TORQUE TOOL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a torque tool, in particular a torque screwdriver according to the features in the preamble of claim 1 and claim 11.

[0002] Torque tools are hand-operated tools that can be used to apply torque to a workpiece, usually a screw or nut. Adjustable torque tools can apply a defined tightening torque to ensure the necessary clamping force or assembly preload between the components to be joined. In torque screwdrivers, a release mechanism is usually housed in the handle. In other torque tools, the release mechanism can also be incorporated into the lever tube of the torque tool.

[0003] An adjustable torque screwdriver is disclosed in WO 2013 / 143258 A1. Document US 2018 / 050442 A1 discloses a torque tool according to the preamble of claims 1 and 11.

[0004] A torque tool's handle or grip contains an adjustment device with a torque indicator. The desired torque is set by compressing a compression spring. The adjustment element, connected to an adjustment mechanism, in particular a threaded spindle, is rotated relative to a fixed part of the handle. To prevent the set torque from being accidentally adjusted during use of the torque tool, the adjustment device is secured by a lock that can be actuated via a locking element. To adjust the torque, the lock is released.

[0005] Various adjustment and locking units are known in the state of the art. Depending on the design, these perform their function satisfactorily and have proven themselves in practice. However, their operation is often not immediately apparent to the user. Furthermore, their operation and user-friendliness also appear to be in need of improvement.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of improving a torque tool in terms of application technology and of further developing the locking and unlocking in a functional and user-friendly manner.

[0007] The solutions to this problem according to the invention consist in a torque tool, in particular a torque screwdriver according to the independent claims.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the torque tool according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The torque tool, and in this case in particular the torque screwdriver, has a handle and an adjusting body that can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the handle for setting a torque. The adjusting body can be unlocked and locked relative to the handle by a lock that comprises a locking body. The locking mechanism causes the adjusting body to be intentionally fixed or blocked. When the lock is locked, actuation of the adjusting body to set a torque is not possible. When the lock is unlocked, the adjusting body can be actuated; in particular, an adjustment mechanism or an adjustment device for setting a defined torque can be carried out. In the torque tool according to the invention, this is achieved by twisting or rotating the adjusting body about the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0010] According to the invention, a switching ring is assigned to the locking body. The switching ring can be moved linearly relative to the locking body. At least one switching pin is provided on the switching ring, which is supported on a control track in the actuating body. A locking disc and a spring element that loads the locking disc are arranged between the switching ring and the locking body. The locking disc has locking bodies. These preferably project radially laterally opposite the locking disc. The locking bodies interact with locking receptacles in the handle. By rotating the locking body, the switching pin(s) is(are) moved along the control track. The geometric design of the control track causes an axial movement of the switching ring and the locking disc relative to the handle, whereby the locking body is moved out of a locking receptacle to unlock the actuating body.is movable out of this and is or can be brought into engagement with a locking receptacle in order to lock the actuating body.

[0011] The inventive design can be implemented for torque screwdrivers as well as torque wrenches. A particular advantage is that the torque setting and locking of a set torque according to the invention enable intuitive operation by the user.

[0012] To set the torque tool to the desired torque value, hold the torque tool by the handle and rotate the adjusting element to adjust the torque value. When locked, the handle and adjusting element are coupled to prevent radial movement, i.e., rotation of the adjusting element. The current locking or unlocking status can be displayed in at least one viewing window located around the circumference of the adjusting element. The number of viewing windows can be increased almost as required, taking design requirements into account.

[0013] By turning the locking body, the switching positions and thus the respective locking or unlocking state are adjusted. It is completely irrelevant whether the rotation is clockwise or counterclockwise. The operator can therefore reliably lock the tool in either direction. This is advantageous for the operator, regardless of whether they are right- or left-handed. Locking and unlocking the torque tool is very simple and reliable.

[0014] When the locking body is rotated, the switching pins move radially along the control track in the actuating body, generating an axial movement. The switching pins are arranged on the circumference of the switching ring. The number and pitch of the switching pins, as well as the periodic or alternating repetition of the control track, are designed so that the switching positions are changed by rotating the components relative to one another. Consequently, the unlocking and locking switching positions alternate. The control track and its geometry can be designed so that the switching position changes over equal rotational angle intervals over the circumference of a rotation. A change in the switching position can, for example, occur after a rotation angle of 30°, 45°, 60°, or even 90°.

[0015] To change a switching position and thus the switching state, the actuator can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise without a stop. The control tracks arranged 360° around the actuator body enable a stopless change of the switching state, as the switching pins arranged on the switching ring can move along the control tracks. The direction of rotation during this process is completely arbitrary and occurs without a stop. The existing elevations and depressions help locate the corresponding switching points. The axial position of the locking disc, which changes as the actuator body moves along the control tracks, ensures the appropriate locking.

[0016] Preferably, the locking body engages through a longitudinal slot in a sleeve section of the adjusting body. The locking bodies can be formed by webs or springs. The locking bodies engage through the longitudinal slot in the sleeve section of the adjusting body and protrude radially from the circumference of the sleeve section. The locking bodies are guided linearly in the longitudinal slots, i.e., straight and along the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0017] A further advantageous aspect is that the locking body and the switching ring are linearly movable relative to one another by means of guide elements. Preferably, a guide element on the locking body is formed in the form of a guide spring on a connecting piece of the locking body, and a guide element on the switching ring is formed in the form of a guide groove on the inner circumference of the switching ring.

[0018] A particularly advantageous embodiment in practice provides for the control track to be formed circumferentially on an inner rim of the actuating body, with alternating elevations and depressions. The control track can have bevels, inclined sections, or even curved sections. It is essential that the control track and the switching pins moving along the control track generate a relative axial movement upon rotation of the actuating body, by which the locking body(s) can be moved out of or into a locking receptacle.

[0019] In terms of function, each elevation of the control track forms a switching position in which the actuator is unlocked, whereas each depression of the control track forms a switching position in which the actuator is locked. Optionally, detents or similarly designed locking contours can be provided in the individual switching positions, in which the switching pins can be adjusted to their position or are limitedly inhibited by friction.

[0020] At least one viewing window is provided on the circumference of a ring section of the actuating body to indicate the locking state of the actuating body.

[0021] Preferably, several viewing windows are provided, arranged offset from one another around the circumference.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the ring section encompasses a cover ring. The cover ring is rotationally fixed to the locking body. The cover ring has symbols for visualizing the locking state of the actuating body, each of which is visible through the at least one viewing window. Such symbols can be pictograms, for example, a lock in the open state or a lock in the closed state, which convey the corresponding information about the locking state.

[0023] An advantageous embodiment of the torque tool according to the invention provides for the spring component to be positioned on a holder component. This is advantageous both in terms of design and assembly.

[0024] The holder component has a base section and locking elements, wherein the locking elements engage in locking receptacles on the actuating body.

[0025] The locking body and the switching ring are only radially coupled by means of the guide elements, in particular via a tongue and groove guide, so that the switching ring can move axially when traveling along the control track. The locking body and the switching ring can move linearly relative to each other by means of the guide elements. On the other side, the spring-loaded locking disc rests tangentially on the switching pin. Every axial movement of the switching ring is transmitted synchronously to the locking disc. On the circumference of the locking disc there are preferably two, or possibly more, locking bodies which engage through longitudinal slots in the sleeve section of the actuating body and protrude from the respective longitudinal slot. In the locked or coupled state, the locking bodies can be integrated into the locking receptacles provided in the handle via the spring force acting on the locking disc.The locking receptacles are preferably designed as short grooves oriented along the longitudinal axis of the handle. If the locking bodies are integrated into the locking receptacles, a rotationally fixed connection between the handle and the actuating body is guaranteed. If the locking receptacles and the locking bodies are not aligned, they can only be integrated automatically or by spring force when they are aligned or congruent. The locking bodies then lock automatically into the locking receptacles due to the axial force of the spring element. During unlocking, the switching pin moves on the control track against the spring force of the spring element. The axial movement transmitted in this process moves the locking body out of the locking receptacles in the handle. The locking is released and the actuating body is unlocked. The torque can be adjusted using the actuating body.After setting the desired torque, the locking body is moved into a switching position to lock the mechanism. The locking bodies engage the locking receptacles, and the torque tool or torque adjustment is secured against accidental adjustment of the torque tool.

[0026] The locking mechanism engages independently. Because the locking disc is constantly subjected to axial force by the spring element, the locking elements can engage independently in the locking receptacles.

[0027] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a torque tool according to the invention in the form of a torque screwdriver with the lock open; Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through the representation of the Figure 1 along the line AA; Figure 3the torque screwdriver according to the Figure 1in a view with the lock closed; Figure 4 a section through the representation of the Figure 3 along the line BB; Figure 5 Components of the locking mechanism and the actuating body in a perspective exploded view; Figure 6 Components of the locking mechanism and the actuating body in a side view; Figure 7 a section through the representation of the Figure 6 along the line CC; Figure 8 a section through the representation of the Figure 6 along the line EE; Figure 9 a section through the representation of the Figure 6 along the line DD; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the handle of the torque screwdriver in a view obliquely from above, and Figure 11 is a perspective view of components of a further embodiment of a torque tool.

[0028] Based on the Figures 1 to 10 as well as Figure 11 a torque tool 1 according to the invention in the form of a torque screwdriver is described.

[0029] The torque tool 1 has a handle 2, a display 3 for a set torque, and an output 4. Integrated into the handle 2 is an adjustment device 5 for setting a specific torque or a defined tightening torque. The adjustment device 5 comprises an adjustment mechanism (not described in detail here) with which the desired torque is set by compressing a compression spring 6.

[0030] The adjustment device 5 and its adjustment mechanism interact with an adjusting body 7 on the handle 2. The adjusting body 7 is rotatable relative to the handle 2 about its longitudinal axis L. The torque is adjusted by rotating the adjusting body 7 relative to the fixed part of the handle 2. To prevent the currently set torque from being accidentally adjusted, the adjusting body 7 is secured by a locking mechanism 8, which is actuated by a locking body 9.

[0031] The output 4 of the torque tool 1 is located on the front side of the handle 2. The output 4 is designed to accommodate interchangeable insert tools. To accommodate different insert tools, the output 4 is equipped with a dedicated holding system 10.

[0032] The display 3 for a set torque has a numeric roller counter 11 with several numeric rollers 12 arranged one behind the other, which can be read through an opening 13 in the handle 2.

[0033] The adjusting body 7 can be unlocked and locked relative to the handle 2 by a locking body 9. To adjust the torque tool 1 to a set value, the locking mechanism 8 of the adjusting body 7 is released. This is done by turning the locking body 9 at the rear end 14 of the handle.

[0034] The locking body 9 is operated manually. For this purpose, the locking body 9 is provided with a grip 15 and grip recesses 16 at the rear handle end 14. The locking body 9 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis L in both directions. Rotating the locking body 9 changes the switching position or locking state of the actuating body 7 from the unlocked state to the locked state and vice versa.

[0035] The currently set locking or unlocking state is visible in a viewing window 17 to display the locking state. Figure 1shows the torque tool 1 or its actuator 7 in the unlocked state. A symbol in the form of an open padlock can be seen in the viewing window 17. The locking or unlocking state of the actuator 7 is in the "unlocked" switching position. In this locking state, the torque value can be reduced or increased by turning the actuator 7. Once the target value is reached, the actuator 7 is locked again to prevent the setting from being accidentally changed. Figure 3 shows the torque tool 1 with the actuator 7 locked. A symbol in the form of a closed padlock is displayed in the viewing window 17. The user recognizes this locked state in the viewing window 17.

[0036] A switching ring 18 is assigned to the locking body 9, wherein the switching ring 18 is linearly displaceable relative to the locking body 9. Switching pins 19 are provided on the switching ring 18, which are supported on a control track 20 in the actuating body 7. A locking disc 21 and a spring element 22 loading the locking disc 21 are arranged between the switching ring 18 and the locking body 9.

[0037] The spring element 22 is a compression spring. The spring element 22 is positioned in a holder component 23. The holder component 23 has a base section 24 and locking elements 25. The locking elements 25 are provided on spring arms 26, which protrude from the base section 24 toward the actuating body 7. The locking elements 25 have detents. The locking elements 25 engage in locking receptacles 27 in the actuating body 7. The holder component 23 encompasses a connecting piece 29 of the locking body 9 with a central guide section 28.

[0038] The locking disc 21 has locking bodies 30, which interact with locking receptacles 31 in the handle 2. The locking bodies 30 each engage through a longitudinal slot 32 into a sleeve portion 33 of the actuating body 7.

[0039] The locking body 9 and the switching ring 18 are linearly movable relative to each other by means of guide elements 34, 35. A guide element 34 on the locking body 9 is designed as a guide spring on the connecting piece 29 of the locking body 9. The guide element 35 on the switching ring 18 is designed in the form of a guide groove on the inner circumference 36 of the switching ring 18.

[0040] By rotating the locking body 9, the switching pins 19 are moved along the control track 20 in the circumferential direction and an axial movement of the switching ring 18 and the locking disc 21 relative to the handle 2 in its longitudinal axis L is effected. By the axial movement, the locking bodies 30 are moved out of the locking receptacles 31 to unlock the actuating body 7, whereas to lock the actuating body 7, the locking bodies 30 are brought into engagement with the locking receptacles 31.

[0041] The control track 20 is formed circumferentially on an inner ring 37 of the adjusting body 7, with alternating elevations 38 and depressions 39 being provided. See in particular the illustrations in the Figures 8 and 9 Each elevation 38 forms a switching position in which the actuating element 7 is unlocked. Each recess 39 forms a switching position in which the actuating element 7 is locked.

[0042] The number and pitch of the switching pins 19 corresponds to the number and pitch of the viewing windows 17 provided on the actuating body 7 on the one hand and, on the other hand, to the periodic repetition of the control track 20 and the switching positions formed on the control track 20 and repeating alternately.

[0043] The locking body 9 and the switching ring 18 are radially oriented via the guide elements 34, 35, i.e., the guide grooves and the guide springs, but are axially linearly movable relative to each other, allowing the switching ring 18 to move axially when traveling along the control track 20. On the other side, the locking disc 21, spring-loaded by the spring element 22, rests tangentially on the switching pin 19. Every axial movement of the switching ring 18 is transmitted synchronously to the locking disc 21.

[0044] The two locking bodies 30 are located on the circumference of the locking disc 21. The locking bodies 30 are designed as web sections. These engage through the longitudinal slots 32 into the sleeve section 33 of the actuating body 7 and protrude radially relative to the circumference of the sleeve section 33. In the locked state, the locking bodies 30 engage in the locking receptacles 31 provided in the handle 2 via the spring force of the spring element 22 acting on the locking disc 21. As can be seen particularly in the illustration of the Figure 10As can be seen, the locking receptacles 31 are formed by grooves. A plurality of such groove-shaped locking receptacles 31 are provided on an inner rim section 40 on the inner circumference of the handle 2. The locking bodies 30, loaded by the spring force of the spring element 22, engage in the locking receptacles 31 when these are congruently positioned one above the other. When the locking body 30 is inserted into the locking receptacles 31, the adjusting body 7 is coupled to the handle 2 and connected in a rotationally fixed manner. Adjustment of the adjusting body 7 is not possible when the locking mechanism 8 is in the locked state.

[0045] To unlock, the locking body 9 is actuated and the switching position is changed from the locked state of the actuating body 7 to the unlocked state of the actuating body 7. This is achieved by a rotary movement of the locking body 9 about the longitudinal axis L of the handle 2. The rotary movement moves the switching pins 19 on the control track 20 against the spring force of the spring element 22. Due to the transmitted axial movement, the locking bodies 30 move out of the locking receptacles 31 in the handle 2, so that the actuating body 7 can be rotated relative to the handle 2 and a torque adjustment can be made.

[0046] The control track 20, which rotates 360° within the actuator body 7, enables a smooth change of the switching or locking state of the actuator body 7, since the switching pins 19 arranged on the switching ring 18 can move along the control track 20. The direction of rotation during this process is completely arbitrary and occurs without any stops. The elevations 38 and depressions 39 define the corresponding switching points or the locking / unlocking state. The axial position of the locking disc 21, which changes when moving along the control track 20, ensures the corresponding locking or unlocking of the actuator body 7.

[0047] The locking bodies 30 engage independently or automatically into the locking receptacles 31. This is achieved by the locking disc 21 being permanently subjected to an axial force by the spring element 22.

[0048] The viewing windows 17 for displaying the locking state of the actuating body 7 are provided on the circumference of an annular portion 41 of the actuating body 7. Several viewing windows 17 arranged offset from one another on the circumference are formed as openings in the annular portion 41 of the actuating body 7.

[0049] The ring portion 41 can encompass a cover ring, which is rotationally fixedly associated with the locking body 9. The cover ring has symbols for visualizing the unlocking and locking state of the actuating body, each of which is visible through a viewing window.

[0050] An embodiment of a torque tool 1 with a cover ring 42 shows the representation of the Figure 11. Symbols 43 for visualizing the unlocking and locking state of the actuating body 7 are distributed around the circumference of the cover ring 42. The cover ring 42 is rotationally fixed to the locking body 9 and sits on a connecting piece 44 of the locking body 9. The cover ring 42 is encompassed by the ring section 41 of the actuating body 7. The symbols 43 for the unlocking and locking state of the actuating body 7 are visible through the viewing windows 17.

[0051] Otherwise, the embodiment corresponds to that described above, so that reference is made to the corresponding description with the above explanations and reference symbols. Reference symbol:

[0052] 1 - Torque tool 2 - Handle 3 - Display 4 - Output 5 - Adjustment device 6 - Compression spring 7 - Actuating body 8 - Lock 9 - Locking body 10 - Holding system 11 - Digit roller counter 12 - Digit rollers 13 - Cut-out in 2 14 - Handle end 15 - Grip 16 - Grip recess 17 - Viewing window 18 - Switching ring 19 - Switching pin 20 - Control track 21 - Locking disk 22 - Spring element 23 - Holder component 24 - Base section 25 - Latching elements 26 - Spring arms 27 - Latching receptacles 28 - Guide section 29 - Socket 30 - Locking body 31 - Locking receptacle 32 - Longitudinal slot 33 - Sleeve section 34 - Guide element from 9 35 - Guide element from 18 36 - Inner circumference 37 - Rim 38 - Elevation 39 - Recess 40 - Rim section 41 - Ring section 42 - Cover ring 43 - Symbols 44 - Nozzle section L - Longitudinal axis of 2

Claims

1. Torque tool, in particular torque screwdriver, with a handle (2) and a setting body (7) rotatable about the longitudinal axis (L) of the handle (2) for setting a torque, wherein the setting body (7) can be unlocked and locked relative to the handle (2) by a locking body (9), wherein a switching ring (18) is assigned to the locking body (9), characterized in that the switching ring (18) is linearly displaceable relative to the locking body (9) and at least one switching pin (19) is provided on the switching ring (18), which switching pin is supported on a control track (20) in the setting body (7) and between the switching ring (18) and the locking body (9) a locking disk (21) and a spring element (22), loading the locking disk (21), are arranged, wherein the locking disk (21) has locking members (30) which cooperate with locking receivers (31) in the handle (2), wherein rotation of the locking body (9) moves the switching pin (19) along the control track (20) and an axial movement of the switching ring (18) and the locking disk (21) can be performed relative to the handle (2), whereby the locking members (30) can be moved out of the locking receivers (31) to unlock the setting body (7) and can be brought into engagement with the locking receivers (31) to lock the setting body (7).

2. Torque tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking member (30) engages through a longitudinal slot (32) in a sleeve section (33) of the setting body (7).

3. Torque tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking body (9) and the switching ring (18) are linearly movable relative to each other by means of guide elements (35), wherein preferably a guide element (34) on the locking body (9) is in the form of a guide spring on a connector (29) of the locking body (9), and a guide element (35) on the switching ring (18) is configured in the form of a guide groove on the inner circumference (36) of the switching ring (18).

4. Torque tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control track (20) is configured circumferentially on an inner ring (37) of the setting body (7), wherein alternating elevations (38) and depressions (39) are provided.

5. Torque tool according to claim 4, characterized in that each elevation (38) forms a switching position in which the setting body (7) is unlocked and each depression (39) forms a switching position in which the setting body (7) is locked.

6. Torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a viewing window (17) for displaying the locking state of the setting body () is provided on the periphery of a ring section (41) of the setting body (7).

7. Torque tool according to claim 6, characterized in that a plurality of viewing windows (17) are provided which are arranged offset from one another on the periphery.

8. Torque tool according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the ring section (41) engages around a cover ring, wherein the cover ring is assigned to the locking body (9) in a rotationally fixed manner and the cover ring has symbols for depicting the unlocking and locking state of the setting body (7), which are visible through the at least one viewing window (17).

9. Torque tool according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spring element (22) is positioned on a holder component (23).

10. Torque tool according to claim 9, characterized in that the holder component (23) has a base section (24) and locking elements (25), wherein the locking elements (25) engage in latching receivers (27) on the setting body (7).

11. Torque tool, in particular torque screwdriver, with a handle (2) and a setting body (7) rotatable about the longitudinal axis (L) of the handle (2) for setting a torque, wherein the setting body (7) can be unlocked and locked relative to the handle (2) by a locking body (9), wherein a switching ring (18) is assigned to the locking body (9), characterized in that at least one switching pin (19) is provided on the switching ring (18), which is supported on a control track (20) in the setting body (7), wherein the control track (20) is configured to run 360° around the setting body (7) and a change in the switching state of the setting body (7) from unlocking to locking and vice versa takes place by rotating the locking body (9) about the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the switching pin (19) and the control track (20) are configured and interact in such a way that a change in the switching state can be carried out without impact and independently of the direction of rotation, hence both by a left-hand rotation and by a right-hand rotation, of the locking body (9).