TW202306710A - Torque tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a torque tool, in particular a torque screwdriver, with a handle (2), a setting body (9) which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis (L) of the handle (2) and which cooperates with an adjustment device (5) for setting a release torque, the adjustment device (5) having a pretensionable compression spring (6), an adjusting nut (7) and an adjusting screw (8) and having a display (3) for a defined torque and having an adjusting arrangement (30) via which an adjustment of the release torque can be carried out, wherein the adjusting arrangement (30) has an adjusting coupling (31) and an adjusting shaft (32), wherein the adjusting coupling (31) can be coupled with the setting body (9) and decoupled from the setting body (9) and the adjusting coupling (31) has a tool attachment surface on the setting body side, which is designed for the attachment of an adjusting tool, and the adjusting shaft (32) has a shaft section (37) which engages in a coupling section (38) of the adjusting coupling (31), and the adjusting shaft (32) has, at its end facing away from the adjusting coupling (31), a driver head (33) which engages in a positively locking manner in a port section (34) of the adjusting screw (8), wherein a locking washer (44) is arranged in the port section (34), against which the driver head (33) is in contact on the end face, wherein an end section (20) of an output shaft (16) projects into the port section (34) and the locking washer (44) is arranged on the end section (20), wherein the end section (20) has a groove (48) along which the locking washer (44) can be displaced axially.

Description

torque tool

According to the characteristics of the general term of the technical solution 1, the present invention relates to a torque tool, in particular, a torque screwdriver.

Torque tools, such as torque screwdrivers, are hand tools that can be used to apply a controlled torque to a workpiece (typically, a bolt or nut). Adjustable torque tools can be used to apply a defined tightening torque to ensure the necessary clamping force or assembly pretension between components to be joined.

Torque screwdrivers have a release mechanism in the handle. In the handle, there is also an adjustment device, including a display for setting a torque. The desired torque is set by compressing a compression spring by turning a setting body on the handle, which is connected to a setting mechanism (typically, a threaded spindle) relative to a fixed portion of the handle.

An adjustable torque screwdriver is disclosed in US 9,421,675 B2.

According to DE 10 2013 009 358 B4, a construction for setting the torque on a screwdriver is state-of-the-art.

The ability to adjust torque tools is an essential function of agreeing the indicated and released values within allowable tolerances. Thus, adjustments have a direct effect on the accuracy and thus quality of a torque tool.

The present invention is based on the prior art and has the task of creating a torque tool, in particular a torque screwdriver, which technically and functionally improves the adjustment of the release torque and in particular also automates the adjustment procedure.

The solution to this problem lies in a torque tool, in particular a torque screwdriver according to technical solution 1.

The advantageous design and further development of the torque tool according to the invention is the object of the subsidiary technical solution.

Designs and modifications of the features of the torque tool which make the invention technically advantageous, individually or in combination, are also apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

A torque tool according to the invention is specifically a torque screwdriver. The torque tool has a handle and a setting body, and the setting body can rotate around the longitudinal axis of the handle to set a torque. A defined torque or defined value of the torque is shown on a display and can be read through a viewing window.

The torque tool has an adjustment device for setting a release torque. The setting body interacts with the adjustment device. The adjusting device includes a preloadable compression spring, an adjusting nut and an adjusting screw. In order to set a release torque, the adjusting nut and the adjusting screw interact in a threaded spindle manner, whereby the adjusting nut can be displaced axially in the handle and act on the compression spring. Axial displacement of the adjusting nut is caused by rotation of the adjusting screw about the longitudinal axis of the handle.

The torque tool has an adjustment configuration that can be used to adjust the release torque or a target release torque.

According to the invention, the adjustment arrangement comprises an adjustment coupling and an adjustment shaft, wherein the adjustment coupling can be coupled to and decoupled from the setting body. The adjustment coupling has on the setting body side a tool attachment surface designed for attaching an adjustment tool.

The adjustment shaft has a shaft section that engages with a coupling section of the adjustment coupling. At its end facing away from the adjusting coupling, the adjusting shaft has a drive head. The drive head is positively engaged in a port section of the adjustment screw. A locking washer is disposed in the port section with which the drive head contacts on the face side. An end section of an output shaft protrudes into the port section. The locking washer is positioned on the end section and rests on the collar due to the force of the compression spring. The end section has a groove. The length of the groove allows axial displacement of the lock washer against the force of the compression spring. Downstream axial bearings and adjusting screws are also displaced during this procedure.

The setting body and the adjusting coupling can be coupled via a tooth connection.

A tooth connection is formed by a tooth element and a counter-tooth element. The tooth element is arranged on a radial rim of the adjusting coupling. In addition, the counter-tooth element is arranged on a rim section of the setting body. The tooth elements and counter-tooth elements interact in a complementary and torque-transmitting manner. The tooth elements and counter-tooth elements are preferably formed by protrusions, ribs or webs. Between the tooth elements or counter-tooth elements there are free spaces, eg tooth pockets. The tooth elements and counter tooth elements are preferably oriented parallel (at least substantially parallel) to the rotational or longitudinal axis of the torque tool.

The setting body and the adjusting coupling can be decoupled by adjusting the axial displacement of the coupling relative to the setting body. In the uncoupled state, the target release torque can be adjusted.

In the port section of the adjusting screw, there is also an axial bearing on which the locking washer is supported.

An advantageous refinement further provides that the end section of the output shaft has a collar at the end, which projects into a central retaining system in the drive head and is enclosed by an annular section of the drive head.

The drive head has drive elements on its outer circumference that engage positive locking elements on the inner circumference of the port section. In particular, the drive element and the positive locking element are designed in a straight-toothed connection. That is, the elements are formed by teeth extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the drive head and port section. The axis of rotation corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

The release torque can be adjusted by setting the pretension of the compression spring. For this purpose, the setting body and the adjusting coupling are firstly decoupled by an axial displacement of the adjusting coupling relative to the setting body. This is done with the help of an adjustment tool which can be inserted from the outside through the opening of the handle and applied to the tool attachment surface. To open the end of the handle, an operating button of a lock located there is removed. The tool attachment surface of the adjustment coupling is then externally accessible. By applying a force in the axial direction, the adjustment coupling is displaced relative to the setting body and the two components are decoupled. Together with the adjustment coupling, the adjustment shaft and lock washer downstream of the adjustment coupling are also displaced.

The locking washer has a transverse slot with which it is guided onto the end section in the region of the groove and held there. The locking washer provides support for the pretension created by the compression spring in the adjustment unit.

By means of an adjustment tool attached to the adjustment coupling, a rotational movement can be produced which can be transmitted from the adjustment coupling to the adjustment screw via the adjustment shaft. By turning the adjusting screw, the adjusting nut in the handle moves axially and thus adjusts the pretension of the compression spring. A comparison is made between a defined value of the torque indicated by the display and the released torque (ie, the released torque and the indicated defined value). The torque at the output of the torque tool is measured by a torque sensor, and the pretension of the compression spring is set or adjusted to the measured value. The defined value of the release torque is shown in a display which can be read through a viewing window. In an advantageous further development, the display has a digital scroll wheel counter with several numerical scroll wheels. The digital roller counter is arranged on the shaft section of the adjustment shaft.

The torque tool according to the invention is improved in terms of application and function. In the torque tool according to the invention, the adjustment of the release torque is functionally improved, whereby in particular an automation of the adjustment procedure is also possible. The adjustment procedure can be carried out manually, but in particular also mechanically and automatically.

An adjustment arrangement designed according to the invention is provided in order to match a defined value of the torque on or indicated by the display and to release the torque. For adjustment, first remove the radial coupling between the adjusting coupling and the setting body. To disconnect the coupling, an axial force must be applied in the direction of output by means of an adjusting tool. For this purpose, an adjustment tool is applied to the tool attachment surface of the adjustment coupling. In particular, the tool attachment surface is formed by a polygon in a link on the setting body side of the adjustment coupling. After separating the adjusting coupling from the setting body, the adjusting coupling and the adjusting shaft rest against the locking washer. As soon as the applied axial force exceeds the spring force of the pressure spring of the release mechanism, the component to which the force is applied moves in the output direction. This is possible because the locking washer is only supported on the side of the handle end. The existing length of the groove on the shaft or in the axial longitudinal direction allows an axial displacement of the locking washer in order to radially decouple the adjusting coupling and the setting body. Once the two components are separated, the axial force of the compression spring can be changed by an additional rotational movement, since the rotation is transmitted to the adjustment screw. Once the spring pretension is corrected, the axial displacement is retracted. The applied spring force reengages the tooth connection between the adjustment coupling and the setting body. The teeth of the adjusting coupling engage in the grooves or pockets of the setting body. If the teeth are misaligned, a corresponding correction of the radial position is necessary so that the radial coupling can be re-established.

Referring to Figures 1 to 18, a torque tool 1 in the form of a torque screwdriver and its components according to the invention are described.

The torque tool 1 has a handle 2 and a display 3 and an output 4 for a defined torque. An adjusting device 5 is integrated in the handle 2 for setting a specific torque or a defined release torque. The adjusting device 5 comprises a setting mechanism with a preloadable compression spring 6 supported on an adjusting nut 7 arranged in a rotatably fixed manner in the handle 2 , and an adjusting screw 8 . The desired torque is set by compressing or releasing the compression spring 6 .

The adjustment device 5 and its setting mechanism interact with a setting body 9 on the handle 2 . The setting body 9 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis L relative to the handle 2 . The torque is adjusted by rotating the setting body 9 relative to the fixed part of the handle 2 . In order to secure the individually adjusted torques against inadvertent adjustments, the setting body 9 is secured by a lock 10 actuated by a locking button 11 .

The output 4 of the torque tool 1 is arranged on the front side in the handle 2 . Output 4 is designed to accommodate interchangeable insertion tools. For an exchangeable holding system for different insertion tools, the output 4 is equipped with a holding system 12 designed for this purpose.

The display 3 for torque has a digital roller counter 13 with several digital rollers 14 arranged one behind the other, which can be read through a viewing window 15 in the handle 2 .

The output 4 is coupled to an output shaft 16 of the torque tool 1 in a torque transmission manner. The output shaft 16 is mounted in the handle 2 and has a front output-side length section 17 , an annular collar 18 as well as an intermediate shaft section 19 and an end section 20 .

The setting body 9 can be unlocked and locked by a locking button 11 opposite to the handle 2 . In order to bring the torque tool 1 to a defined value or a release torque, the lock 10 of the setting body 9 is released. This is done by turning the locking button 11 at the rear end of the handle. The lock button 11 is manually operated.

The respective locking states are indicated and visible through the opening 21 in the setting body 9 . In the unlocked state, the defined value can be decreased or increased by turning the setting body 9 . When the target value is reached, the setting body 9 is locked again to prevent accidental adjustment of the defined value. The torque tool 1 can then be applied to a workpiece, such as a bolt or nut, and a controlled torque can be transmitted to the workpiece.

A release mechanism with a coupling 22 is arranged in the handle 2, which interrupts the torque transmission when a certain release torque is reached. The coupling element 22 includes a first coupling component 23 and a second reverse coupling component 24 . If a torque is introduced via the handle 2 , this is transmitted to the coupling assembly 23 . The coupling assembly 23 interacts with the reverse clutch assembly 24 and is loaded by the compression spring 6 . The coupling component 23 and the counter coupling component 24 are positively coupled in the rest position via the tooth connection 25 . The teeth 26 of the coupling element 23 and the teeth 27 of the counter coupling element 24 are inclined and have a helical tooth profile. Due to the helical shape and the helix given thereby, the lowest possible surface pressure between the components 23, 24 is guaranteed.

The counter coupling element 24 is coupled radially to the output shaft 16 on the output side via a hexagonal connection 28 and is supported on the annular collar 18 of the output shaft 16 . Once a reverse torque force is applied to the output 4 and this is transmitted to the output shaft member 16, the two coupling elements (ie the coupling member 23 and the counter coupling member 24) move apart along the contact surfaces on the teeth 26,27. This movement takes place against the spring force of the compression spring 6, whereby the torsional and counter torsional forces applied to the handle 2 are equal in magnitude. According to a defined release torque, the coupling component 23 and the counter coupling component 24 have moved so far apart that the forward connection between the two components is cancelled. This prevents the introduction of a higher torque at the output 4 and the tooth connection 25 engages in the following position. If the torque applied to the handle 2 does not decrease, the procedure is repeated. The procedure is interrupted only when the torque on the handle 2 is less than the release torque.

By increasing or decreasing the spring force of the compression spring 6, the desired release torque of the release mechanism on the coupling member 22 can be changed proportionally. This adjustment is carried out by a rotational movement of the adjusting screw 8 supported on an axial bearing 29 . The axial bearing 29 serves to reduce the adjustment torque to be applied to the adjustment screw 8 . When a rotational movement is performed on the adjusting screw 8 , the connected adjusting nut 7 moves axially and thereby changes the pretension of the compression spring 6 supported on the adjusting nut 7 . The direction of screw rotation determines the effect produced by the respective rotation direction. In order to prevent the adjusting nut 7 from rotating when the adjusting screw 8 rotates, the adjusting nut 7 is radially fixed in the handle 2 . The adjusting nut 7 is axially displaceable on the longitudinal axis L. As shown in FIG.

The torque tool 1 has an adjustment arrangement 30 with an adjustment coupling 31 and an adjustment shaft 32 . The adjustment arrangement 30 can be used to adjust the release torque. Furthermore, the setting of the torque transmission and thus the release of the torque for setting or adjusting the setting screw 8 takes place via the adjusting coupling 31 and the adjusting shaft 32 .

The adjusting screw 8 is driven by an adjusting shaft 32 radially coupled to the adjusting screw 8 . The adjusting shaft 32 has a drive head 33 which positively engages in a port section 34 of the adjusting screw 8 . The drive head 33 has drive elements 35 on its outer circumference which engage positive locking elements 36 on the inner circumference of the port section 34 . The drive element 35 and the positive locking element 36 are designed as straight-toothed connection elements.

A shaft section 37 is connected to the drive head 33 of the adjustment shaft 32 . An adjustment shaft 32 is connected to the adjustment coupling 31 . The coupling between the adjusting shaft 32 and the adjusting coupling 31 takes place via a coupling section 38 which creates a polygonal connection, in particular a hexagonal connection, between the components. For this purpose, the shaft section 37 has at its free end a polygon 50 which engages in a polygonal holding system 51 in the adjustment coupling 31 .

In addition, the adjusting coupling 31 is supported on the adjusting shaft 32 so that an axial force can be exerted in the direction of the output 4 .

The setting body 9 and the adjusting coupling 31 can be coupled via a tooth connection 39 . The toothed connection 39 has a toothed element 41 arranged on a radial rim 40 of the adjusting coupling 31 and a counter-toothed element 43 arranged on a rim section 42 on the setting body 9 . The tooth connection 39 or its tooth element 41 and counter tooth element 43 may be formed by ribs or webs, between which projections and tooth pockets are formed. Preferably, the tooth element 41 and the counter tooth element 43 are aligned on a line parallel or at least substantially parallel to the rotational or longitudinal axis L. As shown in FIG.

A locking washer 44 is arranged between the drive head 33 of the adjusting shaft 32 and the axial bearing 29 in the port section 34 of the adjusting screw 8 . The drive head 33 is in contact with the locking washer 44 on the front side. The drive head 33 is pot-shaped and has a central holding system 45 on the output side, ie on the side facing the output shaft 16 .

The end section 20 of the output shaft 16 has an end collar 46 protruding into the holding system 45 in the drive head 33 . An annular section 47 circumferentially delimiting the retaining system 45 surrounds the end collar 46 at the end section 20 of the output shaft 16 . A groove 48 extending in the longitudinal axis L is provided in the end section 20 . A locking washer 44 is disposed on the end section 20 and is axially displaceable thereon along the groove 48 .

Lock washer 44 has a slot 52 . The slot 52 allows the locking washer 44 to be pushed onto the end section 20 in the region of the groove 48 and is position-guided. Along the groove 48 the locking washer 44 is longitudinally displaceable relative to the end section 20 .

Lock washer 44 is supported against end collar 46 .

In order to be able to adjust the torque tool 1 with standardized tools, the adjustment coupling 31 has a tool attachment surface 49 in the form of an inner hexagon on the side of the handle end. In order to enable the user to change the defined value of the release torque from the outside, the adjustment coupling 31 and the setting body 9 are radially coupled to each other. To set the torque tool 1 to a specific release torque, the torque tool 1 is held by the handle 2, and the torque tool 1 is adjusted to a desired defined value by turning the setting body 9 .

The adjustment arrangement 30 can be used to adjust the release torque. In this way, the defined value shown on the display 3 via the digital roller counter 13 and the release torque are aligned with each other. The first step is to remove the radial coupling between the adjusting coupling 31 and the setting body 9 . To uncouple, an axial force must be applied in the direction of the output 4 by means of an adjustment tool connected to the tool attachment surface 49 . Accordingly, the adjustment coupling 31 and the adjustment shaft 32 are supported on the lock washer 44 . As soon as the applied axial force exceeds the axial force of the release mechanism and the compression spring 6 in the coupling 22 , the component to which the force is applied moves in the direction of the output 4 . Here, the locking washer 44 is moved axially in the longitudinal direction L in the groove 48 of the output shaft 16 . This allows an axial displacement of the locking washer 44 such that the adjustment coupling 31 and the setting body 9 are moved relative to each other and disengaged or uncoupled by the axial displacement. Once the setting body 9 is separated from the adjustment coupling 31 , the axial force of the compression spring 6 can be varied by an additional rotational movement by transmitting the rotation to the adjustment screw 8 . Adjustment is made by a torque sensor system that picks up and outputs the torque at 4 places. Once the spring pretension is corrected, the axial displacement is retracted. The applied spring force allows re-engagement of the tooth connection 25 between the adjustment coupling 31 and the setting body 9 and re-establishes the radial coupling between the components.

1: Torque tool 2: handle 3: Display 4: output 5: Adjustment device 6: Compression spring 7: Adjust the nut 8: Adjustment screw 9: set body 10: lock 11: Lock button 12: Holding system 13:Digital roller counter 14: Digital scroll wheel 15: Observation window 16: output shaft 17: Front output side length section 18: Annular collar 19: Intermediate shaft section 20: End section 21: opening 22:Coupling piece 23: The first coupling component 24: Reverse coupling components 25: tooth connection 26: teeth 27: teeth 28: Hexagon Connection 29: axial bearing 30: Adjust configuration 31: Adjust the coupling 32:Adjust the shaft 33: drive head 34: port section 35: drive element 36: Positive locking element 37: shaft section/shaft part 38:Coupling section 39: tooth connection 40: radial rim 41: tooth element 42: Rim section 43: reverse tooth element 44:Lock washer 45: Center holding system 46: End collar 47: ring section 48: Groove 49: Tool Attachment Surface 50: Polygon 51: Polygon holding system 52: slot L: longitudinal axis/longitudinal direction

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The other instructions are as follows:

Figure 1 shows a torque tool in the form of a torque screwdriver according to the invention in side view;

Fig. 2 shows according to the line A-A in Fig. 1 through one longitudinal cross-section of torsion tool;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of section A from Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the components of the torque tool;

Figure 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the illustration according to Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a perspective exploded view of one of the components of the torque tool;

Figure 7 shows the assembly shown in Figure 6 from a different angle;

Figure 8 shows the components of the torque tool in an exploded diagram from a side view;

Figure 9 shows the diagram shown in Figure 8 in a cross-sectional view;

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of one of the cross-sectional views shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows another perspective view of the assembly as shown in Figure 10;

Fig. 12 shows the adjustment device of the torque tool and the components of the adjustment arrangement without the handle in the first view;

Figure 13 shows the assembly shown in Figure 12 in an oblique view from the rear;

Figure 14 shows a side view of the components of the torque tool, in particular the adjustment device;

Figure 15 shows a front view of the diagram of Figure 14 according to arrow A;

Figure 16 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the diagram of Figure 14 along the line A-A;

Figure 17 shows an enlarged view of section A from Figure 16, and

Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a locking washer.

1: Torque tool

2: handle

3: Display

4: output

9: set body

11: Lock button

15: Observation window

21: opening

Claims (9)

A torque tool, in particular, a torque screwdriver, which has a handle (2), a setting body (9), the setting body can rotate around the longitudinal axis (L) of the handle (2) and is used for setting An adjusting device (5) for releasing the torque cooperates, and the adjusting device (5) has a pre-tensionable compression spring (6), an adjusting nut (7) and an adjusting screw (8) and has a defined An indicator (3) of torque and has an adjustment arrangement (30) through which an adjustment of the release torque can be carried out, characterized in that the adjustment arrangement (30) has an adjustment coupling (31) and an adjustment shaft (32), wherein the adjusting coupling (31) can be coupled with the setting body (9) and decoupled from the setting body (9), and the adjusting coupling (31) has a designed function on the setting body side. is attached to a tool attachment surface of an adjustment tool, and the adjustment shaft (32) has a shaft section (37) engaged in a coupling section (38) of the adjustment coupling (31), and The adjusting shaft (32) has a driving head (33) at its end facing away from the adjusting coupling (31), which is engaged with a port of the adjusting screw (8) in a positive locking manner In the section (34), one of the locking washers (44) is arranged in the port section (34), the drive head (33) is in contact with it on the end face, and one end section of one of the output shafts (16) (20) protrudes into the port section (34) and the locking washer (44) is disposed on the end section (20), wherein the end section (20) has a groove (48), the A lock washer (44) is axially displaceable along the groove. The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the setting body (9) and the adjusting coupling member (31) can be coupled through a tooth connection (39). The torque tool according to claim 2, wherein the tooth connection (39) includes a tooth element (41) arranged on a radial rim (40) of the adjusting coupling (31) and arranged on the setting body (9) Reverse tooth element (43) on the upper rim section (42). The torque tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting body (9) and the adjusting coupling (31) can be adjusted relative to the axis of the setting body (9) by the adjusting coupling (31) Displacement to decouple. A torque tool as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a locking washer (44) is configured in the port section (34) of the adjusting screw (8), and an axial bearing (29) is supported on the port section (34). The torque tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the end section (20) of the output shaft (16) has an end collar (46), which protrudes to the drive head (33) is held centrally in the system (45) and enclosed by an annular section (47) of the drive head (33). The torque tool according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the driving head (33) has driving elements (35) on its outer circumference, and these driving elements are connected to the inner circumference of the port section (34) The positive locking element (36) engages. The torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adjustment of the release torque can be implemented by setting the pretension of the compression spring (6), wherein the adjustment screw acting on the compression spring (6) The cap (7) is axially displaceable in the handle (2) by a rotation of the adjustment screw (8), wherein a rotational movement can be produced by the adjustment tool attached to the adjustment coupling (31) , and can be transmitted from the adjusting coupling (31) to the adjusting screw (8) via the adjusting shaft (32). The torque tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a digital roller counter (13) of the display (3) having a plurality of digital rollers (14) is arranged on the shaft part (37).

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