Drilling or screwdriving device incorporating an ergonomic tool body

Abstract

Title: Drilling or Screwdriving Device Integrating an Ergonomic Tool Body The invention relates to a drilling or screwdriving device (100) integrating a tool body (200) comprising, joined along a principal axis of extension (A): - a first portion (210); - a second portion (220); and - a third portion (230) interposed between the first portion (210) and the second portion (220), characterized in that the third portion (230) has an overall radial dimension smaller than the overall radial dimension of the first portion (210) and the overall radial dimension of the second portion (220), such that the third portion (230) forms a one-handed gripping element for the tool body (200) by a user. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Drilling or screwdriving device incorporating an ergonomic tool body Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of portable power tools.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a drilling or screwing device incorporating an ergonomic tool body. State of the art

[0003] Portable power tools for drilling or screwdriving are commonly used in various fields, such as the aerospace industry. In this sector, a significant amount of drilling is still carried out using hand drills due to space constraints or tooling costs. This can account for up to 70% of the drilling performed at a production site.

[0004] Portable power tools are commonly used on aircraft structures to perform various operations, including: - straight or offset drilling with or without lubrication; - drilling enlargement; - milling; - counter-drilling; - of bore; - deburring; - pinning; - screwing, and - of framing.

[0005] However, these operations are often carried out in restricted (confined) working environments and in difficult conditions exposing operators to dust in particular.

[0006] Thus, the procedures are sometimes located in hard-to-reach places, which is uncomfortable for the operator. Some operations require exertion that causes fatigue for the operator, potentially leading to musculoskeletal disorders.

[0007] The operator is thus required to orient the power tool in various directions, depending on the location of the operation to be performed. This also negatively impacts productivity.

[0008] The competitive evolution of the industrial sector, particularly aeronautics, requires new requirements for production rate and productivity improvement.

[0009] The need to increase the production rate leads to a reduction in the time devoted to each operation. The manual drilling operation, for example, is a complex operation that depends heavily on the operator's skills and can lead to numerous problems of non-compliance with the expected quality (non-conformities).

[0010] Consequently, aircraft manufacturers now require means to assist and make the operation more reliable in order to reduce non-qualities and thus increase productivity.

[0011] This includes, in particular, improving the ergonomics of portable power tools for the operator.

[0012] Indeed, two main types of portable power tools coexist, namely pistol-type tools and straight-type tools.

[0013] Pistol-type devices generally include a handle on one side of which is an electric battery and on the other side of which are located the motor, the reduction and the tool holder which is coupled to the reduction.

[0014] Straight-type devices, on the other hand, have a tubular housing in which the motor and, at least partially, the tool holder are housed. As with pistol-type devices, the battery can be attached to one end of the housing. Alternatively, the battery can be at least partially integrated into the housing.

[0015] These two types of devices have a common drawback, namely their less-than-perfect ergonomics.

[0016] Indeed, pistol-grip devices have a significant bulk due to the pistol grip's radial extension relative to the tool body. This bulk can require the operator to make larger and potentially more frequent handling movements compared to straight-grip devices. This, in turn, generates additional fatigue for the operator.

[0017] In contrast, straight-type devices, depending on whether their handle is located at the end of the tool opposite the output shaft or around the motor, present the respective disadvantages of poor weight distribution relative to the operator's hand or an excessively large handle diameter, both of which negatively impact the tool's ergonomics. This results in additional fatigue for the operator. Objectives of the invention

[0018] The invention aims in particular to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0019] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a drilling device or screw-in devices which are easy to use and handle and generate less fatigue compared to prior art devices.

[0020] The invention also aims to provide such a device which is compact and whose mass distribution is improved compared to the prior art.

[0021] The invention further aims to provide such a device with a reduced environmental impact compared to the prior art. Description of the invention

[0022] These objectives, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a drilling or screwing device, incorporating a tool body comprising, butted together along a main axis of extension: - a first section defining a first dwelling in which motorized means are received; - a second portion defining a second housing in which a reducer is received, and - a third section inserted between the first and second sections, the third section defining a third housing in which a transmission shaft is received, intended to connect the drive means to the reducer, the tool body also including an actuating element for the driving means, characterized in that the third portion has an overall radial footprint smaller than the overall radial footprint of the first portion and the overall radial footprint of the second portion, so that the third portion forms a one-handed gripping element of the tool body by a user, and in that the actuating element protrudes radially outside the third portion.

[0023] The presence of the third portion makes the device easier to handle for a user, i.e. an operator in an industrial context.

[0024] Indeed, because the third part has a smaller overall radial dimension than both the first and second portions, it can form a one-handed gripping element for the tool body, thus facilitating handling of the device since the user does not have to use their second hand. The operator can then use their second hand to stabilize their position, for example, in the case of a drilling device, or to hold a screw in the case of a screwing device.

[0025] By "overall radial dimensions" is meant the dimensions taken in any plane transverse to the principal axis of extension, that is to say for a section perpendicular to the principal axis of extension. According to another approach, the radial dimensions can be defined as the internal area of ​​a cross-section to the principal axis of extension of the device.

[0026] Furthermore, the position of the third portion allows for a better distribution of the mass of the device.

[0027] The motor on the one hand, and the reducer associated with the tool holder on the other hand, which each represent a significant proportion of the mass of the device, can thus be positioned on either side of the third portion, which allows at least partial balancing of the tool body.

[0028] Indeed, in known prior art solutions, the motor and the gearbox are housed on the same side of the portion forming the handle. Consequently, handling is made difficult because all, or almost all, of the weight is located on one side, which creates an imbalance and can require significant effort from the operator to maintain the device in a balanced position.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the second portion integrates first means for securing a tool holder, said first means for securing being positioned at a free end of the second portion, and the first portion integrates second means for securing a battery, said second means for securing being positioned at a free end of the first portion.

[0030] The tool body can thus be modulated according to the need.

[0031] It is possible to change the tool, and its tool holder, thanks to the first means of securing and to replace the battery when the latter is discharged or for a battery of greater capacity.

[0032] In other words, it is possible to adapt the drilling or screwing device according to the need.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, the driving means comprise an output shaft offset relative to the transmission shaft, the tool also comprising a transmission coupling the output shaft and the transmission shaft, said output shaft being offset along a direction and a sense of extension of the projection formed by the actuating member.

[0034] The offset of the output shaft relative to the transmission shaft frees up space under the wrist to facilitate handling of the device and reduce fatigue.

[0035] Indeed, the operator is not hindered by the presence of the motor when handling the tool. Since the output shaft, and therefore the motor, is offset along a direction and in a sense of extension of the protrusion formed by the actuating member, the operator can maintain a natural wrist position, which limits fatigue and the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment, the transmission comprises a parallel gear train.

[0037] The use of a parallel gear train makes the transmission simple to implement, reliable, robust and inexpensive. Figures

[0038] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings described below.

[0039] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective representation from below of a drilling or screwing device, according to the invention.

[0040] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic perspective representation from below of a tool body of the drilling or screwing device, according to the invention.

[0041] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional representation along the section plane III-III of [Fig.2], of the tool body of the drilling or screwing device, according to the invention.

[0042] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic longitudinal sectional representation along the section plane IV-IV of the [Fig.3], of the tool body of the drilling or screwing device, according to the invention.

[0043] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic representation illustrating a re-spaced presentation of cross-sections of the tool body at different points, according to various cutting planes of [Fig.4]. Detailed description of the invention

[0044] Fig. 1 illustrates a drilling or screwing device 100 according to the invention.

[0045] The device 100 comprises a tool body 200 to which a tool holder 300 and a battery 400 are attached.

[0046] The device 100 is thus advantageously of the portable electric type and allows drilling or screwing operations to be carried out.

[0047] For this purpose, the battery 400 is removable, as will be described later, so as to be replaced to provide a significant autonomy of the device 100 to an operator.

[0048] Furthermore, the tool holder 300 is adapted to receive different tools depending on the operation that the operator has to perform.

[0049] The tool body 200 is described in more detail below with reference to figures 2 to 5.

[0050] The tool body 200 includes a shell which can, at least partially, be overmolded with a soft plastic material to improve gripping comfort for an operator.

[0051] The tool body 200 comprises: - a first portion 210; - a second portion 220, and - a third portion 230 inserted between the first portion 210 and the second portion 220.

[0052] The first portion 210, the second portion 220 and the third portion 230 are joined together along a main axis of extension A.

[0053] The first portion 210 and the second portion 220 are each connected to the third portion 230 by connecting portions 240. The connecting portions 240, particularly visible on [Fig.4], are in the form of fillets.

[0054] With reference to [Fig.3], the first portion 210 defines a first housing in which motor means 211 are received.

[0055] The motor means 211 preferably comprise an electric motor.

[0056] The second portion 220 defines a second dwelling in which a reducer 221 described in more detail later.

[0057] Finally, the third portion 230 defines a third housing in which a transmission shaft 231 is received, intended to connect the motor means 211 to the reducer 221.

[0058] With reference to [Fig.3], the third portion 230 has an overall radial footprint that is smaller than the overall radial footprint of the first portion 210 and the overall radial footprint of the second portion 220.

[0059] By "overall radial dimensions" is meant the dimensions taken in any plane transverse to the principal axis of extension, that is to say for a section perpendicular to the principal axis of extension. According to another approach, the radial dimensions can be defined as the internal area of ​​a cross-section to the principal axis of extension of the device.

[0060] With reference to [Fig.5], the overall dimensions can also be explained as follows.

[0061] For each of the first portion 210, the second portion 220, and the third portion 230, a transverse section C, that is, perpendicular to the principal extension axis A of the tool body 200, is defined. Thus, the first portion 210 corresponds to a first section C210, the second portion 220 to a second section C220, and the third portion 230 to a third section C230. Regarding the third portion 230, two sections C230-1 and C230-2 are illustrated in [Fig. 5]. The cross-sectional planes of the first section C210, the second section C220, and the third section C230 (C230-1 and C230-2) are illustrated in [Fig. 4].

[0062] In the definition of the third section C230, as specified later, it is noted that the overall dimensions only take into account the part of the tool body 200.

[0063] For each of the first portion 210, the second portion 220 and the third portion 230, section C has an internal area.

[0064] For the tool body 200 according to the invention, the comparison of the internal area of ​​the first section C210 of the first portion 210 with the second section C220 of the second portion 220 and the third section C230 of the third portion 230, reveals a smaller value for the internal value of the third section C230.

[0065] It is thus justified that the third portion 230 has an overall radial footprint that is less than the overall radial footprint of the first portion 210 and the overall radial footprint of the second portion 220.

[0066] This allows the third portion 230 to form a one-handed gripping device of the tool body 200 by a user, i.e. an operator.

[0067] To ensure their activation, the tool body 200 also includes an actuating member 250, tool control means and drive means 211.

[0068] This actuation member 250, which will be described in more detail later, is in the form of a trigger.

[0069] As illustrated by figures 1 to 3, the actuating member 250 protrudes radially outside the third portion 230. The middle, ring, little and thumb of the operator's hand are the only ones involved in gripping the handle and are therefore not opposite the actuating means 250 and consequently the actuating means 250 are not taken into account in the measurement of the area of ​​section C230.

[0070] More specifically, the actuation member 250 protrudes jointly from the third portion 230 and the junction portion 240 joining the third portion 230 to the second portion 220.

[0071] The trigger is mounted movably in translation within a barrel extending mainly from the third portion 230, and can adopt at least: - a resting position in which the engine is stopped; - a fully actuation position in which the motor is driven at a first predetermined rotational frequency, and - an intermediate position, located between the rest and fully actuation positions, in which the motor is driven at a second predetermined rotational frequency.

[0072] In order to determine the positions of the trigger, the device 100 further includes means for determining the position of the trigger.

[0073] These determination means include at least one sensor, housed in the third portion 230, and a magnetic element attached to the trigger.

[0074] The sensor is advantageously of the Hall effect type and thus allows a distance to be measured up to the magnetic element carried by the trigger.

[0075] As illustrated by figures 1 to 4, the second portion 220 incorporates first means of securing 222 to a tool holder 300.

[0076] The first fastening means 222 are positioned at a free end of the second portion 220, opposite the junction portion 240 between the second portion 220 and the third portion 230.

[0077] Tool holders 300 of different shapes can alternatively be secured to the tool body 200 by means of the first securing means 222.

[0078] For example, it may be a straight type tool holder 300, a 90° angle head type tool holder 300 (as illustrated by [Fig.1]), a shaft-reversing type tool holder 300 (for which the tool is parallel and offset with respect to the transmission shaft 231), or a more than 90° angle head type tool holder (axis of rotation of the tool forming an angle of more than 90° with the transmission shaft 231) or other.

[0079] The first fastening means 222 allow for direct coupling with the drive means 211, via the transmission shaft 231, or indirect coupling with the drive means 211 to allow for variation of the rotational speed between the drive means 211 and a tool carried by the tool holder 300. Reference may be made in particular to the patent document published under number FR3112501, in the name of the applicant, for a detailed description of the first fastening means 222.

[0080] The first means of securing 222 also present means of reversible fixing 223 of the tool holder 300 on the tool body 200.

[0081] These reversible fastening means 223 include a quick-locking / unlocking clamp which is intended to allow quick fastening or unfastening of the tool holder 300 on the tool body 200.

[0082] Such a hose clamp is described for example in the patent document published under number FR3112501, in the name of the applicant.

[0083] To mount or dismount a tool holder 300 on the tool body 200, the clamping collar is opened to allow relative movement between the tool holder 300 and the tool body 200.

[0084] When the tool holder 300 is put in position on the tool body 200, a locking operation of the tool holder 300 on the tool body 200 is carried out by closing the clamping collar 3 by acting on a locking lever of the collar.

[0085] The first means of securing 222 also include means for detecting a tool holder 300.

[0086] These detection means take the form of an electronic sensor intended to detect the presence of a label carried by the tool holder 300.

[0087] As an example, the identification technology used to enable the detection of the tool holder 300 is RFID technology (for Radio Frequency Identification).

[0088] The first portion 210 incorporates, for its part, second means of solidarity- risation 212 of a 400 battery.

[0089] The second fastening means 212 are positioned at a free end of the first portion 210, opposite the junction portion 240 between the third portion 230 and the first portion 210.

[0090] With reference to [Fig.3], the motor means 211 include an output shaft 213 offset relative to the transmission shaft 231.

[0091] To enable the transmission of motion between the driving means 211 and the transmission shaft 231, the tool body 100 also includes a transmission 214 coupling the output shaft 213 and the transmission shaft 231.

[0092] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the output shaft 213 is offset in the same direction and sense of extension as the projection formed by the actuating member 250.

[0093] The transmission 214 includes a parallel gear train.

[0094] The parallel gear train forming the transmission 214 preferably comprises a driving member 215 fixed to the output shaft 213 and a driven member 216 fixed to the transmission shaft 231.

[0095] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the driving member 215 takes the form of a first toothed wheel and the driven member 216 takes the form of a second toothed wheel meshing with the first toothed wheel.

[0096] The gear ratio between the first gear and the second gear is preferably equal to 1. In other words, the rotational speed of the output shaft 213 and the rotational speed of the transmission shaft 231 are identical. Alternatively, the rotational speed of the output shaft 213 and the rotational speed of the transmission shaft 231 could be different, in which case the gear ratio would not be 1.

[0097] With reference to figures 3 and 4, the tool body 100 also houses control means for the motor means 211 and for the device 100 in general.

[0098] These control means, known as such, allow control of the engine speed, for example.

[0099] The control means include in particular a first electronic card 500 intended to process control information, and a second electronic card 550 intended to process power information.

[0100] The first electronic card 500 enables, in particular, the transmission of information between the actuator 250 and the power card 550. Furthermore, the first electronic card enables the control of communication devices such as a screen 600 or indicator lights 650 allowing the display of real-time usage information for the operator.

[0101] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the screen 600 and the witnesses luminous 650 are carried by the first portion 210 of the tool body 200.

[0102] Alternatively, the screen 600 and the indicator lights 650 can be carried by the second portion 220 of the tool body 200.

[0103] In addition, the first electronic card 500 is connected to a fan 217 which supplies fresh air to the motor means 211 to ensure their cooling, or at least limit their heating.

[0104] For this purpose, the tool body 200 has openings 218 allowing air exchange between the inside and outside of the first portion 210 of the tool body 200.

[0105] Finally, as illustrated by [Fig.4], the first electronic card 500 has a curved shape.

[0106] More specifically, such an electronic board is designed for gun-type drilling or screwing devices.

[0107] The offset of the drive means 211, and more specifically, the offset between the output shaft 213 and the transmission shaft 231, frees up space above the drive means 211, facilitating the integration of an existing electronic board common to other types of devices. Conversely, in the prior art, the electronic boards of straight-type devices are generally specifically dedicated. In other words, the control boards of straight-type devices in the prior art cannot share a control board with pistol-type devices.

[0108] This results in a financial gain since the production of a single electronic board reference is necessary for pistol-type devices and straight-type devices, and an environmental gain for the same reasons.

Claims

Demands

1. Drilling or screwing device (100), incorporating a tool body (200) comprising, joined along a main extension axis (A): - a first portion (210) defining a first housing in which driving means (211) are received;- a second portion (220) defining a second housing in which a reducer (221) is received, and - a third portion (230) interposed between the first portion (210) and the second portion (220), the third portion (230) defining a third housing in which a transmission shaft (231) is received for connecting the drive means (211) to the reducer (221), the tool body (200) also comprising an actuating member (250) for the drive means (211), characterized in that the third portion (230) has an overall radial dimension smaller than the overall radial dimension of the first portion (210) and the overall radial dimension of the second portion (220), so that the third portion (230) forms a one-handed gripping member for the tool body (200) by a user, and in that the actuating member (250) protrudes radially outside the third portion (230).;

2. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - the second portion (220) integrates first means for securing (222) a tool holder (300), said first means for securing (222) being positioned at a free end of the second portion (220), and - the first portion (210) integrates second means for securing (212) a battery (400), said second means for securing (212) being positioned at a free end of the first portion (210).

3. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the driving means (211) comprise an output shaft (213) offset relative to the transmission shaft (231), the device (100) also comprising a transmission (214) coupling the output shaft (213) and the transmission shaft (231), said output shaft (213) being offset along a direction and a sense of extension of the projection formed by the actuating member (250).

4. Device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transmission (214) comprises a parallel gear train.

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