Electric tool assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electric tool assembly, which comprises an electric tool (10), and the electric tool is used for installing a fastening element and generating a digital signal for indicating whether the fastening element is installed in a qualified way or not. The power tool assembly comprises an accessory (20) attached to the power tool, the accessory having an accessory body (1) mechanically connected to the power tool, on which accessory body there is provided a counting device (3) having a display (4), the counting device being connected to a controller (11) of the power tool and being able to receive said digital signal from the controller of the power tool, the counting device is configured to count a positive digital signal indicating that the mounting of the fastening element is qualified, and the display is configured to display a count value of the counting device. According to the electric tool assembly, counting of the fastening elements which are installed in a qualified mode can be achieved, the counting value is displayed in real time, and the working reliability during installation of the fastening elements is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a power tool assembly for mounting fastening elements. Background Technology

[0002] On an automotive production line, a certain number of fasteners need to be installed on vehicles in the manufacturing process at many cycle stations. For example, when securing a roughly rectangular interior trim piece to the inside of the roof, it may be necessary to install 3 to 6 fasteners as specified. Missing any one or more of these fasteners can lead to higher defect rates and even potential quality incidents that go undetected. Utility Model Content

[0003] The objective of this application is to provide a power tool assembly that can count properly installed fasteners and display the count value in real time, which can help reduce or even completely avoid the omission of fastener installation.

[0004] The task is solved by a power tool assembly comprising a power tool configured to install fastening elements and generate a digital signal indicating whether the fastening elements are properly installed. The power tool assembly includes an attachment attached to the power tool, the attachment having an attachment body mechanically connected to the power tool. A counting device is disposed on the attachment body, the counting device having a display, the counting device being connected to and capable of receiving the digital signal from the power tool's controller, the counting device being configured to count positive digital signals indicating that the fastening elements are properly installed, and the display being configured to display the count value of the counting device.

[0005] When using such power tool components, users can see in real time which fasteners have been properly installed, and can easily detect omissions, such as missing one or more fasteners. For example, if a total of 5 fasteners need to be installed, it is much easier to detect if only 4 fasteners are installed and 1 fastener is missing compared to when there is no counting device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the accessory is mounted on the tail of the power tool, and the accessory body has a cavity for receiving the tail of the power tool.

[0007] In some embodiments, the accessory body has a peripheral wall and a bottom that surround and define the cavity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the accessory body is a one-piece injection-molded component.

[0009] In some embodiments, the peripheral wall has a sloping surface on its upper side, in which at least one first mounting hole, such as two first mounting holes, is provided. The accessory body is fixed to the tail of the power tool by screws received in the first mounting holes and screwed into the housing of the power tool.

[0010] In some embodiments, the bottom has a window, the counting device is fixed to the bottom in a chamber, and the display is located in the area of ​​the window.

[0011] In some embodiments, a plurality of second mounting holes are provided around the window in the bottom, and the counting device is fixed to the bottom by screws screwed into the second mounting holes. For example, in the bottom, two second mounting holes are provided above the window, and one second mounting hole is provided below the window.

[0012] In some implementations, the display is configured as a seven-segment display. This can be cost-effective.

[0013] In some embodiments, the counting device is equipped with at least one input element.

[0014] In some embodiments, the counting device is equipped with a pause counting button as a first input element, which can prevent repeated counting when the installed fastening element is tightened again.

[0015] In some embodiments, the counting device is equipped with a duration setting button as a second input element, through which a duration can be preset, and the counting device can trigger an alarm when the preset duration has elapsed but the current count value is lower than a predetermined count value.

[0016] In some embodiments, the counting device is equipped with a button for setting a predetermined count value as a third input element.

[0017] In one exemplary application, when a fastener has been properly installed but the operator wishes to tighten it further, the pause count button can be operated, and the pause count button can be operated again after retightening is completed to resume counting.

[0018] In one exemplary application, the cycle time of a workstation on an automotive production line is 60 seconds, during which six fasteners need to be properly installed. The cycle time can be preset to 50 seconds. When 50 seconds have elapsed but the count value has not reached six (e.g., the current count value is five), a buzzer alarm can sound. As a replacement or supplement, the display can flash, allowing the operator to promptly detect that a fastener has not been installed and take remedial measures. Generally, alarms can be implemented in various forms, such as acoustic and / or optical alarms.

[0019] In some embodiments, the power tool is a screw gun for installing screws. Here, the fastening element to be installed is a screw. Alternatively, the fastening element to be installed may also be a nail, pin, expansion bolt, nut, or the like.

[0020] The technical features mentioned above, those to be mentioned below, and those shown individually in the accompanying drawings can be combined arbitrarily, provided that the combined technical features are not contradictory. All feasible combinations of features are the technical content explicitly described herein. Any one of the multiple sub-features contained in the same statement can be applied independently, without necessarily being applied together with other sub-features. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates exemplary embodiments of the present invention to further explain its characteristics, features, advantages, and implementation methods. It is self-evident that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a power tool assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the accessories for the power tool assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Several exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that elements not essential for understanding the invention may be omitted from the drawings for ease of illustration and understanding. In the drawings, the same reference numerals may denote the same parts or parts that function identically. Numerous specific details, such as examples of specific parts, devices, and methods, are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that not all of these specific details are necessarily required. The exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting.

[0025] Figure 1 This diagram shows a power tool assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The power tool assembly includes a power tool 10 and an attachment 20 attached to the power tool 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the power tool 10 is a screwdriver for tightening screws. It is understood that the power tool 10 can also be designed for installing other fastening elements, such as stators, pins, nuts, expansion bolts, or the like. The power tool can also be a hammer drill. The power tool 10 itself can be known. For example, power tools manufactured by Bosch are currently widely used in automotive production lines. The attachment 20 attached to the power tool 10... Figure 1 The dashed line is used to indicate this schematically, and in Figure 2 A more detailed description is provided below. Figure 1 In this case, Attachment 20 is attached to the tail of the power tool 10. However, depending on the specific design of the power tool 10, Attachment 20 may also be attached to other parts of the power tool 10.

[0026] In such Figure 1 In the illustrated power tool assembly, the power tool 10 includes a head 12 for tightening screws, which can be driven to rotate, thereby installing screws temporarily held on the head 12. The power tool 10 has a handle 14 on which an operator's hand can grip and operate a start switch 13 with one finger. The start switch 13 can start the power tool 10 when pressed and stop it when released. A support 15 is provided on the underside of the handle 14, allowing the power tool 10, or the entire power tool assembly, to be stably placed on a flat surface, such as a table. Figure 1 The controller 11 of the power tool 10 is also schematically depicted. The power tool 10 is capable of generating digital signals indicating whether the fastening elements are properly installed, as is known in practice.

[0027] Figure 2 show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of accessory 20 of a power tool assembly is provided, wherein accessory body 1 is described separately from counting device 3 in order to allow for more detailed description of accessory body 1. Accessory body 1 has a peripheral wall 16 and a bottom 9 that surround and define a chamber 2 capable of receiving the tail of power tool 10, or in other words, accessory body 1 capable of enclosing the tail of power tool 10.

[0028] The peripheral wall 16 has a sloping surface 17 and a flat surface area 18 on its upper side. Two first mounting holes 6 are provided in the sloping surface 17. The accessory body 1 can be fixed to the tail of the power tool 10 by two screws that are received in the two first mounting holes 6 and screwed into the housing of the power tool 10. For this purpose, in one embodiment, two additional mounting holes are pre-drilled in the housing of the power tool 10, and the two screws pass through the two first mounting holes 6 and are screwed into these two additional mounting holes. In another embodiment, the two screws can be self-tapping screws, and therefore pre-drilling holes in the housing of the power tool is not required.

[0029] The bottom 9 of the accessory body 1 can have a flat outer surface. When the power tool assembly is placed on a flat horizontal surface with the support 15, the flat outer surface of the bottom 9 can be approximately perpendicular to the horizontal surface, which facilitates good observation of the display 4 of the counting device 3 disposed in the bottom 9 during the operation of the power tool assembly. The counting device 3 is fixed to the bottom 9 in the chamber 2, and the bottom can have a window 8, with the display 4 of the counting device 3 located in the area of ​​the window 8. To fix the counting device 3, a plurality of second mounting holes 7 are provided around the window 8 in the bottom 9, and the counting device 3 is fixed to the bottom 9 by screws screwed into the second mounting holes 7. Specifically, two second mounting holes 7 can be provided above the window 8 and one second mounting hole 7 can be provided below the window 8.

[0030] The counting device 3 is connected to the controller 11 of the power tool 10 and can receive digital signals from the controller 11 indicating whether the fastening element is installed correctly. The counting device 3 is configured to count the positive digital signals indicating that the fastening element is installed correctly and display the count value in real time via the display 4. The display 4 can be cost-effectively configured as a seven-segment display. For the connection between the counting device 3 and the controller 11 of the power tool 10, a hole is drilled in the tail of the power tool 10, and a wire (not shown) passes through the hole, which connects the counting device 3 to the controller 11 located inside the housing of the power tool 10.

[0031] The counting device 3 may be equipped with multiple input elements 5, through which the counting device 3 can be preset. One input element 5 may be a pause counting button, which prevents repeated counting when retightening an installed fastener. For example, if a fastener has been properly installed but the operator wishes to tighten it further, the pause counting button can be operated, and the pause counting button can be operated again after retightening to resume counting. Another input element 5 may be a duration setting button, through which the duration can be set. When the count value does not reach the preset target count value within the preset duration, a buzzer alarm can be activated, and at the same time, the display 4 may flash. In one exemplary application, the cycle time of a workstation on an automotive production line is 60 seconds, during which 6 fasteners need to be installed successfully. The cycle time can be preset to 50 seconds. When 50 seconds have elapsed but the count has not reached 6 (e.g., the current count is 5), a buzzer alarm sounds, allowing the operator to promptly detect the missing fasteners and take remedial action. Another input element 5 can be a button for setting a pre-designed value, such as 4 or 6 fasteners. In an improved embodiment, the counting device 3 can automatically reset to zero when the actual count reaches the pre-designed value. This can be particularly advantageous when power tool components are used on automotive production lines. When the operator successfully installs the predetermined number of fasteners in a single cycle, the counting device automatically resets to zero, thus preparing for the installation and counting of the predetermined number of fasteners in the next vehicle to be manufactured.

[0032] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The singular forms “a” and “the one” as used herein should include the plural forms unless the context explicitly states otherwise. It is understood that the terms “comprising” and “including,” and other similar terms, when used in the application documents, specifically describe the presence of the stated operation, element, and / or component, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals always denote similar elements.

[0033] The thickness of the elements in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. It is also understood that if an element is described as being on, coupled to, or connected to another element, then the element may be directly formed on, coupled to, or connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements between them. Conversely, if the expressions "directly on," "directly coupled to," and "directly connected to" are used herein, it indicates that there is no intermediate element. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly, such as "between" and "directly between," "attached" and "directly attached," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.

[0034] Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “over,” “under,” etc., are used to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region relative to another element, layer, or region, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these terms should also encompass other orientations of the device in addition to those described in the accompanying drawings.

[0035] It is understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of this inventive concept.

[0036] It can also be considered that all the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to understand the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, modifications can be made based on the above embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power tool assembly comprising a power tool (10) configured to install fastening elements and generate a digital signal indicating whether the fastening elements are properly installed, characterized in that, The power tool assembly includes an attachment (20) attached to the power tool, the attachment having an attachment body (1) mechanically connected to the power tool, a counting device (3) disposed on the attachment body, the counting device having a display (4), the counting device being connected to the controller (11) of the power tool and capable of receiving digital signals from the controller of the power tool, the counting device being configured to count positive digital signals indicating that the fastening element is installed correctly, and the display being configured to display the count value of the counting device.

2. The power tool assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The attachment is mounted on the tail of the power tool, and the attachment body has a chamber (2) for receiving the tail of the power tool.

3. The power tool assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The accessory body has a peripheral wall (16) and a bottom (9) that surround and define the chamber.

4. The power tool assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The peripheral wall has a sloping surface (17) on its upper side, in which at least one first mounting hole (6) is provided, and the accessory body is fixed to the tail of the power tool by a screw received in the first mounting hole and screwed into the housing of the power tool.

5. The power tool assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom (9) has a window (8), the counting device is fixed on the bottom in the chamber, and the display (4) is located in the area of ​​the window.

6. The power tool assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, A plurality of second mounting holes (7) are provided around the window (8) in the bottom (9), and the counting device is fixed to the bottom by screws screwed into the second mounting holes.

7. The power tool assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The display is constructed in the form of a seven-segment digital tube.

8. The power tool assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The counting device is equipped with at least one input element (5).

9. The power tool assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The counting device is equipped with a pause counting button as a first input element, which prevents repeated counting when the installed fastening element is retightened; and / or The counting device is equipped with a duration setting button as a second input element. The duration can be preset via this button. The counting device can trigger an alarm when the preset duration has elapsed but the current count value is lower than a predetermined count value; and / or The counting device is equipped with a button for setting a predetermined count value as a third input element.

10. The power tool assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The power tool is a screw gun used to install screws.

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