E-shaped snap ring insertion tool and e-shaped snap ring supply device

Abstract

To provide an E-shaped snap ring insertion tool and the like that can easily insert an E-shaped snap ring from the axial direction of a shaft.SOLUTION: In an E-shaped snap ring insertion tool 100, a body part 110 has a handle 111 at one end. An operation lever 120 is rotatably engaged with a fulcrum provided on the body part 110. A transmission part 140 converts rotational movement of the operation lever 120 into linear movement along the extension direction of the body part 110 and transmits it to the other end. In an operation block 150 of the E-shaped snap ring insertion tool 100, a first gripping part 171 and a second gripping part 181 can grip an E-shaped snap ring by opening and closing laterally in conjunction with the transmission part 140 at the other end of the body part 110. A support surface 155 supports an end surface of the E-shaped snap ring in the vertical direction. An abutment member 160 opens and closes in the vertical direction in conjunction with the transmission part 140, presses the shaft against the E-shaped snap ring, and inserts the E-shaped snap ring to the shaft.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an E-ring insertion tool and an E-ring supply device.

Background Art

[0002] As means for inserting an E-ring onto a shaft, various tools have been developed.

[0003] For example, the E-ring insertion tool described in Patent Document 1 has a tip of a flat plate fixed to a handle member that branches and is composed of a clamping piece with a groove and a slide plate. The E-ring is inserted from the radial direction with respect to the shaft, and when the contact portion is pressed against the shaft, the slide plate moves.

[0004] Also, the E-ring insertion tool described in Patent Document 2 includes a first clamping piece having a shaft clamping portion for clamping the shaft, a second clamping piece having a retaining ring clamping portion for clamping the E-ring, and an opening / closing member. By sliding these, the shaft and the retaining ring are brought closer together.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, depending on the shape of the work object or the position of the shaft into which the E-ring is to be inserted, it may be difficult to insert the E-ring from the radial direction.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an E-ring insertion tool or the like that can stably perform a series of operations of inserting an E-ring and can easily insert the E-ring by accessing from the axial direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The E-ring insertion tool according to the present disclosure inserts an E-ring by accessing from the axial direction with respect to a shaft that is a work target. The E-ring insertion tool includes a main body portion, an operation lever, a transmission portion, and an operation block. The main body portion is a rod-shaped member having a handle on one end side. The operation lever is rotatably engaged with a fulcrum provided on the main body portion. The transmission portion converts the movement of the operation lever in the rotation direction into a linear movement along the extending direction of the main body portion by engaging with the operation lever and transmits it to the other end side of the main body portion. The operation block has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, a support surface, and a contact member. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion can clamp the E-ring by performing an opening and closing operation in the left-right direction perpendicular to the extending direction in conjunction with the transmission portion at the other end side of the main body portion. The support surface supports the end face of the E-ring in the vertical direction. The contact member presses the shaft against the E-ring supported by the support surface by performing an opening and closing operation in the vertical direction perpendicular to the extending direction and the left-right direction in conjunction with the transmission portion, and inserts the E-ring onto the shaft.

[0009] The E-ring supply device according to the present disclosure includes a rail portion, a retaining ring groove portion, a stopper, and a guide groove portion. The rail portion receives a plurality of E-rings from the first end portion and guides the E-rings to a second end portion lower than the first end portion. The retaining ring groove portion has a width that allows the lowermost one E-ring to fall below the second end portion. The stopper receives the E-ring below the retaining ring groove portion. The guide groove portion has a concave shape corresponding to the outer shape of the operation block in order to guide the operation block of the E-ring insertion tool according to claim 6 to the E-ring that has fallen into the retaining ring groove portion.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the "E-shaped retaining ring" refers to a metal plate that is in the shape of a hollow disc and has an opening, and is a retaining ring that is inserted from the radial direction of a shaft having a circumferential groove so that the opening of the metal plate can be elastically expanded and inserted within the elastic range.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool and an E-shaped retaining ring supply device that can easily insert the E-shaped retaining ring from the axial direction of the shaft.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

[0013] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential as means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been appropriately omitted and simplified. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0014] In the following description, the axial direction indicates a direction parallel to the extending direction of the shaft into which the E-ring is to be inserted. The radial direction indicates a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of such a shaft and extending radially from the axis.

[0015] (E-ring insertion tool) The outline of the E-ring insertion tool will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an overview of the E-ring insertion tool 100. The E-ring insertion tool 100 accesses from the axial direction to the shaft which is the work target and inserts the E-ring 200. The E-ring insertion tool 100 mainly includes a main body portion 110, an operation lever 120, a transmission portion 140, and an operation block 150.

[0016] For the sake of convenience in explaining the positional relationship of the components, FIG. 1 is provided with a right-handed orthogonal coordinate system. Also, in FIGS. 2 and later, when an orthogonal coordinate system is provided, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions in FIG. 1 coincide with the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions of these orthogonal coordinate systems, respectively. In the present disclosure, the X-axis direction is also referred to as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction is also referred to as the extending direction of the main body portion 110, and the Z-axis direction is also referred to as the up-down direction.

[0017] The main body part 110 is a rod-shaped member. The main body part 110 is a long metal plate, which is composed of a predetermined steel plate such as stainless steel or carbon steel. The main body part 110 has a handle 111 on one end side (the Y-axis minus side) and an operation block 150 on the other end side (the Y-axis plus side). The handle 111 is formed by coating the main body part 110 with resin at one end side of the main body part 110. The main body part 110 has a fulcrum part 130 in the middle part. At the fulcrum part 130, the main body part 110 is engaged with the operation lever 120.

[0018] The operation lever 120 is rotatably engaged with the fulcrum part 130 provided on the main body part 110. The operation lever 120 is formed of a predetermined steel plate like the main body part 110, and the part that the operator touches when operating is coated with resin. Also, the operation lever 120 has a convex part 121. The convex part 121 is engaged with the concave part 141 of the transmission part 140. When the convex part 121 and the concave part 141 are engaged, the operation lever 120 and the transmission part 140 are interlocked.

[0019] The transmission part 140 converts the movement of the operation lever 120 in the rotation direction into a linear movement along the extension direction of the main body part 110 by engaging with the operation lever 120. Further, the transmission part 140 transmits the linear movement to the operation block 150 on the other end side of the main body part 110. More specifically, the transmission part 140 has a concave part 141 that engages with the convex part 121 in the conversion part C1. In the conversion part C1, the concave part 141 converts the movement of the operation lever 120 in the rotation direction D1 into a linear movement in the linear direction D2 along the extension direction of the main body part 110.

[0020] Also, the transmission part 140 is engaged with the main body part 110 in the guide part C2 and the guide part C3. That is, the transmission part 140 is linearly movably supported by the main body part 110 in the guide part C2 and the guide part C3.

[0021] Incidentally, the E-ring insertion tool 100 further has a lever biasing portion 131. The lever biasing portion 131 is a coil spring that biases the transmission portion 140 in the direction D10 in which the operation lever 120 moves away from the handle 111. Note that the lever biasing portion 131 may bias the operation lever 120.

[0022] The operation block 150 is disposed on the other end side of the main body portion 110. It clamps the E-ring 200 by performing an opening and closing operation in the left-right direction perpendicular to the extending direction in conjunction with the transmission portion 140. Further, in the vertical direction, the operation block 150 supports the end face of the E-ring 200 and, in conjunction with the transmission portion 140, presses an axis against the E-ring 200 to insert the E-ring 200 onto the axis. Thereby, the E-ring insertion tool 100 can access the axis from the axial direction and insert the E-ring 200.

[0023] Here, the state in which the operation lever 120, the transmission portion 140, and the operation block 150 in the E-ring insertion tool 100 are interlocked will be further described. The operation lever 120 rotates in the rotation direction D1 with the fulcrum portion 130 as the rotation axis. The operation lever 120 is displaced along the rotation direction D1 to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3.

[0024] The first position P1 is the state in which the operation lever 120 is most open. The second position P2 is the state in which the operation lever 120 is closed more than the first position P1. The third position P3 is the state in which the operation lever 120 is closed more than the second position P2 and is the state in which the operation lever 120 is most closed. In other words, the first position P1 is the position where the operation lever 120 is farthest from the handle 111. At the second position P2, the operation lever 120 exists at a position closer to the handle 111 than the first position P1. At the third position P3, the operation lever 120 exists at a position closer to the handle 111 than the second position P2.

[0025] The transmission unit 140 converts the rotation direction D1 into the linear direction D2 in the conversion unit C1 and transmits the movement of the operation lever 120 to the operation block 150. That is, the transmission unit 140 is displaced along the linear direction D2 according to the positions of the operation lever 120 (the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3). The operation block 150 changes its state according to the position of the transmission unit 140.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the state of the E-ring insertion tool 100 when the operation lever 120 is at the first position P1 is referred to as the first state. Similarly, the state of the E-ring insertion tool 100 when the operation lever 120 is at the second position P2 is referred to as the second state. The state of the E-ring insertion tool 100 when the operation lever 120 is at the third position P3 is referred to as the third state. The operation lever 120 is set such that the position in the second state is closer to the handle 111 than the position in the first state, and the position in the third state is closer to the handle 111 than the position in the second state. Thereby, the E-ring insertion tool 100 holds the E-ring 200 as a series of operations for displacing the operation lever 120, and inserts the held E-ring 200 around the axis.

[0027] (Operation block) With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the operation block 150 will be further described. FIG. 2 is a first diagram showing details of the operation block 150. FIG. 3 is a second diagram showing details of the operation block 150. FIG. 4 is a third diagram showing details of the operation block 150. The operation block 150 shown in FIG. 2 shows the case where the operation lever 120 is at the first position P1, that is, the first state. The operation block 150 shown in FIG. 3 shows the case where the operation lever 120 is at the second position P2, that is, the second state. The operation block 150 shown in FIG. 4 shows the case where the operation lever 120 is at the third position P3, that is, the third state.

[0028] The operation block 150 mainly includes an upper member 151, a first side member 152, a second side member 153, a contact member 160, a first holder 170, and a second holder 180. The operation block 150 is fixed to the arm portion 112. Also, inside the operation block 150, the transmission portion 140 is engaged with a predetermined configuration in the operation block 150 so as to be able to move forward and backward. Further, at the tip portion, the operation block 150 has a retaining ring receiving portion C4 that sandwiches the E-ring 200 and includes a space for receiving a shaft from the axial direction in a state where the E-ring 200 is sandwiched.

[0029] The upper member 151 is a member fixed to the upper surface of the operation block 150. The upper member 151 has an opening 154 and a support surface 155. The opening 154 is a viewing hole provided so that the E-ring 200 and the shaft can be visually observed when an operator brings the operation block 150 closer to the shaft to set the E-ring 200. Thereby, the operator operating the E-ring insertion tool can set the E-ring while observing the situation of the E-ring 200 and the shaft from the opening 154. The support surface 155 supports the end face of the E-ring 200 in the vertical direction. More specifically, the support surface 155 supports the upper end face of the E-ring 200 when the operation block 150 inserts the E-ring 200 held by it onto the shaft.

[0030] The first side member 152 is a member fixed to one side surface (the side surface on the +X-axis side) of the operation block 150 and supports the first holder 170. The second side member 153 is a member fixed to the other side surface (the side surface on the -X-axis side) of the operation block 150 and supports the second holder 180. The first side member 152 and the second side member 153 are spaced apart and opposed to each other in the left-right direction. The first side member 152 and the second side member 153 support the contact member 160 so as to be vertically movable therebetween.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the first side member 152 and the second side member 153 have an outer diameter portion with a width W21. This width W21 is used in an E-ring supply device described later. Details regarding the width W21 will be described later.

[0032] When the contact member 160 operates in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the stretching direction (Y-axis direction) and the left-right direction (X-axis direction) in conjunction with the transmission part 140. The contact member 160 has a contact surface 161. The contact surface 161 is spaced apart and opposed to the support surface 155 in the vertical direction. That is, when the contact member 160 moves up and down, the distance between the contact surface 161 and the support surface 155 approaches or separates.

[0033] In FIG. 2, the distance between the support surface 155 and the contact surface 161 is H1. At the distance H1, when the first clamping part 171 and the second clamping part 181 clamp the E-shaped retaining ring 200, the contact member 160 can receive the shaft in the shaft receiving part C4.

[0034] In FIG. 3, the distance between the support surface 155 and the contact surface 161 is H2. At the distance H2, when the first clamping part 171 and the second clamping part 181 clamp the E-shaped retaining ring 200, the contact member 160 abuts the shaft against the E-shaped retaining ring 200.

[0035] In FIG. 4, the distance between the support surface 155 and the contact surface 161 is H3. At the distance H3, the contact member 160 inserts the E-shaped retaining ring 200 clamped by the first clamping part 171 and the second clamping part 181 onto the shaft.

[0036] In this way, when the contact member 160 opens and closes, the contact member 160 presses the shaft against the E-shaped retaining ring 200 supported by the support surface 155. Further, by pressing the shaft further, the contact member 160 inserts the E-shaped retaining ring 200 onto the shaft.

[0037] The first holding member 170 and the second holding member 180 are elastic members provided symmetrically in the left-right direction. The materials of the first holding member 170 and the second holding member 180 are, for example, stainless steel for springs, phosphor bronze, or beryllium. The first holding member 170 and the second holding member 180 are supported by a first support portion 172 and a second support portion 182 on the first side member 152 and the second side member 153, respectively. The first holding member 170 and the second holding member 180 are in a shape in which the tips of strip-shaped plate materials are bent at right angles in a direction approaching each other. The tip portion of the first holding member 170 is a first clamping portion 171. The tip portion of the second holding member 180 is a second clamping portion 181.

[0038] The first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 open and close in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the stretching direction (Y-axis direction) in conjunction with the transmission portion 140 at the tip of the E-clip insertion tool 100. Thereby, the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 are set to be able to hold the E-clip 200 by elastic force.

[0039] That is, the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 are in a closed state in the first state and the second state. Therefore, the distance between the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 (distance W11 in FIGS. 2 and 3) is smaller than the outer diameter of the E-clip 200. On the other hand, the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 are in an open state in the third state. In this case, the distance between the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 (distance W12 in FIG. 4) is larger than the outer diameter of the E-clip 200 in the open state.

[0040] In addition, the shapes of the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 when observed from the Y-axis direction have concave shapes in which the opposing end faces follow the outer diameter of the E-ring 200. As a result, the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 can preferably hold the E-ring 200. Also, for the plate pressure of the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181, a member that is about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters thicker than the thickness of the E-ring 200 can be selected. Furthermore, the concave end face portions of the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 may have a V-groove or U-groove shape in order to support the ridge line of the outer shape of the E-ring 200. By having such a shape, the E-ring insertion tool 100 can preferably hold the E-ring 200.

[0041] Note that the contact member 160 protrudes below the outer shape of the operation block in the first state and is housed within the outer shape of the operation block in the second state and the third state. This exhibits a predetermined function in relation to the E-ring supply device 300 described later.

[0042] As described above, the operation block 150 has been explained. In the E-ring insertion tool 100, the operation lever 120 is rotatable to the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, and accordingly, the E-ring insertion tool 100 transitions to the first state, the second state, and the third state.

[0043] The first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 are at positions at a distance smaller than the outer diameter of the E-ring from the first state to the second state, and are at positions at a distance larger than the outer diameter of the E-ring in the third state. The contact member 160 is at a position where the operation block 150 can receive the shaft when the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 are clamping the E-ring 200 in the first state. The contact member 160 is at a position where the support surface 155 abuts the shaft against the E-ring 200 that supports the end face in the second state. The contact member 160 moves in the direction of inserting the E-ring 200 around the shaft when changing from the second state to the third state.

[0044] As a result, the E-ring insertion tool 100 can hold the E-ring 200 by a series of easy operations and insert the held E-ring 200 around the shaft.

[0045] (E-ring supply device) Next, the E-ring supply device 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is an overview of the E-ring supply device 300. FIG. 6 is a side view of the E-ring supply device 300.

[0046] The E-ring supply device 300 stocks a plurality of E-rings 200 and sequentially supplies the stocked plurality of E-rings 200 to the E-ring insertion tool 100. The main components of the E-ring supply device include a pedestal portion 310, a rail portion 320, a guide groove portion 330, and a vibration arm 340.

[0047] The pedestal portion 310 is placed on the floor surface and supports the rail portion 320. The rail portion 320 receives a plurality of E-rings 200 from the first end portion 321 on one end side. Also, the rail portion 320 is inclined so as to become lower from the first end portion 321 toward the second end portion 322 on the other end side. The rail portion 320 shown in FIG. 5 has an inclination of angle θ1. Therefore, the rail portion 320 guides the E-ring 200 received from the first end portion 321 to the second end portion 322 which is lower than the first end portion 321. That is, the E-ring 200 supplied to the first end portion 321 slides along the rail portion 320 toward the second end portion 322 by its own weight.

[0048] At the second end portion 322, the rail portion 320 has a retaining ring groove portion 323 and a stopper 324. The retaining ring groove portion 323 has a width that allows the lowermost one E-ring 200 to fall below the second end portion 322. That is, the width of the retaining ring groove portion 323 is wider than the thickness of the E-ring 200 and narrower than twice the thickness of the E-ring 200. The stopper 324 receives the E-ring 200 below the retaining ring groove portion 323.

[0049] The guide groove portion 330 is a guide groove for guiding the operation block 150 of the E-ring insertion tool 100 to the E-ring 200 that has dropped into the retaining ring groove portion 323. The guide groove portion 330 has a concave shape in which the width W22 in the left-right direction corresponds to the width W21 of the outer shape of the operation block 150. That is, the width W22 of the guide groove portion 330 has a dimension such that it can receive the operation block 150 and guide it to the second end portion 322 without rattling. Thereby, the E-ring supply device 300 can suitably supply the E-ring 200 to the E-ring insertion tool 100.

[0050] The vibration arm 340 is a cantilever-shaped member that protrudes from the lower part of the guide groove portion 330 to the outside of the guide groove portion 330 and has a force-receiving portion 341 that receives an impact or vibration due to an external force. Thereby, the E-ring supply device 300 can set the E-ring 200 in the retaining ring groove portion 323 with a simple configuration.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows three states of the E-ring supply device 300 at three different times arranged vertically in three rows. Note that the E-ring supply device 300 shown in FIG. 6 is partially shown in cross section for convenience of explanation. In the E-ring supply device 300 at the time T1 shown at the top, a state is shown in which a plurality of E-rings 200 are sliding down toward the second end portion 322.

[0052] The E-ring supply device 300 shown in the middle of FIG. 6 shows the state of the E-ring supply device 300 at the time T2 after the time T1. At the time T2, a plurality of E-rings 200 have dropped to the second end portion 322.

[0053] At this time, the lowermost E-shaped retaining ring 200 is pressed against the stopper 324 by a plurality of other E-shaped retaining rings 200. Therefore, the lowermost E-shaped retaining ring 200 cannot fall into the retaining ring groove portion 323. In this state, for example, the operator applies an impact to the vibrating arm 340 by gently hitting the operation block 150 of the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 against the force receiving portion 341. Then, due to this vibration, the pressing force on the lowermost E-shaped retaining ring 200 from the other E-shaped retaining rings 200 is reduced, and it can fall into the retaining ring groove portion 323.

[0054] The E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 shown in the lower part of FIG. 6 shows the state of the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 at time T3 after time T2. At time T3, the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 is in a state where one E-shaped retaining ring 200 is set on the E-shaped retaining ring 200. After the E-shaped retaining ring 200 is set in the retaining ring groove portion 323, the operator inserts the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 into the guide groove portion 330. At this time, the operator keeps the operation lever 120 close to the handle 111 to make it in the third state.

[0055] (Operation of the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool for holding the E-shaped retaining ring) Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, the state where the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 supplies the E-shaped retaining ring 200 to the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 and the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 receives the E-shaped retaining ring 200 from the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 will be described. FIG. 7 is a first diagram showing the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 and the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300. In FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 and the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 are partially shown in cross-section for convenience of explanation. Also, FIG. 7 and subsequent figures are shown such that the extending direction of the main body portion 110 coincides with the horizontal direction of the drawing for easy understanding.

[0056] In FIG. 7, with the operator having set the operation lever 120 to the third position P3, the operation block 150 is being brought closer to the E-ring 200 while being guided along the guide groove portion 330. That is, the E-ring insertion tool 100 is in the third state. Therefore, the lower surfaces of the first side member 152 and the second side member 153 of the operation block 150 are in contact with the guide groove portion 330. Also, the abutting member 160 is housed inside the outer shape of the operation block 150. Therefore, the abutting member 160 is not in contact with the guide groove portion 330.

[0057] Also, in the operation block 150 in the third state, the first holder 170 and the second holder 180 are spreading in a direction away from each other. That is, the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 are in a state capable of receiving the E-ring 200.

[0058] Also, at this time, the guide groove portion 330 of the E-ring supply device 300 is set to a position where the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 can clamp the E-ring 200 when the E-ring insertion tool 100 in the third state approaches the E-ring 200 along the guide groove portion 330.

[0059] Subsequently, referring to FIG. 8, the state after FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a second view showing the E-ring insertion tool 100 and the E-ring supply device 300. In FIG. 8, the tip of the operation block 150 is in a state of abutting against the second end portion 322 of the rail portion 320. Also, in the E-ring insertion tool 100 shown in FIG. 8, the operation lever 120 is at the third position P3. That is, the E-ring insertion tool 100 is in the third state.

[0060] In the above situation, the distance between the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 is larger than the outer shape of the E-ring 200. Therefore, the operator performs an operation of opening the position of the operation lever 120 from the third position P3 toward the second position P2 while pressing the operation block 150 against the second end portion 322. As a result, the E-ring insertion tool 100 transitions from the third state to the second state. That is, the first clamping portion 171 and the second clamping portion 181 are displaced in a direction to clamp the E-ring 200.

[0061] Next, FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 is a third diagram showing the E-ring insertion tool 100 and the E-ring supply device 300. The E-ring insertion tool 100 shown in FIG. 9 is in a state where the position of the operation lever 120 is at the second position P2. That is, the E-ring insertion tool 100 is in the second state.

[0062] In this state, the transmission part 140 of the E-ring insertion tool 100 that has transitioned from the above-described third state to the second state has moved in the direction of the handle 111 in the extending direction of the main body part 110, that is, in the minus Y-axis direction. Further, the contact member 160 has moved downward, that is, in the minus Z-axis direction, in conjunction with the transmission part 140. Then, the first clamping part 171 and the second clamping part 181 are displaced in a direction approaching each other in conjunction with these movements. And the first holder 170 and the second holder 180 are clamping the E-ring 200 by elastic force.

[0063] Next, FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 10 is a fourth diagram showing the E-ring insertion tool 100 and the E-ring supply device 300. The E-ring insertion tool 100 shown in FIG. 10 is in a state where the position of the operation lever 120 is at the first position P1. That is, the E-ring insertion tool 100 is in the first state.

[0064] In this state, the transmission part 140 of the E-ring insertion tool 100 that has transitioned from the above-described second state to the first state has further moved in the extending direction of the main body part 110, that is, in the minus Y-axis direction. Further, the contact member 160 has moved further downward, that is, in the minus Z-axis direction, in conjunction with the transmission part 140 and protrudes from the outer shape of the operation block 150. As a result, the contact member 160 abuts against the guide groove part 330. Further, due to the reaction of the contact member 160 abutting against the guide groove part 330, the operation block 150 has moved upward. At this time, the E-ring 200 clamped between the first holder 170 and the second holder 180 has detached from the retaining ring groove part 323.

[0065] The operation of the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 receiving the E-shaped retaining ring 200 from the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 and holding it in the operation block 150 has been described above. In the above operation, the operator who operates the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 holds the handle 111 and the operation lever 120, and inserts the operation block 150 into the guide groove 330 with the operation lever 120 in the third position P3. Next, the operator releases the operation lever 120 while abutting against the stopper 324. Then, the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 transitions from the third state to the first state by the elastic force of the lever biasing portion 131. The E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 in the first state is in a state where it can be detached from the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 while clamping the E-shaped retaining ring 200.

[0066] Therefore, the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 can suitably supply the E-shaped retaining ring 200 to the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 by receiving the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 in the third state and performing a simple operation of the operator releasing the operation lever 120. Also, the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 can suitably hold the E-shaped retaining ring 200 by a simple operation of abutting the operation block 150 against the E-shaped retaining ring supply device 300 with the operation lever 120 closed and then releasing the operation lever 120.

[0067] (Operation of the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool inserting the E-shaped retaining ring onto the shaft) Next, with reference to FIG. 11 and subsequent figures, the operation of the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 inserting the E-shaped retaining ring 200 onto the shaft will be described. FIG. 11 is a first figure showing the situation where the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 inserts the E-shaped retaining ring 200 onto the shaft 400 which is the work object.

[0068] The E-ring insertion tool 100 shown in Fig. 11 is in a state where the position of the operation lever 120 is at the first position P1. That is, the E-ring insertion tool 100 is in the first state. As described above, the operator accesses the shaft 400, which is the work target, from the axial direction with the E-ring insertion tool 100 holding the E-ring 200 received from the E-ring supply device 300. At this time, the operator can operate the E-ring insertion tool 100 to receive the shaft 400 into the retaining ring receiving portion C4 through the opening 154.

[0069] Fig. 12 is a second diagram showing the situation where the E-ring insertion tool 100 inserts the E-ring 200 into the shaft 400. The E-ring insertion tool 100 shown in Fig. 12 remains in the first state. Also, in the E-ring insertion tool 100 shown in Fig. 12, the E-ring 200 is set in the groove portion of the shaft 400. The operator can visually confirm through the opening 154 that the E-ring 200 is correctly set on the shaft 400.

[0070] Fig. 13 is a third diagram showing the situation where the E-ring insertion tool 100 inserts the E-ring 200 into the shaft 400. The E-ring insertion tool 100 shown in Fig. 13 is in a state where the position of the operation lever 120 has been displaced from the first position P1 to the second position P2. That is, the E-ring insertion tool 100 has transitioned from the first state to the second state.

[0071] In the above situation, the transmission part 140 moves in the direction of the movement block 150 on the extension direction of the main body part 110, that is, in the positive Y-axis direction, in conjunction with the movement of the operation lever 120. The contact member 160 moves upward, that is, in the positive Z-axis direction, in conjunction with the transmission part 140. As a result, the contact surface 161 of the contact member 160 contacts the lower part of the shaft 400 and presses the shaft 400 upward. On the other hand, the support surface 155 existing at a position facing the contact surface 161 supports the upper end of the E-ring 200 and presses the E-ring 200 downward as a reaction force to the pressing force by the contact member 160.

[0072] FIG. 14 is a fourth view showing a situation where the E-clip insertion tool 100 inserts the E-clip 200 onto the shaft 400. The E-clip insertion tool 100 shown in FIG. 14 is in a state where the position of the operation lever 120 has been displaced from the second position P2 to the third position P3. That is, the E-clip insertion tool 100 has transitioned from the second state to the third state.

[0073] In the above situation, the transmission part 140 further moves in the direction of the movement block 150 on the extension direction of the main body part 110, that is, in the positive Y-axis direction, in conjunction with the movement of the operation lever 120. The contact member 160 further moves upward, that is, in the positive Z-axis direction, in conjunction with the transmission part 140. As a result, the E-clip 200 pressed downward by the support surface 155 is in a state of being inserted onto the shaft 400 pressed upward by the contact surface 161. Also, at this time, the first holder 170 and the second holder 180 in the third state are in a state of releasing the E-clip 200 from the state of holding the E-clip 200.

[0074] FIG. 15 is a fifth view showing a situation where the E-clip insertion tool 100 inserts the E-clip 200 onto the shaft 400. The E-clip insertion tool 100 shown in FIG. 15 is in a state where the position of the operation lever 120 is at the third position P3. That is, the E-clip insertion tool 100 continues to be in the third state from the state shown in FIG. 14.

[0075] After inserting the E-clip 200 onto the shaft 400 in FIG. 14, the operator pulls out the E-clip insertion tool 100 in the axial direction of the shaft 400, that is, in the negative Y-axis direction, while maintaining the position of the operation lever 120 at the third position P3. At this time, since the first holder 170 and the second holder 180 have released the E-clip 200, the E-clip insertion tool 100 can smoothly disengage from the shaft 400. Thereby, a series of operations is completed.

[0076] The operation of the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 inserting the E-shaped retaining ring 200 onto the shaft 400 has been described above. As described above, the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 100 according to the present disclosure can stably perform a series of operations, access from the axial direction with respect to the shaft 400, and smoothly insert the E-shaped retaining ring 200 onto the shaft 400. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool and an E-shaped retaining ring supply device that can stably perform a series of operations for inserting the E-shaped retaining ring and can easily insert the E-shaped retaining ring from the axial direction.

[0077] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 100 E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool 110 Main body part 111 Handle 112 Arm part 120 Operation lever 121 Convex part 130 Fulcrum part 131 Lever biasing part 140 Transmission part 141 Concave part 150 Operation block 151 Upper member 152 First side member 153 Second side member 154 Opening 155 Support surface 160 Contact member 161 Contact surface 170 First holder 180 Second holder 171 First clamping part 172 First support part 181 Second clamping part 182 Second support part 200 E-shaped retaining ring 300 E-shaped retaining ring supply device 310 Base part 320 Rail part 321 First end 322 Second end 323 Stop ring groove part 324 Stopper 330 Guide groove part 340 Vibration arm 341 Force-receiving part 400 Shaft C1 Conversion part C2 Guide part C3 Guide part C4 Stop ring receiving part P1 First position P2 Second position P3 Third position

Claims

1. An E-ring insertion tool for accessing an E-ring axially from the axial direction of a shaft as the work object and inserting the E-ring, comprising: a main body portion which is a rod-shaped member having a handle on one end side; an operation lever rotatably engaged with a fulcrum provided on the main body portion; a transmission portion which, by engaging with the operation lever, converts the movement of the operation lever in the rotation direction into a linear movement along the extension direction of the main body portion and transmits it to the other end side of the main body portion; at the other end side, a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion which open and close in the left-right direction perpendicular to the extension direction in conjunction with the transmission portion to clamp the E-ring, a support surface for supporting the end face of the E-ring in the vertical direction, and an abutting member which, in conjunction with the transmission portion, opens and closes in the vertical direction perpendicular to the extension direction and the left-right direction to press the shaft against the E-ring supported by the support surface and insert the E-ring onto the shaft; an E-ring insertion tool.

2. The operation block has an upper member having the support surface at a position facing the abutting member, and the upper member has an opening through which the E-ring and the shaft can be visually observed when an operator brings the operation block close to the shaft to set the E-ring. The E-ring insertion tool according to Claim 1.

3. The operation lever is rotatable to a first state, a second state, and a third state, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are at a position at a distance smaller than the outer diameter of the E-ring from the first state to the second state, and are at a position at a distance larger than the outer diameter of the E-ring in the third state, the abutting member is at a position where the operation block can receive the shaft when the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion clamp the E-ring in the first state, at a position where the shaft is brought into contact with the E-ring whose end face is supported by the support surface in the second state, and moves in a direction of inserting the E-ring onto the shaft when changing from the second state to the third state. The E-ring insertion tool according to Claim 1.

4. The first clamping portion is provided at the tip of a first holding body which is an elastic member, and the second clamping portion is provided at the tip of a second holding body which is an elastic member. The first holding body and the second holding body hold the E-shaped retaining ring by the elastic force of the first holding body and the second holding body in the first state and the second state. The E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool according to claim 3.

5. The operation lever further includes a lever biasing portion that biases either the transmission portion or the operation lever in a direction away from the handle. The operation lever is in a state closer to the handle at the position in the second state than at the position in the first state, and is set to be in a state closer to the handle at the position in the third state than at the position in the second state. The E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool according to claim 3.

6. The contact member protrudes below the outer shape of the operation block in the first state and is housed within the outer shape of the operation block in the second state and the third state. The E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. A rail portion that receives a plurality of E-shaped retaining rings from a first end and guides the E-shaped retaining rings to a second end lower than the first end; A retaining ring groove portion having a width that allows the lowermost one of the E-shaped retaining rings to fall below the second end; A stopper that receives the E-shaped retaining ring below the retaining ring groove portion; To guide the operation block of the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool according to claim 6 to the E-shaped retaining ring that has fallen into the retaining ring groove portion, a guide groove portion having a concave shape corresponding to the outer shape of the operation block is provided. E-shaped retaining ring supply device.

8. The guide groove portion is set such that the E-shaped retaining ring insertion tool in the third state can sandwich the E-shaped retaining ring positioned in the retaining ring groove portion. The E-shaped retaining ring supply device according to claim 7.

9. The E-shaped retaining ring supply device according to claim 7 further includes a cantilever-shaped vibration arm having a force-receiving portion that protrudes from the lower part of the guide groove portion to the outside of the guide groove portion and receives an impact or vibration due to an external force. The E-shaped retaining ring supply device according to claim 7.

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