The present invention relates to an impact tool for performing a prescribed hammering operation on a workpiece by moving a tool accessory in a longitudinal direction.
As an example of an impact tool which is capable of cushioning an impact applied by an impact bolt in a so-called idling state, Japanese non-examined laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-219668 discloses a technique for providing a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member formed by a rubber sleeve and a rubber ring, respectively, in the impact tool.
In this known impact tool, in a state in which the impact tool is lifted up by a user and a tool accessory is separated from the workpiece, the impact bolt may be driven by driving of a striker. In this case, when the impact bolt collides with a tool holder, the impact bolt may be bounced off toward the striker by the first and second cushioning members formed of rubber. In such a condition, the striker is driven again by a piston and thus the impact bolt is continuously driven even though the tool accessory is separated from the workpiece. Therefore, further improvement is required in this point.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an impact tool having a rational mechanism as a solution to a problem arising in a state in which the tool accessory is separated from a workpiece.
In order to solve the above-described problem, according to the present invention, an impact tool is provided which performs a prescribed hammering operation on a workpiece by moving a tool accessory in a longitudinal direction of the tool accessory. The impact tool has a striker that linearly moves in the longitudinal direction, an impact bolt that is driven by the striker and transmits a striking force to the tool accessory, a tool accessory holder that holds the tool accessory such that the tool accessory can move in the longitudinal direction, a tool accessory retainer that is provided in an end region of the tool accessory holder and prevents the tool accessory from coming off the tool accessory holder, and an elastic element that connects the tool accessory holder and the tool accessory retainer such that the tool accessory holder and the tool accessory retainer can move in the longitudinal direction with respect to each other.
In an idling state defined as a state in which the tool accessory is not pressed against the workpiece and the impact bolt transmits the striking force to the tool accessory, the tool accessory retainer moves with respect to the tool accessory holder by movement of the tool accessory in the longitudinal direction, so that the striking force is cushioned.
According to the impact tool of the present invention, with the structure in which the striking force is cushioned by movement of the tool accessory retainer with respect to the tool accessory holder in the idling state, the impact caused by collision of the tool accessory with the tool accessory retainer is cushioned. Therefore, in the idling state, the striker can be prevented from moving in an opposite direction from the tool accessory via the impact bolt when the tool accessory is bounced off the tool accessory retainer. Specifically, according to the impact tool of the present invention, a condition in which the striker, the impact bolt and the tool accessory are not driven can be formed when the tool accessory is not pressed against the workpiece.
Further, even when the tool accessory holder and the tool accessory retainer move with respect to each other by collision of the tool accessory with the tool accessory retainer, the tool accessory holder and the tool accessory retainer can be returned to their initial positions by the elastic element. Therefore, when the user starts the hammering operation again from the idling state, the impact tool can immediately perform the hammering operation.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the impact bolt is avoided from coming in contact with the tool accessory holder in the longitudinal direction in the idling state. Thus, the striking force of the impact bolt can be prevented from being transmitted to the tool accessory holder in the idling state.
According to the impact tool of this aspect, in the idling state, the impact bolt can be prevented from being bounced off the tool accessory holder and moving in the opposite direction from the tool accessory. Specifically, a condition in which the impact bolt is not driven can be formed in the idling state.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the elastic element may be formed by a coil spring.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the tool accessory retainer has a retainer body and a retainer shaft. The tool accessory retainer may be configured to be rotatable around the retainer shaft between a replacement position for attaching and detaching the tool accessory to and from the tool accessory holder and an operation position for preventing the tool accessory from coming off the tool accessory holder.
According to the impact tool of this aspect, the user can immediately perform the hammering operation by turning the tool accessory retainer after replacement of the tool accessory.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the retainer shaft can prevent the tool accessory from coming off the tool accessory holder by engagement with the tool accessory when the tool accessory moves in the longitudinal direction.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the tool accessory defines a first tool accessory that has a flange on the tool accessory body and a second tool accessory that has a notch extending in the longitudinal direction in the tool accessory body and has a pair of walls formed on both ends of the notch. In the tool accessory retainer, the retainer body has a first contact part that comes in contact with the flange when the first tool accessory moves in the longitudinal direction, and the retainer shaft has a second contact part that comes in contact with the walls when the second tool accessory moves in the longitudinal direction.
By provision of such a structure, the impact tool may be configured such that the first and second tool accessories can be replaced with each other.
According to the impact tool of this aspect, by provision of the retainer having the first and second contact parts, the user can appropriately and selectively use the first and second tool accessories.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the impact tool may have a biasing element which pulls up the retainer shaft toward the tool accessory holder and thereby fixes the tool accessory retainer with respect to the tool accessory holder in the operation position. The biasing element can also serve as the elastic element.
According to the impact tool of this aspect, the elastic element for cushioning the striking force and the biasing element for fixing the tool accessory retainer and the tool accessory holder in the operation position are formed as a single structure, so that a more rational structure can be provided as the impact tool.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the impact tool has a striker cushioning part for cushioning an impact caused by the striker when the striker moves toward the tool accessory. The striker cushioning part also serves as a positioning element when the impact bolt is driven by the striker.
According to the impact tool of this aspect, with the structure in which the impact caused when the striker moves toward the tool accessory is cushioned, the striker is prevented from being bounced off and driven again. Specifically, a condition in which the striker is not driven can be formed when the tool accessory is not pressed against the workpiece.
Further, with the structure in which the striker cushioning part also serves as the positioning element, a more rational structure as the impact tool can be provided.
In an aspect of the solution in the impact tool according to the present invention, the striker cushioning part has a movable member that can move in the longitudinal direction. The movable member is moved in a direction away from the tool accessory when the striker comes in contact with the impact bolt, while the movable member is moved in a direction toward the tool accessory when pressed by the striker.
According to the impact tool of this aspect, the striker can be prevented from being bounced off by the movable member. Therefore, a condition in which the striker is not driven can be formed in the idling state.
According to the present invention, an impact tool can be provided with a rational mechanism as a solution to a problem arising in an idling state.
Embodiments of the present invention are now explained with reference to
Further, in the following description, the longitudinal direction of the hammer bit 119 is referred to merely as the “longitudinal direction”.
A first embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to
As shown in
As shown in
A user supports the electric hammer 101 by holding the handgrip 109 shown in
As shown in
Further, as described below, the electric hammer 101 further has a first cushioning mechanism 300, a remaining space 400 and a second cushioning mechanism 500 in order to reduce an impact caused by driving of the striking mechanism 115.
As shown in
The second motion converting mechanism 213 which causes the counter weight 227 to linearly reciprocate is shown in
The second crank disk 221 is arranged such that its rotation axis substantially coincides with a rotation axis of the first crank disk 124 of the first motion converting mechanism 113. The second crank disk 221 is loosely connected to the first eccentric shaft 125 via an engagement part 221a at a position displaced from its rotation axis. The third crank disk 222 is fixedly mounted onto the second crank disk 221 coaxially with the second crank disk 221. The counter weight 227 has a sliding guide 227a made of synthetic resin so as to easily slide on an outer periphery of the cylinder 141.
As described above, in this embodiment, power is taken out from the middle of a power transmission path of the first motion converting mechanism 113 which is driven by the driving motor 110, and the second motion converting mechanism 213 is driven by the power.
The striking mechanism 115 is now explained with reference to
As shown in
The striker 131 is driven when the piston 129 is driven in the longitudinal direction by the first motion converting mechanism 113. Specifically, when the piston 129 is driven toward the hammer bit 119, air within a first air chamber 141a formed between the piston 129 and the striker 131 is compressed. Then, when the compressed air expands, the striker 131 is moved toward the hammer bit 119 and collides with the impact bolt 145, and the impact bolt 145 then moves the hammer bit 119. Thus, the hammer bit 119 is driven by impact.
When the electric hammer 101 performs a hammering operation, the hammer bit 119 is located in a lower position by its own weight. In this state, the user holds the handgrip 109 and places the body 103 in a lower position by utilizing its own weight. Specifically, the hammer bit 119 is relatively moved toward a rear end of the body 103. This state is referred to as a state in which the hammer bit 119 is pressed against a workpiece.
Then the hammer bit 119 pushes up the impact bolt 145 and the striker 131 rearward. In this state, when the piston 129 is driven rearward, negative pressure is generated in the first air chamber 141, so that the striker 131 is moved rearward. In this manner, during the hammering operation, the hammer bit 119 can be continuously driven by impact by reciprocating movement of the piston 129.
During the operation, however, the user may move with respect to the workpiece. At this time, the user holds the handgrip 109 and lifts the body 103, which causes the hammer bit 119 to be moved toward a front end of the body 103 by its own weight. By the movement of the hammer bit 119, the impact bolt 145 is moved toward the front end of the body 103. This state is referred to as a state in which the hammer bit 119 is not pressed against the workpiece.
As shown in
When the striker 131 moves forward, a front region 131a of the striker 131 collides with the first cushioning mechanism 300. An impact caused by this collision is cushioned by the rubber ring 303. By such provision of the first cushioning mechanism 300 which cushions the impact caused by the striker 131, the striker 131 is prevented from bouncing off rearward.
As shown in
The remaining space 400 can cushion the impact which is directly applied to the tool holder 117 by the impact bolt 145. Further, by provision of such a structure, durability of the tool holder 117 can be improved.
The structure for forming the remaining space 400 is now explained. First, it is assumed that the hammer bit 119 and the impact bolt 145 are moved to a front end position under a “stationary condition”. In this case, a distance between a tip of the hammer bit 119 and the front inner wall 117b of the tool holder 117 in the longitudinal direction is defined as a first distance D100. A distance between the tip of the hammer bit 119 and the front end surface 145b1 of the impact bolt 145 in the longitudinal direction is defined as a second distance D200. The remaining space 400 can be formed by setting the first distance D100 to be shorter than the second distance D200.
In the electric hammer 101 according to the first embodiment, when the hammer bit 119 performs a hammering operation, the tool holder 117 and the retainer 510 are moved with respect to each other, which is described below. Specifically, when the hammer bit 119 collides with the retainer 510, the retainer 510 is moved in a direction away from the tool holder 117. In such a state, the hammer bit 119 moves by movement of the retainer 510, and the impact bolt 145 moves toward the hammer bit 119 by following the movement of the hammer bit 119. At this time, a state in which the remaining space 400 does not exist may be caused by instantaneous contact of the front end surface 145b1 of the impact bolt 145 with the front inner wall 117b of the tool holder 117. However, it is only necessary for the remaining space 400 to satisfy that “the space exists between the front end surface 145b1 of the impact bolt 145 and the front inner wall 117b of the tool holder 117” in “a state in which forward movement of the hammer bit 119 by the impact bolt 145 is completed and the retainer 510 is not yet moved by the hammer bit 119”.
As described below in detail with reference to
Specifically, when the hammer bit 119 is moved by the impact bolt 145 without being pressed against the workpiece, the impact bolt 145 cannot essentially return rearward because the hammer bit 119 is not pressed against the workpiece.
Even in such a case, however, if the remaining space 400 is not formed, the impact bolt 145 is bounced off rearward by collision with the tool holder 117. The bounced impact bolt 145 collides with the striker 131 and moves the striker 131 rearward. Then, the striker 131 is sucked by the negative pressure of the first air chamber 141a which is generated by rearward driving of the piston 129. Subsequently, the striker 131 is moved forward again by compression and expansion of the air in the first air chamber 141a which are caused by forward driving of the piston 129, and collides with the impact bolt 145. Specifically, if the remaining space 400 does not exist, the impact bolt 145 is bounced off by collision with the tool holder 117, which may cause the impact bolt 145 to continue to be driven and strike the hammer bit 119.
In the electric hammer 101 according to the embodiments of the present invention, however, the remaining space 400 is formed so that the “bouncing-off” of the impact bolt 145 in the idling state can be prevented.
The structure of the front end region of the electric hammer 101 is now explained with reference to
As shown in
In order to connect the retainer 510 and the tool holder 117, a shaft 513 is slidably inserted through a hole 117a1 of a projection 117a formed in a front end region of the tool holder 117. Then the retainer shaft 512 is inserted through a hole 513a formed in a front end region of the shaft 513.
A coil spring 520 is disposed around the shaft 513 inserted through the projection 117a of the tool holder 117 while exhibiting a biasing force in a direction of expansion by a spring receiving part 514 fixed to the shaft 513. Specifically, the coil spring 520 is disposed between the projection 117a and the spring receiving part 514, while exhibiting the biasing force in the direction of expansion.
By provision of such a structure, the retainer shaft 512 is pulled up rearward by the biasing force of the coil spring 520, so that a front region 117a2 of the projection 117 and a rear end region 511d of the retainer body 511 are held in contact with each other. Specifically, the tool holder 117 and the retainer 510 are movably connected to each other via the coil spring 520. At this time, the tool holder 117 and the retainer 510 are rotatably fixed to each other by the biasing force of the coil spring 520. The coil spring 520 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “elastic element” and the “biasing element” according to this invention.
Further, as described below with reference to
As shown in
Further, when the retainer body 511 is located in the first operation position 5111, the first replacement position 5112, the second operation position 5113 and the second replacement position 5114, the retainer body 511 is fixed to the tool holder 117 by the biasing force of the coil spring 520.
Operation of the electric hammer 101 is explained with reference to
In the electric hammer 101, the first hammer bit 119a shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Operation of the first hammer bit 119a used in the electric hammer 101 is now explained with reference to
First,
The user first turns the retainer body 511 to the first replacement position 5112. At this time, the curved part 511a and the contact part 512a are retreated to such a position as not to come in contact with the first hammer bit 119a when the first hammer bit 119a is attached to the tool holder 117. Therefore, the user is allowed to insert the rear end region of the first hammer bit 119a into the tool holder 117. When finishing attachment (replacement) of the first hammer bit 119a, the user turns the retainer body 511 to the first operation position 5111 shown in
In the initial stage of this idling state, the impact bolt 145 is moved rearward by the rear end region of the first hammer bit 119a. In this state, as shown in
In this state, as shown in
Further, as shown in
Thus, the remaining space 400 exhibits its function. Specifically, the remaining space 400 can prevent the impact bolt 145 from being bounced off the tool holder 117 and moving the striker 131 rearward. Further, it can reduce damage which is done to the tool holder 117 by the impact bolt 145.
As shown in
In this state, the second cushioning mechanism 500 exhibits its function. Specifically, the second cushioning mechanism 500 can prevent the first hammer bit 119a from being bounced off the retainer body 511 and moving the striker 131 rearward via the impact bolt 145. Further, it can reduce damage which is done to the retainer 510 by the first hammer bit 119a.
As described above, when using the first hammer bit 119a for the electric hammer 101, the first hammer bit 119a can be prevented from being driven in the idling state.
Further, the first hammer bit 119a returns to its original position by expansion of the coil spring 520 after moving by the movement distance D300.
Next, operation of the second hammer bit 119b used in the electric hammer 101 is explained with reference to
First,
The user first turns the retainer body 511 to the second replacement position 5114. At this time, the curved part 511a and the contact part 512a are retreated to such a position as not to come in contact with the second hammer bit 119b when the second hammer bit 119b is attached to the tool holder 117. Therefore, the user is allowed to insert the rear end region of the second hammer bit 119b into the tool holder 117. When finishing attachment (replacement) of the second hammer bit 119b, the user turns the retainer body 511 to the second operation position 5113 shown in
In the initial stage of this idling state, the impact bolt 145 is moved rearward by the rear end region of the second hammer bit 119b. Further, the contact part 512b of the retainer shaft 512 is not in contact with the rear wall 119b3 of the second hammer bit 119b.
In this state, as shown in
In this state, as shown in
Further, as shown in
Thus, the remaining space 400 exhibits its function. Specifically, the remaining space 400 can prevent the impact bolt 145 from being bounced off the tool holder 117 and moving the striker 131 rearward. Further, it can reduce damage which is done to the tool holder 117 by the impact bolt 145.
As shown in
In this state, the second cushioning mechanism 500 exhibits its function. Specifically, the second cushioning mechanism 500 can prevent the second hammer bit 119b from being bounced off the contact part 512b and moving the striker 131 rearward via the impact bolt 145. Further, it can reduce damage which is done to the retainer 510 by the second hammer bit 119b.
As described above, when using the second hammer bit 119b for the electric hammer 101, the second hammer bit 119b can be prevented from being driven in the idling state.
Further, the second hammer bit 119b returns to its original position by expansion of the coil spring 520 after moving by the movement distance D400.
As described above, in the electric hammer 101 according to the first embodiment, whether the first hammer bit 119a is used or the second hammer bit 119b is used, the hammer bit 119 (119a, 119b) can be prevented from being driven by the piston 129 in the idling state.
A second embodiment of the impact tool according to the present invention is now described based on an electric hammer 102 with reference to
In the electric hammer 102, components or elements which are substantially identical to those in the first embodiment are given like numerals and are not described. The electric hammer 102 is different from the electric hammer 101 of the first embodiment in the structure of the first cushioning mechanism 300.
As shown in
The movable member 304 has a first extending part 304a that extends in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, and a second extending part 304b that extends from an inner region of the first extending part 304a toward the striker 131 in the longitudinal direction. The movable member 304 is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction. An end of the first extending part 304a facing the barrel 108 is configured to be held in contact with an inner wall of the barrel 108 and is provided with a sealing member 304c such as an O-ring. The movable member 304 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “movable member” according to this invention.
The fixed member 305 has a first extending part 305a that extends in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, and a second extending part 305b that extends from an inner region of the first extending part 305a toward the hammer bit 119 in the longitudinal direction. An end of the first extending part 305a is fixed to the inner wall of the barrel 108. An end of the first extending part 305a facing the barrel 108 is configured to be held in contact with the inner wall of the barrel 108 and is provided with a sealing member 305c such as an O-ring. Further, a region of the first extending part 305a facing the movable member 304 is configured to be held in contact with the movable member 304 and is provided with a sealing member 305d such as an O-ring.
The rubber ring 306 is fixed in a space surrounded by the inner wall of the barrel 108 and the first extending part 305a and the second extending part 305b of the fixed member 305. A front end surface of the rubber ring 306 slightly protrudes forward from a front end surface of the second extending part 305b of the fixed member 305 in the longitudinal direction.
Operation of the electric hammer 102 is now explained with reference to
In this state, as shown in
Specifically, in the process in which the striker 133 moves the movable member 304 forward as shown in
When the movable member 304 is moved forward, the first extending part 304a of the movable member 304 comes in contact with rear ends of the tool holder 117 and the sleeve 157. At this time, the movable member 304 comes in contact with the rear ends of the tool holder 117 and the sleeve 157 while being decelerated, so that the impact applied to the tool holder 117 and the sleeve 157 by the movable member 304 is reduced. Further, the impact caused by collision of the first extending part 304a of the movable member 304 with the tool holder 117 and the sleeve 157 is dispersed to the tool holder 117 and the sleeve 157.
Moreover, since the movable member 304 moves while being decelerated, reaction force caused by collision of the movable member 304 with the tool holder 117 and the sleeve 157 is reduced. As a result, the striker 131 can be prevented from bouncing off rearward.
The electric hammer 102 further has the remaining space 400 and the second cushioning mechanism 500 which have the same structures as those of the electric hammer 101 of the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the electric hammer 102, like in the electric hammer 101, the hammer bit is not driven in the idling state.
In a normal operation state, the movable member 304 is reciprocated between the position shown in
In view of the nature of the above-described invention, the following features can be provided.
(Aspect 1)
The impact tool as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the striker cushioning part forms a first cushioning mechanism, the structure in which the impact bolt does not come in contact with the tool accessory holder in the longitudinal direction forms a remaining space, and the elastic member forms a second cushioning mechanism.
(Aspect 2)
The impact tool as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a space is formed between the impact bolt and the tool holder and the space exists even when the impact bolt comes in contact with the tool accessory.
(Correspondences Between the Features of the Embodiments and the Features of the Invention)
The above-described embodiments are representative examples for embodying the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the constructions that have been described as the representative embodiments. Correspondences between the features of the embodiments and the features of the invention are as follow:
The tool bit 119 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “tool accessory” according to the present invention. The electric hammer 101 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “impact tool” according to the present invention. The tool holder 117 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “tool accessory holder” according to the present invention. The striker 131 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “striker” according to the present invention. The impact bolt 145 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “impact bolt” according to the present invention. The first cushioning mechanism 300 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “striker cushioning part” and the “positioning element” according to the present invention. The retainer 510 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “tool accessory retainer” according to the present invention. The retainer body 511 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “retainer body” according to the present invention. The retainer shaft 512 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “retainer shaft” according to the present invention. The coil spring 520 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “elastic element” and the “biasing element” according to the present invention. The first operation position 5111 and the second operation position 5113 are example embodiments that correspond to the “operation position” according to the present invention. The first replacement position 5112 and the second replacement position 5114 are example embodiments that correspond to the “replacement position” according to the present invention. The first hammer bit 119a is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “first tool accessory” according to the present invention. The flange 119a1 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “flange” according to the present invention. The curved part 511a is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “first contact part” according to the present invention. The second hammer bit 119b is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “second tool accessory” according to the present invention. The rear wall 119b3 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “wall” according to the present invention. The contact part 512b is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “second contact part” according to the present invention. The movable member 304 is an example embodiment that corresponds to the “movable member” according to the present invention.
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2014-181640 | Sep 2014 | JP | national |
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20160067856 A1 | Mar 2016 | US |