JPH0711890Y2 - Flexible rotary tool - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of application) The present invention makes it easy to use the tool even if the working space is limited, such as when the working space is narrow. A flexible rotary tool that can be used.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, there are some flexible rotary tools configured as follows.

That is, the tool comprises an elastic tube-shaped outer and a flexible inner fitted into the outer, the inner being rotatably supported with respect to the outer, and the operating portion provided at one end of the inner as described above. Meanwhile, a tool is attached to the other end.

When performing the machining work with the tool, the tool is engaged with the portion to be machined (machining portion) and the operating portion is rotated, but this work space is narrow. When the space is limited, the outer is bent together with the inner so as to match these with the working space, so that the above-described rotation operation is possible.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) By the way, in the above-described conventional structure, the outer and inner parts are elastic bodies, and therefore, when they are bent and processed, the elasticity tries to return them to their original shape. . Therefore, contrary to this, it is necessary to hold the outer and the inner in the bent shape.

Moreover, during the above-mentioned working operation, while the outer and inner parts are bent, the inner part is rotated around its axis by the rotating operation of the operating part, the inner part is rotated by the number of revolutions of the inner part. An alternating load is applied by the above-mentioned rotational operation force to repeat bending, and a reaction force of this bending is applied to the outer.

Therefore, it is necessary to keep the outer shape in the bent shape against the load from the inner side.

However, performing the above-mentioned holding during the above-mentioned processing operation complicates this operation and is not preferable.

Further, when the outer and inner parts are bent as described above, each part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner slides with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the outer part, and the operating force for rotating the inner part becomes large. This is a cause of complicated operations.

(Purpose of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to facilitate the work when the outer is bent together with the inner for the work. .

(Structure of the Invention) The feature of the present invention for achieving the above object is that when the outer is bent, the outer shape is kept in a bent shape against the load from the rotating inner. Thus, the outer is formed by alternately meshing a rectangular cross-section coil having a trapezoidal cross-section and a circular cross-section coil having a circular cross-section on substantially the same axis. Of the inner surface of the outer side of the outer side, and the outer peripheral surface of the inner side of the outer surface of the inner surface of the outer surface of the inner surface of the outer surface of the At the point where the dynamic ring is fitted, and the same sliding ring is fitted in each space of the portion where the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer in the axial direction and the outer peripheral surface of the inner face in the axial direction. .

(Operation) The operation of the above configuration is as follows.

The terms in parentheses below correspond to the terms in the scope of claims for utility model registration.

For example, when a working operation is to be performed using the tool 1 in a narrow work space, first, the outer 2 is bent together with the inner 3 so as to match the work space. Then, the driver bit (tool) 8 attached to the tool mounting portion 7 of the inner 3 is engaged with the screw (processing portion) 24, and then the operating portion 4 of the inner 3 is rotated to move the screw (processing portion). Predetermined processing is applied to 24.

In the above case, when the outer 2 is bent, the outer 2 is kept in the bent shape against the load from the rotating inner 3.

For this reason, during the above-mentioned processing operation, the worker can use the outer 2
Need not be held in its folded shape.

Further, the outer 2 is formed by alternately meshing a rectangular cross-section coil 11 having a trapezoidal cross-section and a circular cross-section coil 12 having a circular cross-section, so that the cross-sectional shape of the rectangular cross-section coil 11 is formed. The trapezoidal top portion of is located inside the outer 2.

For this reason, the inner peripheral surface of the outer 2 is composed of a flat surface of the outer peripheral surface of the rectangular cross-section coil 11 and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the circular cross-section coil 12 and has a circular arc surface as a whole. It has a smooth surface with no corners.

Therefore, when the outer peripheral surface of the axially intermediate portion of the inner 3 slides with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the axially intermediate portion of the outer 2 such as when the outer 2 and the inner 3 are bent as described above, Sliding is performed smoothly.

In addition, each inner peripheral surface of both ends of the outer 2 in the axial direction,
The sliding rings 21 and 22 made of resin are respectively fitted into the respective portions of the inner surface 3 which face the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction, and the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the outer 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner 3 are the same. Sliding rings 21 and 22 are fitted in the respective spaces of the portions facing each other in the axial direction.

Therefore, when the outer member 2 and the inner member 3 are bent as described above, the inner member 3 slides with a large force especially toward the inner peripheral surface sides of both end portions of the outer member 2, and the sliding resistance increases. The sliding ring 2
With 1,22, the above sliding is smoothly performed.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible rotary tool, which has a flexible tube-shaped outer 2 and a flexible shaft-shaped inner 3 which is fitted into the outer 2. It is rotatably supported on the outer 2.

One end of the inner member 3 in the axial direction is an operating portion 4, and a grip 5 is detachably attached to the operating portion 4. The other end of the inner 3 in the axial direction serves as a tool attachment portion 7, and a driver bit 8 is detachably attached to the tool attachment portion 7.

In FIG. 2, the outer 2 has a coil-shaped outer main body 10, and the outer main body 10 has a metal rectangular cross-section coil 11 having a trapezoidal cross section and a metal circular cross-section coil 12 having a circular cross section. It is formed by alternately engaging substantially coaxially.

In the above case, the circular section coil 12 in the square section coil 11
Although not shown in detail, the joint surface of is a concave surface into which the outer surface of the circular cross-section coil 12 is fitted. The angular cross-section coil 11 and the circular cross-section coil 12 are pressed against each other in the axial direction of the coil so as to be frictionally bonded to each other, whereby the meshing therebetween is maintained.

Then, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 and in FIG.
When a part of the outer 2 is bent, a coil 11 with a square cross section is formed.
The respective joining positions of the circular cross-section coil 12 are relatively changed, and the joining surfaces after the change are frictionally joined to each other, so that the outer body 10 is kept in the shape as it is bent.

In FIG. 2, the respective ends of the metal cylinders 14 and 15 are externally fitted and crimped to the respective ends of the outer body 10.

On the other hand, the inner 3 has an inner body 17, and the inner body 17 is formed by winding a thin metal wire in a coil shape. Then, one end of each of the rotary shafts 18 and 19 is externally fitted and crimped to each end of the inner body 17, and the rotary shafts 18 and 19 correspond to the cylindrical bodies 14 and 19, respectively.
It is rotatably supported in the inside 15, and as a result, the inner 3 is rotatably supported in the outer 2 as described above.

Further, of the rotary shafts 18 and 19, one end of the rotary shaft 18 projecting from the one cylindrical body 14 is formed in a hexagonal cross section, which is the operation portion 4 described above. Also, the other cylindrical body 15
A hole having a hexagonal cross section is formed at the end of the rotary shaft 19 protruding from the above, and this serves as the above-described tool mounting portion 7.

In the above case, each rotating shaft 18,1 is larger than the inner diameter of the outer body 10.
The outer diameter of 9 is larger, and therefore, after the inner 3 is assembled to the outer 2, these cannot be separated from each other.

The outer 2 is formed by alternately meshing a rectangular cross-section coil 11 having a trapezoidal cross-section and a circular cross-section coil 12 having a circular cross-section. The top of the trapezoid is located inside the outer 2.

For this reason, the inner peripheral surface of the outer 2 is composed of a flat surface of the outer peripheral surface of the rectangular cross-section coil 11 and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the circular cross-section coil 12 and has a circular arc surface as a whole. It has a smooth surface with no corners.

Therefore, when the outer peripheral surface of the axially intermediate portion of the inner 3 slides with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the axially intermediate portion of the outer 2 such as when the outer 2 and the inner 3 are bent as described above, Sliding is performed smoothly.

Cylindrical bodies 14, 15 that are both axial end portions of the outer 2
Of the inner main body 17 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner main body 17 are fitted in the spaces of the portions where they face each other in the radial direction. Can rotate smoothly.

The sliding rings 21 and 22 are respectively provided in the spaces where the axial end faces of the outer body 10 of the outer 2 and the axial end faces of the rotary shafts 18 and 19 of the inner 3 face each other in the axial direction. The outer body 10
And the respective rotary shafts 18 and 19 are prevented from sliding with a large sliding resistance, that is, the inner 3 can rotate more smoothly with respect to the outer 2.

By the way, when the outer 2 is bent, the inner 3 is also bent accordingly, but before and after this bending, a relative dimensional difference occurs in the axial dimensions of the outer 2 and the inner 3. Therefore, in order to absorb this dimensional difference, a gap C is set between the end portion of the outer body 10 and the sliding ring 21. In addition, the outer 2 has the above-described configuration, and the dimensional change before and after the bending is small. Therefore, the gap C can be suppressed as small as possible, and accordingly, the rattling in the axial direction between the outer 2 and the inner 3 is suppressed to that extent.

Then, for example, when a machining work is to be performed using the tool 1 in a narrow work space, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 1, first, the outer 2 and the inner 3 are aligned with the work space. Bend them and insert them into the working space. From this state, grasp the outer 2 and
The grip 5 is rotated, and the inner 3 is rotated about its axis while being bent.

At this time, due to the rotational operation force applied to the grip 5, an alternating load is applied to the inner 3 by the number of rotations of the inner 3 to repeat bending, and a reaction force of this bending is applied to the outer 2. Will be done. In this case, the outer 2 is kept in the shape as it is bent, against the load from the inner 3.

Therefore, the operator simply holds the outer 2 and engages the driver bit 8 attached to the tool attaching portion 7 of the inner 3 with the screw 24 that is the processed portion, while the operator 4 of the inner 3 is engaged. It is sufficient to rotate the grip 5 attached to the. In this way, predetermined processing such as screwing the screw 24 is performed.

4 and 5 show another embodiment. The basic structure and operation of this embodiment are the same as those of the previous embodiment.
Therefore, description of common components will be omitted, and only different components will be described.

In FIG. 4, a small diameter portion 18a is provided on the rotary shaft 18 on the side of the operating portion 4.
Is formed, and the small diameter portion 18a is supported by the cylindrical body 14 by the bearing 25.

On the other hand, a tool attachment 26 is screwed to the rotary shaft 19, and the tool attachment 26 is supported by the cylindrical body 15 by a bearing 27. A brush 28 as a tool is detachably attached to the tool attachment 26, and the brush 28 is fixed to the tool attachment 26 with a lock bolt 29.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the inner surface 30 of the curved pipe, which is the processed portion, is cleaned using the tool 1 shown in FIG. In this case, the outer 2
The inner tube 3 and the inner tube 3 may be bent in advance according to the radius of the inner surface 30 of the curved tube, and the tool 1 bent as described above may be inserted toward the inner surface 30 of the curved tube during the cleaning. An electric motor 31 used for an electric drill is attached to the operation unit 4.

(Effect of the Invention) According to the present invention, when the outer is bent, the outer is kept in the bent shape against the load from the inner rotating in the outer.

Therefore, it is not necessary for the worker to hold the outer shape in the bent state during the working operation.

Therefore, the above-mentioned processing work is facilitated because the outer shape does not have to be held in its bent shape.

In addition, the outer is formed by alternately meshing a rectangular cross-section coil having a trapezoidal cross section and a circular cross-section coil having a circular cross section on substantially the same axis. Are located inside the outer.

Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the outer is composed of a flat surface of the outer peripheral surface of the rectangular cross-section coil and a part of the circular arc surface of the outer peripheral surface of the circular cross-section coil, and has no corners as a whole. The surface becomes smooth.

Therefore, when the outer and inner parts are bent as described above, when the outer peripheral surface of the axially intermediate part of the inner slides against the inner peripheral surface of the axially intermediate part of the outer, this sliding is smooth. To be done.

As a result, since the rotational operation force applied to the inner member is small, the processing operation is facilitated in this respect as well.

Further, a resin slide ring is fitted into each portion where the inner peripheral surface of each axial end portion of the above outer surface and the outer peripheral surface of the inner surface face each other in the radial direction, and both end portions of the outer material are the same. A sliding ring is fitted in each space of a portion where each inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the inner surface face each other in the axial direction.

Therefore, when the outer and inner parts are bent as described above, the inner part may slide on the inner peripheral surface sides of both ends of the outer part with a large force, and this sliding resistance may increase. However, the sliding contact is smoothly performed by the sliding ring.

Therefore, since the rotational operation force applied to the inner is small, the above-described working operation is facilitated also in this respect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall view, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view, FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view when a tool is bent, and FIGS. 4 and 5 show other embodiments. An example is shown, FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 ... Tool, 2 ... Outer, 3 ... Inner, 4 ...
Operating part, 7 ... Tool mounting part, 8 ... Driver bit (tool), 11 ... Square section coil, 12 ... Circular section coil, 21,22 ... Sliding ring, 24 ... Screw (processing section) , 28
…… Brush (tool), 30 …… Curved pipe inner surface (processing part), C…
… Gap.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A flexible tube-shaped outer member and a flexible shaft-shaped inner member which is fitted into the outer member are provided, the inner member is rotatably supported with respect to the outer member, and one end of the inner member is operated. On the other hand, in a flexible rotary tool having the other end as a tool attachment part, when the outer is bent, the outer is kept in a bent shape against the load from the rotating inner. And the outer portion is formed by alternately meshing a rectangular cross-section coil having a trapezoidal cross section and a circular cross-section coil having a circular cross section substantially coaxially. Is located inside the outer, and the inner peripheral surfaces of both axial ends of the outer and the outer peripheral surface of the inner face each in a radial direction. A resin-made sliding ring is inserted between them, respectively, and the same as above, sliding in the respective spaces where the inner peripheral surfaces of both axial ends of the outer and the outer peripheral surface of the inner face in the axial direction. Flexible rotary tool with a ring inserted.