Retaining and driving tool

Abstract

The present specification relates to a holding and driving tool for tightening screws and nuts, comprising: a motor; the tool output end is in driving connection with the motor; the shell at least partially accommodates the motor and the output end; and a holding and driving unit (10) arranged to be driven by the output and comprising: a nut socket (11) configured to rotate the nut relative to the screw; a screw holding member (12) configured to engage with the screw; the retaining and driving unit comprises a housing (10), a screw retaining member (12) fixed to the housing, and a base member (13) fixed to the housing, in which the screw retaining member (12) is axially movable but rotationally fixed relative to the base member (13), and in which the retaining and driving unit further comprises an intermediate member (14) arranged between the base member and the screw retaining member for facilitating sliding contact therebetween, the intermediate member is an elongated member having an arcuate cross-section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to power tools for tightening threaded fasteners, and more specifically, to such tools comprising (so-called) holding and driving units. Background Technology

[0002] Power tools used for tightening threaded fasteners are known to be used in a variety of industries. For example, such power tools can be electric or pneumatic.

[0003] A holding and driving power tool is a specific type of power tool that holds a screw in place while tightening a nut. Holding and driving tools are needed when it is neither possible nor convenient to hold the screw from the opposite side of the threaded end while tightening.

[0004] Such tools typically include some form of screw retainer disposed inside a socket (or similar) to hold the screw tip while tightening. The screw retainer is always fixed, but it is capable of axial movement to make room for the screw, while the socket follows the nut downwards. The socket (sometimes called the drive socket or nut socket) is the component that turns and tightens the nut to the final torque and is connected to the tool's output gear.

[0005] A known problem with holding and driving tools is the reaction force generated as the screw is tightened, which must be counteracted by the operator.

[0006] Furthermore, holding and driving tools, such as those commonly used in the aerospace industry, are often used in conjunction with tool attachments called gear front attachments or crow feet (i.e., output gear extensions attached to the end of the tool). When using a gear front attachment, the reaction force can be even more inconvenient for the operator.

[0007] Furthermore, since power tool attachments are typically used in confined spaces, their size is an important characteristic. This also imposes limitations on the design and selection of components such as holding and drive units included in such attachments.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for improved maintenance and driving tools that can solve or at least mitigate the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a more user-friendly holding and driving tool, thereby offering improved usability. In particular, it is desirable to provide such a design in a particularly compact manner. To better address one or more of these problems, a holding and driving tool, holding and driving unit, as defined in the independent claim, is provided. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, a retaining and driving tool for tightening screws and nuts is provided, the tool comprising: a motor; a tool output end drivenly connected to the motor; a housing at least partially housing the motor and the output end; and a retaining and driving unit arranged to be driven by the output end and comprising: a nut socket adapted to be driven by the output end and configured to rotate the nut relative to the screw; a screw retaining member configured to engage with the screw to prevent rotation of the screw; and a base member fixed to the housing, wherein the screw retaining member is axially movable but rotatably fixed relative to the base member; wherein the retaining and driving unit further comprises at least one intermediate member arranged between the base member and the screw retaining member to facilitate sliding contact therebetween, and wherein the intermediate member is an elongated member extending in a direction parallel to the central axis of the screw retaining member and having an arcuate cross-section.

[0011] According to the first aspect, the retaining and driving tool provides an ingenious solution to the above-mentioned problem by including an intermediate member arranged to facilitate sliding contact between the base member and the screw retaining member.

[0012] More specifically, due to the slender design and curved cross-section of the intermediate member, the friction and surface pressure between the screw retainer and the base member can be reduced, thereby reducing the lifting force inevitably generated by the combined function of the base member in preventing the screw retainer from rotating and allowing slippage. Therefore, the reaction force required by the operator is greatly reduced, and usability is significantly improved.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one intermediate member may be described as being further arranged to prevent relative rotational movement between the base member and the screw retaining member. In some embodiments, at least one intermediate member may be described as being arranged between the base member and the screw retaining member to achieve sliding contact therebetween.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least one intermediate member may be arranged to engage the upper portion of the screw-retaining member. The upper portion may be a section having two parallel sides, such as two straight parallel faces or sides. In some embodiments, the upper portion is the upper rectangular section.

[0015] The nut socket may be adapted to be slidably received on a nut. The screw retaining member may include means such as a drill bit retainer for retaining a drill bit adapted to engage with the screw. The screw retaining member may be further arranged inside, within, and / or surrounded by the nut socket. The screw retaining member may further include a spring for biasing the screw retaining member in a forward direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one intermediate member may form part of the interface arrangement provided between the base member and the screw retaining member.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least one intermediate member may be arranged to extend inward from an inner surface that extends along the inner periphery of the base member.

[0018] The intermediate member can be arranged to facilitate sliding contact between the base member and the screw retaining member. The intermediate member can, for example, be arranged or configured to provide low friction in the interface and / or low surface pressure between the base member and the screw retaining member.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the intermediate member is fixed relative to the base member. In some embodiments, the intermediate member may be detachably arranged in the base member. In some embodiments, at least one intermediate element may be arranged in a hole, space, or slot provided in the base member. Such a hole or space may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the intermediate member. In some embodiments, the space may be arranged next to (or spaced around) a through hole in the base member, and the upper part of the screw retaining member may be received in the through hole. The hole or space may open toward or through the through hole, such that when the intermediate member is arranged in the space to engage with the screw retaining member, it can partially extend into the through hole.

[0020] According to one embodiment, at least one intermediate member can be a separate intermediate member. This can be advantageous because the design of the intermediate member can be easily adjusted and adapted to specific application scenarios with minimal or no increase in the size of the holding and driving units. In other embodiments, the intermediate member can be integrally formed with the base member.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the intermediate member has a substantially annular or circular cross-section. The intermediate member can therefore be described as a cylindrical intermediate member. In other embodiments, the intermediate member may have an oval, elliptical, or any other arcuate cross-section.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the intermediate component is the needle roller of the needle roller bearing. Using such needle rollers may be advantageous because they typically have high hardness and a very smooth surface.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the base member is made of a first material, and the intermediate member is made of a second material. According to one embodiment, the intermediate member includes a smooth outer surface, such as a surface with low surface roughness and / or a low coefficient of friction. The smooth surface can be a surface with a lower coefficient of friction and / or lower surface roughness compared to the surface of the base member. According to one embodiment, the intermediate member is made of steel and / or a steel alloy.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the interface arrangement includes multiple intermediate members. For example, according to one embodiment, the interface arrangement includes two intermediate members. According to one embodiment, the interface arrangement includes four intermediate members. Four intermediate members may be advantageous because the unit operates equally well in both tightening and loosening directions. The multiple intermediate members may be equidistantly spaced along the inner circumference of the base member.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the tool is a handheld tool, which may be electrically and / or battery-powered. According to one embodiment, the tool is an angle tool.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the invention, a retaining and driving unit for tightening screws and nuts is provided. The retaining and driving unit includes: a nut socket adapted to be driven by a tool output end and configured to rotate the nut relative to a screw; a screw retaining member configured to engage with the screw to prevent rotation of the screw; and a base member adapted to be fixed to a tool housing, wherein the screw retaining member is axially movable but rotatably fixed relative to the base member; wherein the retaining and driving unit further includes an intermediate member disposed between the base member and the screw retaining member to facilitate sliding contact therebetween, wherein the intermediate member is an elongated member extending in a direction parallel to the central axis of the screw retaining member and has an arcuate cross-section.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the invention, a power tool attachment component is provided, comprising a holding and driving unit according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the power tool attachment is a gear-mounted attachment such as a claw plate (or claw plate accessory). The retaining and driving unit according to the invention is particularly suitable for claw plate applications because the problem of reaction force can be especially inconvenient when used with such accessories.

[0029] By referring to the above discussion of the first and second aspects of the invention, it is readily apparent that objects, advantages and features conceivable within the scope of the second and third aspects of the invention.

[0030] Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed disclosure, drawings, and appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that different features of the invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described below. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The invention will be described in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which... Figure 1This is an exploded perspective view of the front end of an exemplary retaining and driving tool according to one implementation scheme.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the front end of an exemplary holding and driving tool according to one implementation scheme.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the front end of an exemplary holding and driving tool according to one implementation scheme.

[0034] All accompanying drawings are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale, and generally only show components necessary to illustrate the invention, wherein other components may be omitted or only implied. Detailed Implementation

[0035] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows, in an exploded view, the front part or end point 1 of an exemplary retaining and driving tool for tightening nuts and screws. The retaining and driving tool of the illustrated embodiment is a handheld angle tool and includes a motor and a tool output end 30 disposed in a housing 20 and driven by the motor (not shown).

[0036] The holding and driving unit 10 is arranged to be driven by the tool output end and includes a nut socket 11 and a screw retaining member 12. The nut socket is adapted to be driven by the output end and configured to engage with a nut to allow the nut to rotate relative to the screw. The screw retaining member includes a drill bit retainer 12b arranged to retain the drill bit B and thus adapted to engage with the screw. A spring 15 is arranged to bias the drill bit retainer 12b in a forward direction.

[0037] The base member 13 is fixed to the housing and is adapted to accommodate the screw retainer 12 in such a way that the screw retainer 12 is axially movable but rotatably fixed relative to the base member 13.

[0038] The retaining and driving unit 10 further includes an interface arrangement that can be described as being disposed between the base member 13 and the screw retaining member 12. For example, this interface arrangement may include four separate intermediate members 14 disposed between the base member 13 and the screw retaining member 12 (e.g., the upper portion 12c of the screw retaining member 12 having two straight, parallel sides 40). This serves to achieve and / or facilitate sliding contact therebetween, and further serves to prevent relative rotational movement between the base member 13 and the screw retaining member 12.

[0039] from Figure 1As can be seen, the intermediate element 14 of the illustrated embodiment is an elongated element extending in a direction parallel to the screw retaining member 12, and has an arcuate or even circular cross-section. Therefore, the illustrated member 14 can be described as cylindrical. The intermediate element 14 of the illustrated embodiment is further fixed relative to the base member 13, in this case, in an elongated hole or opening 13a provided in the base member 13. The hole 13a opens toward or leads to a through hole 13b in the base member 13, in which the upper portion 12c of the screw retaining member 12 is accommodated. Thus, the intermediate member can extend into the opening 13b when arranged in the opening 13a to engage the screw retaining member 12. The intermediate member 14 can further be made of, for example, steel, and each has a hard and smooth outer surface to facilitate sliding.

[0040] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The front end 1 of the holding and driving tool is shown in two different cross sections.

[0041] exist Figure 2 In the diagram, the holding and driving unit 10 is shown arranged to be driven by the tool output end 30 via a bevel gear 31. The screw retaining member 12, including the drill bit retainer 12b, is surrounded by a spring 15 and is arranged in or surrounded by the nut socket 11.

[0042] The intermediate member 14 is shown as being arranged between the base member 13 and the screw retaining member 12.

[0043] Figure 3 Four intermediate elements of an exemplary embodiment arranged between the base member 13 and the screw retaining member 12 are also shown. For example, the upper portion 12c of the screw retaining member 12 may have two parallel faces or sides 40. The parallel faces may be connected by two curved sides or faces 41, the curvature of which is adapted to match the curvature of the opening 13a provided in the base member 13. The intermediate elements are illustrated as being arranged in the opening 13a and extending into the through hole or cavity 13b.

[0044] Although the invention has been shown and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions should be considered illustrative or exemplary, not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications, variations, and alterations will occur within the scope defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple. The fact that specific measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A retaining and driving tool for tightening screws and nuts, said tool comprising: motor, The tool output end is connected to the motor drive. A housing that at least partially houses the motor and output terminals, and Holding and driving unit (10), which includes: Nut socket (11), which is adapted to be driven by the output end and configured to rotate the nut relative to the screw; A screw retaining member (12) is configured to engage with the screw to prevent the screw from rotating; A base member (13) is fixed to the housing, wherein the screw retaining member (12) is axially movable but rotatably fixed relative to the base member (13). The retaining and driving unit further includes at least one intermediate member (14) disposed between the base member and the screw retaining member to facilitate sliding contact therebetween, wherein the intermediate member is an elongated member extending in a direction parallel to the central axis of the screw retaining member and has an arcuate cross section.

2. The holding and driving tool according to claim 1, wherein, The intermediate component is fixed relative to the base component.

3. The holding and driving tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The intermediate component is a separate intermediate component.

4. The holding and driving tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The intermediate component has a circular cross-section.

5. The holding and driving tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The intermediate component is the needle roller of the needle roller bearing.

6. The holding and driving tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The intermediate component is made of steel.

7. The holding and driving tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The intermediate component includes a smooth outer surface.

8. The holding and driving tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The interface arrangement includes multiple intermediate components.

9. The holding and driving tool according to claim 8, wherein, The interface arrangement includes two intermediate components.

10. The holding and driving tool according to claim 9, wherein, The interface arrangement includes four intermediate components.

11. The holding and driving tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tool in question is a handheld tool.

12. The holding and driving tool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tool in question is an angle tool.

13. A retaining and driving unit for tightening screws and nuts, comprising: Nut socket (11), which is adapted to be driven by the tool output and configured to rotate the nut relative to the screw; Screw retaining member (12), configured to engage with the screw to prevent screw rotation; and Base member (13), which is adapted to be fixed to the tool housing, wherein, The screw retaining member (12) is axially movable, but is rotated and fixed relative to the base member (13). The retaining and driving unit further includes an intermediate member (14) disposed between the base member and the screw retaining member to facilitate sliding contact therebetween, wherein the intermediate member is an elongated member extending in a direction parallel to the central axis of the screw retaining member and has an arcuate cross section.

14. A power tool attachment comprising the holding and driving unit as claimed in claim 13.

15. The power tool attachment component according to claim 13, wherein, The attachment component of the power tool is a claw-shaped plate.

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