Fastening tools

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a fastening tool that feeds screws using the driving force of a motor. [Solution] The fastening tool 1 includes a screw holding part 6 for holding screws and a screw feeding part 7 for feeding the screws held in the screw holding part 6. The screw feeding part 7 includes a screw feeding motor 70, a pinion 71 mounted on the shaft of the screw feeding motor 70, a rack 72 meshing with the pinion 71, and an engaging part 73 connected to the rack 72 and engaging with the connecting screw fed from the screw holding part 6.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a fastening tool in which a screwdriver head engages with a screw, and the screwdriver head pushes the screw against the object to be fastened, thereby rotating the screwdriver head and screwing it in. [Previous Technology]

[0002] A tool known as a portable driver is known to use the pressure of compressed air supplied from an air compressor and the combustion pressure of gas to sequentially eject connecting fasteners filled in a cartridge from the top of a driver guide.

[0003] A screw driving machine has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1), which is a driving machine that utilizes the combustion pressure of gas, and is a driving machine that can be used wirelessly by mounting a small gas cylinder on the driving machine body, using screws as connecting fasteners that are driven in.

[0004] Furthermore, a screw-driving machine system has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2), in which the driving force of a motor that rotates the screw compresses a spring, and the screw is driven in by the bias of the spring. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5590505 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 6197547 [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the aforementioned screw-driving machine utilizing the combustion pressure of gas, a configuration is adopted in which the screw is fed to the nose by biasing it with a biasing member. Furthermore, in a screw-driving machine that uses spring biasing to drive the screw in, a configuration is also adopted in which the screw is fed by a combination of electromagnetic force (such as a solenoid) and biasing. However, in the case of a configuration where multiple screws are fed in a coiled state connected by a connector, the biasing force from the biasing member or the output system of the solenoid is insufficient, making it difficult to ensure the stroke of the screw being fed, and thus difficult to feed the screws one by one at a predetermined feed rate. Furthermore, in order to feed the aforementioned type of screws via a solenoid, a large solenoid is required, resulting in a large tool system.

[0008] This invention was made to solve such a problem, by providing a fastening tool for feeding screws using the driving force of a motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a fastening tool, including a screw holding part for holding a screw, and a screw feeding part for feeding the screw held in the screw holding part into an injection passage through which a screwdriver head passes. The screw feeding part includes a screw feeding motor, an engaging part for engaging the screw, and a screw feeding transmission part for transmitting the driving force of the aforementioned screw feeding motor to the engaging part.

[0010] In this invention, the screw feeding unit is a screw-feeding system in which a locking part, driven by a screw feeding motor, engages with the screw to feed it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In this invention, by using a screw feed motor as the drive source for the screw feed unit, even when multiple screws are supplied in a coiled state connected by a connector, sufficient force can be obtained to feed the screws using a motor that can be mounted on a handheld tool, allowing for one-by-one feeding of screws at a predetermined feed rate. Furthermore, it prevents the tool from becoming too large. In addition, by controlling the rotation of the screw feed motor, the screw feed rate can be adjusted or controlled, making it easier to control or adjust the screw feed rate compared to configurations that use spring bias or solenoids to feed screws.

Implementation Method

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the fastening tool of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] <Example of the Structure of the Fastening Tool in this Embodiment> Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of an example of the internal structure of the fastening tool in this embodiment. Figures 2A to 2C show partially cut-away perspective views of an example of the internal structure of the fastening tool in this embodiment. Figure 3A shows a side view of an example of the fastening tool in this embodiment, Figure 3B shows a front view of an example of the fastening tool in this embodiment, and Figure 3C shows a top view of an example of the fastening tool in this embodiment. Furthermore, the section in Figure 1 is represented by line segment AA in Figure 3B. Figures 4A to 4B show perspective views of an example of the fastening tool in this embodiment.

[0015] The fastening tool system 1 of this embodiment includes a tool body 10 and a handle 11. The handle 11 extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the tool body 10, which extends in one direction. The tool body 10 extends in a front-to-back direction, and the handle 11 extends in a vertical direction. Furthermore, the fastening tool system includes a battery mounting portion 13 at the lower part of the handle 11, and a battery 12 is detachably mounted in the battery mounting portion 13.

[0016] The fastening tool 1 system includes a screwdriver head holding part 3 that holds the screwdriver head 2 in a rotatable manner and can move in a front-back direction along the axial direction, a first drive part 4 that rotates the screwdriver head 2 held by the screwdriver head holding part 3, and a second drive part 5 that moves the screwdriver head 2 held by the screwdriver head holding part 3 in a front-back direction along the axial direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the fastening tool 1 system includes a screw storage section 6 for storing screws 200, a screw feed section 7 for feeding the screws stored in the screw storage section 6, and a screw nose section 8 for pushing the screws against the fastening object and ejecting the screws.

[0018] The screwdriver head holding part 3 system includes a holding member 30 that holds the screwdriver head 2 in a removable manner, a rotation guide member 31 that supports the holding member 30 so that it can move in the front-back direction along the axial direction of the screwdriver head 2 and rotate together with the holding member 30, a moving member 32 that moves the holding member 30 in the front-back direction along the guide member 31, and a biasing member 33 that biases the moving member 32 in the rearward direction.

[0019] The retaining member 30 is constructed by a cylindrical member, for example, whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rotary guide member 31, allowing it to enter the inner side of the rotary guide member 31. The retaining member 30 has an opening 30a at its front end along the axial direction, the shape of which matches the cross-sectional shape of the insertion portion 20 of the screwdriver bit 2. The retaining member 30 includes a mechanism in the opening 30a that allows the insertion portion 20 of the screwdriver bit 2 to be detachably held in place by a known mechanism. The retaining member 30 has the opening 30a exposed inside the rotary guide member 31, and the insertion portion 20 of the screwdriver bit 2 can be detachably inserted into the opening 30a.

[0020] The rotary guide member 31 is a cylindrical component extending along the extension direction of the tool body 10 and holding member 30 inside. Its front end is supported by a bearing 34a on a metal front frame 10b located on the front side of the resin housing 10a constituting the outer shell of the tool body 10, and is rotatable. Furthermore, the rear end of the rotary guide member 31 is connected to the first drive unit 4.

[0021] The rotary guide member 31 has grooves 31a extending in the front-back direction along the axial direction of the screwdriver head 2 at two positions on its side facing the radial direction. The rotary guide member 31 passes through the retaining member 30 in the radial direction and enters the grooves 31a through connecting members 30b protruding from both sides of the retaining member 30, and is connected to the retaining member 30 via the connecting members 30b.

[0022] Accordingly, when the rotary guide member 31 rotates, the retaining member 30 is pushed by the groove 31a of the rotary guide member 31 by the connecting member 30b, and rotates together with the rotary guide member 31. Furthermore, the retaining member 30 is guided by the groove 31a of the rotary guide member 31 and moves in the front-back direction along the axial direction of the screwdriver head 2.

[0023] The movable member 32 is an example of a transmission member, which includes a first movable member 32a that rotates together with the holding member 30 and moves the holding member 30 in the front-back direction along the rotation guide member 31, a second movable member 32c that is supported by the first movable member 32a via the bearing 32b and pushes the first movable member 32a via the bearing 32b, and a buffer member 32d installed on the rear side of the second movable member 32c.

[0024] The first moving member 32a is constructed by a cylindrical member, for example, whose inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rotary guide member 31, and which can enter the outer side of the rotary guide member 31. The first moving member 32a is connected to the retaining member 30 via a connecting member 30b protruding from the groove 31a of the rotary guide member 31.

[0025] The bearing 32b is inserted between the outer periphery of the first moving member 32a and the inner periphery of the second moving member 32c, and supports the first moving member 32a in a rotatable manner relative to the second moving member 32c.

[0026] The second moving member 32c is connected to the first moving member 32a via a bearing 32b when its movement in the forward and backward direction along the axial direction is restricted.

[0027] Accordingly, the first moving member 32a is pushed by the second moving member 32c via the bearing 32b during the movement of the second moving member 32c in the forward and backward direction along the axial direction, and moves together with the second moving member 32c in the forward and backward direction along the axial direction. Furthermore, the first moving member 32a is rotatable with respect to the second moving member 32c.

[0028] The biasing member 33, in this example, is a coil spring. It is located outside the rotation guide member 31, between the front frame 10b, which is located on the front side of the housing 10a of the tool body 10, and the second moving member 32c of the moving member 32. It abuts against a spring seat that is configured to contact the end face of the outer ring of the bearing 32b. The biasing member 33 is compressed by the forward movement of the moving member 32, and a force is applied to the moving member 32 to push it backward.

[0029] The first drive unit 4 system includes a screwdriver bit rotary motor 40 driven by electricity supplied by the battery 12, and a reducer 41. The screwdriver bit rotary motor 40 is an example of a first motor. The shaft 40a of the screwdriver bit rotary motor 40 is connected to the reducer 41, and the shaft 41a of the reducer 41 is connected to the rotation guide member 31. The first drive unit 4 system, the reducer 41 is constructed using planetary gears, thereby the screwdriver bit rotary motor 40, the rotation guide member 31 and the screwdriver bit 2 held by the holding member 30 are arranged on the same shaft.

[0030] The first drive unit 4 system, the screwdriver bit rotary motor 40 and the reducer 41 are mounted on the metal rear frame 10c provided on the rear side of the housing 10a of the tool body 10, and the shaft 41a of the reducer 41 is supported on the rear frame 10c via the bearing 42.

[0031] The screwdriver bit holding part 3 and the first drive part 4 are assembled into a single unit by connecting the front frame 10b and the rear frame 10c with a connecting member 10d extending in the front-rear direction, and are fixed to the housing 10a of the tool body 10 by screws 10e. The screwdriver bit holding part 3 and the first drive part 4 are configured to be freely detachable from the tool body 10 when each part is assembled, rather than being constructed by fixing each part independently to the tool body 10, thus improving assemblability.

[0032] Furthermore, in the screwdriver bit holding part 3 system, the front end of the rotating guide member 31 is supported by a bearing 34a on a front frame 10b provided on the front side of the housing 10a of the tool body 10, and the rear end of the rotating guide member 31 is supported by a shaft 41a of the reducer 41 and a bearing 42 on a rear frame 10c provided on the rear side of the housing 10a. Therefore, in the screwdriver bit holding part 3 system, the rotating guide member 31 is rotatably supported on the tool body 10.

[0033] Accordingly, the first drive unit 4 rotates the rotary guide member 31 by means of the screwdriver head rotary motor 40. When the rotary guide member 31 rotates, the retaining member 30 of the screwdriver head 2 is kept to rotate together with the rotary guide member 31 by means of the connecting member 30b being pushed by the groove 31a of the rotary guide member 31.

[0034] The second drive unit 5 includes a screwdriver bit movement motor 50 driven by electricity supplied by the battery 12, and a reducer 51. The screwdriver bit movement motor 50 is an example of a motor or a second motor. The shaft 50a of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 is connected to the reducer 51, and the shaft 51a of the reducer 51 is connected to a pulley 52, which is an example of a transmission member. In the second drive unit 5, the pulley 52 is supported on the tool body 10 via a bearing 53. In the second drive unit 5, the shaft 50a of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 is arranged along the extension direction of the handle 11.

[0035] In the second drive unit 5 system, a wire 54 of one example of the transmission member is wound around the pulley 52, and the wire 54 is connected to the second moving member 32c of the moving member 32.

[0036] Accordingly, the second drive unit 5 rotates the pulley 52 via the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 to wind the wire 54, causing the second moving member 32c to move forward. The screwdriver bit holding unit 3 moves forward along the axial direction together with the first moving member 32a being pushed by the bearing 32b as the second moving member 32c moves forward. As the first moving member 32a moves forward, the holding member 30, which is connected to the first moving member 32a via the connecting member 30b, also moves forward.

[0037] The second drive unit 5 system has a tangential direction in which the wire 54 is wound in the pulley 52, and is positioned offset to one side from the approximate center of the fastening tool 1 in the left-right direction, such that it is along the extending direction of the rotation guide member 31. This ensures that the wire W system between the pulley 52 and the second moving member 32c extends in a straight line along the moving direction of the moving member 32, thus suppressing the increase in load when the wire 54 is wound around the pulley 52 and the increase in load when the wire W is pulled out of the pulley 52.

[0038] The first drive unit 4, with a clamping handle 11, is located behind one side of the tool body 10. The second drive unit 5, with a clamping handle 11, is located in front of the other side of the tool body 10.

[0039] The screw storage section 6 stores a plurality of screws 200 connected by a connecting belt and wound into a spiral shape.

[0040] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the details of the screw feed unit in this embodiment. The screw feed unit 7 system includes a screw feed motor 70, a pinion 71 mounted on the shaft of the screw feed motor 70, a rack 72 meshing with the pinion 71, and a locking part 73 connected to the rack 72 and engaging with a connecting screw fed from the screw storage part 6. The screw feed unit 7 system is configured to transmit the driving force of the screw feed motor 70 to the screw feed transmission part of the locking part 73 via the pinion 71 and the rack 72. The locking part 73 system is configured such that the member on which the rack 72 is formed is biased upward by a compression spring (not shown) so that it will not descend due to the weight of the locking part 73 and the screw 200 when no power is supplied to the screw feed motor 70.

[0041] The screw feed unit 7 system has a screw feed motor 70 fixed to a sub-frame 74, and a rack 72 supported by the sub-frame 74 so that it can move up and down along the feed direction of the connecting screw. In the screw feed unit 7 system, each part is assembled into a unit by means of the mating of the concave and convex shapes such as claws and the fastening of screws 75.

[0042] Figures 6A and 6B are perspective views showing an example of the nose portion of this embodiment. The nose portion 8 is an example of a first nose portion, including an injection passage component 80a that constitutes an injection passage 80 through which the screw 200 is supplied by the screw feed unit 7 and through which the screwdriver head 2 passes; a contact member 81 that has an injection outlet 81a communicating with the injection passage 80 and contacts the object to be fastened; a contact arm 82 that moves in a front-rear direction in conjunction with the contact member 81; and an adjustment unit 83 that limits the amount of movement of the contact arm 82. Furthermore, the nose portion 8 includes a cover member 88 that can be switched on and off to cover the path through which the screw 200 passes from the screw storage unit 6 to the injection passage 80.

[0043] The fastening tool 1 system, as shown in Figure 2C, includes a contact switch portion 84 that is actuated by the contact arm 82. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1A, the fastening tool 1 system includes a nose body portion 10f in the tool body 10, and the nose body portion 10f includes an injection passage constituting portion 80b that forms an injection passage 80 by combining with the injection passage constituting portion 80a of the nose portion 8. The nose body portion 10f is an example of a second nose portion, for example, it is integrally formed with the front frame 10b. Furthermore, the nose body portion 10f system can also be configured as a separate part from the front frame 10b and fixed to the front frame 10b.

[0044] The nose part 8 system has a contact member 81 that is supported and can move in the front-back direction, and a contact arm 82 that moves in the front-back direction in conjunction with the contact member 81. The nose part 8 system has a contact member 81 that is biased in the front direction by a biasing member (not shown), and the contact member 81 system that moves backward by being pushed against the fastening object is biased in the front direction by the biasing member.

[0045] The nose part 8 is a contact member 81 that is pushed against a fastening object, causing the contact arm 82 to move rearward until the contact switch part 84 is activated. The amount of movement of the contact arm 82 is adjusted by the adjustment part 83. The contact switch part 84 is a system that switches the presence or absence of operation by being pushed by the contact arm 82. In this example, the state in which the contact switch part 84 is not activated and is not pushed by the contact arm 82 is considered as the closed state of the contact switch part 84, and the state in which the contact switch part 84 is activated by being pushed by the contact arm 82 is considered as the open state of the contact switch part 84.

[0046] The nose part 8 is a unitized assembly of the components constituting the injection passage 80, the contact member 81, and the contact arm 82, which are integrally assembled on the sub-frame 86 by means of the interlocking of the concave and convex shapes of claws, etc., and the fastening of screws 85. It is fixed to the front frame 10b constituting the tool body 10 by screws 87. When the nose part 8 is fixed to the front frame 10b, the injection passage 80 is constituted by the injection passage constituting part 80b of the nose body part 10f fixed to the tool body 10 and the injection passage constituting part 80a of the parts on the nose part 8.

[0047] The subframe 86 system, which has the function of fixing the nose 8 to the tool body 10, has an injection passage component 80a that forms part of the injection passage 80, and has the function of positioning the injection passage 80 on the tool body 10. Therefore, when the nose 8 is fixed to the front frame 10b, the injection passage component 80a is correctly aligned, and even if the nose 8 is configured to be detachable from the tool body 10, the movement path of the injection passage 80 for the screwdriver head 2, especially the radial displacement, can be suppressed. Furthermore, the contact switch component 84 is installed on the tool body 10 side, and when the nose 8 is fixed to the front frame 10b, the position of the contact arm 82 on the side opposite to the contact switch component 84 matches the position of the contact switch component 84.

[0048] The screw feed part 7 is integral with the front frame 10b or fixed to the front frame 10, and the sub-frame 74 is fixed to the nose body part 10f that constitutes the tool body 10 by screws 76.

[0049] The fastening tool 1 system includes a trigger 9 that receives operation, and a trigger switch 90 that is activated by operation of the trigger 9. The trigger 9 is located on the front side of the handle 11, configured so that the hand holding the handle 11 can extend its fingers to operate it. The trigger switch 90 is activated by being pushed by the trigger 9.

[0050] The trigger switch 90 is switched on or off by being pushed by the trigger 9. In this example, the state in which the trigger switch 90 is not activated and is not pushed by the trigger 9 is considered the closed state of the trigger switch 90, and the state in which the trigger 9 is activated and is pushed by the trigger 9 is considered the open state of the trigger switch 90.

[0051] The fastening tool 1 includes a control unit 100 that controls the first drive unit 4, the second drive unit 5, and the screw feed unit 7 based on the output of a trigger switch 90 that is activated by the operation of a trigger 9 and a contact switch 84 that is activated by a contact member 81. In this example, the control unit 100 is located inside the battery mounting portion 13 located at the lower part of the handle 11.

[0052] <Example of the operation of the fastening tool in this embodiment> Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing one example of the operation of the fastening tool in this embodiment, and Figures 8A and 8B are partially cut perspective views of one example of the operation of the fastening tool in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the fastening operation of the fastening tool in this embodiment will be described with reference to the figures.

[0053] In the standby state, as shown in Figure 1, the top of the screwdriver head 2 is located in the standby position P1 behind the injection passage 80, and screws 200 can be supplied to the injection passage 80.

[0054] In the control unit 100 system, the contact member 81 is pushed by the fastening object, and the contact switch 84 is turned on by the contact arm 82. When the trigger 9 is operated and the trigger switch 90 is turned on, the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 of the second drive unit 5 is driven, and the screwdriver bit rotating motor 40 of the first drive unit 4 is driven at a predetermined time.

[0055] When the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 is driven to rotate in a positive direction, the wire 54 is wound around the pulley 52 by the pulley 52 rotating in the positive direction. Because the wire 54 is wound around the pulley 52, the second moving member 32c, connected to the wire 54, is guided by the rotation guide member 31 to move forward along the axial direction. When the second moving member 32c moves forward, the first moving member 32a is pushed by the second moving member 32c via the bearing 32b, and together with the second moving member 32c, the biasing member 33 is compressed while moving forward along the axial direction.

[0056] When the first moving member 32a moves forward, the retaining member 30 system that connects the first moving member 32a to the first moving member 32b guides the connecting member 30b to the groove 31a of the rotating guide member 31, and moves forward along the axial direction of the screwdriver head 2.

[0057] Thereby, the screwdriver head 2 held by the holding member 30 moves forward and engages with the screw 200 supplied to the nozzle 80 of the nose section 8, causing the screw 200 to move forward and push against the object to be fastened.

[0058] When the screwdriver bit rotary motor 40 is driven to rotate in a positive direction, the rotary guide member 31 rotates in the positive direction. When the rotary guide member 31 rotates in the positive direction, the retaining member 30 rotates together with the rotary guide member 31 because the connecting member 30b connected to the retaining member 30 is pushed by the groove 31a of the rotary guide member 31.

[0059] Thereby, the screwdriver bit 2 held by the holding member 30 rotates the screw 200 in the positive direction (clockwise) and screws it into the object to be fastened. The control unit 100 is linked to the action of rotating the screwdriver bit 2 by the first drive unit 4 to screw the screw into the object to be fastened. Based on the load applied to the screwdriver bit rotation motor 40, the number of rotations of the screwdriver bit rotation motor 40, the load applied to the screwdriver bit movement motor 50, the number of rotations of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50, etc., the screwdriver bit 2 is moved forward by the first drive unit 5 so that the screwdriver bit 2 follows the screw that is screwed into the object to be fastened.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 100 stops driving the screwdriver bit rotation motor 40 and reverses the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 when the tip of the screwdriver bit 2 protrudes from the ejection port 81a of the contact member 81 and reaches the predetermined operation end position P2. The control unit 100 may determine that the tip of the screwdriver bit 2 has reached the operation end position P2 based on the number of rotations of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50, or it may make the operation end position P2 variable based on the load applied to the screwdriver bit rotation motor 40, the number of rotations of the screwdriver bit rotation motor 40, the load applied to the screwdriver bit movement motor 50, and the number of rotations of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50.

[0061] When the screwdriver head moving motor 50 rotates in the opposite direction, the wire 54 is pulled out from the pulley 52 by the pulley 52 rotating in the opposite direction. By pulling the wire 54 out from the pulley 52, the biasing member 33, which is compressed by the forward movement of the second moving member 32c, extends, and the second moving member 32c is pushed in the rearward direction.

[0062] The second moving member 32c is pushed rearward by the biasing member 33 and guided to the rotation guide member 31 to move rearward along the axial direction. When the second moving member 32c moves rearward, the first moving member 32a is pulled by the second moving member 32c via the bearing 32b and moves rearward along the axial direction together with the second moving member 32c.

[0063] When the first moving member 32a moves in the rearward direction, the retaining member 30 system that connects the first moving member 32a to the first moving member 30b guides the connecting member 30b to the groove 31a of the rotating guide member 31, and moves in the rearward direction along the axial direction of the screwdriver head 2.

[0064] Consequently, the screwdriver bit 2 held by the holding member 30 moves rearward, and the tip of the screwdriver bit 2 returns to the standby position P1. Furthermore, the moving member 32, by including a buffer member 32d made of rubber or the like on the rear side of the second moving member 32c, can prevent the second moving member 32c from directly contacting the rear frame 10c during its rearward movement, thereby suppressing noise and damage. The control unit 100 stops the rotation of the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 when the second moving member 32c is pushed rearward by the bias member 33 and the tip of the screwdriver bit 2 returns to the standby position P1. The control unit 100 also stops the rotation of the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 when the trigger switch 90 is closed by rotating the screw feed motor 70 in one direction. When the engaging part 73 descends to the position where it engages with the next screw 200, the control unit 100 reverses the screw feed motor 70 to raise the engaging part 73 and supply the next screw 200 to the supply passage 80.

[0065] The fastening tool 1 system includes a battery 12 detachably mounted in a battery mounting section 13 provided on the handle 11. It includes a first drive section 4 that rotates the screwdriver bit 2 via a screwdriver bit rotation motor 40 powered by electricity supplied from the battery 12, and a second drive section 5 that moves the screwdriver bit 2 in a forward-backward direction along the axial direction via a screwdriver bit movement motor 50 powered by electricity supplied from the battery 12. This eliminates the need for connecting a flexible hose as is required with pneumatically driven fastening tools, improving workability.

[0066] Furthermore, the fastening tool 1, by including a second drive unit 5 that moves the screwdriver bit 2 in the forward and backward direction along the axial direction, can tighten screws without moving the fastening tool 1 toward the object being fastened when the contact member 81 is against the object being fastened. Therefore, it is unnecessary to move the tool body toward the object being fastened as with a conventional drill bit or impact screwdriver, thus improving workability.

[0067] Furthermore, since the second drive unit 5 uses the driving force of the screwdriver head moving motor 50 to push the screw engaged with the screwdriver head 2 against the fastening object, it is easy to adjust the force of pushing the screw against the fastening object to be too much or too little, so that the screw is pushed against the fastening object with appropriate force.

[0068] Furthermore, the first drive unit 4, with its clamping handle 11, is positioned behind one side of the tool body 10, while the second drive unit 5, with its clamping handle 11, is positioned in front of the other side of the tool body 10. Thus, motors are located at the front and rear of the clamping handle 11, and the heavier first drive unit 4 and second drive unit 5 are distributed accordingly. Therefore, when performing a fastening operation by holding the handle 11 with the tool body 10 extending approximately horizontally, the weight balance of the clamping handle 11 becomes approximately equal, improving workability.

[0069] Furthermore, the second drive unit 5 is configured with its approximate center in the left-right direction of the fastening tool 1 offset to the left, and the screw feed unit 7, with the screw feed motor 70 offset to the right, offset from the approximate center in the left-right direction of the fastening tool 1. This ensures that the weight balance is approximately equal on both sides, improving workability.

[0070] The fastening tool 1 system, as described above, is driven by separate motors for a first drive unit 4 that rotates the screwdriver head 2 and a second drive unit 5 that moves the screwdriver head 2 in a forward-backward direction along the axial direction. This simplifies the design compared to a configuration where two actions are performed by a single drive source, eliminating the need for a drive force transmission mechanism and a mechanism for transmitting drive force at predetermined times. Furthermore, the simplified design allows for weight reduction. Additionally, the linkage between the two actions can be controlled.

[0071] Furthermore, the screw feed unit 7 can also be driven by the screw feed motor 70, which is powered by electricity supplied from the battery 12, eliminating the need for air pressure. Moreover, by using a motor to drive the screw feed unit 7 independently of the rotation and movement of the screwdriver head 2, the configuration is simplified compared to a configuration that performs two or three actions using a single drive source. Furthermore, multiple actions can be linked together under control.

[0072] The screw feed unit 7 is configured to be freely detachable from the nose body 10f constituting the tool body 10, even when each component is assembled in a modular fashion. This improves assemblability and facilitates replacement during maintenance and inspection, rather than having each component, such as the screw feed motor 70, independently fixed to the tool body 10. Furthermore, compared to a configuration where each component is independently fixed to the tool body 10, the accuracy between components is improved. In addition, since the nose body 10f, to which the screw feed unit 7 is fixed, is integrated with or fixed to the front frame 10b constituting the tool body 10, the accuracy of the screw feed unit 7's mounting position relative to the tool body 10 is improved. Moreover, since the nose body 10f constitutes part of the injection passage 80 through which the screwdriver head 2 passes, the accuracy of the screw feed unit 7's mounting position relative to the injection passage 80 is improved.

[0073] Figures 9A and 9B are perspective views showing one example of the screwdriver bit removal and installation operation in the fastening tool of this embodiment. Next, the operation of removing and installing the screwdriver bit 2 will be described with reference to each figure.

[0074] The fastening tool 1 system, as shown in Figure 1, has a screwdriver bit 2 located in the standby position P1 with its tip deep inside the nose 8, not exposed at the injection port 81a of the contact member 81. Here, when replacing the screwdriver bit 2, the nose 8 is disassembled and assembled.

[0075] To disassemble the nose part 8, firstly, remove the screw 87. By removing the screw 87, as shown in Figure 9B, the nose part 8 can be removed from the fastening tool 1. The nose part 8 is configured to be freely detachable from the tool body 10 while all parts are assembled. The contact member 81 covering the front end of the tool body 10 and the parts constituting the injection port 80 are removed as a whole. When the nose part 8 is removed from the front frame 10b constituting the tool body 10, the injection passage constituting part 80a of the parts on the nose side 8 is removed from the injection passage constituting part 80b of the nose body part 10f fixed to the tool body 10, and the injection passage 80 is exposed.

[0076] Thus, the front end of the rotary guide member 31 is exposed at the front end of the tool body 10, and the screwdriver bit 2 is exposed from the opening at the front end of the rotary guide member 31. Therefore, by clamping the screwdriver bit with a tool such as pliers and pulling, the screwdriver bit 2 can be removed from the retaining member 30.

[0077] The screwdriver bit 2 is installed by inserting it into the opening of the rotating guide member 31 and pushing it into the opening 30a of the retaining member 30, thereby retaining the screwdriver bit 2 in the retaining member 30. Then, the nose 8 is fitted to the front end of the tool body 10, and the nose 8 is fixed to the tool body 10 by tightening the screw 87.

[0078] Furthermore, if the screwdriver head moving motor 50 is stopped due to the reduction ratio of the reducer 51 of the second drive unit 5, and the pulley 52 is configured so that it does not rotate even if an external force is applied to the pulley 52, then a screwdriver head changing mode can be provided in which the rotation of the screwdriver head moving motor 50 is stopped while the moving member 33 moves because the top of the screwdriver head 2 protrudes a predetermined amount from the rotating guide member 31 until the changing position is reached.

[0079] The nose part 8 is configured to be freely detachable from the tool body 10, in a state where the components constituting the injection passage 80, contact member 81, and contact arm 82 are assembled in a modular fashion. This improves assemblability by avoiding a configuration where each component, such as the contact arm 82, is independently fixed to the tool body 10. Furthermore, compared to a configuration where each component is independently fixed to the tool body 10, the precision between components is improved. In addition, the contact switch part 84, which requires wiring, is mounted on the tool body 10 side, eliminating the need for wiring connections or disconnections.

[0080] <Modified Examples of the Fastening Tool of this Embodiment>. Figure 10A shows a side sectional view of a modified example of the fastening tool of this embodiment, Figure 10B shows a side sectional view of another modified example of the fastening tool of this embodiment, and Figure 11 shows a block diagram of a modified example of the fastening tool of this embodiment.

[0081] The fastening tool 1 system, as described above, includes a second drive unit 5 that moves the screwdriver bit 2 in a forward-backward direction along the axial direction. The second drive unit 5 is driven by a screwdriver bit movement motor 50. A moving member 32 connected to a pulley 52 driven by the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 via a wire 54, and a retaining member 30 connected to the moving member 32 are configured to move forward along the axial direction of the screwdriver bit 2 along a rotation guide member 31. In this way, by controlling the amount of rotation of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50, the amount of movement (advance) of the screwdriver bit 2 can be controlled. In other words, by rotating the screwdriver bit rotation motor 40, which is linked to rotating the screwdriver bit 2 in the direction of tightening the screw 200, the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 is rotated. The amount of rotation of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 controls the amount of forward movement of the screwdriver bit 2 as it follows the tightening of the screw 200, thereby controlling the stop position of the screwdriver bit 2 along the axial direction.

[0082] Figures 12A to 12C are cross-sectional views showing the tightened state of the screw. Figure 12A shows the state in which the head 201 of the screw 200 is not raised from or embedded in the surface of the object being tightened 202, so-called surface flush. Figure 12B shows the state in which the head 201 of the screw 200 is raised from the object being tightened 202. Figure 12C shows the state in which the head 201 of the screw 200 is embedded in the object being tightened 202.

[0083] In the fastening tool 1 system, when the tip of the screwdriver bit 2 reaches the end position P2, if the screw 200 is a flat-head screw, as shown in Figure 12A, it is preferable to set the advance amount of the screwdriver bit 2 in a state where the surface of the head 201 of the screw 200 is flush with the surface of the object being fastened 202. Furthermore, the screw 200 is not limited to a flat-head screw. If it is a round-head screw, a Okayama-head screw, a large flat-head screw, etc., it is preferable to set the advance amount of the screwdriver bit 2 in a state where the seat surface of the head 201 of the screw 200 is in contact with the surface of the object being fastened 202 and the head 201 of the screw 200 does not lift off the object being fastened 201.

[0084] When the tip of the screwdriver bit 2 reaches the end position P2, if the head 201 of the screw 200 is raised from the fastening object 202 as shown in Figure 12B, the forward advance of the screwdriver bit 2 is increased, and the end position P2 is advanced. On the other hand, if the head 201 of the screw 200 is embedded in the fastening object 202 as shown in Figure 12C, the forward advance of the screwdriver bit 2 is decreased, and the end position P2 is retracted.

[0085] Here, a setting unit 110 is included to set the advance amount of the screwdriver bit 2. The setting unit 110 is one example of a setting means, configured to allow selection of a plurality of setting values, or to allow stepless selection of any setting value. The setting unit 110 is configured, for example, as shown in Figure 10A, to select the setting value by means of a rotary dial.

[0086] In the method of setting the movement amount (forward amount) of the screwdriver bit 2 and setting a dedicated setting means, in the configuration including the aforementioned rotary dial, as a means of converting the operator's operation into electronic signals, a potentiometer whose resistance value changes with the rotation angle of the shaft connected to the dial, and a rotary encoder that outputs pulses corresponding to the rotation angle, are considered. The control unit 100 reads these voltage values ​​and pulse counts, and sets the number of rotations (rotation amount) of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50, which determines the movement amount (forward amount) of the screwdriver bit 2.

[0087] When both the contact switch 84, which is activated by the contact arm 82, and the trigger switch 90, which is activated by the operation of the trigger 9, are turned on, and the conditions for starting screw tightening are met, the standby position P1, which is the initial position of the screwdriver bit 2, is used as the starting point. After the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 rotates only by the set amount of rotation, the tightening depth can be adjusted by stopping or reversing the rotation to control the end position P2.

[0088] Furthermore, the setting unit 110, as shown in Figure 10B, is configured to allow selection of setting values ​​via buttons. In the case of using buttons or other switches that are activated by pressing, for example, using multiple switches, in this example using two touch switches (instantaneous switches), the method of setting the number of rotations (rotation amount) of the screwdriver tip movement motor 50 corresponding to the pressed switch is considered. In this case, if the power to the tool body is cut off, the previous setting value will be unknown when the power is turned on again; therefore, storing the setting value using a storage element such as an electronically erasable rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM) is also considered.

[0089] The setting unit 110 may be a lever-type switch or a touch panel. Furthermore, the setting unit 110 may combine multiple setting methods, for example, combining the aforementioned rotary dial and switch methods. In this case, the tightening insertion amount can be adjusted by rotary dial operation, and the depth of the tightening insertion amount can be set by switch operation in situations where it is necessary to tilt the device, such as when temporarily striking a corner.

[0090] Furthermore, the setting unit 110 can indicate the composition of the selected setting value by means of displaying the current value using labels, markings, or LEDs, so that the operator can easily grasp the current setting value. Also, to prevent misjudgments due to noise, the setting signal can be detected only when the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 stops. Moreover, considering abnormal voltages displayed outside the normal operating range due to potentiometer malfunction, it is also considered to avoid using abnormal values ​​or to notify the operator of the malfunction via LEDs or a buzzer.

[0091] In configurations where the advance of the screwdriver bit 2 is adjusted by mechanical means such as moving the position of the limiter, a setting part for moving the position of the limiter can also be provided near the nose 8. In contrast, in the fastening tool 1 of this embodiment, the movement (advance) of the screwdriver bit 2 can be electronically controlled by controlling the rotation of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50. Therefore, there are fewer constraints on the position of the setting part 110. Here, in the examples of Figures 10A and 10B, the setting part 110 is provided on the side of the battery mounting part 13 located at the lower part of the handle 11. Furthermore, when the handle 11 is held with the right hand, since the setting part 110 is operated by the left hand, it is also possible to provide the setting part 110 on the left side of the battery mounting part 13.

[0092] Figure 13 shows a top view of an example of the setting unit. The setting unit 110 shown in Figure 13 includes a button 110a that selects a setting value that decreases the advance amount of the screwdriver bit 2 in a stepwise manner, and a button 110b that selects a setting value that increases the advance amount of the screwdriver bit 2 in a stepwise manner, since it is provided with the fastening tool 1 shown in Figure 10B.

[0093] Furthermore, the setting unit 110 includes a guide diagram 110a1 to make the setting value selected by the operation of button 110a visually identifiable. The guide diagram 110a1 may be located on or near button 110a. Similarly, the setting unit 110 includes a guide diagram 110b1 to make the setting value selected by the operation of button 110b visually identifiable. The guide diagram 110b1 may be located on or near button 110b.

[0094] Furthermore, the setting unit 110 includes lamps 110c that indicate the selected setting value. Lamp 110c is one example of an indicator unit; the selected setting value is indicated by the number of lamps 110c that are lit. For example, when the advance of the screwdriver bit 2 is reduced, the number of lit lamps 110c is reduced; when the advance of the screwdriver bit 2 is increased, the number of lit lamps 110c is increased. Furthermore, the color of the lamps 110c can also be changed according to the setting value.

[0095] In order to set the movement amount (advance) of the screwdriver bit 2, in addition to setting a dedicated setting means, a contact switch 84 or a trigger switch 90 can also be used as the setting means. In the method of using existing operating means such as contact switch 84 or trigger switch 90 as the setting means, the number of rotations (rotation amount) of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 can be set by performing a predetermined setting operation that is different from performing a normal tightening operation by causing contact arm 82 or trigger 9. For example, if contact arm 82 does not move, and a predetermined number of consecutive operations of pulling and releasing trigger 9 are performed within a predetermined time, it is determined that a setting operation for setting the number of rotations (rotation amount) of the screwdriver bit movement motor 50 is performed. Specifically, when repeating a predetermined operation such as quickly operating trigger 9 three times each time, a stepwise adjustment of the tightening depth is considered.

[0096] In the method of using existing operating means such as contact switch 84 and trigger switch 90 as setting means, since there is no need for other operating means or setting means for adjusting the fastening insertion amount, the tool body can be miniaturized and the cost can be reduced.

[0097] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fastening tool in a modified example of this embodiment. Next, please refer to the figures to explain the fastening operation with respect to setting the advance amount of the screwdriver head 2.

[0098] In step SA1 of Figure 14, the control unit 100 sets the rotation amount of the screwdriver bit moving motor 50, which specifies the advance amount of the screwdriver bit 2, based on the setting value selected by the setting unit 110. In step SA2, the contact member 81 is pushed by the object being fastened, and the contact switch 84 is pushed by the contact arm 82. The contact switch 84 is turned on in step SA3, and the trigger 9 is operated. In step SA4, the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 of the second drive unit 5 is driven, and in step SA5, the screwdriver bit rotating motor 40 of the first drive unit 4 is driven.

[0099] When the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 is driven to rotate in the positive direction, the moving member 32 connected to the pulley 52 by the wire 54 and the holding member 30 connected to the moving member 32 moves forward along the axis of the screwdriver bit 2 along the rotation guide member 31.

[0100] In this way, the screwdriver head 2 held by the holding member 30 moves forward and engages with the screw 200 supplied to the nozzle 80 of the nose 8, so that the screw 200 moves forward and pushes against the object to be fastened.

[0101] Furthermore, when the screwdriver head rotary motor 40 is driven to rotate in a positive direction, the holding member 30 rotates together with the rotation guide member 31.

[0102] In this way, the screwdriver head 2 held by the holding member 30 rotates the screw 200 in the positive direction (clockwise) and screws it into the object to be fastened. The control unit 100 is linked to the action of rotating the screwdriver head 2 by the first drive unit 4 to screw the screw into the object to be fastened. Based on the load applied to the screwdriver head rotation motor 40, the number of rotations of the screwdriver head rotation motor 40, the load applied to the screwdriver head movement motor 50, the number of rotations of the screwdriver head movement motor 50, etc., the screwdriver head 2 is moved forward by the first drive unit 5 so that the screwdriver head 2 follows the screw that is screwed into the object to be fastened.

[0103] The control unit 100 stops the drive of the screwdriver bit rotating motor 40 in step SA7 and reverses the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 in step SA8 when the rotation amount of the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 in step SA6 becomes the set value selected by the setting unit 110 and the tip of the screwdriver bit 2 reaches the set operation end position P2.

[0104] When the screwdriver bit moving motor 50 rotates in the opposite direction, the moving member 32 is pushed backward by the biasing member 33 by the wire 54 pulled out from the pulley 52. ​​The moving member 32 and the holding member 30 connected to the moving member 32 move backward along the axis of the screwdriver bit 2 along the rotation guide member 31.

[0105] In the control unit 100 system, if in step SA9, when the wire 54 is pulled out of the pulley 52 by a predetermined amount until the initial position is reached, the screwdriver head moving motor 50 is reversed until the initial position is reached, the reverse rotation of the screwdriver head moving motor 50 is stopped in step SA10.

[0106] As a result, the screwdriver head 2 held by the holding member 30 moves backward and the top of the screwdriver head 2 returns to the standby position P1.

[0107] In the fastening tool 1, the amount of movement (advance) of the screwdriver head 2 can be controlled by controlling the rotation of the screwdriver head movement motor 50. Therefore, compared to a mechanism that adjusts the advance of the screwdriver head 2 by moving a limiter, a simplified configuration allows for high-precision adjustment of the tip position of the screwdriver head 2. Consequently, the screw head 201 can be prevented from lifting off the object being fastened 202 as shown in Figure 12B, or from sinking too deeply into the object being fastened 202 as shown in Figure 12C, achieving a flush surface as shown in Figure 12A, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing finished product after fastening.

[0108] Figures 15A to 15D are perspective views showing modified examples of the setting position of the setting part. As described above, in the fastening tool 1 of this embodiment, since the amount of rotation of the screwdriver head moving motor 50 can be controlled electronically, the amount of movement (advance) of the screwdriver head 2 is less constrained in the position of the setting part 110.

[0109] Here, in Figure 15A, the setting unit 110 is provided on the upper part of the battery mounting part 13 located at the lower part of the handle 11. Also, in Figure 15B, the setting unit 110 is provided at the rear part of the battery mounting part 13. By providing the setting unit 110 near the center in the left-right direction at the upper or rear part of the battery mounting part 13, the setting unit 110 can be operated regardless of the dominant hand holding the handle 11.

[0110] Alternatively, the setting unit 110 may be provided on the side of the tool body 10. In Figure 15C, the setting unit 110 is provided on the side of the tool body 10. When the handle 11 is held with the right hand, the setting unit 110 is operated by the left hand, so the setting unit 110 may be configured to be provided on the left side of the tool body 10.

[0111] Furthermore, in Figure 15D, the setting unit 110 is provided at the rear of the tool body 10. In this example, it is provided at the rear of the cover 43 that covers the first drive unit 4. By providing the setting unit 110 at the rear of the tool body 10 near the center in the left-right direction, the setting unit 110 can be operated regardless of the dominant hand holding the handle 11. Furthermore, the setting unit 110 may also be provided at the upper part of the tool body 10.

[0112] Thus, since the amount of movement of the screwdriver bit 2 along the axial direction can be set by electronic signal, there are fewer constraints on the configuration of the setting unit 110, and it is easy to optimize the operability of adjusting the tightening depth. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0012] Figure 1 is a side sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 2A is a partially cut perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 2B is a partially cut perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 2C is a partially cut perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 3A is a side view showing an example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 3B is a front view showing an example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 3C is a top view showing an example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 4A is a perspective view showing an example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 4B is a perspective view showing an example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing details of the screw feed part of this embodiment. Figure 6A is a perspective view showing an example of the nose part of this embodiment. Figure 6B is a perspective view showing an example of the nose part of this embodiment. Figure 7 is a side sectional view showing an example of the operation of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 8A is a partially cut-away perspective view showing one example of the operation of the fastening tool in this embodiment. Figure 8B is a partially cut-away perspective view showing one example of the operation of the fastening tool in this embodiment. Figure 9A is a perspective view showing one example of the screwdriver bit removal and installation operation in the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 9B is a perspective view showing one example of the screwdriver bit removal and installation operation in the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 10A is a side sectional view showing a modified example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 10B is a side sectional view showing another modified example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the fastening tool of this embodiment. Figure 12A is a sectional view showing the screw in a tightened state. Figure 12B is a sectional view showing the screw in a tightened state. Figure 12C is a sectional view showing the screw in a tightened state. Figure 13 is a top view showing one example of the setting part. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fastening tool in a modified example of this embodiment. Figure 15A is a perspective view showing a modified example of the installation position of the setting unit. Figure 15B is a perspective view showing a modified example of the installation position of the setting unit. Figure 15C is a perspective view showing a modified example of the installation position of the setting unit. Figure 15D is a perspective view showing a modified example of the installation position of the setting unit.

Claims

1. A fastening tool, comprising: Screw storage compartment for storing screws; And the screw feed section feeds the screw stored in the screw storage section into the ejection passage through which the screwdriver head passes; The screw feed unit includes: a screw feed motor; a locking part for engaging a screw; and a screw feed transmission part for transmitting the driving force of the screw feed motor to the locking part; the screw feed unit system is assembled as a single unit with the screw feed motor, the locking part, and the screw feed transmission part, and is mounted on the tool body; the screw feed transmission part system is supported such that the portion connected to the locking part moves back and forth along the direction of the screw feed; by rotating the screw feed motor in one direction, the locking part engages with the screw, and by rotating the screw feed motor in the opposite direction, the locking part moves and supplies the screw to the injection passage.

2. The fastening tool as described in claim 1, further comprising: The screwdriver head holding part holds the screwdriver head that engages with the screw fed by the screw feed part in a rotatable and movable axial direction; The first drive unit has a first motor that rotates a screwdriver bit held by the screwdriver bit holding part; and the second drive unit has a second motor that moves the screwdriver bit held by the screwdriver bit holding part along the axial direction.

3. The fastening tool as described in claim 2, further comprising: The battery mounting section can be fitted with a battery that supplies power to the screw feed motor, the first motor, and the second motor.

4. The fastening tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The engagement part is biased toward the injection passage by a spring member via a component that forms the screw feed transmission part.

5. The fastening tool as described in claim 1, wherein, The screw feed motor system is fixed to the first frame, and the screw feed transmission system is supported by the first frame so that it can move up and down along the screw feed direction.

Images