The present disclosure relates, generally, to power tools and, more particularly, to impact tools including a ring gear alignment feature.
Many power tools include gear assemblies configured to translate rotational forces produced by a motor into rotation of an output spindle of the power tool. In such power tools, it is generally desirable to have the positions of the motor and the gear assembly fixed relative to one another for proper operation of the power tool. It would, therefore, be beneficial to have certain features on the power tool include piloting features to assist assembling certain structures and keep them fixed relative to other structures.
To that end, an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a hand-held power tool which comprises a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, a gear set assembly, a first set of piloting features, and a second set of piloting features. The housing supports the motive source and includes a front endbell. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing. The output shaft is also functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The front housing defines an interior space. The output shaft is located in the interior space of the front housing. The gear set assembly is located in the interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear characterized by an annular ring body having a plurality of teeth located on the interior periphery of the annular ring body and a surface located on an exterior periphery of the annular ring body opposite the interior periphery. The ring gear surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. The surface of the exterior periphery of the ring gear abuts an interior surface of the front housing. The first set of piloting features is located on the interior surface of the front housing and on the surface of the exterior periphery of the ring gear, and is configured to prevent movement of the ring gear relative to the motive source and the front housing. The second set of piloting features is located on the front housing and on the endbell of the housing, and is configured to prevent the front housing from moving relative to the housing.
In the above and other embodiments of the present disclosure may also comprise: the front housing being a hammer case; the impact mechanism being supported in the hammer case; the front housing being attached to the housing with fasteners; the gear set assembly including a planetary gear set; the first set of piloting features further comprise one or more grooves formed in the interior surface of the front housing, and one or more corresponding ridges formed on the surface of the exterior periphery of the annular ring body of the ring gear, wherein the one or more grooves are configured to receive the one or more corresponding ridges to prevent movement between the front housing and the ring gear; the first set of piloting features having one or more grooves formed in the surface of the exterior periphery of the annular ring body of the ring gear, and one or more corresponding ridges formed on the interior surface of the front housing, wherein the one or more grooves are configured to receive the one or more corresponding ridges to prevent movement between the front housing and the ring gear; the second set of piloting features having one or more corresponding ridges formed on an outer surface of the front endbell of the housing, wherein each of the one or more grooves of the front housing is sized to receive both a corresponding ridge formed on the surface of the exterior periphery of the annular ring body of the ring gear and the one or more corresponding ridges formed on an outer surface of the front endbell, wherein each of the one or more grooves extends axially along the interior surface of the front housing; dimensions of each of the one or more ridges formed on the surface of the exterior periphery of the annular ring body of the ring gear are substantially similar to dimensions of each of the one or more corresponding ridges formed on the outer surface of the front endbell; the interior surface of the front housing defines an inner diameter of the outer periphery of the ring body of the ring gear and an outer diameter of the front endbell; the one or more grooves of the front housing align with the one or more ridges formed on the surface of the exterior periphery of the annular ring body of the ring gear and the one or more corresponding ridges formed on the outer surface to advance the front housing axially along a central axis toward the housing to engage and secure to the housing; the one or more grooves of the front housing include a flange surface configured to clamp the ring gear against the front endbell when the front housing is secured to the housing; the first set of piloting features further comprise one or more ridges formed on the front housing and one or more corresponding grooves formed on the surface of the outer periphery of the ring gear and the one or more corresponding grooves formed on the front endbell; the front endbell being configured to surround at least a portion of the ring gear to align and secure the ring gear in relation to the motive source, wherein the front housing is configured to operatively couple the housing, the front endbell, and the ring gear together the front endbell including an annular flange formed in a front end of the front endbell, wherein the annular flange includes an inner surface configured to from a cavity sized to receive a portion of the ring gear, the inner surface of the annular flange of the endbell operatively couples to an outer surface of the ring gear when the ring gear to prevent the ring gear from rotating during normal operation; the front housing is configured to be secured to the outer surface of the housing, wherein the front housing includes a housing flange and a gear assembly surface, wherein the housing flange is configured to operatively couple to the outer surface of the housing to secure the front housing to tool housing, and wherein the gear assembly surface is configured to abut the annular flange of the front endbell and the ring gear so the front housing cooperates with the front endbell to hold the ring gear, the first set of piloting features including the ring gear insert molded to the front endbell, wherein the front housing is operatively coupled to the ring gear, the front endbell, and wherein front housing includes a nose piece located adjacent the output spindle; the front housing including a tapered section and a flange, wherein the tapered section of the front housing is configured to operatively couple to an inner surface of the housing, and wherein the flange is configured to operatively couple to outer surfaces of the ring gear; the ring gear including a lip formed on an interior portion of the ring gear, wherein the lip is configured to cooperate with the front endbell; the ring gear being secured to the front endbell, wherein securement features are formed on the ring gear which are filled with a plastic material that holds the ring gear to the front endbell, wherein the securement features are selected from the group consisting of at least one raised structure and one or more recess; the ring gear being secured to the front endbell, and wherein the hand-held power tool neither comprises securement features that include one or more fasteners engage fastener guide bores formed in the front endbell and are configured to align with corresponding fastener guide bores formed in the ring gear; and the ring gear being molded into part of the front housing.
Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a hand-held power tool which comprises a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The housing supports motive source, and includes the front endbell. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The front housing defines an interior space, and the output shaft is located in that interior space. The gear set assembly is located in the interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear characterized by an annular ring body having a plurality of teeth located on the interior periphery of the annular ring body and a surface located on an exterior periphery of the annular ring body opposite the interior periphery. The ring gear surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. The front housing and ring gear further include one or more piloting features, each of the one or more piloting features being configured to mate the front housing with the ring gear.
In the above and other embodiments of the present disclosure may also comprise: one or more piloting features configured to mate the front housing with the front endbell; the one or more piloting features including one or more grooves formed in an interior surface of the front housing, and one or more corresponding ridges formed on a surface of an exterior periphery of the ring gear, wherein the one or more grooves are configured to receive the one or more corresponding ridges to prevent movement, between the front housing and the ring gear, the one or more piloting features further comprise one or more grooves formed in the surface of the exterior periphery of the ring gear, and one or more corresponding ridges formed on the interior surface of the front housing, wherein the one or more grooves are configured to receive the one or more corresponding ridges to prevent movement between the front housing and the ring gear.
Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a hand-held power tool which comprises a housing, a motive source, a front endbell, an output shaft, a front housing, and a gear set assembly. The housing supports the motive source. The housing includes the front endbell. The output shaft protrudes from an output end at the front endbell of the housing, and is functionally coupled to the motive source such that the output shaft rotates in response to activation of the motive source when the motive source is supplied with power. The front housing defines an interior space, and the output shaft is located in that interior space. The gear set assembly is located in the interior space of the front housing, and is configured to transfer rotation from the motive source to an output spindle. The gear set assembly also includes a ring gear characterized by an annular ring body having a plurality of teeth located on the interior periphery of the annular ring body, and a surface located on an exterior periphery of the annular ring body opposite the interior periphery. The ring gear surrounds a portion of the output shaft and abuts the front endbell of the housing. The ring gear is inserted molded into the front endbell of the housing such that ring gear is restrained against both axial and rotational movement relative to the front endbell.
The concepts described in the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference labels may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Referring now to
The illustrative power tool 10 includes a tool housing 12 and a hammer case 14 as shown in
In the illustrative embodiment, the handle 20 of the tool housing 12 extends away from the body 16 and is configured to be graspable by a user of the tool 10. A power source connection 30 is positioned at an end 32 of the handle 20 opposite the body 16. The power source connection 30 may be configured to connect to any source of power, such as, for example, a battery, a source of motive fluid, or an outlet connected to an electrical grid. In the illustrative embodiment, a power source 34 of the power tool 10 is a battery attached to the power source connection 30.
The tool 10 includes a number of user-selectable input devices, which may be embodied as triggers, switches, or knobs configured to allow the user to adjust one or more features of the power tool 10. For example, the handle 20 includes trigger 36 configured to, among other things, turn an electric motor 38 (see
The hammer case 14 is positioned on the body 16 of the tool housing 12 opposite the back cap 18. The hammer case 14 includes a tool end 44 configured to couple to the tool housing 12 and an output end 46 that includes an aperture 48 through which an output spindle 50 of the tool 10 protrudes. The hammer case 14 defines an interior space 52 in which a gear assembly 54 and an impact mechanism (not shown) are housed. In the illustrative embodiment, the hammer case 14 is removably coupled to the tool housing 12 through one or more fasteners (not shown). In other embodiments, the hammer case 14 may be removably coupled to the tool housing 12 via other mechanisms (e.g., a snap fit).
Referring now to
The rear endbell 58 is positioned in the interior space 22 to be near the back cap 18 and the front endbell 56 is positioned such that it is enclosed in the interior space 22 of the tool housing 12 and the interior space 52 of the hammer case 14 (as best seen in
The illustrative gear assembly 54 may be embodied as, or include, a planetary gear set that is configured to transfer rotation of the output shaft 62 of the motor 38 to an impact mechanism of the tool 10 housed in the hammer case 14. The gear assembly 54 includes a ring gear 68 positioned in the interior space 52 of the hammer case 14. The ring gear 68 surrounds the output shaft 62 and abuts the front endbell 56. The ring gear 68 is formed as an annular ring with an inner surface 70 that includes a plurality of gear teeth 72 and an outer surface 74 configured to abut an inner surface 76 of the hammer case 14.
Referring now to
In the illustrative embodiment, the piloting features 90 include one or more grooves 92 formed in the inner surface 76 of the hammer case 14, one or more corresponding ridges 94 formed on the outer surface 74 of the ring gear 68, and one or more corresponding ridges 96 formed on an outer surface 98 of the front endbell 56. Each groove 92 is sized to receive both a corresponding ridge 94 and a corresponding ridge 96. Each groove 92 extends axially along the inner surface 76 of the hammer case 14 from the tool end 44. In the illustrative embodiment, the dimensions of each ridge 94 are approximately the same as the dimensions of each corresponding ridge 96. Each ridge 94 is positioned along the outer surface 74 of the ring gear 68 and each ridge 96 is positioned along the outer surface 98 of the front endbell 56. In the illustrative embodiment, both sets of ridges 94, 96 are spaced evenly around the outer surfaces of their respective structures, the ring gear 68 and the front endbell 56. The hammer case 14 defines an inner diameter that is sized to match an outer diameter of the ring gear 68 and an outer diameter of the front endbell 56. Although tool 10 is illustratively shown as including four grooves 92, four ridges 94, and four ridges 96, it will be appreciated that the tool 10 may include any number of grooves 92, corresponding ridges 94, and corresponding ridges 96 in other embodiments.
When assembling the tool 10, the user aligns the ridges 94 with corresponding ridges 96, aligns the grooves 92 of the hammer case 14 with the now aligned ridges 94, 96, and advances the hammer case 14 axially along the central axis 66 toward the tool housing 12 until the tool end 44 of the hammer case 14 contacts the tool housing 12. As the hammer case 14 is advanced along the central axis 66, the grooves 92 first pass over the ridges 94 and then pass over the ridges 96.
The piloting features 90 are configured to secure the ring gear 68 relative to the front endbell 56 such that the ring gear 68 cannot rotate relative to the motor assembly 24. The grooves 92 of the hammer case 14 define a flange surface 100 that is configured to clamp the ring gear 68 against the front endbell 56 when the hammer case 14 is securely fastened to the tool housing 12.
In some prior art designs, the ring gear 68 is coupled directly to the front endbell 56. In the illustrative embodiment, the position of the ring gear 68 relative to the front endbell 56 is instead secured through the piloting features 90 of the hammer case 14. For example, the hammer case 14 is piloted by the front endbell 56, while the hammer case 14 pilots the ring gear 68. Such an embodiment reduces the number of parts of the tool 10 and may reduce the length of the tool 10 by removing connectors between the ring gear 68 and the front endbell 56.
As noted above, the piloting features 90 may include any number of grooves 92 and ridges 94, 96. For example, the illustrative piloting features 90 of
While the piloting features 90, 102, 108 have been illustrated and described herein as including grooves 92, 104, 110 formed in the hammer case 14 and ridges 94, 96, 106, 112 formed on the ring gear 68 and front endbell 56, it is contemplated that the piloting features 90, 102, 108 may take other forms in other embodiments of the power tool 10. By way of illustrative example, the piloting features might alternatively include ridges formed on the hammer case 14 and corresponding grooves formed in the ring gear 68 and front endbell 56.
Referring to
In this embodiment of the alignment features 20), the hammer case 214 is configured to be secured to an outer surface 210 of the tool housing 12. The hammer case 214 includes a housing flange 212 and a gear assembly surface 216 formed in a motor end 218 of the hammer case 214. The housing flange 212 is configured to operatively couple to the outer surface 210 of the tool housing 12, and thereby secure the hammer case 214 to the tool housing 12. The gear assembly surface 216 is configured to abut the annular flange 202 of the front endbell 256 and the ring gear 268 of the gear assembly 54 (see, also,
Referring to
Also shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The front endbell 356 also includes an inner body 342 configured to interact with the lip 330 of the ring gear 368 and secure the ring gear 368 to the front endbell 356. During the insert molding process, the plastic of the front endbell 356 forms around the lip 330 thereby joining the ring gear 368 to the front endbell 356. In the illustrative embodiment, the insert molding process is accomplished by injecting thermoplastic into a mold in which the ring gear 368 has been placed. The thermoplastic eventually hardens and thereby forms the front endbell 356.
As best seen in
While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected. There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the apparatus, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the apparatus, systems, and methods that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure.
The present application relates to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/171,741, filed on Jun. 5, 2015, entitled “Impact Tools with Ring Gear Alignment Features.” The subject matter disclosed in that provisional application is hereby expressly incorporated into the present application.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62171741 | Jun 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15172420 | Jun 2016 | US |
Child | 16881393 | US |