Torque wrench

Abstract

This enables thorough inventory management of torque wrenches capable of measuring the torque applied to the object being tightened. [Solution] A torque wrench capable of measuring the torque applied to a fastening object comprises a head 10 that engages with the fastening object, a grip 20 made of a non-metallic material into which the shaft portion 12 of the head 10 is inserted, and a groove 40 formed in the grip 20 for housing an electronic tag D.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a torque wrench.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional tool, there is a torque wrench capable of measuring the torque applied to a tightening target.

[0003] This type of torque wrench, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1, includes a head that engages with a tightening target, a grip into which the head is inserted from the distal end side and which functions as a handle gripped by an operator at the rear end side, a display provided on the outer peripheral surface of the grip, and a torque sensor housed in the grip for measuring the torque applied to the tightening target. In the above torque wrench, the torque measured by the torque sensor is displayed on the display, whereby the torque applied to the tightening target can be measured.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in recent years, the above torque wrench is also used, for example, at aircraft maintenance sites and the like. At such aircraft maintenance sites and the like, loss of tools such as torque wrenches is directly linked to safety, so thorough inventory management of torque wrenches is required. However, a specific method for performing thorough inventory management of torque wrenches has not been established.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main objective is to enable thorough inventory management of torque wrenches capable of measuring the torque applied to the object to be fastened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the torque wrench according to the present invention is a torque wrench capable of measuring the torque applied to an object to be tightened, and is characterized by having a head that engages with the object to be tightened, a grip into which the shaft portion of the head is inserted and which is made of a non-metallic material, and a groove formed in the grip for housing an electronic tag.

[0008] With this type of torque wrench, the groove for housing the electronic tag is formed in a non-metallic grip, which suppresses the reflection of radio waves emitted from the electronic tag within the groove, ensuring reliable communication between the electronic tag and the reader. Therefore, thorough inventory management of torque wrenches capable of measuring torque can be performed based on the radio waves from the electronic tag.

[0009] The torque wrench further includes a display unit that displays the torque value applied to the object to be tightened, and the grip has a display unit mounting area into which the shaft of the head is inserted from the tip side and to which the display unit is attached, and a gripping area provided on the base end side of the display unit mounting area and held by the operator, and the groove is formed in the gripping area. In this configuration, the display unit includes a metal component, and the groove is formed in the gripping area rather than the display unit mounting area. This allows the electronic tag to be separated from the display unit compared to when the groove is formed in the display unit mounting area. As a result, it is possible to prevent radio waves emitted from the electronic tag from being obstructed by the display unit.

[0010] The grip is elongated in shape and extends along a predetermined axial direction, and the groove is formed in the gripping area, opening in the direction of the rotation axis of the head and along the axial direction of the grip. With this configuration, the force applied when the operator grips the grip is less likely to occur in the direction of the head's rotation axis. The groove opens in the direction of the rotation axis and is formed in the gripping area along the axial direction of the grip, thus preventing damage to the electronic tag when the operator grips the gripping area of ​​the grip.

[0011] The groove portion may be one that opens facing the opposite side of the object to be fastened. With this configuration, the opening of the groove facing the rotation axis of the head, when facing away from the object to be fastened, is less likely to be subjected to force when the operator grips the gripping area of ​​the grip compared to when it faces the object to be fastened. Therefore, damage to the electronic tag when the operator grips the gripping area of ​​the grip can be further suppressed.

[0012] The groove portion is characterized by having an opening that faces the same direction as the display screen of the display unit that displays the torque value. With this configuration, the design ensures that the force applied when the operator grips the gripping area of ​​the grip is reduced in the direction the display screen faces. Furthermore, since the groove opens in the same direction as the display screen, damage to the electronic tag when the operator grips the gripping area of ​​the grip can be suppressed.

[0013] The grip is cylindrical in shape, and a battery housing space is formed inside the gripping area, where a battery is housed to supply power for displaying the torque value in the display unit. With this configuration, a groove is formed in the gripping area of ​​the grip, and a battery housing space is formed inside the gripping area. This allows for simultaneous communication with the reader and operation of the display unit within the gripping area, contributing to the miniaturization of the torque wrench.

[0014] The grip has a cylindrical shape, and inside the display unit mounting region, a strain body accommodation space that surrounds and accommodates the strain body provided on the head is formed, as an example. With this configuration, the strain body is surrounded and accommodated in the strain body accommodation space formed inside the display unit mounting region, instead of in the grip region where the groove portion is formed, so the strain body and the groove portion can be separated from each other. Accordingly, mutual interference between the electric signal from the strain body and the radio wave from the electronic tag can be suppressed, so both torque measurement and torque wrench inventory management can be performed accurately. Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention configured in this manner, thorough inventory management of the torque wrench can be achieved. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing a torque wrench according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view showing the torque wrench according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] An exploded perspective view showing the torque wrench according to the same embodiment. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the torque wrench according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that any of the drawings shown below may be schematically depicted with appropriate omissions or exaggerations for clarity. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0018] <Configuration of Torque Wrench> The torque wrench 100 of the present embodiment is used to tighten or loosen tightening targets such as screws and / or bolts, and is a so-called digital type capable of measuring torque applied to the tightening targets.

[0019] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the torque wrench 100 includes a head 10 that engages with a tightening target, a grip 20 into which the shaft portion 12 of the head 10 is inserted, a display unit 30 provided on the grip 20 for displaying a torque value applied to the tightening target, and a groove portion 40 formed in the grip 20 for accommodating an electronic tag D. The torque wrench 100 has a generally elongated shape. In the following description, the distal end side refers to the side located on the tightening target side during operation in the longitudinal direction of the torque wrench 100, and the proximal end side refers to the side opposite to the distal end side in the longitudinal direction of the torque wrench 100. Each component will be described below.

[0020] The head 10 is configured to engage with the tightening target directly or via another member such as a socket. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the head 10 is provided on the distal end side of the grip 20 in the longitudinal direction of the torque wrench 100. Specifically, the head 10 has a head main body 11 that engages with the tightening target, and a shaft portion 12 provided on the proximal end side of the head main body 11. The head main body 11 has a head surface 11s that is a surface facing the tightening target side during operation. Although the head 10 of the present embodiment is a ratchet head, it may be, for example, a monkey head, a box end head, and / or a spanner head, and these heads may be replaceable.

[0021] The grip 20 functions as a handle into which the shaft portion 12 of the head 10 is inserted from the distal end side, and the proximal end side is gripped by an operator. The grip 20 of the present embodiment is made of a non-metallic material. Specifically, the grip 20 has a generally cylindrical tubular shape, for example, a generally cylindrical shape for easy gripping by an operator, but it may be any elongated shape extending along a predetermined axial direction, such as a rectangular tubular shape or a solid columnar shape. The axial direction of the grip 20 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the torque wrench 100.

[0022] In this embodiment, the grip 20 is fitted with a display unit 30 in a position that avoids the handle. More specifically, the grip 20 has a display unit mounting area 21 into which the shaft portion 12 of the head 10 is inserted from the tip side and to which the display unit 30 is fitted, and a gripping area 22 provided on the base end side of the display unit mounting area 21 and held by the operator.

[0023] The display unit mounting area 21 is the area on its outer periphery to which the display unit 30 is attached. The display unit 30 in this embodiment has a display screen 30s that digitally displays the torque measured by a torque sensor (described later) during tightening work. The display screen 30s is mounted on the display unit mounting area 21 facing away from the head surface 11s. The display unit 30 is thin, specifically a thin organic EL display equipped with organic EL elements, but a liquid crystal display may also be used.

[0024] The gripping area 22 is the area that is gripped by the operator during tightening work. The tip side of the gripping area 22 is connected to the base side of the display unit mounting area 21 and extends along a predetermined axial direction.

[0025] Here, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a battery housing space 22s is formed inside the gripping area 22, where a battery C that supplies power to display the torque value on the display unit 30 is housed. The battery C is, for example, cylindrical, and the inner circumferential surface of the gripping area 22 is shaped to conform to the outer circumferential surface of the battery C. The portion of the grip 20 corresponding to the gripping area 22 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open base end, and a removable cap 22a is provided at the base end opening of the gripping area 22. Terminals (not shown) for electrically connecting the battery C to the display unit 30 and / or torque sensor are provided on the bottom surface at the tip end of the gripping area 22 and on the surface of the cap 22a facing the bottom surface. When the battery C is housed in the battery housing space 22s, the battery C is fixed between the bottom surface at the tip end of the gripping area 22 and the cap 22a, and is electrically connected to the display unit 30 and / or torque sensor via the terminals.

[0026] The groove 40 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the grip 20 and houses the electronic tag D. The electronic tag D communicates wirelessly with a reader (not shown) and stores various information that can be read by the reader. By reading the radio waves from the electronic tag D, the reader can manage the receipt and dispensing of the torque wrench 100. Specifically, the electronic tag D has at least an IC chip and an antenna on which this IC chip is provided. In this embodiment, the electronic tag D is, for example, a long rectangular plate, but it may also be circular or have other polygonal shapes.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the groove 40 is formed in the gripping area 22 of the grip 20. Specifically, the groove 40 positions the electronic tag D relative to the gripping area 22. More specifically, the groove 40 is formed inward from the outer circumferential surface of the gripping area 22 and has a side wall portion 41 that surrounds the side circumferential surface of the electronic tag D, and a bottom wall portion 42 that is located inside the outer circumferential surface of the gripping area 22 and on which the electronic tag D is placed. The side wall portion 41 and the bottom wall portion 42 are made of a material that does not easily reflect radio waves from the electronic tag D, such as a non-metallic material.

[0028] In this embodiment, the bottom wall portion 42 has a shape that is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the shape of the electronic tag D in a plan view, and the side wall portion 41 is erected outward from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 42. With this configuration, when the electronic tag D is placed on the bottom wall portion 42, the side wall portion 41 abuts against the circumferential surface of the electronic tag D, so that the electronic tag D is positioned relative to the gripping area 22.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer periphery of the side wall portion 41 forms an opening for the groove portion 40. In this embodiment, the groove portion 40 opens in the direction of the rotation axis R of the head 10 and is formed in the gripping region 22 along the axial direction of the gripping region 22. Specifically, the groove portion 40 opens in the direction opposite to the direction in which the head surface 11s faces (opposite to the object to be clamped). With this configuration, the groove portion 40 opens in the same direction as the direction in which the display screen 30s of the display unit 30 faces.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the torque wrench 100 of this embodiment further includes a cover 40a that covers the opening of the groove 40. The cover 40a of this embodiment covers the entire opening of the groove 40. The electronic tag D is fixed to the gripping area 22 by sandwiching it between the cover 40a and the bottom wall 42 of the groove 40. However, as long as the electronic tag D is fixed to the gripping area 22, the cover 40a may cover at least a part of the groove 40.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the torque wrench 100 of this embodiment further includes a strain generating body 50 provided on the head 10. The strain generating body 50 of this embodiment is elongated and extends along the longitudinal direction of the torque wrench 100, and is made of a metal material.

[0032] In this embodiment, the strain generating body 50 is surrounded by the display unit mounting area 21 of the grip 20. Inside the display unit mounting area 21, a strain generating body housing space 21s is formed to surround and house the strain generating body 50 provided on the head 10. Specifically, the strain generating body housing space 21s is located closer to the longitudinal end of the torque wrench 100 than the gripping area 22. With this configuration, when the strain generating body 50 is housed in the strain generating body housing space 21s, the strain generating body 50 is not housed in the gripping area 22 and is located directly below the display unit 30.

[0033] A strain gauge (not shown) is attached to the strain generating body 50. The strain gauge converts the strain transmitted from the head 10 to the strain generating body 50 into an electrical signal and outputs it to the display unit 30, thereby enabling the strain gauge and strain generating body 50 to function as torque sensors.

[0034] More specifically, the strain generating body 50 has a tip portion 51 located on the side of the object to be tightened during operation, a base portion 52 located on the opposite side of the tip portion 51, and a strain generating portion 53 located between the tip portion 51 and the base portion 52. The strain generating portion 53 is formed to be thinner than the other parts (specifically, the tip portion 51 and the base portion 52), and a strain gauge is attached to this strain generating portion 53. With this configuration, when a force applied to the object to be tightened is transmitted from the head 10 to the strain generating body 50, the strain generating portion 53 deforms due to this force, and a signal corresponding to the magnitude of the force is output from the strain gauge to the circuit board of the display unit 30.

[0035] <Effects of this embodiment> With the torque wrench 100 configured in this way, the groove 40 for housing the electronic tag D is formed in the non-metallic grip 20, which suppresses the reflection of radio waves emitted from the electronic tag D within the groove 40, thereby ensuring reliable communication between the electronic tag D and the reader. Therefore, thorough inventory management of the torque wrench 100 can be performed based on the radio waves from the electronic tag D.

[0036] <Other Embodiments> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the display unit 30 was attached to the grip 20, but it may also be attached to the head 10, or it may be provided between the head 10 and the grip 20.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the entire grip 20 was made of a non-metallic material, but if the sole purpose is to suppress the reflection of radio waves from the electronic tag D within the groove 40, then it is sufficient if at least the groove 40 is made of a non-metallic material.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the groove 40 was formed in the gripping area 22 of the grip 20, but the groove 40 may also be formed in the display mounting area 21 of the grip 20. If the display mounting area 21 is made of a non-metallic material, even if the groove 40 is formed in the display mounting area 21, the reflection of radio waves from the electronic tag D within the groove 40 can be suppressed.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the groove 40 opened in the direction of the rotation axis R of the head 10 and was formed along the axial direction of the gripping region 22. However, the configuration for suppressing the reflection of radio waves from the electronic tag D within the groove 40 is not limited to this. For example, the groove 40 may open in a direction different from the rotation axis R of the head 10, or it may be formed along the circumferential direction of the display unit mounting region 21 and / or the gripping region 22.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the groove 40 opened facing the opposite direction to the direction the head surface 11s faces, but it may also open facing the same direction as the head surface 11s. Even with this configuration, the torque wrench 100 can suppress the reflection of radio waves from the electronic tag D within the groove 40.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the groove 40 opened facing the same direction as the display screen 30s, but it may also open facing a different direction from the display screen 30s. Even with this configuration, the torque wrench 100 can suppress the reflection of radio waves from the electronic tag D within the groove 40.

[0043] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100... Torque wrench 10 ···head 20 ···Grip 21 ···Display unit mounting area 22...grasping area 30...Display section 40... Groove 41...Side wall section 42 ···Bottom wall section 50...Strain body C...Battery D ···Electronic Tag

Claims

1. A torque wrench capable of measuring the torque applied to the object to be tightened, A head that engages with the object to be fastened, The shaft portion of the head is inserted into a grip made of a non-metallic material, A torque wrench having a groove formed in the grip for housing an electronic tag.

2. The system further includes a display unit that displays the torque value applied to the object to be tightened, The aforementioned grip is The shaft portion of the head is inserted from the tip side, and the display unit mounting area is to which the display unit is attached, The display unit mounting area is provided on the base end side and has a gripping area that is grasped by the worker, The torque wrench according to claim 1, wherein the groove portion is formed in the gripping area.

3. The grip has an elongated shape that extends along a predetermined axial direction, The torque wrench according to claim 2, wherein the groove opens in the direction of the rotation axis of the head and is formed in the gripping area along the axial direction of the grip.

4. The torque wrench according to claim 2, wherein the groove is opened in the same direction as the display screen of the display unit that displays the torque value.

5. The torque wrench according to claim 3, wherein the groove opens in a direction opposite to the direction in which the head surface, which is the surface facing the object to be tightened during operation, faces.

6. The aforementioned grip is cylindrical in shape, The torque wrench according to claim 2, wherein a battery housing space is formed inside the gripping area, and a battery that supplies power to the display unit for displaying the torque value is housed therein.

7. The aforementioned grip is cylindrical in shape, A torque wrench according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a strain-generating body housing space is formed inside the display unit mounting area, surrounding and housing a strain-generating body provided on the head.

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