Patent Application
20220331938
The present invention relates to a hand tool and, more particularly, to a torque screwdriver structure.
A conventional battery-powered hand-held ratcheting torque wrench 10 was disclosed in the U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/625,405 (or Taiwanese Patent Publication No. M556196), and comprises an electric motor 18, a drive assembly 22, an output assembly 24, and a transducer assembly 118. The electric motor 18 has a motor drive shaft 20. The drive assembly 22 is coupled to the drive shaft 20 and driven by the electric motor 18. The output assembly 24 is coupled to the drive assembly 22 and includes an output member 102 (
However, the conventional battery-powered hand-held ratcheting torque wrench 10 has the following disadvantages.
1. The output assembly 24 is initially assembled with the transducer assembly 118. The transducer assembly 118 is then assembled with the gear housing 36 of the drive assembly 22. The gear housing 36 of the drive assembly 22 is then assembled with the main housing 12. Thus, the components of the conventional battery-powered hand-held ratcheting torque wrench 10 are assembled serially so that the components are not assembled optimally.
2. As shown in
3. The conventional battery-powered hand-held ratcheting torque wrench 10 needs to provide the head 14, the transducer assembly 118, the gear housing 36, and the main housing 12, thereby complicating the construction, and thereby increasing the cost of fabrication.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a torque screwdriver structure comprising a first body assembly, a gauge holder, a second body assembly, a strain gauge, two fasteners, and a third body assembly. The first body assembly includes a first body, a motor, a planetary gear set, a first drive member, and a second drive member. The gauge holder is provided with a first receiving recess and a receiving slot. The second body assembly includes a second body, a display, and an abutting member. The second body is provided with a second receiving recess, a first opening, and a second opening. The strain gauge is mounted in the receiving slot and used to detect a torsion deformation of the gauge holder. The two fasteners secure the gauge holder to the second body. The third body assembly includes a third body, a connecting member, a power supply member, and two switches.
According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the first body assembly is received in the first receiving recess, with the driving portion protruding from a first end of the gauge holder, and with the motor protruding from a second end of the gauge holder. The first body assembly and the gauge holder are hidden in the second body, with the driving portion protruding from the second body. Thus, the first body, the gauge holder, and the second body are assembled exactly by the two fasteners and construct a laminating structure.
According to another advantage of the present invention, the force applying point is closer to the driving portion than the force resistant point, and when the second body is held and driven, the force resistant point is closer to the driven position of the second body than the force applying point, so that the force is transmitted reversely through the gauge holder to provide a better force applying state.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings and initially to
The first body assembly 10 includes a first body 11, a motor 12, a planetary gear set 13, a first drive member 14, and a second drive member 15.
The first body 11 is a hollow round rod or pole. The first body 11 has an outer peripheral face provided with at least one first mounting portion 111. The first mounting portion 111 is an elongate projection.
The motor 12 has a first end assembled with the first body 11 and a second end provided with at least one abutment 121. A rotation shaft protrudes from the motor 12.
The planetary gear set 13 is received in the first body 11 and has an end connected with the motor 12. The motor 12 drives the planetary gear set 13 to rotate in the first body 11.
The first drive member 14 has an end connected with the planetary gear set 13 which drives and rotates the first drive member 14. The planetary gear set 13 is arranged between the motor 12 and the first drive member 14. The first drive member 14 has an interior provided with a first fitting portion 141.
The second drive member 15 has a first end provided with a driving portion 151 and a second end provided with a second fitting portion 152. The second fitting portion 152 is distant from the driving portion 151 and fitted with the first fitting portion 141.
The gauge holder 20 is mounted on the first body assembly 10. The gauge holder 20 has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a first receiving recess 21. The first receiving recess 21 has a circular shape and penetrates the gauge holder 20. The first body assembly 10 is received in the first receiving recess 21, with the driving portion 151 protruding from a first end of the gauge holder 20, and with the motor 12 protruding from a second end of the gauge holder 20. The gauge holder 20 is provided with a receiving slot 22 connected to the first receiving recess 21. The gauge holder 20 has a first end provided with at least one second mounting portion 23 mounted on the at least one first mounting portion 111 so that the gauge holder 20 is restricted by the at least one first mounting portion 111 and cannot be rotated relative to the first body assembly 10. The at least one second mounting portion 23 has an open end. The gauge holder 20 has a second end provided with two first securing portions 24. The receiving slot 22 is arranged between the at least one second mounting portion 23 and the two first securing portions 24.
An angle of ninety degrees (90°) is defined between the at least one second mounting portion 23 and the receiving slot 22. A distance between the at least one second mounting portion 23 and the receiving slot 22 is close to or equal to that between the two first securing portions 24 and the receiving slot 22.
The second body assembly 30 receives the first body assembly 10 and the gauge holder 20, with the driving portion 151 protruding from the second body assembly 30. The second body assembly 30 includes a second body 31, a display 32, an abutting member 33, and a connecting member 34.
The second body 31 is provided with a second receiving recess 311 which penetrates the second body 31 transversely. The second body 31 has a first end provided with a first opening 312. The gauge holder 20 is mounted in the second receiving recess 311 and is close to the first opening 312. The second body 31 is provided with two second securing portions 313 aligning with the two first securing portions 24. The two second securing portions 313 are close to the first opening 312. The second body 31 has a second end provided with a second opening 314. The first opening 312 and the second opening 314 are arranged at two ends of the second receiving recess 311. The second body 31 is provided with a first passage 315 connected to the second receiving recess 311. The second body 31 is provided with a first connecting portion 316.
The display 32 is mounted in the first passage 315 and electrically connected with the motor 12. The display 32 includes multiple setting buttons and multiple indication monitors.
The abutting member 33 is mounted in the second body 31 and restricts the motor 12 so that the motor 12 is not moved and rotated in the second receiving recess 311. The abutting member 33 rests on the at least one abutment 121. The abutting member 33 is provided with a second connecting portion 331 aligning with the first connecting portion 316. The second connecting portion 331 penetrates the abutting member 33.
The connecting member 34 extends through the second connecting portion 331 and the first connecting portion 316, so that the abutting member 33 is secured to the second body 31.
The strain gauge 40 is mounted in the receiving slot 22 and electrically connected with the display 32. The strain gauge 40 is used to detect a torsion deformation of the gauge holder 20 and transmits the torsion deformation to the display 32 which indicates a torque when the torque screwdriver structure is rotated. When the torque reaches a preset value, the display 32 indicates the preset value and buzzes.
The two fasteners 50 extend through the two second securing portions 313 and the two first securing portions 24 to secure the gauge holder 20 to the second body 31. Thus, the gauge holder 20 is restricted by the two fasteners 50 so that the gauge holder 20 cannot be rotated relative to the second body 31 and will not be removed from the second receiving recess 311.
The two first securing portions 24 are proximate to the first opening 312, and the at least one second mounting portion 23 is distal to the first opening 312. The gauge holder 20 is secured to the second body 31 by the two fasteners 50, the first body assembly 10 is limited by the gauge holder 20 by engagement between the at least one first mounting portion 111 and the at least one second mounting portion 23, and the motor 12 is limited by the abutting member 33, so that the first body assembly 10 is not moved in the second body 31 and cannot be removed from the second body assembly 30.
The first body assembly 10 and the gauge holder 20 are hidden in the second body 31, with the driving portion 151 protruding from the second body 31.
When the driving portion 151 is mounted on a workpiece, the second body 31 is driven by a force to rotate the driving portion 151 so as to drive and rotate the workpiece. The two fasteners 50 connect the gauge holder 20 and the second body 31 and are served as a force applying point. The at least one first mounting portion 111 and the at least one second mounting portion 23 are served as a force resistant point. Thus, the force applying point is closer to the driving portion 151 than the force resistant point. In other word, when the second body 31 is driven, the force resistant point is closer to the driven position of the second body 31 than the force applying point. The strain gauge 40 is arranged between the force applying point and the force resistant point to detect the torsion state of the gauge holder 20. The force applying point and the force resistant point are hidden in the second body 31.
The third body assembly 60 is assembled with the second body assembly 30 and has a T-shaped profile. The third body assembly 60 includes a third body 61, a connecting member 62, a power supply member 63, and two switches 66.
The third body 61 has an interior provided with a third receiving recess 611. The third body 61 is provided with a second passage 612 connected to the third receiving recess 611. The third body 61 is provided with two third passages 615 spaced from each other.
The connecting member 62 has a first end mounted in the second passage 612 and a second end mounted in the second opening 314. The connecting member 62 connects the second body 31 and the third body 61. The connecting member 62 has an interior provided with a fourth receiving recess 621 which penetrates the connecting member 62.
The second receiving recess 311, the fourth receiving recess 621, and the third receiving recess 611 are connected to allow passage of an electric wire which connects the motor 12, the display 32, the power supply member 63, and the two switches 66.
The power supply member 63 is received in and can be removed from the third receiving recess 611. The power supply member 63 is electrically connected with the motor 12 and the display 32 to provide an electric power to the motor 12 and the display 32.
The two switches 66 are received in the third body 61 and mounted in the two third passages 615. The two switches 66 are electrically connected with the motor 12 and the power supply member 63 to start and rotate the motor 12 which drives and rotates the planetary gear set 13 which drives and rotates the first drive member 14 which drives and rotates the second drive member 15. One of the two switches 66 controls the motor 12 to rotate clockwise, and the other one of the two switches 66 controls the motor 12 to rotate counterclockwise. Thus, the motor 12 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by control of the two switches 66.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first body 11 has a plurality of first mounting portions 111 arranged in an annular shape about an axis of the first body 11. Alternatively, the first body 11 has two first mounting portions 111 opposite to each other. The first body 11 has an interior provided with a plurality of teeth arranged in an annular shape. The at least one abutment 121 is a cuboid or rectangular block. The first drive member 14 has a ring shape. The first fitting portion 141 penetrates the first drive member 14. The first fitting portion 141 is a hexagonal or tetragonal recess. The second drive member 15 is a circular rod. The driving portion 151 is a hexagonal recess or square head. The second fitting portion 152 is received in the first fitting portion 141.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one second mounting portion 23 has a number corresponding to that of the at least one first mounting portion 111. The at least one second mounting portion 23 is an elongate groove and is closely fitted onto the at least one first mounting portion 111. Each of the two first securing portions 24 is a circular screw hole. The two first securing portions 24 penetrate the gauge holder 20 and are arranged symmetrically.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second body 31 is a circular rod. The second receiving recess 311 has a circular shape. Each of the two second securing portions 313 is a circular screw hole. The first passage 315 is a rectangular channel. The first connecting portion 316 is a circular screw hole. The abutting member 33 is a cuboid. The second connecting portion 331 is a circular screw hole. The connecting member 34 is a threaded rod screwed through the second connecting portion 331 and the first connecting portion 316.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the two fasteners 50 is a threaded rod or screw member screwed through each of the two second securing portions 313 and each of the two first securing portions 24.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third body 61 is a circular rod. The third receiving recess 611 has a circular shape and penetrates the third body 61 transversely. The second passage 612 has a circular shape. The third receiving recess 611 has a first end provided with a third opening 613 which is an internal thread. The third receiving recess 611 has a second end provided with a fourth opening 614 which is an internal thread. Each of the two third passages 615 has a circular shape and has an axis perpendicular to that of the third body 61. The connecting member 62 has a circular cross-sectional profile. The fourth receiving recess 621 has a circular shape. The power supply member 63 is close to the third opening 613. The power supply member 63 is a disposable or rechargeable battery. The third body assembly 60 further includes a handle 64 mounted on the third body 61. The handle 64 is proximate to the third opening 613 and distal to the fourth opening 614. The handle 64 has a cylindrical shape and has an outer face provided with a plurality of dimples to provide a nonslip function. The third body assembly 60 further includes a first end cover 65 mounted on the third opening 613. The first end cover 65 stops the power supply member 63 to prevent the power supply member 63 from being detached from the third body 61. The first end cover 65 has a circular shape and has an external thread screwed into the third opening 613. The third body assembly 60 further includes a second end cover 67 mounted on the fourth opening 614. The second end cover 67 stops the two switches 66 to prevent the two switches 66 from being detached from the third body 61. The second end cover 67 has a circular shape and has an external thread screwed into the fourth opening 614. The first end cover 65 and the second end cover 67 are arranged at two ends of the third body 61. The second end cover 67 is opposite to the first end cover 65.
As shown in
In assembly, referring to
In operation, the motor 12 is started and driven by the two switches 66 to drive the planetary gear set 13 to rotate in the first body 11. The planetary gear set 13 drives the first drive member 14 and the second drive member 15 to rotate in the gauge holder 20 so as to drive and rotate the workpiece which is fitted in the driving portion 151.
Alternatively, when the second body 31 (or the third body 61) is rotated, the gauge holder 20 is rotated so that the first body assembly 10 is driven and rotated by the gauge holder 20. When the gauge holder 20 is rotated, the strain gauge 40 detects the torsion deformation of the gauge holder 20 and transmits the torsion deformation to the display 32 which indicates the torque of the torque screwdriver structure during rotation. When the torque reaches the preset value, the display 32 indicates the preset value and buzzes.
In such a manner, when the motor 12 in turn drives and rotates the planetary gear set 13, the first drive member 14, and the second drive member 15, the gauge holder 20 is not rotated, so that the strain gauge 40 cannot detect the torque. On the contrary, when the second body 31 (or the third body 61) drives and rotates the gauge holder 20 and the first body assembly 10, the gauge holder 20 is rotated, so that the strain gauge 40 can detect the torque.
Referring to
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first drive member 14 and the second drive member 15 are combined integrally. Thus, the first drive member 14 is integrally formed with the second drive member 15 and the driving portion 151.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first gasket is mounted between the gauge holder 20 and the second body 31, a second gasket is mounted between the gauge holder 20 and the first drive member 14, and a seal ring is mounted in the second opening 314, to prevent a liquid from flowing through the first opening 312 or the second opening 314 into the second receiving recess 311, so as to provide a liquid-proof function.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third body assembly 60 includes a switch 66. When the switch 66 is pressed, the motor 12 is controlled to rotate clockwise, and when the switch 66 is pressed again, the motor 12 is controlled to rotate counterclockwise.
Accordingly, the torque screwdriver structure has the following advantages.
1. The first body assembly 10 is received in the first receiving recess 21, with the driving portion 151 protruding from a first end of the gauge holder 20, and with the motor 12 protruding from a second end of the gauge holder 20. The first body assembly 10 and the gauge holder 20 are hidden in the second body 31, with the driving portion 151 protruding from the second body 31. Thus, the first body 11, the gauge holder 20, and the second body 31 are assembled exactly by the two fasteners 50 and construct a laminating structure.
2. The force applying point is closer to the driving portion 151 than the force resistant point, and when the second body 31 is held and driven, the force resistant point is closer to the driven position of the second body 31 than the force applying point, so that the force is transmitted reversely through the gauge holder 20 to provide a better force applying state.
3. The strain gauge 40 is arranged between the force applying point and the force resistant point to detect the torsion state of the gauge holder 20, while the force applying point and the force resistant point are hidden in the second body 31.
4. The gauge holder 20 is mounted on the second body 31 and limited by the two fasteners 50. The first body assembly 10 is limited by the gauge holder 20 and the abutting member 33 and cannot be moved in the second body 31, so that the first body assembly 10, the gauge holder 20, and the second body 31 have a better assembling construction.
5. The first body assembly 10 and the gauge holder 20 are hidden in the second body 31, so that the first body assembly 10, the gauge holder 20, and the strain gauge 40 are protected by the second body 31, thereby preventing the gauge holder 20 and the strain gauge 40 from being damaged due to drop, fall or hit.
6. The second body 31, the display 32, and the driving portion 151 construct the outward appearance of the torque screwdriver structure.
7. The strain gauge 40 is mounted in the receiving slot 22 to detect the torsion deformation of the gauge holder 20 and transmits the torsion deformation to the display 32 which indicates the torque or emits a warning signal when the torque reaches the preset value.
8. The two switches 66 controls the motor 12 respectively to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.
9. Referring to
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the invention.
