Driving tool

Abstract

To improve the operability of the pressure regulator located at the tip of the grip in compressed air-driven driving tools. [Solution] The pressure regulator 50 includes a valve seat 53a provided between a primary flow path and a secondary flow path, a valve body 54 that moves relative to the valve seat 53a, a piston 55 that contacts the valve body 54 so as to be able to separate, a highly elastic body 59 that biases the piston 55 toward the valve body 54 and biases the valve body 54 in the opening direction, a less elastic body 56 that biases the valve body 54 toward the piston 55 with a weaker biasing force than the highly elastic body 59, a valve seat member 53 that is equipped with the valve seat 53a and moves relative to the tool body 10, and an operating member 51 that adjusts the position of the valve seat member 53 relative to the tool body 10 by being rotated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a compressed air-driven driving tool that drives a driving tool into a driven material by the thrust of compressed air.

Background Art

[0002] Compressed air-driven driving tools are supplied with compressed air generated by an air compressor. A pressure regulator is incorporated in the compressor. The pressure regulator enables an operator to operate the compressed air in the air tank of the compressor so that any pressure can be output. The pressure regulator has an output connection port, and by connecting the driving tool via an air hose, the compressed air regulated by the pressure regulator incorporated in the compressor can be supplied to the driving tool.

[0003] Conventionally, in order for an operator to adjust the driving force of a driving machine according to the length of a nail or the like, the operator has moved to a compressor at a distant position, operated the pressure regulator, and adjusted the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the driving tool. However, for work efficiency, a pressure regulator that can be operated at hand between the air hose and the driving tool is interposed separately from the pressure regulator incorporated in the compressor.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a pressure regulator prepared separately from the driving tool. Patent Document 2 discloses an integrated pressure regulator incorporated in the driving tool. With these pressure regulators, an operator can switch the air pressure in multiple steps by hand operation. [[ID=二十一]] [[ID=二十二]]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [[ID=二十九]] [[ID=三十]] [[ID=三十一]]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the separate-type pressure regulator disclosed in Patent Document 1, the spring biasing force does not directly act on the operating member, allowing for pressure adjustment with light operating force. However, because it is a separate component, it is less user-friendly than an integrated type. Furthermore, due to the arrangement of the component parts, the length of the separate-type pressure regulator from the inlet to the outlet is longer than that of an integrated type. As a result, when a conventional separate-type pressure regulator is incorporated directly into the tool body, the amount of protrusion from the tool body increases, compromising the compactness of the driving tool.

[0007] According to the pressure regulator disclosed in Patent Document 2, while it is easier to use than a separate type because it is integrated into the tool body, it has the problem of poor operability because the operating member is moved against the biasing force of a highly elastic spring, which requires a large operating force to operate the operating member when adjusting the pressure. This disclosure makes it possible to operate the operating member of the pressure regulator with a smaller operating force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a driving tool performs a driving operation using compressed air. The driving tool comprises a hose connection to which an air hose is connected, and a pressure regulator having an inlet communicating with a primary flow path of the hose connection and an outlet communicating with a secondary flow path of the tool body. The pressure regulator has a valve seat provided between the primary and secondary flow paths, and a valve body that moves relative to the valve seat. The pressure regulator has a piston that abuts the valve body so as to be able to move apart, a strongly elastic body that biases the piston toward the valve body and biases the valve body in the opening direction, and a weakly elastic body that biases the valve body toward the piston with a weaker biasing force than the strongly elastic body. The pressure regulator has a valve seat member that moves relative to the tool body and an operating member that, when operated, adjusts the position of the valve seat member relative to the tool body.

[0009] Therefore, the movement of the valve seat by operating the operating member changes the pressure in the secondary passage that moves the piston in the closing direction of the valve body. This adjusts the air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the secondary passage of the tool body. Pressure adjustment is performed by operating the operating member. The biasing force of the strong elastic body acts on the piston, and the biasing force of the weak elastic body acts on the valve body. Since neither the strong nor the weak elastic body's biasing force directly acts on the movement of the valve seat, the operating member is not operated against the biasing forces of both elastic bodies. For this reason, the operating member can be operated with a smaller operating force. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the entire driving tool according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pressure regulator according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the pressure regulator according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pressure regulator. This figure shows the state in which the supply pressure has been adjusted to a low pressure. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pressure regulator. This diagram shows the supply state of low-pressure air. [Figure 6] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pressure regulator. This figure shows the state in which the supply pressure has been adjusted to high pressure. [Figure 7] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a pressure regulator. This diagram shows the supply state of high-pressure air. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the valve body, valve seat, and piston of the valve are arranged from upstream to downstream along the flow path from the inlet to the outlet. Therefore, the valve body, valve seat, and piston are compactly arranged along a linear supply axis from the upstream to the downstream side of the compressed air. This allows for a more compact pressure regulator.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the piston is biased toward the inlet side by a strong elastic body. Accordingly, the strong elastic body is disposed on the outlet side with respect to the piston.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, a weak elastic body is disposed on the inlet side of the valve body, and a strong elastic body and a piston are disposed on the outlet side of the valve body. Accordingly, the valve body is biased toward the outlet side by the weak elastic body. The piston is biased toward the valve body by the strong elastic body on the outlet side with respect to the valve body.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the valve body has a valve body main body that abuts against the valve seat, and an extension portion that extends from the valve body main body through the valve seat toward the piston. The valve seat member has a cylindrical shape that houses the valve body. Accordingly, the valve body abuts against the valve seat on the inner peripheral side of the valve seat member, and the extension portion penetrates the valve seat.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the valve seat member has a cylindrical holding portion that slidably holds the piston. Accordingly, the piston is slidably held on the inner peripheral side of the holding portion.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, a release flow path is formed in the piston, which opens when the valve body moves away from the piston. Accordingly, when the release flow path is opened, the inlet side (primary flow path side) of the piston is vented to the atmosphere.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the operating member has an annular shape and is disposed on the outer periphery of the valve seat member. Accordingly, the operating member is disposed compactly with respect to the valve seat member.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, a sphere is provided between the operating member and the valve seat member, and a slope groove for guiding the sphere is formed on at least one of the inner peripheral surface of the operating member or the outer peripheral surface of the valve seat member. Accordingly, when the operating member is rotated, the sphere moves in the slope groove, causing the valve seat member to be displaced.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, a positioning mechanism is provided for positioning the operating member in multiple stages with respect to the tool body. Accordingly, the air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the tool body can be adjusted in multiple stages.

Example

[0020] Next, one example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 illustrates a pneumatic nail gun as an example of the driving tool 1. This driving tool 1 includes a tool body 10, a driving nose portion 20, a magazine 30, and a grip 40. In FIG. 1, the driving tool 1 is shown in a posture with the driving direction of the driving tool downward. Hereinafter, the driving direction of the driving tool is defined as downward, the vertical direction is defined, and the front-rear direction is defined with the user side holding the grip 40 as the rear. The left-right direction is based on the user holding the grip 40.

[0021] The tool body 10 generally has a cylindrical shape and includes a cylinder 12 inside a cylindrical housing 11. Inside the cylinder 12, a piston 13 is accommodated so as to be reciprocable vertically. A striking driver 14 is coupled to the center of the lower surface of the striking piston 13. The striking driver 14 has a long rod shape and extends downward. A lower end damper 15 for absorbing the impact when the striking piston 13 reaches the lower end is provided at the lower part of the cylinder 12. The tip side of the striking driver 14 reaches the driving nose portion 20 through the inner peripheral side of the lower end damper 15.

[0022] The driving nose portion 20 is provided at the lower part of the tool body 10. The driving nose portion 20 has a cylindrical driver guide 21 that extends downward. The inner peripheral side of the driver guide 21 corresponds to the driving passage 21a. The striking driver 14 reciprocates vertically within the driving passage 21a.

[0023] The material contact portion 22a of the contact arm 22 is positioned around the tip of the driver guide 21. The contact arm 22 is supported so as to be able to reciprocate up and down relative to the driver guide 21. A switch lever 16 for activating the driving operation is provided on the rear side of the tool body 10. The upper part of the contact arm 22 is near the switch lever 16. When the driving tool 1 is pressed in the driving direction with the material contact portion 22a in contact with the material to be driven W, the contact arm 22 is displaced upward relative to it. This activates the pull operation of the switch lever 16 and initiates the driving operation.

[0024] A magazine 30 is attached to the driving nose section 20. The magazine 30 is equipped with a magazine case 31 in which a driving tool connecting band (not shown in the diagram), which consists of multiple driving tools connected in a strip, is loaded in a coiled state. A feeding mechanism 32 that sends the driving tool connecting band to the driving nose section 20 is located on the driving nose section 20. The feeding mechanism 32 operates in conjunction with the driving operation, sending the driving tool connecting band toward the driving nose section 20. This supplies driving tools one by one into the driving passage 21a of the driving nose section 20. The driving tools supplied to the driving passage 21a are struck by the impact driver 14 and ejected from the ejection port 21b. The ejected driving tools are driven into the material W to be driven.

[0025] A grip 40 is attached to the rear side of the tool body 10. The grip 40 extends to the rear. An activation valve 41 is located on the lower base of the grip 40. As described above, the activation valve 41 is activated by pulling the switch lever 16 upward with the fingertips of the hand holding the grip 40 while the material contact portion 22a of the contact arm 22 is in contact with the material to be driven W and the tool body 10 is pressed in the driving direction.

[0026] When the activation valve 41 is activated, compressed air is supplied to the tool body 10, and the driving action is performed. Inside the grip 40, there is an accumulator 42 in which compressed air is stored. The compressed air from the accumulator 42 is supplied to the tool body 10. When the activation valve 41 is activated, the compressed air in the lower chamber 44a of the head valve 44 is discharged to the atmosphere through the air passage 43 and the inside of the activation valve 41. This causes the head valve 44 to be displaced downward and open to the accumulator 42. When the head valve 44 opens, compressed air is supplied to the upper chamber 13a of the piston, causing the striking piston 13 to move downward. As the striking piston 13 moves downward, the striking driver 14, which is coupled to the center of the lower surface of the striking piston 13, moves down within the driving passage 21a, striking the driving tool and ejecting it from the ejection port 21b.

[0027] When the striking piston 13 reaches its lower end, compressed air supplied to the upper piston chamber 13a flows into the lower piston chamber 13b via the check valve 45. When the switch lever 16 is released and the start valve 41 is released, the head valve 44 closes to the accumulator chamber 42. This stops the supply of compressed air to the upper piston chamber 13a and opens the upper piston chamber 13a to the atmosphere. When the upper piston chamber 13a is opened to the atmosphere, the compressed air (return air) that has flowed into the lower piston chamber 13b returns the piston 13 to top dead center.

[0028] A pressure regulator 50 is provided at the rear end of the grip 40. Compressed air is supplied to the accumulator chamber 42 via the pressure regulator 50. An air hose 3 is connected to the primary flow path side of the pressure regulator 50 via a hose connection part 2. The upstream side of the air hose 3 is connected to an air compressor 4. Compressed air generated by the air compressor 4 is supplied to the primary flow path of the pressure regulator 50 via the air hose 3. The compressed air supplied to the primary flow path is adjusted to a set pressure by the pressure regulator 50 and supplied to the secondary flow path side (accumulator chamber 42). The pressure regulator 50 is arranged so that compressed air flows from the primary flow path side to the secondary flow path side along an axis (supply axis J) that runs along the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) of the grip 40.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the pressure regulator 50 has an operating member 51, a valve frame member 52, and a valve seat member 53, each of which is generally cylindrical. The operating member 51 is supported on the outer circumference of the valve frame member 52. The operating member 51 is supported so as to be rotatable around the supply axis J relative to the valve frame member 52.

[0030] A male threaded portion 52a is provided at the front of the valve frame member 52. The male threaded portion 52a is screwed into a female threaded portion 40a provided on the inner circumferential surface of the rear end of the grip 40. This connects the valve frame member 52 so that it cannot move along the supply axis J. A sealing member 61 is attached to the male threaded portion 52a. The sealing member 61 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the rear end of the grip 40. This seals the accumulator chamber 42 airtightly to the atmosphere E.

[0031] A female threaded portion 52b is provided at the rear of the valve frame member 52. The male threaded portion 2a of the hose connection portion 2 is screwed into the female threaded portion 52b. In this way, the hose connection portion 2 is screw-connected to the rear of the valve frame member 52.

[0032] A cylindrical valve seat member 53 is housed on the inner circumference of the valve frame member 52. The valve seat member 53 is supported so as to be displaceable in the direction of the supply axis J relative to the valve frame member 52. A valve seat 53a is provided on the inner circumference of the valve seat member 53. The valve seat 53a is provided to protrude inward. A communication hole 53b is provided in the center of the valve seat 53a.

[0033] On the inner circumference of the valve frame member 52, a compressed air inlet 53c is provided on the primary flow path side with respect to the valve seat 53a, and a pressure regulating chamber 53d is provided on the secondary flow path side. The inlet 53c is connected to the air hose 3 via the air passage 2b of the hose connection part 2. A sealing member 62 is attached to the outer circumference of the inlet 53c. The sealing member 62 is pressed against the inner surface of the valve frame member 52. This ensures that the inlet 53c is airtightly sealed to the atmosphere side E. The inner circumference of the valve frame member 52 is connected to the atmosphere side E via a retaining hole 52g and an atmospheric hole 52f provided in the valve frame member 52. The pressure regulating chamber 53d is connected to the pressure accumulation chamber 42 via a supply hole 55c and a supply passage 55b of the piston 55, which will be described later.

[0034] A valve body 54 is housed in the inlet 53c of the valve seat member 53. The valve body 54 has a metal-shaped surface covered with a rubber elastic material. The valve body 54 is biased toward the valve seat 53a by an upstream elastic material 56 interposed between it and the hose connection part 2. The valve body 54 has a cylindrical valve body 54a. A conical contact portion 54b is provided at the front of the valve body 54a. The contact portion 54b is positioned with its smaller diameter facing forward. The contact portion 54b comes into contact with the communication hole 53b of the valve seat 53a due to the biasing force of the upstream elastic material 56, thereby blocking the communication hole 53b.

[0035] A long, rod-shaped extension 54c is provided at the center of the contact portion 54b. The extension 54c extends forward through the communication hole 53b. The front end of the extension 54c reaches into the pressure regulating chamber 53d and is in separation-allowable contact with the atmospheric release hole 55e provided on the rear surface of the piston 55.

[0036] A cylindrical retaining portion 53f is provided at the front of the valve seat member 53, in front of the valve seat 53a. A piston 55 is housed within the retaining portion 53f so as to be slidable back and forth. The valve seat 53a and the piston 55 partition the pressure regulating chamber 53d. A sealing member 57 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the piston 55. The sealing member 57 slides against the inner circumferential surface of the retaining portion 53f. This ensures that the pressure regulating chamber 53d is airtightly partitioned from the atmosphere side E.

[0037] A tubular supply pipe section 55a is provided on the front surface of the piston 55. The supply pipe section 55a extends far forward. The front side of the supply pipe section 55a reaches into the accumulator chamber 42. Two supply holes 55c and one atmospheric release hole 55e are opened on the rear surface of the piston 55. The two supply holes 55c merge into a larger diameter supply channel 55b. The inner circumference of the supply pipe section 55a forms the supply channel 55b. The supply channel 55b opens inside the accumulator chamber 42. The pressure regulating chamber 53d is connected to the accumulator chamber 42 via the supply holes 55c and the supply channel 55b.

[0038] The atmospheric vent hole 55e is located at the center of the rear surface of the piston 55. The atmospheric vent hole 55e communicates with the inner circumference (atmospheric side E) of the valve frame member 52 via the release passage 55d. As described above, the extension 54c of the valve body 54 abuts against the atmospheric vent hole 55e. The extension 54c is pressed against the atmospheric vent hole 55e by the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56. The tip of the extension 54c is formed in a hemispherical shape. The atmospheric vent hole 55e is formed in a conical shape. Therefore, the tip of the extension 54c is pressed against the atmospheric vent hole 55e by the biasing forces of the upstream elastic body 56 and the downstream elastic body 59, thereby sealing the atmospheric vent hole 55e almost airtight.

[0039] When the atmospheric vent 55e is blocked by the extension 54c of the valve body 54, the pressure regulating chamber 53d is isolated from the atmosphere E. When the piston 55 is displaced forward against the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59 due to the pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d, the extension 54c separates from the atmospheric vent 55e. As a result, the pressure regulating chamber 53d is connected to the atmosphere E via the atmospheric vent 55e and the release channel 55d, and the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d decreases.

[0040] A recessed area 52c is provided at the front of the valve frame member 52. The recessed area 52c is closed by a cover member 58. The male threaded portion 58a of the cover member 58 is tightened into the female threaded portion 52d of the recessed area 52c, so that the cover member 58 is joined to close the recessed area 52c. A sealing member 58b is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cover member 58. The sealing member 58b is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the recessed area 52c, thereby airtightly separating the inner circumferential side (atmospheric side E) of the cover member 58 from the accumulator chamber 42.

[0041] The receiving recess 52c houses one downstream elastic body 59 and one receiving member 60. The downstream elastic body 59 is interposed between the lid member 58 and the receiving member 60. The receiving member 60 is in contact with the front surface of the piston 55. As a result, the piston 55 is constantly biased backward by the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. The forward movement of the piston 55 is made against the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. When the receiving member 60 is in contact with the stepped portion 52e provided at the rear of the receiving recess 52c, the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59 does not act on the piston 55. Therefore, Figure 2 shows the state in which the piston 55 is located at the rear end of its range of movement. From the retracted end position shown in Figure 2, the piston 55 moves forward against the downstream elastic body 59 due to the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d.

[0042] Compression coil springs are used for both the upstream elastic body 56 and the downstream elastic body 59. The downstream elastic body 59 uses a compression coil spring with a thicker diameter and larger winding diameter than the upstream elastic body 56. Therefore, the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59 is sufficiently greater than the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56. The downstream elastic body 59 corresponds to a strongly elastic body, and the upstream elastic body 56 corresponds to a weakly elastic body.

[0043] The supply pipe portion 55a of the piston 55 extends from the downstream elastic body 59 to the inner circumference of the receiving member 60. An opening 58c is provided at the front center of the lid member 58. A sealing member 58d is attached to the inner circumference of the opening 58c. The sealing member 58d is pressed against the outer surface of the supply pipe portion 55a. As a result, the accumulator chamber 42 is airtightly sealed to the inner circumference (atmospheric side E) of the lid member 58.

[0044] The operating member 51 is rotatably supported on the outer circumference of the valve frame member 52. An engaging portion 51a is provided on the rear inner circumference of the operating member 51, extending inward along its entire circumference. The engaging portion 51a is sandwiched in the front-rear direction by a stopper member 63 and a stepped portion 52h provided on the valve frame member 52. This allows the operating member 51 to rotate around the supply axis J and to be supported in a direction that prevents displacement along the supply axis J.

[0045] An annular retaining member 65 is interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the operating member 51 and the outer circumferential surface of the valve frame member 52. As shown in Figure 3, guide projections 51b are provided at two opposing locations on the inner circumferential surface of the operating member 51, along the direction of the supply axis J. Guide grooves 65b are provided at two opposing locations on the outer circumferential surface of the retaining member 65, along the direction of the supply axis J. The guide projections 51b are inserted into each of the two guide grooves 65b. The retaining member 65 is engaged between the valve frame member 52 and the operating member 51, restricting its movement in the direction of the supply axis J.

[0046] A spiral slope groove 65a is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the retaining member 65. The slope groove 65a is inclined at a constant angle around the supply axis J and is provided along a path that rotates around the supply axis J and is displaced in the direction of the supply axis J. Two spheres 66 are engaged with the slope groove 65a. As shown in Figure 3, the retaining member 65 is formed by joining two members that are divided in the direction of the supply axis J, mainly for the convenience of machining the slope groove 65a, to form a single retaining member 65.

[0047] The valve frame member 52 is provided with two retaining holes 52g. The two retaining holes 52g are located at bisecting positions in the circumferential direction, opposite each other around the supply axis J. The two retaining holes 52g have a long groove shape that is elongated in the direction of the supply axis J. The two retaining holes 52g penetrate through in the thickness direction. The inner circumferential side of the valve frame member 52 is connected to the atmospheric side E through the two retaining holes 52g.

[0048] One sphere 66 is held within one retaining hole 52g so as to be movable within a certain range in the direction of the supply axis J. Two spheres 66 protrude through the retaining hole 52g onto the inner circumferential surface of the valve frame member 52. The two protruding spheres 66 are fitted into engagement grooves 53e provided on the outer surface of the valve seat member 53. The engagement grooves 53e are provided around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface.

[0049] When the operating member 51 is rotated, the retaining member 65, whose rotation is restricted by the guide groove 65b and guide projection 51b, rotates, and the position of the slope groove 65a that engages with the two spheres 66 is displaced in the direction of the supply axis J, causing the two spheres 66 to move relative to each other within the slope groove 65a. As the two spheres 66 are each displaced along the retaining hole 52g in the direction of the supply axis J, the valve seat member 53 is displaced in the direction of the supply axis J. As the valve seat member 53 is displaced relative to the valve frame member 52 in the direction of the supply axis J, the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d changes, and therefore the air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the pressure accumulating chamber 42 is adjusted.

[0050] A positioning mechanism 70 is provided between the front of the operating member 51 and the valve frame member 52 for positioning the operating member 51 in multiple stages around the supply axis J. A circular retaining hole 71 is provided at one location around the valve frame member 52. A compression spring 72 is held inside the retaining hole 71. A sphere 73 is held at the opening of the retaining hole 71.

[0051] Numerous positioning ribs 74 are provided on the inner front surface of the operating member 51. A single sphere 73 is pressed against the positioning ribs 74 by a compression spring 72. The sphere 73 is pressed into the recess between the ribs 74 by the biasing force of the compression spring 72, thereby positioning the operating member 51 around the supply axis J in multiple stages (for example, 10 stages). Positioning the operating member 51 around the supply axis J positions the valve seat member 53 in the direction of the supply axis J. This maintains the set pressure.

[0052] Furthermore, when the operating member 51 is rotated, the sphere 73 overcomes the biasing force of the compression spring 72 and moves over the rib 74, thus providing a so-called click sensation when operating the operating member 51. This improves the operability of the operating member 51.

[0053] An air vent 52f is provided at the bottom of the retaining hole 71. The inner circumference of the valve frame member 52 and the inner circumference of the cover member 58 are connected to the atmosphere E via one air vent 52f and two retaining holes 52g.

[0054] The piston 55 is held in place when the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d balances the spring biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. When air is consumed on the tool body 10 side, the air pressure in the pressure accumulating chamber 42 and the pressure regulating chamber 53d decreases. When the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d decreases, the piston 55 is displaced backward by the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. This pushes the valve body 54 backward, opening the communication hole 53b, and compressed air is supplied into the pressure regulating chamber 53d from the inlet 53c.

[0055] When sufficient compressed air is supplied to the pressure regulating chamber 53d, the air pressure causes the piston 55 to move forward against the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. When the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d balances the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59, the movement of the piston 55 stops. As the amount of compressed air flowing into the pressure regulating chamber 53d becomes excessive, the piston 55 is pushed forward, and the valve body 54 is pushed backward, causing the tip of the extension 54c of the valve body 54 to separate from the atmospheric release hole 55e of the piston 55. This opens the atmospheric release hole 55e, and the excess compressed air that has flowed into the pressure regulating chamber 53d is released into the atmosphere through the atmospheric release hole 55e and the release channel 55d. In this way, the displacement of the piston 55 back and forth maintains the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d, and consequently the air pressure in the pressure accumulation chamber 42, at a constant pressure (set pressure).

[0056] The set pressure of the pressure accumulator 42 (the air pressure supplied to the tool body 10) can be arbitrarily adjusted by rotating the operating member 51. By rotating the operating member 51, the valve seat member 53 can be displaced back and forth. By changing the position of the valve seat member 53 back and forth, the air pressure (set pressure) of the pressure regulating chamber 53d can be changed. The air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d is the air pressure of the pressure accumulator 42, and therefore corresponds to the air pressure supplied to the tool body 10 (operating pressure). The set pressure can be arbitrarily changed between, for example, low pressure (e.g., 0.8 MPa) and high pressure (e.g., 2.3 MPa).

[0057] To set the pressure regulator 50 to a low pressure, the user rotates the operating member 51 to the right (low pressure side), as shown in Figure 4. This displaces the two spheres 66 backward, causing the valve seat member 53 to move to the rear, low-pressure setting side. When the valve seat member 53 is in the low-pressure setting side, the distance between the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 and the communication hole 53b of the valve seat member 53 is at its shortest. In addition, the valve body 54 is pushed by the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59, which has a large biasing force, via the piston 55, causing the communication hole 53b to open.

[0058] When compressed air is supplied from the air compressor 4 to the inlet 53c via the air hose 3, the supplied compressed air flows into the pressure regulating chamber 53d through the communication hole 53b. As shown in Figure 5, the air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the pressure regulating chamber 53d pushes the piston 55 forward. The forward displacement of the piston 55 is performed against the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59.

[0059] Furthermore, the forward displacement of the piston 55 allows the valve body 54 to be displaced forward. Consequently, the valve body 54 is pushed forward by the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56. Compressed air flows into the pressure regulating chamber 53d until the communication hole 53b is blocked by the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 that is pushed forward.

[0060] When the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d rises to the set pressure and balances with the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59, the movement of the piston 55 stops, and the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 comes into contact with the communication hole 53b, closing the communication hole 53b. As a result, the inflow of compressed air into the pressure regulating chamber 53d is stopped, and the pressure regulating chamber 53d is maintained at the set pressure. When the set pressure is set to low pressure, the distance between the contact portion 4b of the valve body 54 and the communication hole 53b is short, so even if the pressure of compressed air into the pressure regulating chamber 53d to contract the downstream elastic body 59 is low, the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 comes into contact with the communication hole 53b, closing the communication hole 53b, and the pressure of compressed air supplied to the tool body 10 remains low.

[0061] As air consumption increases on the tool body 10 side, the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d decreases. This causes the piston 55 to be pushed backward by the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. As the piston 55 is pushed backward, the valve body 54 is pushed backward against the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56. As the valve body 54 is pushed backward, the communication hole 53b opens and compressed air is replenished into the pressure regulating chamber 53d. The replenished compressed air causes the piston 55 to displace forward again against the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. When the pressure regulating chamber 53d reaches the set pressure and balances with the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59, the movement of the piston 55 stops and the communication hole 53b closes.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5, when the set pressure is set to low and the pressure accumulation chamber 42 of the tool body 10 is in a low-pressure state, the operating part 51 is rotated towards the high-pressure side in order to adjust the set pressure from low to high. As shown in Figure 6, the two steel balls 66 move relative to each other within the slope groove 65a and are displaced forward, causing the valve seat member 53 to be displaced forward. At this time, the extension portion 54c of the valve body 54 is in contact with the atmospheric release hole 55e of the piston 55, so compressed air from the pressure regulating chamber 53d does not flow out from the atmospheric release hole 55e of the piston 55. On the other hand, as the valve seat member 53 is displaced forward, the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 and the communication hole 53b of the valve seat member 53 are separated. As a result the communication hole 53b opens and compressed air supplied from the compressor flows into the pressure regulating chamber 53d, and the position of the piston 55 is displaced forward against the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. Simultaneously, due to the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56, the extended portion 54c of the valve body 54 remains in contact with the atmospheric release hole 55e of the piston 55, and the valve body 54 is displaced forward until the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 contacts the communication hole 53b of the valve seat member 53. When the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 contacts the communication hole 53b of the valve seat member 53, the communication hole 53b is closed, the inflow of compressed air from the communication hole 53b into the pressure regulating chamber 53d stops, and the pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d becomes the set pressure.

[0063] To set the pressure regulator 50 to high pressure, the user rotates the operating member 51 to the left (high pressure side), as shown in Figure 6. This causes the two spheres 66 to be displaced forward, moving the valve seat member 53 to the forward high-pressure setting side.

[0064] When the valve seat member 53 is in the high-pressure position, the distance between the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 and the communication hole 53b of the valve seat member 53 is at its greatest. Also, the valve body 54 is pushed by the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59, which has a large biasing force, via the piston 55, causing the communication hole 53b to open.

[0065] When compressed air is supplied from the air compressor 4 to the inlet 53c via the air hose 3, the supplied compressed air flows into the pressure regulating chamber 53d through the communication hole 53b. As shown in Figure 7, the air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the pressure regulating chamber 53d pushes the piston 55 forward. The forward displacement of the piston 55 is made against the strong biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. As a result, the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d increases.

[0066] Furthermore, the forward displacement of the piston 55 allows the valve body 54 to be displaced forward. Consequently, the valve body 54 is pushed forward by the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56. Compressed air flows into the pressure regulating chamber 53d until the communication hole 53b is blocked by the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 that is pushed forward.

[0067] When the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d rises to the set pressure and balances with the strong biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59, the movement of the piston 55 stops, and the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 comes into contact with the communication hole 53b, closing the communication hole 53b. This stops the inflow of compressed air into the pressure regulating chamber 53d, and the pressure regulating chamber 53d is maintained at a high set pressure. When the set pressure is set to high pressure, the distance between the valve body 54b and the communication hole 53b is large, so the pressure of the compressed air supplied to the pressure regulating chamber 53d to contract the downstream elastic body 59 needs to be high, and the compressed air supplied to the tool body 10 to cause the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 to come into contact with the communication hole 53b and close the communication hole 53b becomes high pressure.

[0068] Similar to the low-pressure setting, as air consumption increases on the tool body 10 side, the air pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d decreases. This causes the piston 55 to be pushed backward by the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. As the piston 55 is pushed backward, the valve body 54 is pushed backward against the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56. As the valve body 54 is pushed backward, the communication hole 53b opens and compressed air is replenished into the pressure regulating chamber 53d. The replenished compressed air causes the piston 55 to displace forward again against the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59. When the pressure regulating chamber 53d reaches the set pressure and balances with the biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59, the movement of the piston 55 stops and the communication hole 53b closes.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7, when the set pressure is set to high and the pressure accumulation chamber 42 of the tool body 10 is in a high-pressure state, if the operating part 51 is rotated to the low-pressure side in order to adjust the set pressure from high pressure to low pressure, as shown in Figure 5, the two steel balls 66 move relative to each other within the slope groove 65a and are displaced backward, causing the valve seat member 53 to be displaced backward. At this time, the contact portion 54b of the valve body 54 remains in contact with the communication hole 53b of the valve seat member 53 and moves against the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56, so that compressed air supplied from the compressor does not flow from the communication hole 53b of the valve material member 53 into the pressure regulating chamber 53d. On the other hand, as the valve seat member 53 is displaced backward from a state where the atmospheric release hole 55e of the piston 55 is blocked by the extension portion 54c of the valve body 54, the tip of the extension portion 54c of the valve body 54 separates from the atmospheric release hole 55e. This opens the atmospheric release port 55e, releasing the compressed air in the pressure regulating chamber 53d into the atmosphere. The biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59 causes the piston 55 to displace backward until the atmospheric release port 55e of the piston 55 contacts the extended portion 54c of the valve body 54. As the atmospheric release port 55e of the piston 55 contacts the extended portion 54c of the valve body 54, the atmospheric release port 55e is closed, stopping the release of compressed air from the atmospheric release port 55e into the atmosphere, and the pressure in the pressure regulating chamber 53d becomes the set pressure.

[0070] As shown in Figure 4, by rotating the operating member 51 to its maximum extent towards the low-pressure side, the pressure regulator 50 is set to low pressure and low-pressure compressed air is supplied to the accumulator chamber 42. As shown in Figure 6, by rotating the operating member 51 to its maximum extent towards the high-pressure side, the pressure regulator 50 is set to high pressure and high-pressure compressed air is supplied to the accumulator chamber 42. By changing the amount of rotation of the operating member 51 between the high-pressure position and the low-pressure position, the air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the accumulator chamber 42 can be switched in multiple stages. The rotational position of the operating member 51 is held by the positioning mechanism 70.

[0071] According to the embodiment described above, the pressure regulator 50 provided at the rear of the grip 40 allows the air pressure supplied to the accumulator chamber 42 to be set arbitrarily. With the pressure regulator 50, the valve seat 53a moves when the operating member 51 is operated, which changes the pressure in the secondary flow path (accumulator chamber 42 side) that moves the piston 55 in the closing direction of the valve body 54. This adjusts the air pressure in the accumulator chamber 42.

[0072] Pressure adjustment is performed by rotating the operating member 51 to move the valve seat 53a relative to the valve frame member 52 (tool body 10). The biasing force of the downstream elastic body 59 (strong elastic body) acts on the piston 55, and the biasing force of the upstream elastic body 56 (weak elastic body) acts on the valve body 54. Since the biasing forces of both the downstream elastic body 59 and the upstream elastic body 56 do not directly act on the movement of the valve seat 53a (valve seat member 53), the rotational operation of the operating member 51 is not performed against the biasing forces of both elastic bodies. Therefore, the operation of the operating member 51 can be performed with a smaller operating force. This improves the operability of the operating member 51.

[0073] According to the embodiment, the valve body 54a, valve seat 53a, and piston 55 of the valve body 54 are arranged along a single supply axis J from upstream to downstream in the flow path from the hose connection part 2 (inlet) to the pressure accumulator chamber 42 (outlet). Therefore, the valve body 54, valve seat 53a, and piston 55 are compactly arranged on the linear supply axis J that runs from the upstream side to the downstream side of the compressed air. This makes the pressure regulator 50 more compact.

[0074] In this embodiment, the piston 55 is biased upstream by a downstream elastic body 59 which is a highly elastic material. Therefore, the downstream elastic body 59 is positioned on the accumulator chamber 42 side relative to the piston 55.

[0075] In this embodiment, an upstream elastic body 56 is positioned on the inlet side of the valve body 54, and a downstream elastic body 59 and a piston 55 are positioned on the outlet side of the valve body 54. Therefore, the valve body 54 is biased toward the outlet side by the upstream elastic body 56. On the outlet side of the valve body 54, the piston 55 is biased toward the valve body 54 by the downstream elastic body 59.

[0076] According to the embodiment, the valve body 54 has a valve body 54a that abuts against the valve seat 53a and an extension portion 54c that extends from the valve body 54a through the valve seat 53a toward the piston 55, and the valve seat member 53 has a cylindrical shape that houses the valve body 54. Therefore, the valve body 54 abuts against the valve seat 53a on the inner circumference side of the valve seat member 53, and the extension portion 54c penetrates the valve seat 53a.

[0077] According to the embodiment, the valve seat member 53 has a cylindrical retaining portion 53f that slidably holds the piston 55. Therefore, the piston 55 is slidably held on the inner circumference side of the retaining portion 53f.

[0078] According to the embodiment, the piston 55 has a release passage 55d that opens when the valve body 54 separates from the piston 55. Therefore, when the release passage 55d opens, the inlet side of the piston 55 (the side of the pressure regulating chamber 53d) is released to the atmosphere.

[0079] According to the embodiment, the operating member 51 has an annular shape and is positioned on the outer circumference of the valve seat member 53. Therefore, the operating member 51 is compactly positioned relative to the valve seat member 53.

[0080] According to the embodiment, a sphere 66 is provided between the operating member 51 and the valve seat member 53, and a slope groove 65a is formed on at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the operating member 51 or the outer circumferential surface of the valve seat member 53 to guide the sphere 66. Therefore, the valve seat member 53 is displaced as the sphere 66 moves within the slope groove 65a due to the rotational operation of the operating member 51.

[0081] According to the embodiment, the operating member 51 has a positioning mechanism 70 that positions it in multiple stages relative to the tool body 10. Therefore, the air pressure of the compressed air supplied to the tool body 10 can be adjusted to any pressure in, for example, 10 stages.

[0082] Various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. For example, although a cylindrical operating member 51 was exemplified, it may be changed to a lever-type operating member that can be rotated within a certain angular range.

[0083] Although an example configuration has been shown in which a slope groove 65a is provided on the retaining member 65 on the operating member 51 side, a configuration in which a slope groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the valve seat member 53, or on both, is also possible.

[0084] Although the example shows the pressure regulator 50 being located at the rear end of the grip 40, it may also be located at the upper end of the tool body 10, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1… Driving tool W... material to be driven in 2...Hose connection 2a...Male threaded section, 2b...Air passage 3…Air hose 4… Air compressor 10...Tool body 11… Housing 12... Cylinder 13... Striking piston 13a... Upper piston chamber, 13b... Lower piston chamber 14…Impact Driver 15…Lower end damper 16…Switch lever 20... Nose section 21…Driver Guide 21a...Injection passage, 21b...Exjection port 22... Contact Arm 22a...Material contact part 30... Magazine 31… Magazine case 32...Feeding mechanism 40…Grip 40a...Female thread section 41…Starting valve 42... Accumulator 43...Air passage 44... Head valve 44a…Lower chamber 45... Check valve 50... Pressure regulator 51…Operating member 51a...Engaging portion, 51b...Guiding projection 52… Valve frame member 52a...Male threaded portion, 52b...Female threaded portion, 52c...Receiving recess, 52d...Female threaded portion, 52e...Stepped portion 52f...Air vent, 52g...Retaining hole, 52h...Step 53… Valve seat member 53a...Valve seat, 53b...Communication hole, 53c...Inflow port, 53d...Pressure adjustment chamber, 53e...Engagement groove 53f…Holding part 54… Valve body 54a... Valve body, 54b... Contact part, 54c... Extension part 55... Piston 55a... Supply pipe section, 55b... Supply channel, 55c... Supply hole, 55d... Release channel 55e... Atmospheric vent 56…Upstream elastic body (weak elastic body) 57...Sealing material 58... Lid component 58a...Male threaded portion, 58b...Sealing member, 58c...Opening, 58d...Sealing member 59...Downstream elastic body (strong elastic body) 60... Receiving member 61, 62… Sealing components 63… Fastening member 65…Retaining member 65a...Slope groove, 65b...Guide groove 66... ​​Sphere 70…Positioning mechanism 71...Retaining hole 72... Compression spring 73... Sphere 74…Positioning rib

Claims

1. A driving tool that performs the driving action using compressed air, The hose connection part to which the air hose is connected, The pressure regulator comprises an inlet that communicates with the primary flow path of the hose connection and an outlet that communicates with the secondary flow path of the tool body, The pressure regulator is, A valve seat provided between the primary flow path and the secondary flow path, A valve body that moves relative to the valve seat, A piston that contacts the valve body so as to be able to be separated from it, A highly elastic body that biases the piston toward the valve body and biases the valve body in the opening direction, A weakly elastic body that biases the valve body toward the piston with a weaker biasing force than the strongly elastic body, A valve seat member that moves relative to the tool body, which includes the valve seat, A driving tool having an operating member that adjusts the position of the valve seat member relative to the tool body when operated.

2. The driving tool according to claim 1, A driving tool in which the valve body, valve seat, and piston of the valve assembly are arranged from upstream to downstream in a flow path from the inlet to the outlet.

3. A driving tool according to claim 1 or 2, A driving tool in which the piston is biased toward the inlet side by the highly elastic body.

4. A driving tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The weakly elastic body is positioned on the inlet side of the valve body, A driving tool in which the highly elastic body and the piston are positioned on the outlet side of the valve body.

5. A driving tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The valve body has a valve body that abuts against the valve seat and an extension that extends from the valve body through the valve seat toward the piston. The valve seat member is a driving tool having a cylindrical shape that houses the valve body.

6. A driving tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The valve seat member is a driving tool having a cylindrical holding portion that slidably holds the piston.

7. The driving tool according to claim 6, The piston has a release channel formed in it that opens when the valve body separates from the piston.

8. A driving tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The operating member is a driving tool that has an annular shape and is positioned on the outer circumference of the valve seat member.

9. The driving tool according to claim 8, A sphere is provided between the operating member and the valve seat member. A driving tool having a slope groove for guiding the sphere formed on at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the operating member or the outer circumferential surface of the valve seat member.

10. A driving tool according to any one of claims 1 to 9, A driving tool having a positioning mechanism for positioning the operating member in multiple stages relative to the tool body.

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