrench including the switch unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A torque wrench as a torque tool is configured to allow a toggle mechanism to operate when a set tightening torque is reached, for example, so that an operator can be intuitively notified that tightening with the set torque has been completed. .
[0003]
Some of such torque wrenches are provided with a switching device that outputs a switch-on signal in association with the operation of the toggle mechanism. For example, when tightening a plurality of bolts, the torque wrench provided with such a switching device determines that if the count number of the output switch signal is the same as the number of all bolts, it is easy to forget to tighten. It is used in the forgotten tightening prevention system.
[0004]
3A and 3B show a torque wrench provided with a conventional switching device. FIG. 3A is a plan view showing the appearance, FIG. 3B is a plan view showing a state where the case shown in FIG. 3A is removed, and FIG. A-A sectional view, (d) shows an OFF state of the reed switch, and (e) shows an ON state of the reed switch.
[0005]
The torque wrench 1 has a head 3 attached to a lever 2 formed in a tube shape via a toggle mechanism (not shown). For example, a socket (not shown) attached to the head 3 is attached to a nut (not shown). When the lever 2 is rotated by gripping the grip portion 4 of the lever 2, the nut is tightened. When a predetermined torque is reached, the toggle mechanism is actuated, and the lever 2 rotates with an impact of “cutting” against the head 3. Move. At this time, the stud pin 5 provided on the head 3 operated by the operation of the toggle mechanism is turned, and the output of the switching device is turned on.
[0006]
This switching device penetrates the outer wall of the flat lever 2 and is movable in a planar direction. The permanent magnet 6 is fixed to the tip of the stud pin 5. And a reed switch 7 which is turned on and off in accordance with the above.
[0007]
A base 8 is fixed to the outer surface of the lever 2, a board 9 is mounted on the base 8, and a reed switch 7, an electronic component 10 constituting a circuit for outputting a switch signal, and a battery 11 are mounted on the board 9. A battery room and the like are installed. The substrate 9 is covered with a cover 12, and the cover 12 is attached to the base 8 with screws 13.
[0008]
When the stud pin 5 is moved by the operation of the toggle mechanism, the reed switch 7 is turned on by the permanent magnet 6 fixed to the stud pin 5. An antenna 14 outputs a signal from the circuit.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-described conventional switching device uses a reed switch 7 sensitive to magnetism as a switching element. The reed switch 7 generates an induction magnetic field on a lead electrode made of a ferromagnetic material by approaching a magnetic field. The opposite contact portions of the two lead electrodes are magnetized to the N-pole and S-pole, respectively, and the opposed contact portions come into contact with each other.
[0010]
The stud pin 5 moves in the length direction of the lead with respect to such a reed switch 7, and when the permanent magnet 6 fixed to the stud pin 5 approaches the contact portion of the reed switch 7, the contact portions come into contact with each other as described above. When the ON signal is output from the circuit and the permanent magnet 6 is separated from the contact portion, the contact portions are separated from each other and an OFF signal is output from the circuit, but an area in which the contact between the contact portions is maintained. When the distance between the permanent magnet 6 and the reed switch 7 is too large, the lead electrode does not react. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the positional relationship between the reed switch 7 and the permanent magnet 6 with high accuracy.
[0011]
However, since the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 6 is not always uniform for each product and the accuracy of the reed switch 7 also varies for each product, the position of the reed switch 7 is one by one when manufacturing the torque wrench. Adjustments need to be made.
[0012]
The position of the reed switch 7 is adjusted by moving the substrate 9 with respect to the base 8 to find an optimum position with respect to the permanent magnet 6 and fixing the position.
[0013]
Such a position adjustment is a complicated operation, and if the position of the substrate 9 shifts during use, it is necessary to readjust the position.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and does not require position adjustment of a magnetic sensing type switching element such as a reed switch with respect to a permanent magnet, and is provided with a switching unit which is easy to assemble, and this switching unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a torque tool.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, as described in claim 1, a switching element that is turned on / off by a magnetic field, and a permanent element fixed at a position where the switching element is turned on with a gap to the switching element. By operating the magnet and the actuated part, the operating part interrupts the action of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet on the switching element and turns off the switching element. And at least a switch actuating member capable of moving between a position where the switching element is turned on by operating the switching element, the permanent magnet, and the switch actuating member incorporated in a case. This is a switch unit characterized by being unitized.
[0016]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, as set forth in the second aspect, in the first aspect, the switch actuating member is configured such that the actuating part moves in a movement range larger than a movement amount of the actuated part. And
[0017]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided any one of the above-mentioned aspects, further comprising a signal circuit for outputting ON / OFF of the switching element as a switch signal in a wired or wireless manner.
[0018]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects, the switch actuating member is formed of a spring member having one end fixed, and the switch actuating member is moved to a position close to the one end. And an operating portion at the distal end.
[0019]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a torque tool having a moving member that moves with respect to the tool main body when the tightening torque reaches a set value, wherein the switch unit according to any one of the above is attached to the tool main body. And the operated part of the switch operating member of the switch unit is operated by the moving member.
[0020]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as set forth in the sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the torque tool is a torque wrench or a torque driver.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a torque wrench according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1A shows a torque wrench in which a switching device is unitized and a transmitter integrated with a transmission circuit that wirelessly outputs a switching signal is used. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a plan view of the torque wrench of FIG. In FIG. 1, the same members as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, a torque wrench 1 has a unitized transmitter 20 detachably attached to a lever 2 with a screw 21. The transmitter 20 accommodates a switching device, a transmission circuit that wirelessly outputs a switching signal, and a power supply battery 11 in a box-shaped case 23, and an antenna 24 is drawn out of the case.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, a transmitter 20 has a case 23 in which small-sized substrates 26 are stacked one above the other at regular intervals below a large-sized substrate 25. A variety of electronic components 27 constituting a transmission circuit for wirelessly transmitting the switch signal are mounted, and a reed switch 7 constituting a switching device is provided on a lower surface of a small-sized substrate 26 disposed below a large-sized substrate 25. A permanent magnet 28 for turning on the reed switch 7 is attached, and the permanent magnet 28 is arranged with a gap at a position where the permanent magnet 28 is turned on with respect to the reed switch 7.
[0024]
One end of a switching lever 29 composed of a leaf spring member is fixed to the inner peripheral side wall surface of the case 23, and a tip 29 a of the switching lever 29 enters between the permanent magnet 28 and the reed switch 7, and the permanent magnet A magnetic circuit is formed between the switch 28 and the tip portion 29a of the switching lever 29 to prevent an induced magnetic field from being generated in the lead electrode of the reed switch 7, and the contact portions of the lead electrode are in a non-contact state. .
[0025]
The switching lever 29 is fixed to the case 23 in a cantilevered support state with the distal end portion 29a as a free end, and the distal end portion 29a of the switching lever 29 enters between the permanent magnet 28 and the reed switch 7 in a no-load state, The reed switch 7 is turned off, and when the tip portion 29a of the switching lever 29 is displaced in a direction to withdraw from the gap between the permanent magnet 28 and the reed switch 7, the reed switch 7 is turned on. .
[0026]
Therefore, the permanent magnet 28 is disposed at a position where the reed switch 7 is turned ON, and the tip portion 29a of the switching lever 29 is larger than the position where the reed switch 7 is turned ON by retreating the tip portion 29a of the switching lever 29. If it is retracted, fine adjustment of the position between the permanent magnet and the reed switch becomes unnecessary as in the related art.
[0027]
In this embodiment, a transmitter 20 is fixed to a mounting plate 22 welded to a lever 2 of a torque wrench 1 by a screw 21, and a stud provided on a head 3 of the torque wrench 1 when the toggle mechanism is not operated. The pin 5 is in a non-contact state with the switching lever 29. When the stud pin 5 is moved by the operation of the toggle mechanism, the stud pin 5 displaces the switching lever 29 against its elastic force. The tip portion 29a is retracted from the gap between the permanent magnet 28 and the reed switch 7, and the reed switch 7 is turned on.
[0028]
When the reed switch 7 is turned on, a switching signal is output from the transmission circuit for one pulse, for example. At this time, the operation confirmation LED 31 provided on the upper surface of the large-sized substrate 25 emits light, and the worker can confirm through the confirmation window 32 provided on the upper surface of the case 23. When the head 3 of the torque wrench 1 is returned to the original position, the stud pin 5 also returns to the original position with the return of the toggle mechanism. It returns to the position where the gap with the magnet 28 is blocked.
[0029]
As shown in the figure, the switching lever 29 according to the present embodiment has a fulcrum that is bent into a substantially S-shaped plane from one end fixed to the case 23 and acts substantially linearly from the fulcrum. The distal end portion 29a is formed by extending the portion and further bending the tip of the action portion at a substantially right angle.
[0030]
The switching lever 29 is configured to press the action portion, which is a long side, on the fulcrum portion side by the stud pin 5, and amplify a slight movement of the stud pin 5 when the toggle mechanism is operated. By moving the distal end portion 29a a long distance, the distal end portion 29a can be retracted to a position sufficiently distant from a position where the gap between the reed switch 7 and the magnet 28 is blocked, so that the ON / OFF operation of the reed switch 7 has a margin. Although it does not require fine position adjustment of the position of the tip portion 29a and the like, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. If the member that magnetically blocks the gap with the permanent magnet 28 can be moved with a sufficiently long stroke beyond the position where the reed switch 7 is turned on. There.
[0031]
Further, in the present embodiment, a vibration isolating member 33 formed of a sponge or the like is provided so as to be in contact with the action portion forming the long side of the switch lever 29. Prevents the switch lever 29 from moving in the switch ON direction by itself, thereby preventing malfunction. When the switch lever 29 is actuated by the stud pin 5, the sponge vibration isolating member 33 is formed to be soft so as not to hinder the operation of the switch lever 29 described above.
[0032]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the permanent magnet 28 is fixed on the same substrate 26 at the position where the reed switch 7 is turned on with respect to the reed switch 7, and the case 23 to which the substrate 26 is fixed is fixed. The switching lever 29 fixed to the end is electromagnetically cut off between the permanent magnet 28 and the reed switch 7 to turn off the reed switch 7 to form a unit. When the lever is moved slightly, the tip portion 29a of the switching lever 29 moves greatly beyond the boundary between the switch OFF and ON, so that the position adjustment between the reed switch 7 and the permanent magnet 28 becomes unnecessary, and the torque wrench 1 Assembly is completed only by attaching the transmitter 20 to the mounting plate 22 welded to the lever 2 with the screw 21.
[0033]
Then, in the use of the torque wrench, for example, when the tightening torque of the nut reaches a set value, the stud pin 5 slightly moves in accordance with the operation of the toggle mechanism of the torque wrench, and the operating portion of the switching lever 29 is pushed. The tip portion 29a of the switching lever 29 largely shakes, and the tip portion 29a of the switching lever 29, which electromagnetically shields the gap between the reed switch 7 and the permanent magnet 28, largely retreats beyond the boundary position where the reed switch 7 turns from OFF to ON. Then, the switching signal is transmitted from the transmitting circuit to the receiving unit (not shown) via the antenna line 24. Although the signal from the switching device is transmitted wirelessly, the signal may be transmitted by wire.
[0034]
As described above, since all the components of the transmitter 20 including the switching device are housed in the case, the assembly work is completed simply by attaching the unitized case to the lever 2 of the torque wrench 1.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, when the case of the transmitter 20 is mounted on the lever 2 of the torque wrench 1, if there is a difference in the mounting position of the case depending on the type of the torque wrench, the position of the stud pin 5 and the switching lever 29 will be different. Since the relationship also deviates, switching levers 29 having different dimensions may be prepared in accordance with this, but it is also desirable to use a common switching lever.
Second Embodiment FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment.
[0036]
2A and 2B show a transmitter integrated with a transmission circuit that wirelessly outputs a switching signal by unitizing the above-described switching device with a common switching lever, and FIG. 2A is a view taken along the line CC in FIG. FIG. 1B is a side sectional view, and FIG. 1C is a view taken along line DD of FIG. 1B. The same members as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0037]
The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the fulcrum of the switching lever 29 is substantially linear, and the auxiliary lever member 40 is attached to the action portion formed on the long side. .
[0038]
When the transmitter 20 is mounted on the lever 2 of the torque wrench 1 and the distance between the stud pin 5 and the switching lever 29 is large, the auxiliary lever member 40 can be used as it is, so that the toggle mechanism is not used. In the operating state, the gap between the auxiliary lever member 40 and the stud pin 5 is maintained at a predetermined narrow state.
[0039]
When the transmitter 20 is mounted on the lever 2 of the torque wrench 1 and the gap between the stud pin 5 and the switching lever 29 is in the predetermined state, the auxiliary lever member 40 is crushed with pliers or the like. By sticking the switching lever 29 thinly to the action portion of the switching lever 29, the auxiliary lever member 40 does not hinder the switching lever 29 from operating when the toggle mechanism is not operating.
[0040]
In each of the above embodiments, a reed switch that does not require a driving circuit and consumes no power is described as an example of a switching element that is turned on / off by sensing magnetism. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, for example, an MR element or the like can be used.
[0041]
Further, a torque wrench is taken as an example of the torque tool, but it may be applied to a torque driver.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the switch unit of the present invention, since the permanent magnet and the switching element, for example, the reed switch are assembled with, for example, a fixed gap on the same substrate, the position adjustment between the two can be completely performed. It is unnecessary, and when the switch actuating member is actuated, the actuating part of the switch actuating member that electromagnetically blocks between the permanent magnet and the reed switch moves, and the switching element such as the reed switch can be turned on. The inconvenience of the conventional configuration in which the permanent magnet is moved to turn the reed switch on / off has been eliminated.
[0043]
In particular, since the switch is unitized, the switch unit can be mounted anywhere, and replacement at the time of failure can be easily performed without adjustment work.
[0044]
In addition, the switch operating member can reliably turn on the switching element even when the movement of the operating part moves more than the moving amount of the operated part, that is, even if the moving amount for operating the operated part is small. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the switching position between ON and OFF, and it is possible to provide a convenient switch unit.
[0045]
Furthermore, according to the torque tool such as the torque wrench of the present invention, the assembly is completed by simply attaching the switch unit to the tool body without adjusting the switch components and the like. In particular, since the operating part of the switch operating member moves beyond the switching position between ON and OFF and moves more than the moving amount of the operated part, the switching element does not turn ON / OFF even if the moving member of the tool slightly moves. Therefore, a stable operation can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B show a torque wrench according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is an external plan view in which a transmitter is attached to a lever of a torque wrench, and FIG. FIG. 3C is a plan view of the torque wrench of FIG.
2A and 2B show a transmitter according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2B, FIG. 2B is a side sectional view, and FIG. It is a DD arrow line view.
3A and 3B show a torque wrench provided with a conventional switching device, wherein FIG. 3A is an external plan view, FIG. 3B is a plan view showing a state where a case shown in FIG. 3A is removed, and FIG. (D) shows an OFF state of the reed switch, and (e) shows an ON state of the reed switch.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Torque wrench 2 Lever 3 Head 4 Grip part 5 Stud pin 6 Permanent magnet 7 Reed switch 8 Base 9 Substrate 10 Electronic component 11 Battery 12 Cover 13 Screw 14 Antenna 20 Transmitter 21 Screw 22 Mounting plate 23 Case 24 Antenna 25 Large size Substrate 26 Small size substrate 27 Electronic component 28 Permanent magnet 29 Switching lever 29a Switching lever tip 31 LED for confirmation
32 Confirmation window 33 Anti-vibration member 40 Auxiliary lever member

Claims (6)

By operating a switching element that is turned on / off by a magnetic field, a permanent magnet fixed to the switching element at a position where the switch element is turned on with a gap between the switching element, and an operated part, From a position where the switching element is turned off by interrupting the action of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet on the switching element, to a position where the switching element is turned on by applying the magnetic field of the permanent magnet to the switching element. A switch unit comprising at least a switch actuating member capable of moving, and wherein the switching element, the permanent magnet, and the switch actuating member are incorporated into a case to form a unit. 2. The switch unit according to claim 1, wherein the switch operating member is configured such that the operating unit moves in a moving range larger than a moving amount of the operated unit. 3. The switch unit according to claim 1, further comprising a signal circuit that outputs ON / OFF of the switching element as a switch signal in a wired or wireless manner. 4. The switch actuating member is formed of a spring member having one end fixed, and a position near the one end is the actuated portion, and a tip end is an actuation portion. The switch unit according to any one of the above. 5. A torque tool having a moving member that moves with respect to a tool body when a tightening torque reaches a set value, wherein the switch unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is attached to the tool body and a switch operation of the switch unit is performed. A torque tool, wherein the operated part of the member is operated by the moving member. The torque tool according to claim 5, wherein the torque tool is a torque wrench or a torque driver.

Images