TOOL HOLD ARRANGEMENT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tool holding arrangement comprising a rotatable shaft which is at least connectable to a drill unit and comprises a first shaft thread.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Construction machines are for example used when renovating, reconstructing and extending buildings. Drill motors with rotatable drive shafts are normally used for drilling holes, for example for piping in floors and walls of buildings. Tool holders are used for connecting a tool, such as a drill, to the drive shaft, where the tool is attached to the tool holder; for example by means of welding.

[0003] The connection between a drive shaft and a tool holder is often made by means of threads, where the tool holder is screwed to the drive shaft. However, such an arrangement has disadvantages where the tool holder can be difficult to release from the drive shaft when a drill job is finished. Therefore, other types of connections between a drive shaft and a tool holder have been proposed.

[0004] In US 2004 / 0154838, a tool holder is mounted on a drive shaft for joint rotation therewith. The tool holder is adapted for mounting and dismounting of an annular core bit by means of coaxially arranged corresponding guide members, splines and conical surfaces which engage each other. In order to secure the mounting, a threaded flange on the core bit is screwed to corresponding threads on the tool holder.

[0005] WO 2014126525 discloses a tool holding arrangement that comprises a plurality of parts including sleeve flange parts.

[0006] US 2008 / 304923 A1 discloses a tool having a basic body and a replaceable wear body or loose top where the basic body comprises a primary, rear part body, and a secondary, front part body. The front part body comprises threads for connecting the rear part body to the loose top.

[0007] US 9108251 B2 discloses a cutting tool where a coupling mechanism is used to axially secure a cutting tip to a tool body. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling member with a first threaded portion adapted to engage a threaded portion of the cutting tip, and a second threaded portion adapted to engage a threaded aperture portion of an axial aperture.

[0008] WO 00 / 53362 A1 discloses a connecting element in the shape of a stud screw having a first external thread at one end and a second external thread at its other end, the threads having different pitch. The stud screw is adapted to connect a holder and an adapter in a tool coupling.

[0009] However, there is still a need for a less complicated and easily managed tool holding arrangement which enables an increased ease for releasement of a tool holder from the drive shaft when a drill job is finished.SUMMARY

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an easily managed and uncomplicated tool holding arrangement which enables an increased ease for releasement of a tool holder from the drive shaft when a drill job is finished.

[0011] This object is achieved by means of a tool holding arrangement according to claim 1.

[0012] In this way, a tool can be released from a rotatable drive shaft more easily than previously possible.

[0013] According to some aspects, when the tool holding device is to be released, the first thread arrangement is adapted for an initial loosening of the tool holding device, and the second thread arrangement is adapted for a following release of the tool holding device.

[0014] In this way, an enhanced release procedure is enabled.

[0015] According to some aspects, the thread insert comprises a flange, and the outer sleeve comprises a first aperture, that admits passage of the flange, and a second aperture, that is adapted to retain the flange by means of a circumferentially running rim such that the thread insert is retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft when the outer sleeve is mounted to the rotatable shaft.

[0016] In this way, the thread insert is efficiently retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft.

[0017] According to some aspects, the outer sleeve comprises sleeve threads that are adapted to engage shaft outer threads such that the outer sleeve can be screwed onto the rotatable shaft.

[0018] In this way, the sleeve and the thread insert can easily be released from the rotatable shaft.

[0019] According to some aspects, the thread insert comprises a first bearing surface, the tool holding device comprises a second bearing surface and the outer sleeve comprises a third bearing surface against which the second bearing surface is secured before initial loosening of the tool holding device. The first bearing surface is adapted to engage the second bearing surface of the tool holding device during the following release of the tool holding device.

[0020] According to some aspects, a friction-reducing element is arranged at the first bearing surface.

[0021] In this way possible friction between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface is reduced in favor of friction in the thread arrangements.

[0022] According to some aspects, the tool holding arrangement comprises a locking pin arrangement where at least one locking pin is positioned between the rotatable shaft and the thread insert. Said locking pin is adapted to run in a circumferentially running groove formed in the thread insert, such that the thread insert is retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft.

[0023] In this way, the thread insert is efficiently retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft.

[0024] According to some aspects, each locking pin is adapted to run in the circumferentially running groove between initial loosening of the tool holding device, and the following release of the tool holding device.

[0025] In this way, the enhanced release procedure is enabled.

[0026] According to some aspects, the thread insert comprises a first bearing surface and the tool holding device comprises a second bearing surface. The first bearing surface is adapted to engage the second bearing surface of the tool holding device during the following release of the tool holding device, after its initial loosening via the first thread arrangement.

[0027] According to some aspects, a sealing device is arranged between the rotatable shaft and the thread insert.

[0028] In this way, dust and liquids are prevented from entering the rotatable shaft.

[0029] According to some aspects, the tool holder is adapted to be attached to a tool that is one of a drill, a concrete mixer and a cutting tool.

[0030] According to some aspects, the first thread arrangement has a pitch in the span 10-40 mm / turn, and where the second thread arrangement has a pitch in the span 1-10 mm / turn.

[0031] According to some aspects, the rotatable shaft is adapted to be attached to a tool driving shaft by means of a third thread arrangement that has properties equal to the second thread arrangement.

[0032] According to some aspects, the rotatable shaft is fixed mounted to a core drill unit. There are also disclosed herein a thread insert, a rotatable shaft and a drill unit associated with the above-mentioned advantages.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In the following, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the appended drawings, where: Figure 1shows a perspective view of an assembled tool holding arrangement according to a first example; Figure 2shows an exploded side section view of the tool holding arrangement according to the first example; Figure 3shows a side section view of the tool holding arrangement according to the first example in a first position; Figure 4shows a side section view of the tool holding arrangement according to the first example in a second position; Figure 5shows a side section view of the tool holding arrangement according to a second example not according to the invention in the first position; Figure 6shows a perspective view of an assembled tool holding arrangement according to the second example; and Figure 7shows a perspective view of a legacy electric tool driver with a premounted standard shaft, and an assembled tool holding arrangement according to a third example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The different devices disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for describing aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] With reference to Figure 1, showing a first example, there is a tool holding arrangement 1 that comprises a rotatable shaft 2 which here is shown connected to an electric tool driver 3. The electric tool driver 3, only shown partially, is of a conventional kind, and will not be further discussed here.

[0037] With reference also to Figure 2, showing an exploded view of the tool holding arrangement 1, a tool holding device 9 is arranged to be attached to the tool holding arrangement 1, and also arranged to be fastened to a suitable tool such as a drill 18, only partially indicated, by means of, for example, welding to a surface facing away from the electric tool driver 3 when mounted. According to some aspects, the tool holding arrangement 1 and the tool 18 can alternatively be formed as one integral unit.

[0038] According to the present disclosure, the tool holding arrangement 1 comprises a thread insert 5 that comprises a first insert thread 6, adapted to engage a first shaft thread 4 comprised in the rotatable shaft 2 so as to form a first thread arrangement 4, 6, where, in this example, the first shaft thread 4 is an inner thread and the first insert thread 6 is an outer thread. The thread insert 5 comprises a second insert thread 7 adapted to engage a tool thread 8 of the tool holding device 9, where the tool thread 8is arranged to be screwed onto the second insert thread 7 so as to form a second thread arrangement 7, 8. In this example, the second insert thread 7 is an outer thread and the tool thread 8 is an inner thread. The first thread arrangement 4, 6 has a higher pitch than the second thread arrangement 7, 8.

[0039] The tool holding arrangement 1 comprises an outer sleeve 10 that is adapted to retain the thread insert 5 in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft 2 by being fastened to the rotatable shaft 2. Here, the outer sleeve 10 comprises sleeve threads 19 that are adapted to engage shaft outer threads 20 such that the outer sleeve 10 can be screwed onto the rotatable shaft 2. The thread insert 5 is retained since the thread insert 5 comprises a flange 11 and the outer sleeve 10 comprises a first aperture 12, which admits passage of the flange 11, and a second aperture 13, that is adapted to retain the flange 11 by means of a circumferentially running rim 17. The thread insert 5 is thus retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft 2 when the outer sleeve 10 is mounted to the rotatable shaft 2.

[0040] The thread insert 5 comprises a first bearing surface 14, the tool holding device 9 comprises a second bearing surface 15 and the outer sleeve 10 comprises a third bearing surface 16. In Figure 4, the tool holding device 9 is secured to the rotatable shaft 2, where the second bearing surface 15 is secured against the third bearing surface 16 before initial loosening of the tool holding device 9. The loosening is accomplished by rotating the tool 18 and / or the tool holding device 9, and both friction between on one hand the second bearing surface 15 and the third bearing surface 16, and on the other hand, thread friction, have to be overcome in order to perform loosening.

[0041] When the tool holding device 9 is to be released, the first thread arrangement 4, 6 is adapted for an initial loosening of the tool holding device 9, and the second thread arrangement 7, 8 is adapted for a following release of the tool holding device 9 as illustrated in Figure 3. The initial loosening at least comprises disengagement of the second bearing surface 15 from the third bearing surface 16.

[0042] That means that the initial loosening is relatively easy due to the first thread arrangement 4, 6 having a relatively high pitch, and where the continued unscrewing of the tool holding device 9 takes place by means of the second thread arrangement 7, 8 that has a lower pitch.

[0043] According to some aspects, the lower pitch of the second thread arrangement 7, 8 follows a tool standard, and is according to some further aspects adapted to prevent the tool from loosening unintentionally It is conceivable that there can be a plurality of thread inserts 5 to choose from, where each thread insert comprises different kinds of second insert threads 7 in order to meet different standards for the tool thread 8 of the tool holding device 9, while the first insert thread 6 according to some aspects is the same for all thread inserts 5.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the first bearing surface 14 can engage an inner part 15a of the second bearing surface 15 of the tool holding device 9 during the following release of the tool holding device 9, after its initial loosening via the first thread arrangement 4, 6. The first bearing surface 14 and the inner part 15a are inclined relative the rest of the second bearing surface 15 in a mutually similar manner such that friction between the bearing surface 14 and the inner part 15a is reduced.

[0045] It is according to some aspects desirable to further reduce possible friction between the first bearing surface 14 and the second bearing surface 15 in favor of friction in the thread arrangements 4, 6; 4', 6'; 7, 8, as will be discussed later. In case of low friction in the thread arrangements 4, 6; 4', 6'; 7, 8, the second bearing surface 15 can disengage the first bearing surface 14 and the third bearing surface 16 more or less at the same time.

[0046] In Figure 5 there is a tool holding arrangement 1' that comprises a rotatable shaft 2' connected to an electric tool driver 3. A tool holding device 9 is arranged to be attached to the tool holding arrangement 1', and also arranged to be fastened to a suitable tool such as a drill 18, only partially indicated, as for the first example.

[0047] Similarly, the tool holding arrangement 1' comprises a thread insert 5' that comprises a first insert thread 6', adapted to engage a first shaft thread 4' comprised in the rotatable shaft 2' so as to form a first thread arrangement 4', 6'. The thread insert 5' comprises a second insert thread 7 adapted to engage a tool thread 8 of the tool holding device 9', where the tool thread 8 is arranged to be screwed onto the second outer thread 7 so as to form a second thread arrangement 7, 8. The first thread arrangement 4', 6' has a higher pitch than the second thread arrangement 7, 8.

[0048] In this example, the first shaft thread 4' is an inner thread, the first insert thread 6' is an outer thread, the second insert thread 7 is an outer thread and the tool thread is an inner thread.

[0049] In the same way as in the first example, an initial loosening of the tool holding device 9 is relatively easy due to the first thread arrangement 4', 6' having a relatively high pitch, and where the continued unscrewing of the tool holding device 9 takes place by means of the second thread arrangement 7, 8 that has a lower pitch.

[0050] Here, the tool holding arrangement 1' comprises a locking pin arrangement where two locking pins 22, 23 are positioned between the rotatable shaft 2' and the thread insert 5'. Each locking pin 22, 23 is adapted to run in a circumferentially running groove 24 formed in the thread insert 5', such that the thread insert 5' is retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft 2' as long as the locking pins 22, 23 are inserted into place.

[0051] The thread insert 5' comprises a first bearing surface 14 and the tool holding device 9 comprises a second bearing surface 15. The first bearing surface 14 is adapted to engage the second bearing surface 15 of the tool holding device 9 during the following release of the tool holding device 9, after its initial loosening via the first thread arrangement 4', 6'.

[0052] The locking pins 22, 23 are also shown in the perspective view of Figure 6.

[0053] Each locking pin 22, 23 is adapted to run in the circumferentially running groove 24 between initial loosening of the tool holding device 9, and the following release of the tool holding device 9. The locking pins 22, 23 are releasable such that the thread insert 5' can be removed from the rotatable shaft 2'.

[0054] The term locking pin is not necessarily directed to a pin-shaped item, but generally other shapes are possible.

[0055] According to some aspects, a sealing device 25 is arranged between the rotatable shaft 2' and the thread insert 5' as shown in Figure 5. Such a sealing element can also be applied for the first example, of course, although not shown. An alternative placement of a sealing device 26 is illustrated at a position closer to the tool driver 3. This could also constitute an additional sealing device.

[0056] According to some aspects, for both examples, in order to reduce possible friction between the first bearing surface 14 and the second bearing surface 15, a friction-reducing element is arranged at the first bearing surface 14, for example a PTFE (polytetrafluorethylene) washer 21 (only indicated for the first example in Figure 2). Such an element 21 is adapted to reduce friction between the first bearing surface 14 and the second bearing surface 15. For reasons of clarity, the washer 21 is shown below the first bearing surface 14, but will lie adjacent the first bearing surface 14 when tool holding arrangement is mounted.

[0057] Generally, during mounting, the contact between the first bearing surface 14 and the second bearing surface 15 enables the thread insert 5, 5' to move axially into the rotatable shaft 2, 2' such that the first insert thread 6, 6' engages the first shaft thread 4, 4' so as to form the first thread arrangement 4, 6; 4', 6'.

[0058] The friction-reducing element can be of any type, for example a washer as described above, an O-ring or a surface treatment of the first bearing surface 14. The inclusion of any such a friction-reducing element is of course optional.

[0059] The present disclosure is not limited to the above, but may vary freely within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the rotatable shaft 2, 2' may not be directly connected to the electric tool driver 5, but may constitute an intermediate part.

[0060] The rotatable shaft 2, 2', the thread insert 5, 5' and the tool 18 are shown as hollow, but one or more of these parts may of course be solid.

[0061] The first thread arrangement 4, 6; 4', 6' comprises threads that can be of any suitable shape, constituting any type of matching protrusion / depression. These threads can according to some aspects be made of separate elements such as pins or keys.

[0062] The tool holding arrangement 1, 1' can according to some aspects comprise a resilient elements such as a spring (not shown) that biases the thread insert 5, 5' towards a certain position.

[0063] The outer sleeve 10 can be fastened to the rotatable shaft 2 in many ways, for example by press-fitting or snap-fitting.

[0064] According to some aspects, the first thread arrangement 4, 6; 4', 6' has a pitch in the span 10-40 mm / turn, and the second thread arrangement 7, 8 has a pitch in the span 1-10 mm / turn. Other pitch intervals are of course conceivable, for example in dependence of the size of the rotatable shaft 2, 2', the thread insert 5, 5' and the tool holding device 9.

[0065] In the examples shown, the rotatable shaft 2, 2' according to the present disclosure has been shown mounted to the electric tool driver 3. The electric tool driver 3 has here been adapted to directly receive the rotatable shaft 2, 2' according to the present disclosure. The rotatable shaft and the tool holding arrangement according to the present disclosure can, however, be adapted for mounting to a tool driver having an ordinary standard shaft that is adapted for direct mounting to a tool holder.

[0066] According to some aspects, with reference to Figure 7 showing a third example, there is an electric tool driver 3" with a standard shaft 27 that is adapted for direct mounting to a tool holder by means of a standard thread 28 that is adapted to engage a tool thread 8 of a tool holding device 9 as, for example, shown in Figure 2. Here, however, there is a tool holding arrangement 1" that comprises a shaft 2" that in turn comprises a standard shaft thread 29 that is adapted to engage the standard thread 28 of the standard shaft 27 so as to form a third thread arrangement 28, 29.

[0067] The rotatable shaft 2" is thus adapted to be attached to the standard shaft 27 by means of the third thread arrangement 28, 29 that, according to some aspects, has properties equal to the second thread arrangement 7, 8.The other parts of the tool holding arrangement 1" can be of the same kinds as discussed in the previous examples.

[0068] In this manner, the rotatable shaft, being provided with a standard shaft thread 29, enables the tool holding arrangement 1" to be mounted to a legacy tool driver 3" having an ordinary standard shaft 27 that is adapted for direct mounting to a tool holder.

[0069] The electric tool driver 3 is generally constituted by a tool driving power source in the form of a drill unit 3, such as a drill unit which may be run by hand or by means of a motor that may be electric or of a combustion type.

[0070] According to some aspects, the first shaft thread 4, 4' is an outer thread and the first insert thread 6, 6' is an inner thread where these threads are adapted to engage each other so as to form the first thread arrangement.

[0071] The second insert thread 7 is normally an outer thread since the corresponding tool thread 8 of the tool holding device normally is an inner thread. The reverse in of course possible.

[0072] According to some aspects, the thread insert is retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft by means of the tool holding arrangement comprising an outer sleeve as previously described.

Claims

1. A tool holding arrangement (1, 1', 1") comprising a rotatable shaft (2, 2', 2") which is at least connectable to a drill unit (3) and comprises a first shaft thread (4, 4'), where the tool holding arrangement (1, 1', 1") comprises a thread insert (5, 5') that comprises a first insert thread (6, 6'), adapted to engage the first shaft thread (4, 4') so as to form a first thread arrangement (4, 6; 4', 6'), and a second insert thread (7) adapted to engage a tool thread (8) of a tool holding device (9) that is arranged to be screwed onto the second insert thread (7) so as to form a second thread arrangement (7, 8), characterized in that the first thread arrangement (4, 6; 4', 6') has a higher pitch than the second thread arrangement (7, 8), where the tool holding arrangement (1) comprises an outer sleeve (10) that is adapted to retain the thread insert (5) in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft (2) by being fastened to the rotatable shaft (2).

2. The tool holding arrangement (1, 1', 1") according to claim 1, wherein, when the tool holding device (9) is to be released, the first thread arrangement (4, 6; 4', 6') is adapted for an initial loosening of the tool holding device (9), and the second thread arrangement (7, 8) is adapted for a following release of the tool holding device (9).

3. The tool holding arrangement (1) according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the thread insert (5) comprises a flange (11), and where the outer sleeve (10) comprises a first aperture (12) that admits passage of the flange (11), and a second aperture (13) that is adapted to retain the flange (11) by means of a circumferentially running rim (17) such that the thread insert (5) is retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft (2) when the outer sleeve (10) is mounted to the rotatable shaft (2).

4. The tool holding arrangement (1) according to any one of the previous claims , wherein the outer sleeve (10) comprises sleeve threads (19) that are adapted to engage shaft outer threads (20) such that the outer sleeve (10) can be screwed onto the rotatable shaft (2).

5. The tool holding arrangement (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the thread insert (5) comprises a first bearing surface (14), the tool holding device (9) comprises a second bearing surface (15) and the outer sleeve (10) comprises a third bearing surface (16) against which the second bearing surface (15) is secured before initial loosening of the tool holding device (9), and where the first bearing surface (14) is adapted to engage the second bearing surface (15) of the tool holding device (9) during the following release of the tool holding device (9).

6. The tool holding arrangement (1) according to claim 5, wherein a friction-reducing element is arranged at the first bearing surface (14).

7. The tool holding arrangement (1') according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the tool holding arrangement (1') comprises a locking pin arrangement where at least one locking pin (22, 23) is positioned between the rotatable shaft (2') and the thread insert (5'), and is adapted to run in a circumferentially running groove (24) formed in the thread insert (5'), such that the thread insert (5') is retained in movable engagement with the rotatable shaft (2').

8. The tool holding arrangement (1') according to claim 7, wherein each locking pin (22, 23) is adapted to run in the circumferentially running groove (24) between initial loosening of the tool holding device (9), and the following release of the tool holding device (9).

9. The tool holding arrangement (1') according to any one of the claims 7 or 8, wherein the thread insert (5') comprises a first bearing surface (14) and the tool holding device (9) comprises a second bearing surface (15), where the first bearing surface (14) is adapted to engage the second bearing surface (15) of the tool holding device (9) during the following release of the tool holding device (9), after its initial loosening via the first thread arrangement (4', 6').

10. The tool holding arrangement (1, 1', 1") according to any one of the previous claims, wherein a sealing device (25, 26) is arranged between the rotatable shaft (2, 2', 2") and the thread insert (5, 5').

11. The tool holding arrangement (1, 1', 1") according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the first thread arrangement (4, 6; 4', 6') has a pitch in the span 10-40 mm / turn, and where the second thread arrangement (7, 8) has a pitch in the span 1-10 mm / turn.

12. The tool holding arrangement (1") according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the rotatable shaft (2") comprises a standard shaft thread (29) that is adapted to engage the standard thread (28) of a standard shaft (27) that is comprised in a drill unit (3).

13. The tool holding arrangement (1, 1', 1") according to any one of the claims 1-11, wherein the rotatable shaft (2, 2', 2") is fixedly mounted to a core drill unit (3).