TOOL USE

Abstract

The present application relates to a tool insert (10) which defines a longitudinally extending central axis (L) and comprises a drive section (12) for coupling with a drive, a head section (14) for coupling with a fastening element, and an intermediate section (16) connecting the drive section and the head section. The drive section is connected to the intermediate section via a first transition section (42) that tapers longitudinally from the drive section to the intermediate section. The head section is connected to the intermediate section via a second transition section (44) that tapers longitudinally from the head section to the intermediate section. The intermediate section comprises a conical section whose longitudinal length is more than 80% of the minimum length of the intermediate section.In a longitudinal section of the tool insert along the central axis, both the first and second transition sections exhibit a concave curvature, while the conical section has a linear contour.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to a tool insert, in particular a tool insert for driving a fastening element. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Generally, a tool insert comprises a drive section, a head section, and an intermediate section connecting the drive section to the head section. The drive section is used for coupling with a manually, mechanically, electrically, or pneumatically operated drive. The head section is designed for coupling with fasteners of varying sizes or types, enabling their rotation with minimal effort, for example, to loosen or tighten the fastener.

[0003] Especially when the tool insert is used with an electrically or pneumatically driven actuator, an impact torque is transmitted from the actuator to the insert. This impact torque is transferred via the intermediate section of the slim body to the head section, which rotates the fastener and simultaneously receives a counter-torque from the fastener. This counter-torque is also sudden and has a high moment value, which can easily damage the head section of the insert. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to reduce the torque acting on the head section by the counter-torque of the fastening element when an impact torque acts on the drive section of the tool insert.

[0005] For this purpose, the present application provides a tool insert that defines a longitudinally extending central axis and comprises a drive section for coupling with a drive, a head section for coupling with a fastening element, and an intermediate section connecting the drive section and the head section. The drive section is connected to the intermediate section via a first transition section that tapers longitudinally from the drive section to the intermediate section. The head section is connected to the intermediate section via a second transition section that tapers longitudinally from the head section to the intermediate section. The intermediate section includes a conical section whose longitudinal length is more than 80% of the minimum length of the intermediate section.In a longitudinal section of the tool insert along the central axis, both the first and second transition sections exhibit a concave curvature, while the conical section has a linear contour.

[0006] In one embodiment, the intermediate section comprises only a single conical section that tapers conically from one of the first and second transition sections to the other.

[0007] In one embodiment, the conical section comprises one or more conical sections that taper in the direction from the first to the second transition section; and / or one or more conical sections that taper in the direction from the second to the first transition section.

[0008] In one embodiment, the intermediate section further comprises a cylindrical section.

[0009] In one embodiment, the cone angle of the conical section is between 1° and 4°, the minimum outer diameter of the intermediate section is between 0.9 mm and 6.1 mm, and the minimum length of the intermediate section is 2 mm.

[0010] In one embodiment, the drive section comprises a first and a second drive section, which are separated from each other by a groove extending circumferentially around the central axis.

[0011] In one embodiment, the head section has a convex polygonal structure or comprises two, three, four, five, six or more convex ribs evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, with adjacent ribs being separated from each other by grooves.

[0012] In one embodiment, the intermediate section and the head section are a first intermediate section and a first head section; and the tool insert further comprises a second head section for coupling with a fastening element and a second intermediate section connecting the drive section to the second head section, wherein the first and second intermediate sections extend longitudinally from opposite sides of the drive section.

[0013] In one embodiment, the conical sections of the first and second intermediate sections taper in opposite directions from the drive section to the first and second head sections, respectively, or the conical sections of the first and second intermediate sections taper in the same direction from one of the first and second head sections to the other.

[0014] In one embodiment, one of the first and second head sections has the following: a tip for coupling with a fastening element, a drive section for coupling with a drive, and a groove that separates the tip and the drive section of the head section from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] According to the present application, the tool insert comprises a drive section for coupling with a drive, a head section for coupling with a fastening element, and an intermediate section between the drive section and the head section. The two ends of the intermediate section are each connected to the drive section and the head section, respectively, via a first and second transition section. The intermediate section comprises at least one conical section extending from one of the two sections—drive section or head section—toward the other, and the conical section extends over most or nearly the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate section.Thanks to this design, the intermediate section can optimally absorb a torque acting via the drive section, especially an impact torque, and thus reduce an excessively large counter-torque that is acted back from the fastening element onto the head section, effectively preventing damage to the head section. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a tool insert according to the present application. Fig. Figure 2 shows a variant of the first embodiment of the tool insert. Fig. Figure 3 shows another variant of the first embodiment of the tool insert. Fig. Figure 4 shows another variant of the first embodiment of the tool insertion. Fig. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a tool insert according to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0016] Several embodiments of the tooling used in the present application are described in more detail below with reference to the figures. In all figures, identical or corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0017] With reference to Fig. The tool insert 10 for actuating a fastening element has the overall shape of an elongated tool body and comprises a drive section 12 for coupling with a drive, a head section 14 for coupling with a workpiece or fastening element, and an intermediate section 16 that connects the drive section 12 to the head section 14. The tool insert 10 defines a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0018] A longitudinal section is a plane extending longitudinally through the central axis of the tool insert 10. A cross-section is a plane passing perpendicular to the central axis through the tool insert 10.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive section 12 can have a hexagonal shape to allow coupling with commercially available drives. When torque is applied by this drive, the tool insert 10 rotates about its central axis and transmits the torque to the fastening element coupled to the head section 14 of the tool insert 10, causing it to rotate as well. The drive can be any tool, adapter, or other drive element within the field. For example, the drive can be a handle or insert of a drive operated manually by an operator; for example, the drive can be an electrically or pneumatically driven drive, such as a chuck of a power tool; or, for example, the drive can be a mechanical drive. Depending on the drive, the drive section 12 can have an external shape or configuration other than hexagonal.In some embodiments, the drive can be a percussion drive.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive section 12 of the tool insert 10 has two drive segments 24 and 26 separated from each other by a circumferential groove 22 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L; the groove 22 serves to accommodate a quick-release mechanism, such as a ball detent. In some embodiments, the tool insert 10 may not have a groove 22.

[0021] The head section 14 comprises several ribs 34 distributed around the central axis, with adjacent ribs 34 being separated from one another by grooves 32. The grooves 32 and ribs 34 can extend straight in the longitudinal direction L from the tip or end 31 of the head section 14, respectively, to engage with corresponding straight grooves of the fastener; or they can be curved relative to the longitudinal direction L, as shown, to adapt to a fastener with correspondingly shaped slots. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the radial outer surface 33 of the ribs 34 widens radially outward at the transition from the end 31 to the intermediate section 16 and then tapers radially inward, creating a crown region 35. For example, the head section 14 can, as shown, alternately have four grooves 32 and four ribs 34, thus forming a Phillips head shape.In other embodiments, the number of grooves 32 and ribs 34 can differ, so that the head section 14 can have a slotted, hexagonal, Torx, square profile, etc., to engage with the corresponding fasteners. Furthermore, the head section of the tool insert of this application is not limited to the groove-rib shape shown, but can, for example, also be configured as a triangle, convex quadrilateral, convex hexagon, or any other convex polygon.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate section 16 can be connected to the drive section 12 via a first transition section 42 and to the head section 14 via a second transition section 44. The first transition section 42, the second transition section 44, and the intermediate section 16 of the tool insert 10 can each have a circular cross-section. The first transition section 42 tapers from the drive section 12 to the intermediate section 16; that is, the outer diameter of the first transition section 42 decreases from the connection point with the drive section 12 to the connection point with the intermediate section 16. The first transition section 42 can, as shown, have a concave curvature or a concave outer contour, or optionally be designed as a connecting cone. The second transition section 44 tapers from the head section 14 to the intermediate section 16.The outer diameter of the second transition section 44 decreases from the connection point with the head section 14 to the connection point with the intermediate section 16. The second transition section 15 can also have a concave curvature or a concave outer contour, as shown, or optionally be designed as a connecting cone.

[0023] In the embodiment according to Fig. The intermediate section 16 of the tool insert 10 is designed as a conical section which, in longitudinal section, has a straight or linear outer contour – instead of a curved one – and which has a first outer diameter at its end facing the first transition section 42 and a second outer diameter at its end facing the second transition section 44. The intermediate section 16 tapers from the first outer diameter to the second outer diameter with a cone angle α that lies between 0° and 15°, preferably between 1° and 4°. The second outer diameter D of the intermediate section 16 lies between 0.9 mm and 6.1 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 4 mm. The minimum length of the intermediate section 16 is preferably about 2 mm.

[0024] Because the outer diameter of the intermediate section 16 is smaller than the outer diameter at both ends of the tool insert 10 (drive section 12 and head section 14), and because the intermediate section 16 has a conical structure, the intermediate section 16 can absorb a portion of the torque—for example, through elastic deformation of the intermediate section 16—before an impact torque from the drive coupled via the drive section 12 acts on the tool insert 10 and is transmitted via the intermediate section 16 to the fastening element coupled to the head section 14 of the tool insert 10 (where the head section 14 absorbs the counter-torque acting back on the tool insert 10 from the fastening element), thus providing shock absorption. This significantly reduces the counter-torque acting on the tool insert 10 (especially on its head section 14) and thus protects the tool insert 10.

[0025] The in Fig. The embodiment shown in 2 is a variant of the one described in Fig. 1 of the embodiment shown. The tool insert 10 in Fig. 2 differs from tool use 10 in Fig. 1. This is achieved by the fact that the drive section 12 has no groove 22 and the tool insert 10 has no first transition section 42, so that the intermediate section 16 connects directly to the drive section 12. Such a structure is frequently used for plug-in inserts with a short overall length of the tool insert 10.

[0026] Fig. Figure 3 shows another variant of the in Fig. 1. Example shown. In contrast to Fig. 1 is the intermediate section 16 in Fig. 3 are designed as two interconnected conical sections 52 and 54. Optionally, the two conical sections 52 and 54 can be connected by a rounded third transition section 56 with an external curvature. The two conical sections 52 and 54 can have the same or different cone parameters, for example, the same or different cone angles, maximum or minimum outer diameters, or longitudinal extension lengths L. As shown, the two conical sections 52 and 54 can taper in the direction from the drive section 12 to the head section 14, with the maximum outer diameter of the conical section 54 being larger ( Fig. 3) may be equal to or smaller than the minimum outer diameter of the conical section 52. Those skilled in the art can imagine that one of the two conical sections 52, 54 tapers in the direction from the drive section 12 to the head section 14, while the other tapers in the direction from the head section 14 to the drive section 12. It is also conceivable that the tool insert 10 has two or more conical sections, with an optional third transition section 56 between adjacent conical sections. Fig. 3 or no transition section is provided. In this case, the minimum outer diameter D of the entire intermediate section 16 (of all conical sections) can be between 0.9 mm and 6.1 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 4 mm, and the minimum length of the intermediate section 16 can be approximately 2 mm.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiments in Fig. In sections 1 to 3, the conical sections of the intermediate section 16 taper from the tool insert 10 in the direction from the drive section 12 to the head section 14. This contributes particularly effectively to reducing the impact torque transmitted to the head section 14. However, those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to structures in which the conical sections of the intermediate section 16 taper in this direction. Fig. Figure 4 shows another variant of the in Fig. 1. Exemplary embodiment shown. In Fig. In section 4, the head section 14 has a different structure, and the conical section of the intermediate section 16 tapers from the connection point with the second transition section 44 in the direction from the head section 14 to the drive section 12, up to the connection point with the first transition section 42. The groove 22 of the drive section 12 also includes a further groove 28 that extends radially inward from the outer surface of the groove 22. Optionally, this tool insert 10 may also not include a second transition section 44.

[0028] In the Fig. In sections 1 to 4, a tool insert with a head section was described. The intermediate section 16 of the tool insert comprises at least one conical section; for example, two or more conical sections may be provided. Optionally, depending on the application, the intermediate section 16 may comprise: one or more first conical sections tapering linearly from the drive section 12 to the head section 14, one or more second conical sections tapering linearly from the head section 14 to the drive section 12, and one or more cylindrical sections, wherein the one or more first conical sections, the one or more second conical sections, and the one or more cylindrical sections may be arranged in any order along the longitudinal direction L.

[0029] Fig. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a tool insert with two head sections. In this embodiment, the tool insert 10 comprises: a drive section 12 for coupling with a drive (in this embodiment, the drive section 12 does not have the [features shown in Figure 5]). Fig. 1 groove 22 shown), a first intermediate section 16a extending longitudinally L from a first side of the drive section 12, a first head section 14a connected to the first intermediate section 16a and provided for coupling with a fastening element, a second intermediate section 16b extending longitudinally L from the opposite second side 12b of the drive section 12, and a second head section 14b connected to the second intermediate section 16b and provided for coupling with a fastening element.

[0030] Both the first intermediate section 16a and the second intermediate section 16b have the same structure as intermediate section 16a in Fig. 1. The first intermediate section 16a is connected to the drive section 12a and the first head section 14a via a first transition section 42a and a second transition section 44a, the first intermediate section 16a tapering from the connection point with the first transition section 42a to the connection point with the second transition section 44a. The second intermediate section 16b is connected to the drive section 12b and the second head section 14b via a third transition section 42b and a fourth transition section 44b, the second intermediate section 16b tapering from the connection point with the third transition section 42b to the connection point with the fourth transition section 44b.

[0031] In the second embodiment according to Fig. 5 comprises, in each case, the first head section 14a and the second head section 14b, an engagement tip 15a or 15b, a head drive section 17a or 17b, and a circumferentially extending groove 19a or 19b, which separate from each other in the longitudinal direction L. This head structure is also applied to the tool inserts 10 in Fig. Applicable to 1 to 4.

[0032] In the tool insert of this application, the drive section and the head section are connected by an intermediate section with at least one conical section, wherein the length of the conical section in the longitudinal direction is more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, preferably more than 80%, further preferably more than 90%, and optimally equal to the length of the intermediate section. If an impact torque is applied to the drive section of the tool insert, the intermediate section deforms slightly, which reduces the deformation or destructive force or torque that could act (from the fastening element) on the head section.

[0033] During use, a drive source engaged with the tool insert 10 can be coupled to the drive section 12 of the tool insert 10 as shown. In this case, it is advantageous if, as shown, the conical sections of the first and second intermediate sections 16a and 16b taper towards the first head section 14a and the second head section 14b, respectively, from the drive section 12. Alternatively, when using the tool insert 10, one of the first and second head sections 14a, 14b (i.e., the head drive section 17a or 17b) can serve as the drive section, be coupled to a drive source, and receive a torque.In this case, the respective intermediate section for the coupling with the drive source can be designed in such a way that it tapers from this head section to the other head section, so that both the first and the second intermediate section taper in the same direction from this head section to the other head section, which makes the absorption of the impact torque even more effective.

[0034] Up in Fig.Sections 1 to 5 describe some particular embodiments of the tooling used in the present application. It is understood that these embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. It is further understood that various features from different embodiments can be recombined to form new embodiments. Therefore, various modifications, adaptive changes, and combinations of the features of the described embodiments can be made without exceeding the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

[1] Tool insert (10), wherein the tool insert defines a central axis extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and comprises a drive section (12) for coupling with a drive, a head section (14) for coupling with a fastening element and an intermediate section (16) connecting the drive section and the head section, characterized by, that the drive section is connected to the intermediate section via a first transition section (42) which tapers longitudinally from the drive section to the intermediate section, the head section is connected to the intermediate section via a second transition section (44) which tapers longitudinally from the head section to the intermediate section, the intermediate section includes a conical section whose longitudinal length is more than 80% of the minimum length of the intermediate section, and in a longitudinal section of the tool insert along the central axis both the first and second transition sections have a concave curvature, while the conical section has a linear contour. [2] Tool insert (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the intermediate section comprises only a single conical section, which tapers conically from one of the first and second transition sections to the other of the first and second transition sections. [3] Tool insert (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the conical section comprises one or more conical sections that taper in the direction from the first to the second transition section; and / or one or more conical sections that taper in the direction from the second to the first transition section. [4] Tool insert (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the intermediate section further comprises a cylindrical section. [5] Tool insert (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that at least one of the following applies: the cone angle of the conical section is between 1° and 4°; the minimum outer diameter of the intermediate section is between 0.9 mm and 6.1 mm; and the minimum length of the intermediate section is 2 mm. [6] Tool insert (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the drive section comprises a first drive section (24) and a second drive section (26) which are separated from each other by a groove (22) extending circumferentially around the central axis. [7] Tool insert (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the head section has a convex polygonal structure or the head section comprises two, three, four, five, six or more convex ribs (34) evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, with adjacent ribs being separated from each other by grooves (32). [8] Tool insert (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that the intermediate section and the head section are a first intermediate section and a first head section; and the tool insert further comprises a second head section suitable for coupling with a fastening element and a second intermediate section connecting the drive section to the second head section, wherein the first and second intermediate sections extend longitudinally (L) from opposite sides of the drive section. [9] Tool insert (10) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the conical sections of the first and second intermediate sections taper in opposite directions from the drive section to the first and second head sections respectively, or that the conical sections of the first and second intermediate sections taper in the same direction from one of the first and second head sections to the other. [10] Tool insert (10) according to claim 9, characterized by, that one of the first and second head sections has the following: a tip for coupling with a fastening element, a drive section for coupling with a drive, and a groove that separates the tip and the drive section of the head section from each other in the longitudinal direction (L).

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