Air Tools

Abstract

To provide a pneumatic tool which can mount a device requiring a power source while minimizing increase in the size or weight of a machine.SOLUTION: A pneumatic tool includes a driving mechanism driven by compressed air, a wind power generation device 20 which can generate power using a wind pressure of the compressed air, and an operation part 22 operably provided so as to control air supplied to the wind power generation device 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pneumatic tool which operates using compressed air supplied from an external source. [Background technology]

[0002] Some tools used on construction sites and other places have a lighting function to make it easier to work in dark places. However, since a power source is required for the lighting function, most of these tools are electric tools. Due to issues such as securing a power source, pneumatic tools with lighting functions are not widely used. However, it is possible to equip a pneumatic tool with a lighting function by equipping it with a primary or secondary battery.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pneumatic tool equipped with a battery-powered lighting device.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose inventions in which electricity is generated by rotating a fan using the exhaust or intake of compressed air in a pneumatic tool, and the generated electricity can be stored in a battery, capacitor, or the like, making it possible to use the electricity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-209567 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-100788 [Patent Document 3] JP 2010-69589 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has problems in that it is necessary to deal with a dead battery, and that the tool body becomes larger and heavier due to the size of the battery.

[0007] In addition, although the configurations described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 improve the problem of battery exhaustion, the problem of the tool body becoming larger and heavier due to the battery cannot be avoided. In particular, if a large-capacity battery is installed to prevent battery exhaustion, the machine becomes larger.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tool capable of mounting a power source and necessary devices while minimizing the increase in size or weight of the machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a drive mechanism driven by compressed air, a wind power generation device capable of generating electricity by utilizing the wind pressure of the compressed air, and an operating unit operable to control the air supplied to the wind power generation device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The present invention is as described above, and includes a wind power generating device capable of generating electricity by utilizing the wind pressure of compressed air, and an operating unit that is operable to control the air supplied to the wind power generating device. Therefore, by operating the operating unit, the operator can generate electricity at any time, so there is no need to install a large-capacity battery, and the battery can be made smaller or unnecessary. In the conventional inventions such as those described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the operator cannot generate electricity at any time, so a large-capacity battery must be installed to prevent the battery from running out. In this regard, according to the present invention, since power can be generated at any time, it is possible not to install a battery, and even if a battery is installed, it can be a battery with a small capacity. Therefore, the size or weight of the machine can be minimized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of an air flow rate adjustment unit. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the wind turbine generator. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged left side view of a pneumatic tool according to a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pneumatic tool according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a left side view of the pneumatic tool according to the second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] The pneumatic tool 10 according to this embodiment is a driving tool that operates using compressed air supplied from the outside. The pneumatic tool 10 is equipped with a drive mechanism that is driven by compressed air, and is configured to drive a fastener from an injection port 14a by the drive mechanism. Note that, although a driving tool is given as an example of the pneumatic tool 10 in this embodiment, the pneumatic tool 10 is not limited to a driving tool, and may be any tool equipped with a drive mechanism that is driven by compressed air (a mechanism that converts energy generated by air pressure into mechanical work such as linear motion or rotational motion).

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this pneumatic tool 10 comprises an output section 11 having an internal drive mechanism, a grip 12 provided so as to protrude in a perpendicular direction from the output section 11, a trigger 13 operably provided on the grip 12, a nose section 14 provided so as to protrude from the tip of the output section 11, a magazine 15 connected to the rear of the nose section 14, a fastener supply section 16 provided between the magazine 15 and the nose section 14, an end cap section 18 provided at the rear end of the grip 12, a wind power generation device 20 capable of generating power using wind pressure of compressed air, an operation section 22 provided on a side of the pneumatic tool 10 so as to be capable of being pressed down, a joint member 23 provided on the side of the pneumatic tool 10 opposite the operation section 22, an air flow path 30 that supplies air to the wind power generation device 20, and a lighting device 38 for illuminating a work location.

[0015] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the output section 11 is a cylindrical section incorporating a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism according to this embodiment operates a driver by piston motion using the force of compressed air, and the driver drives the fastener. The driver is capable of moving toward the nose section 14 to drive out the fastener. The driver that moves in the drive direction drives out the fastener set in the nose section 14. The fastener driven out by the driver is injected from an injection port 14a that opens at the tip of the nose section 14.

[0016] When an operator uses this pneumatic tool 10, he or she grasps the grip 12 and pulls the trigger 13. This operation activates the drive mechanism described above and drives out the fastener. The trigger 13 is located at a position where the index finger of the hand gripping the grip 12 can be placed.

[0017] The magazine 15 contains connected fasteners, and the leading fastener of the connected fasteners is sequentially supplied to the nose portion 14 (directly below the driver before the driving operation) via the fastener supply unit 16. Specifically, the fastener supply unit 16 is provided such that one end communicates with the inside of the magazine 15 and the other end communicates with the inside of the nose portion 14, and is equipped with a fastener feed mechanism. When a connected fastener drawn from the magazine 15 is set in the fastener supply unit 16, the leading fastener is supplied to the nose portion 14 by the fastener feed mechanism. The fastener feed mechanism according to this embodiment is operated by exhausting the compressed air used to drive the fastener, so that the next leading fastener is supplied to the nose portion 14 after the fastener is driven out.

[0018] An end cap portion 18 for connecting an air hose for supplying air is provided at the rear end of the grip 12. Although not shown, the air hose is connected to an air supply source such as an air compressor, so that compressed air supplied from the air supply source can be supplied to the pneumatic tool 10. The compressed air supplied from the end cap portion 18 via the air hose is stored in an air chamber formed inside the grip 12 and the output portion 11. The compressed air stored in the air chamber is supplied to the drive mechanism and the wind power generation device 20 for use.

[0019] The wind power generation device 20 is a device that generates electricity using compressed air supplied from an air chamber. As shown in Fig. 4, the wind power generation device 20 is equipped with a fan 20a, and when compressed air is supplied, the wind pressure of the compressed air rotates the fan 20a to generate electricity.

[0020] The compressed air in the air chamber can be taken out of the tool housing by a joint member 23, and an air flow path 30 is formed by attaching a pipe member to this joint member 23. The air flow path 30 may be formed of a tube that cannot be bent, or may be formed of a flexible tube. The downstream end of this air flow path 30 is connected to the wind power generation device 20.

[0021] The supply of compressed air to the air flow path 30 can be operated by the operating unit 22. The operating unit 22 according to this embodiment is provided on the right side of the machine as shown in FIG. 2, and is provided at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the right hand when the operator holds the grip 12 with his / her right hand. When the operating unit 22 is pressed down, a valve body opens inside the joint member 23 (inside the housing), and the compressed air in the air chamber flows into the air flow path 30 via the joint member 23. The compressed air that has flowed into the air flow path 30 is supplied to the wind turbine generator 20 and used for power generation. In this way, the operating unit 22 is provided so as to be operable in order to control the air supplied to the wind turbine generator 20.

[0022] In addition, an adjustment unit 31 that adjusts the amount of air supplied to the wind power generation device 20 is provided in the middle of the air flow path 30 as shown in FIG. 1. The adjustment unit 31 according to this embodiment includes a dial 31a and a valve body 31b as shown in FIG. 3, and is configured such that the valve body 31b advances and retreats within the air flow path 30 when the dial 31a is operated. As the valve body 31b advances and retreats in this way, the flow path area of ​​the air flow path 30 varies, and the flow rate of the compressed air can be adjusted. The dial 31a according to this embodiment is a screw type, and the flow path can be narrowed by adjusting the amount of rotation. By adjusting the flow rate in this way with the adjustment unit 31, the load and power generation amount of the wind power generation device 20 can be adjusted.

[0023] Note that, although the adjustment unit 31 according to this embodiment is provided with a screw-type operating means (dial 31a), the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the operating means may be a push-type, and the flow rate of compressed air may be adjusted by the amount the operating means is pushed down. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 31 may not be provided with an operating means, and may instead narrow the flow path so that the amount of air supplied to the wind turbine generator 20 is constant. Furthermore, the adjustment unit 31 may have a structure that reduces the flow velocity in the wind turbine generator 20 by partially widening the area of ​​the duct.

[0024] Further, in this embodiment, the adjustment unit 31 is disposed upstream of the wind turbine generator 20, but this is not limiting, and the same effect can be obtained even if the adjustment unit 31 is disposed downstream of the wind turbine generator 20.

[0025] In this embodiment, the power generated by the wind power generation device 20 is used by the lighting device 38. The lighting device 38 according to this embodiment is a light (such as an LED) directly connected to the board of the wind power generation device 20. This lighting device 38 is disposed so as to illuminate the area ahead in the working direction (the direction of the tip of the nose portion 14).

[0026] In this embodiment, the lighting device 38 can be used without a battery by directly connecting the wind power generation device 20 and the lighting device 38. That is, the lighting device 38 is configured to be turned on while the operation unit 22 is pressed and the wind power generation device 20 is generating power, and to be turned off when the operation unit 22 is no longer operated and the wind power generation device 20 stops.

[0027] Note that the operation unit 22 may be configured to be held in the ON state in order to operate the wind power generation device 20 continuously. For example, the operation unit 22 may be configured as a switch that performs an alternate operation in which the switch is switched ON / OFF each time the operation unit is pressed once. Alternatively, the operation unit 22 may be configured to maintain the ON state when the operation unit 22 is rotated while being pressed down. If the operation unit 22 can be held in the ON state in this way, power generation will continue even if the operator removes his / her finger from the operation unit 22, so that, for example, the lighting device 38 can be left on.

[0028] In this embodiment, a battery is not used, but the present invention is not limited to this. The electricity generated by the wind power generation device 20 may be stored in a battery or a capacitor and used. According to the present invention, even if the pneumatic tool 10 is equipped with a battery, the battery can be made small. If the pneumatic tool 10 is equipped with a battery, the timing of power generation and the timing of electricity use can be shifted, so that the power generation by the wind power generation device 20 can be prevented from affecting the operation (driving operation) of the pneumatic tool 10. For example, when driving work is performed while using lighting, if the wind power generation device 20 consumes compressed air, the amount of compressed air available for the drive mechanism decreases, and the driving capacity may decrease. In this regard, if a small battery is provided, the lighting can be used with electricity stored in advance, so that the decrease in driving capacity can be prevented. When the pneumatic tool 10 is equipped with a battery, either or both of the wind power generation device 20 and the lighting device 38 may be unitized with the battery, and this unit may be attached to the pneumatic tool 10. Unitizing the devices in this way eliminates the need for wiring to connect the devices. This unit may be located in the center of the main body (around the magazine 15, for example, at the position of the wind power generation device 10 shown in FIG. 1). By locating the unit including the battery in the center of the main body in this way, the balance (center of gravity) of the machine can be well maintained.

[0029] Furthermore, the use of the power generated by the wind power generation system 20 is not limited to the lighting device 38. It can be used for any device that requires a power source.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, the wind power generation device 20 capable of generating power by utilizing the wind pressure of compressed air is provided, and the operation unit 22 is provided so as to be operable to control the air supplied to the wind power generation device 20. Therefore, since the operator can generate power at any timing by operating the operation unit 22, there is no need to mount a large-capacity battery, and the battery can be made smaller or eliminated. Therefore, the size and weight of the machine can be minimized.

[0031] In addition, the operating part 22 is provided within reach of the fingers of the operator holding the grip 12 of the pneumatic tool 10. This allows the operator to operate the wind turbine generator 20 without having to change hands to another tool.

[0032] Moreover, an adjustment unit 31 that adjusts the amount of air supplied to the wind turbine generator 20 is provided in the air flow path 30 that supplies air to the wind turbine generator 20. Therefore, the load on the wind turbine generator 20 can be controlled.

[0033] Moreover, a lighting device 38 is further provided, and when the operation unit 22 is operated, the lighting device 38 is turned on by the power generated by the wind power generation device 20. In other words, the electricity generated by the wind power generation device 20 is not stored, but is directly used by the lighting device 38. With this configuration, the lighting device 38 can be used without using a battery. Note that, in the case of a configuration in which the voltage supplied to the lighting device 38 is determined by the power generation voltage of the wind power generation device 20, it is also possible to adjust the brightness of the lighting device 38 by adjusting the amount of air supplied to the wind power generation device 20 by operating the adjustment unit 31.

[0034] The operation unit 22 may be configured to be able to hold the ON state. With this configuration, air can be continuously supplied to the wind power generation device 20 even if the operation unit 22 is released. For example, the lighting device 38 can be kept on even if the operation unit 22 is released.

[0035] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the air supplied from the air flow path 30 is used only by the wind power generation device 20, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the air supplied from the air flow path 30 may be shared by the air duster 40 and the wind power generation device 20.

[0036] The air duster 40 performs cleaning by spraying compressed air from a nozzle, and an outlet 41 opens at the tip of the nozzle of the air duster 40 toward the fastener ejection direction. The nozzle of the air duster 40 according to this modification is disposed on the side of the nose portion 14 in parallel with the nose portion 14 as shown in Fig. 5, and the outlet 41 of the air duster 40 opens toward the fastener ejection direction. This makes it possible to blow away dirt around the fastener ejection position while remaining in a position aimed at the fastener ejection position.

[0037] The air flow path 30 according to this modification is branched into two at a branching portion 32 shown in Figures 5 and 6. One of the two branches is a first air flow path 33 that supplies air to the air duster 40, and the other is a second air flow path 34 that supplies air to the wind power generation device 20. In this modification, when the operating unit 22 is operated, compressed air is supplied to the air flow path 30, and this compressed air can be supplied to the two branched flow paths.

[0038] The branching section 32 according to this modification is provided with a flow path switching section 35 for switching which of the branched flow paths the compressed air is to be supplied to. The flow path switching section 35 includes a switching operation section 35a that can receive an operation from outside. By operating the switching operation section 35a, it is possible to switch between the first air flow path 33 and the second air flow path 34 to which the compressed air is to be supplied. For example, each time the switching operation section 35a is pressed, the flow path to which the compressed air is to be supplied is switched. By providing the flow path switching section 35 in this manner, it is possible to switch the operation when the operation section 22 is operated (i.e., it is possible to switch between operating the air duster 40 and operating the wind power generation device 20 (lighting device 38)).

[0039] In this way, the configuration according to this modification further includes an air duster 40 that performs cleaning by spraying compressed air from a nozzle, and the air flow path 30 to which compressed air is supplied when the operation unit 22 is operated is branched into a first air flow path 33 that supplies air to the air duster 40 and a second air flow path 34 that supplies air to the wind power generation device 20. By branching one air flow path 30 into two in this way, the amount of piping can be minimized.

[0040] In the configuration according to this modification, the flow path switching unit 35 is provided in the branching unit 32, and a flow rate adjustment valve (adjustment unit 31) is provided in the second air flow path 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flow path may be switched by other methods. For example, the flow path switching unit 35 may be provided in the branching unit 32, and the flow rate adjustment valve may not be used. Also, instead of providing the flow path switching unit 35 in the branching unit 32, a flow rate adjustment valve (adjustment unit 31) may be provided in each of the first air flow path 33 and the second air flow path 34, and the flow rate adjustment valve may be operated in advance to determine the route through which the compressed air is supplied when the operation unit 22 is operated. Also, instead of providing the flow path switching unit 35 in the branching unit 32 and providing a flow rate adjustment valve (adjustment unit 31) in the second air flow path 34, a flow rate adjustment valve (adjustment unit 31) may be provided in the first air flow path 33.

[0041] Also, the flow path switching unit 35 may not be provided, and the flow paths may not be switched. That is, compressed air may be supplied to two flow paths simultaneously when the operation unit 35a is operated.

[0042] (Variation 2) In the above-mentioned first modification, the air flow path 30 is branched into the first air flow path 33 that supplies air to the air duster 40 and the second air flow path 34 that supplies air to the wind power generation device 20, but this is not limiting and each flow path may be provided independently. That is, as shown in Fig. 7, the pipe that supplies air to the air duster 40 may be provided independently from the air flow path 30 that supplies air to the wind power generation device 20.

[0043] In this second modification, compressed air is supplied to the air duster 40 by operating an operating portion 22 (see FIG. 2) on the side of the tool, and the air is blown out from the nozzle 41.

[0044] Further, an air outlet communicating with the air chamber is provided in the end cap portion 18, and this air outlet can be opened and closed by an operation unit 45 disposed near the end cap portion 18. By pressing down this operation unit 45, compressed air is supplied to the wind turbine generator 20 via the air flow path 30.

[0045] The air flow path 30 according to this modification is disposed along the side surface of the magazine 15 and extends to the wind power generation device 20. Specifically, the air flow path 30 starts with its upstream end connected to the end cap portion 18. This air flow path 30 extends downward along the rear side surface of the magazine 15 (the side opposite to the output portion 11), and then extends forward (toward the nose portion 14) along the bottom surface of the magazine 15. Then, beyond the magazine 15, its downstream end is connected to the wind power generation device 20. However, this arrangement of the air flow path 30 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the air flow path 30 may be provided in other positions.

[0046] In this way, the air flow path 30 for the wind turbine generator 20 may be provided separately from the air duster 40. Furthermore, the operation unit 45 for the wind turbine generator 20 and the operation unit 22 for the air duster 40 may be provided separately.

[0047] In this modification, the operation unit 45 for the wind power generator 20 and the operation unit 22 for the air duster 40 are provided separately, but the present invention is not limited to this. A single operation unit may be used to switch between the flow path for the wind power generator 20 and the flow path for the air duster 40. That is, the air flow path 30 for the wind power generator 20 may be provided independently of the air duster 40, and the supply of compressed air to these two flow paths may be controlled by a single operation unit. For example, the operation unit 22 on the side of the tool may be a dial type, and when the dial is operated to a first position, air is caused to flow into the flow path for the wind power generator 20, and when the dial is operated to a second position different from the first position, air is caused to flow into the flow path for the air duster 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10. Air Tools 11 Output section 12 Grip 13 Trigger 14 Nose section 14a Injection port 15 Magazine 16 Fastener supply section 18 End cap part 20. Wind power generation equipment 20a Fan 22 Control section 23 Joint members 30 Air flow path 31 Adjustment part 31a Dial 31b Valve body 32 Branch 33 First air flow path 34 Second air flow path 35 Flow path switching section 35a Switching operation section 38 Lighting Equipment 40 Air Duster 41 Outlet 45 Operation section

Claims

1. An air chamber for storing compressed air; a drive mechanism driven by compressed air supplied from the air chamber; a trigger operably disposed to actuate the drive mechanism; a wind power generation device capable of generating electricity by utilizing the wind pressure of the compressed air supplied from the air chamber; an operating unit operable to control the supply of compressed air from the air chamber to the wind turbine generator; Equipped with The operating part is provided within a range that can be reached by the fingers of an operator holding a grip of the pneumatic tool when the operator holds the grip. Pneumatic tools.

2. When the operating unit is pressed, compressed air is supplied to the wind power generation device. The pneumatic tool according to claim 1.

3. An air flow path for supplying air to the wind turbine generator is provided with an adjustment unit for adjusting the amount of air supplied to the wind turbine generator. A pneumatic tool according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. Further provided with an air duster for blowing compressed air to perform cleaning; An air flow path to which compressed air is supplied when the operating unit is operated is branched into a first air flow path that supplies air to the air duster and a second air flow path that supplies air to the wind power generation device. The pneumatic tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Further comprising a lighting device, When the operation unit is operated, the lighting device is turned on by the power generated by the wind power generation device. A pneumatic tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The operation unit is configured to be able to maintain an ON state. A pneumatic tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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