Wrench with torque indicator

Abstract

The invention relates to a one-piece wrench (1) for indicating whether an applied torque is within a predetermined range, comprising: a one-piece handle (30); a head (20) for accommodating an element to be screwed or unscrewed using the wrench; -defining an outer contour of the maximum dimension of the wrench; -a torque range indicator (10) housed in the inner opening located entirely within the outer contour, where the torque range indicator comprises an amplifying mechanism (10A) for amplifying the deformation of the head relative to the handle upon actuation of the wrench, and further comprises an indicating element (10B) located on the amplifying mechanism for indicating the deformation of the head relative to the handle upon actuation of the wrench. The torque range is indicated according to the relative displacement of the head relative to the handle. The invention further relates to application of the single wrench.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wrench configured to indicate a range of applied torque. Background Art

[0002] Wrench tools with torque indicators are well known in the art. Torque indicators can be mechanical or digital and can achieve high-precision torque measurement.

[0003] In certain areas and situations, it may be more important for the user to know that the applied torque does not exceed a predetermined threshold or is within a specific range than to know the exact magnitude. For example, some cutting devices used in surgical procedures have a cutting tool that screws into the handpiece. If the tool is not tightened enough, it may come loose and disrupt the normal use of the device. If it is tightened too much, the cutting tool or device may be damaged due to stress in the material. This may cause the cutting tool to break or the threads to fall out of the device, which may pose a potential danger to the patient undergoing the surgery. To prevent these situations, the cutting tool must be tightened within a certain torque range.

[0004] The existing designs of torque wrenches used in this context are usually complex and expensive. In fact, these wrenches are usually assembled from multiple parts, which leads to many disadvantages, such as: complex manufacturing, complex maintenance (such as sterilization or cleaning), the need for lubrication, high risk of contact corrosion, etc.

[0005] Document JP2016043448A discloses a wrench, whose handle with a notch can indicate the applied torque range. The wrench is assembled from multiple parts.

[0006] Document US7597032 discloses a one-piece torque wrench. The disclosed torque wrench is actually a ratchet wrench, and its two-part handle is used as a torque range indicator. If the torque is applied in a first rotational direction, the first part of the handle will move away from the second part of the handle. An indicator element fixed to one of the two parts will indicate the range of the applied torque. If the torque is applied in the opposite rotational direction, the first part of the handle will be pushed towards the second part, acting as a locking mechanism. When the first part of the handle moves away from the second part, the handle of this two-part design will appear cumbersome. In addition, this design may make it difficult for the operator to hold the handle firmly because the operator must let the first part of the handle move freely away from the second part.

[0007] Document JP2016043448A discloses a wrench, whose handle with a notch can indicate the range of applied torque. The wrench is assembled from multiple parts. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a wrench with a torque indicator to overcome the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wrench with a torque indicator, which is more ergonomic, and in particular allows a user to easily read the torque indicator while operating the wrench.

[0010] These objects are achieved by the subject matter of the claims, in particular by a one-piece wrench for indicating whether the applied torque is within a predetermined range, comprising: -handle - a head for receiving an element to be tightened or loosened using said wrench; - an outer contour defining the maximum dimensions of the wrench; - a torque range indicator housed in an inner opening completely within the outer contour, wherein the torque range indicator comprises an amplification mechanism for amplifying the deformation of the head relative to the handle when the wrench is actuated, and an indication element located on the amplification mechanism for indicating the torque range as a function of the relative displacement of the head relative to the handle.

[0011] The one-piece design makes the wrench simple and convenient to manufacture, especially since it does not require any assembly. It also makes the wrench easier to maintain (e.g., clean, sterilize, no lubrication required, etc.).

[0012] The handle may be formed from a single rigid piece, thereby allowing easier gripping of the wrench during operation of the wrench, preventing movement of the torque range indicator from interfering with operation.

[0013] Another advantage of this single rigidly formed handle is that the user can easily read the torque indication as the torque indicator is not located under the user's hand. The torque range indicator will not be interfered with by the user's hand.

[0014] By connecting the head to the handle by at least one flexible beam, the relative displacement of the head with respect to the handle due to the elastic deformation of the material used can be further increased.

[0015] The amplification mechanism may include at least two flexible arms connected by a connecting element, which are arranged so that when a first torque is applied to the contact area in a rotational direction, the flexible arms move away from the connecting element; when a second torque is applied to the contact area in an opposite rotational direction, the flexible arms move toward the connecting element.

[0016] At least one flexible beam and connecting element may further deform the amplification mechanism and increase the torque indication range.

[0017] The wrench may include torque range markings. The position of the indicator element relative to the torque range markings represents the corresponding torque.

[0018] Torque range markings may be provided on the handle and the indicator element may point toward the handle.

[0019] The wrench can be made of a metal alloy, preferably a steel-based alloy, an aluminum-based alloy, a titanium-based alloy, and can also be made of ceramic, polymer, silicon or wood.

[0020] The torque range may be comprised between 0.2Nm and 200Nm.

[0021] Wrenches can be manufactured using either subtractive or additive manufacturing processes.

[0022] The head of the wrench may be configured such that at least two sizes of components to be tightened or loosened may be accommodated in the head.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the head may include two sub-sections defining a void space between the two sub-sections for accommodating an element to be tightened or loosened. The void space includes a first portion of a first width for accommodating an element to be tightened or loosened having a corresponding width, and a second portion of a second width for accommodating an element to be tightened or loosened having a corresponding width.

[0024] The first width is generally greater than the second width.

[0025] The wrench can be used to tighten and / or loosen components of medical devices, with a torque range comprised between 0.2Nm and 10Nm.

[0026] The medical instrument may be a surgical cutting instrument. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A perspective view of a wrench with a torque indicator is shown. Figure 2 A side view of a wrench with a torque indicator is shown. Figure 3 A side view of the torque range indicator is shown with no torque applied. Figure 4 Shown is a side view of the torque range indicator as torque is applied to tighten a component. Figure 5 Shown is a side view of the torque range indicator as torque is applied to loosen a component. Figure 6 A perspective view of a wrench with a torque indicator comprising an indicating element pointing towards the wrench head is shown. Figure 7 A side view of a wrench with a torque indicator comprising an indicating element pointing towards the wrench head is shown. Figure 8 A side view of a wrench is shown having a head adapted to tighten or loosen components of two different sizes. Description of reference numerals: 1 Wrench 10 Torque range indicator 10A amplifier 100′ First flexible arm 100″ Second Flexible Arm 101 Connecting elements 10B Indicator element 20 Head 200 Flexible beam 201 Contact Area 202 Division 30 Handle 300 Torque range marking d1 first width d2 second width DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 A one-piece wrench 1 according to the present invention is shown. The wrench 1 includes a head 20, a handle 30 and a torque range indicator 10. The head 20 can accommodate an element to be tightened or loosened by applying torque. The handle 30 allows an operator to apply force to the wrench to generate torque. The torque range indicator 10 is a mechanical indicator configured to indicate the range of applied torque so that the operator knows whether the applied torque is within a predetermined range.

[0029] In the context of the present invention, a "monolithic wrench" means that the wrench is made of a single material and in particular does not require any assembly during the manufacturing process. This monolithic design can be obtained by conventional machining (i.e., subtractive manufacturing) or additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing).

[0030] This one-piece design makes maintenance of the wrench simple and easy, as there is no need to disassemble the tool to clean or lubricate the parts. In addition, the use of a single material avoids contact corrosion, thus reducing the risk of corrosion. Figure 2 As shown, the torque range indicator 10 is arranged in an inner opening of the wrench 1, which is completely located in the outer contour of the wrench defining its maximum dimension. The inner opening can be a through hole, or alternatively a blind hole.

[0031] Advantageously, the handle 30 is made of a single rigid piece. This means that the handle 30 is integrally formed and does not include arms that can move relative to each other when the wrench is actuated. In this way, the user can better grip the wrench because the entire handle can be gripped.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the term "handle" refers to the portion of the wrench opposite the head 20, excluding the torque range indicator 10. The purpose of the handle 30 is to allow actuation of the wrench.

[0033] Since the torque range indicator, more specifically the amplification mechanism, is completely contained within the outer contour of the wrench, the handle 30 can be made of a single rigid piece. In particular, the torque range indicator does not rely on relative movement of the handle 30 subcomponents.

[0034] When an operator applies torque to the handle 30 to tighten or loosen an element contained in the head 20, the contact area 201 connecting the head and the handle will undergo elastic deformation, which may vary depending on the material the wrench is made of. This deformation causes the head 20 to move relative to the handle 30 and is proportional to the applied torque. Therefore, quantifying this deformation can quantify the applied torque.

[0035] The torque range indicator 10 comprises an amplifying mechanism 10A for amplifying the deformation of the handle 30 relative to the head 20, and an indicating element 10B for providing information on the range of applied torque. The indicating element can move with the deformation, so that the operator operating the wrench can obtain the magnitude of the applied torque.

[0036] In one embodiment, the amplification mechanism 10A comprises at least two flexible arms connected by a rigid connection element 101 that stabilizes the flexible arms. When a first torque is applied to the contact area 201 in a rotational direction, the flexible arms are arranged to move away from the connection element, and when a second torque is applied to the contact area in an opposite rotational direction, the flexible arms are arranged to move toward the connection element.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the magnifying mechanism 10A may include a first flexible arm and a second flexible arm 100". The first flexible arm 100' is disposed between the contact area 201 and the connecting element 101, and the second flexible arm 100" is disposed between the connecting element and the handle 30. One end of the first flexible arm 100' is connected to the handle 30, and the other end is connected to the first end of the connecting element 101. One end of the second flexible arm 100" is connected to the contact area 201, and the other end is connected to the second end of the connecting element 201. When no torque is applied to the wrench, the two flexible arms are substantially parallel to the connecting element 101.

[0038] In another embodiment not shown, the flexible arm is not parallel to the connecting element in the rest position (ie the position in which no torque is applied).

[0039] The indicating element 10B is usually fixed to the amplifying mechanism 10A so as to transmit the movement of the amplifying mechanism to the indicating element. The amplitude of the movement of the indicating element is indicative of the applied torque.

[0040] Torque range markings 300 may be provided on the wrench so that the relative position of the indicator element 10B relative to the markings corresponds to the applied torque. Such torque range markings may be, for example, graduated scales, vernier markings, one or more areas corresponding to a specific range, and the like.

[0041] Advantageously, the torque range marking is located on a portion of the wrench that is not covered by the user's hand operating the wrench, so that the user can easily obtain information about the applied torque range when using the wrench.

[0042] In the embodiment, the indicating element 10B includes a pointer, one end of which is connected to the connecting element 101. The other end of the pointer is used as a pointer pointing to a specific area of ​​the wrench 1. A torque range mark 300 can be added to the specific area, and the mark represents the torque range applied to the wrench, so that the pointer can point to the mark, and the user can obtain information about the applied torque by viewing the mark.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, a torque range mark 300 may be provided on the handle 30. The mark may consist of a plurality of regions, for example three regions, each region corresponding to a torque range.

[0044] like Figure 3 In the preferred embodiment shown, the pointer of the indicator element 10B can, for example, point to the handle 30. Figure 6 In another embodiment shown, the pointer may point to the head 20 .

[0045] In the presence of torque, when the pointer is pointing toward the handle, the relative displacement of the pointer to the handle is large, because the handle moves relative to the head and moves in the opposite direction relative to the pointer. However, for design reasons, it may be convenient for the pointer to point toward the head.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the indicating element 10B may also indicate the torque range by covering a designated portion of the wrench or torque range markings.

[0047] In another embodiment, the torque range marking includes one or more notches or slots, and the indicator element 10B can be embedded in these notches or slots according to the corresponding torque, each notch or slot representing a value of the applied torque.

[0048] In order to increase the deformation of the head 20 relative to the handle 30, the wrench 1 may include at least one flexible beam connecting the head and the handle. These flexible beams may increase the elastic deformation. The flexible beams may extend radially from the head 20 so as to be aligned with the theoretical pivot point of the element to be tightened.

[0049] exist Figure 2In the particular embodiment shown, two flexible beams 200 are symmetrically arranged around the longitudinal axis of the wrench. The contact area 201 is fixed to the head by a neck and can move within an inner opening partially defined by the flexible beam. The movement of the contact area will significantly amplify the deformation of the wrench, thereby quantifying the deformation and thus accurately measuring the torque.

[0050] Figure 4 The configuration of the torque range indicator 10 is shown when a first torque is applied to the contact area 201 in a first rotational direction, for example, in order to tighten an element in the head 20. The two flexible beams 200 are deformed and the contact area 201 moves relative to the handle 30. The movement of the contact area causes the first flexible arm 100' to gradually move away from the connecting element 101. The end of the first flexible arm attached to the connecting element does not move away from the connecting element, while the end of the first flexible arm attached to the handle moves away from the connecting element. Similarly, the second flexible arm 100" also gradually moves away from the connecting element. The movement of the two flexible arms causes the connecting element to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotational direction. Therefore, the direction of movement of the indicating element 10B attached to the connecting element 101 is basically opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0051] Figure 5 An opposite configuration is shown, in which a torque is applied in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, for example for loosening an element housed in the head 20. In this case, both the first and second flexible arms 100', 100" move towards the connecting element 101, causing it to rotate in a rotational direction opposite to the second rotational direction. Thus, the direction of movement of the indicator element 10B is substantially opposite to the second rotational direction. The indicator element 10B may come into contact with the inner surface of the wrench (i.e. the boundary of the inner opening), acting as a locking action, preventing the amplification mechanism from further deformation. Alternatively or additionally, the flexible arm may also act as a locking mechanism when in contact with the connecting element.

[0052] In order to be reusable, the wrench needs to be made of a material that can withstand high stresses without plastic deformation. In addition, other external factors, such as heat resistance (sterilization) or biocompatibility, are also important for the choice of material. In fact, the wrench of the present invention is suitable for the medical field, especially the field of surgery, for fixing certain surgical instruments (such as cutting instruments) on the head (or removing these instruments from the head). This use requires the wrench to be sterilized.

[0053] Alternatively, it is also possible to use materials with special plastic deformation properties, for example to obtain a disposable wrench which retains its deformation after use.

[0054] One-piece wrenches can be made from several different materials. These materials include various types of metal alloys, such as steel-based alloys (e.g., chrome-nickel-copper steel), and aluminum-based alloys or titanium-based alloys. Alternatively, materials such as ceramics, different types of polymers, silicon, or wood may also be considered, depending on the intended use of the wrench. The choice of material can have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the wrench. Thus, it can be used to increase or decrease the total deformation of the wrench, i.e., plastic deformation and elastic deformation.

[0055] As mentioned above, the wrench 1 can be manufactured by conventional machining. Various cutting techniques can be used to determine the profile and internal opening of the wrench, such as water jet, EDM (Electric Discharge Machining), laser cutting, etc. Steps such as quenching, corrosion treatment, engraving, etc. can also be used. In particular, the serial number and torque range marking can be engraved on the handle by laser.

[0056] The size of the wrench, i.e. the thickness of the sheet, also has a significant impact on the range of torque that can be applied. Depending on the torque range that needs to be achieved, the thickness of the present wrench preferably varies between 1 mm and 10 mm. The thickness can be changed according to the required torque without changing other parameters of the wrench design.

[0057] The head 20 can be configured to accommodate at least two different sizes of components to be tightened or loosened. This means that the same wrench can be used to tighten or loosen components of at least two different sizes (i.e., at least two different widths).

[0058] exist Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the head 20 includes two sub-sections 202, and a gap space is defined between the two sub-sections. The gap space is used to accommodate a component to be tightened or loosened.

[0059] The internal distance between two sections 202 is variable along the length of the sections to accommodate elements of different sizes to be tightened or loosened. Therefore, the width of the interstitial space divided by the sections 202 is variable, since its width corresponds to the internal distance between the two sections.

[0060] In a particular embodiment, the void space includes a first portion having a first width d1, i.e., the two subdivisions include first portions spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to the first width d1. The first portion of the void space can accommodate an element to be tightened or loosened of a size corresponding to the first width d1. The void space also includes a second portion having a second width d2, which means that the second portion included in the two subdivisions is spaced apart from the first portion by a distance corresponding to the second width d2. The second portion of the void can accommodate an element to be tightened or loosened of a size corresponding to the second width d2.

[0061] In an embodiment not shown, the void space includes more than two portions having different widths so that elements of more than two sizes (ie, widths) can be tightened or loosened.

[0062] like Figure 8 As shown, the first width d1 may be greater than the second width d2.

Claims

1. A one-piece wrench (1) for indicating whether an applied torque is within a predetermined range, comprising - a handle (30); - a head (20) for receiving an element to be tightened or loosened by means of said wrench; - an outer contour defining the maximum dimensions of the wrench; - A torque range indicator (10) housed in an inner opening located completely within the outer contour, wherein the torque range indicator comprises an amplification mechanism (10A) for amplifying the deformation of the head relative to the handle when the wrench is actuated, and an indication element (10B) located on the amplification mechanism for indicating the torque range based on the relative displacement of the head relative to the handle.

2. The wrench (1) according to claim 1, the handle (30) being made of a single rigid piece.

3. The wrench (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the head (20) is connected to the handle (30) via at least one flexible beam (200).

4. The wrench (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 3, the amplification mechanism (10A) comprises at least two flexible arms (100) connected by a connecting element (101) and arranged to move away from the connecting element when a first torque is applied to the contact area (201) in a rotational direction, and to move towards the connecting element when a second torque is applied to the contact area in an opposite rotational direction.

5. The wrench (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a torque range mark (300), wherein the position of the indicator element (10B) relative to the torque range mark represents the corresponding torque.

6. The wrench (1) according to claim 5, wherein the torque range mark is arranged on the handle (30), and the indicating element (10B) points to the handle (30).

7. The wrench (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is made of a metal alloy, preferably a steel-based alloy, an aluminum-based alloy or a titanium-based alloy, or of ceramic, polymer, silicon or wood.

8. The wrench (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the torque range is comprised between 0.2 Nm and 200 Nm.

9. The wrench (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is manufactured by subtractive or additive manufacturing.

10. The wrench (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the head (20) being configured to accommodate at least two different sizes of elements to be tightened or loosened.

11. The wrench (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the head (20) comprising two sections (202) defining a void space between the two sections, the void space comprising a first portion having a first width (d1) for accommodating a first element to be tightened or loosened, and a second portion having a second width (d2) for accommodating a second element to be tightened or loosened.

12. The wrench (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the first width (d1) being greater than the second width (d2).

13. Use of a one-piece spanner (1) according to any one of the preceding claims for tightening and / or loosening elements of a medical device, the torque range being between 0.2 Nm and 10 Nm.

14. Use of the one-piece wrench (1) according to the preceding claim, the medical device being a surgical cutting tool.

Images