tools

Abstract

To provide a placing tool capable of reducing a reaction with a small or light-weight configuration.SOLUTION: A placing tool 10 according to the present disclosure includes: a body provided with an injection port 12A for placing a fastener F; a coil spring 36 attached to the body; and a plunger 32 configured to be movable in an injection direction DR1 toward the injection port 12A by extension of the coil spring 36. When the coil spring 36 extends, an energization force in the injection direction DR1 is applied from the coil spring 36 to the body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving tool. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Driving tools are known that use a motor to drive a plunger to drive nails, tacks, staples, pins, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "fasteners").

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a driving tool that reduces recoil even when a strong drive spring is used. Specifically, the tool describes a driving tool that reduces recoil by extending two identical drive elements in opposite directions. The force generated by the two drive elements is transmitted to the plunger using a movable pulley and a belt.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a driving tool equipped with a recoil reduction mechanism for reducing recoil. Specifically, the document describes a driving tool in which recoil is reduced by using a rack and pinion or a pulley to move a balancer (sometimes called a counterweight) in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the plunger.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a driving tool that reduces the reaction generated in the driving tool body. Specifically, the driving tool describes a plunger, an elastic member, and a balancer that are arranged in series in this order, with one end of the elastic member biasing the plunger and the other end biasing the balancer, thereby reducing the reaction.

[0006] Patent Document 4 describes a driving tool equipped with a recoil reduction mechanism for reducing recoil. Specifically, the driving tool describes a rack and pinion that moves a balancer in the opposite direction to the moving direction of a plunger, thereby reducing recoil.

[0007] Patent Document 5 describes a driving tool equipped with a mechanism for absorbing recoil during driving. Specifically, the tool is provided with a balancer biasing member that biases the balancer in a direction away from the ejection port, independent of the driving force of the driver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-260124 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication US2009 / 0078734 [Patent Document 3] International Patent Application Publication No. WO2016 / 031716 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-87414 [Patent Document 5] Patent No. 5696671 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, the driving tool described in Patent Document 1 requires two identical drive elements to be provided so as to extend in opposite directions, while the driving tools described in Patent Documents 2 to 5 require a mechanism to prepare a heavy balancer and move it in the opposite direction to the plunger.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a driving tool that does not require the above-described configuration and that is small and lightweight and can reduce recoil. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present application discloses a driving tool including a body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member attached to the body, and a plunger configured to move in an ejection direction toward the ejection port as the biasing member extends, and configured such that when the biasing member extends, a biasing force in the ejection direction acts on the body from the biasing member.

[0012] According to this driving tool, in a driving tool having a plunger configured to be movable by extension of a biasing member, when the biasing member extends, a biasing force acts from the biasing member on the main body in the ejection direction, which makes it possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in the direction opposite to the movement of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger and the plunger striking the fastener.

[0013] It should be noted that the "biasing member" in this invention is a member that moves the plunger in the injection direction toward the injection port by extending. Therefore, other biasing members mounted on the driving tool do not correspond to the "biasing member" in this invention. For example, a biasing member that biases a trigger does not move the plunger in the injection direction toward the injection port by extending, and therefore does not correspond to the "biasing member" in this invention.

[0014] The "biasing member" of such a driving tool may be composed of a single member (for example, a single spring).

[0015] The "biasing member" of such a driving tool may be composed of multiple members (e.g., multiple springs). In this case, the driving tool includes multiple members that extend to move the plunger in the ejection direction toward the ejection port.

[0016] In the case where the driving tool includes a plurality of members that move the plunger in the injection direction toward the injection port as the driving tool extends, and the direction of the biasing forces generated by the plurality of members is the same, the plurality of members correspond to the "biasing member" of the present invention. For example, if multiple springs are arranged in parallel instead of providing a single spring, the plurality of springs correspond to the "biasing member" of the present invention. Furthermore, the resultant force of the biasing forces generated by the multiple springs corresponds to the "biasing force" acting on the main body from the "biasing member."

[0017] In a case where the driving tool includes multiple members that extend to move the plunger in the injection direction toward the injection port, and the multiple members generate biasing forces in different directions, the resultant biasing force generated by the multiple members corresponds to the "biasing force" acting on the main body from the "biasing member." For example, the driving tool may be equipped with a spring that generates a relatively large biasing force and a spring that generates a supplementary, relatively small biasing force. In such a case, the resultant biasing force of the large and small biasing forces corresponds to the "biasing force" acting on the main body from the "biasing member."

[0018] Here, the biasing member may be configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port.

[0019] In this driving tool, the biasing member extends in a direction away from the injection port, and as the biasing member extends, the center of gravity of the biasing member moves in the direction away from the main body, thereby reducing the reaction force acting on the main body in the opposite direction to the movement of the plunger.

[0020] Furthermore, the driving tool may further include a connecting member having one end attached to the end side of the biasing member on the away side that moves in the extension direction and the other end attached to the plunger, and a direction changing member that engages with the connecting member between the one end and the other end to change the direction of the force acting on the connecting member.

[0021] Here, the "connecting member" may be a string-like member (hereinafter referred to as a "string-like member"). The "string-like member" includes a member formed in a long, thin linear shape, such as a wire, a belt, or a rope.

[0022] Here, "one end of the string-like member" and "attached to the biasing member" includes cases where the end of the string-like member does not necessarily contact the biasing member, but the region on one end of the string-like member is attached to the biasing member. For example, the string-like member may be attached by wrapping it around the biasing member, moving member, or other member. In such cases, the end of the string-like member does not necessarily contact the biasing member, but the region on one end of the string-like member is attached to the biasing member.

[0023] Furthermore, the method of "attaching" the "connecting member" or "string-like member" to the "urging member" can be any of a variety of known means capable of transmitting force. In addition to the above-mentioned method of winding the string-like member around the urging member, various other means can be used, such as a method using an adhesive, a method of attaching via another member, or a method of integrating the two. When attaching via another member, one end of the string-like member is attached to that member (for example, a through-hole is formed in the member and the string-like member is passed through the through-hole to attach one end of the string-like member to that member), and the urging member is attached to that member (for example, the urging member is attached to that member with an adhesive).

[0024] Here, the phrase "the string-like member" being "attached to the end side of the biasing member on the side away from the biasing member that moves in the extension direction" includes cases where the end of the biasing member does not necessarily abut against the string-like member, but the area on the end side that moves in the extension direction is attached to the biasing member directly or indirectly via other parts such as a moving member.

[0025] Furthermore, the "direction changing member" includes a reversing mechanism such as a pulley or a gear. When the "direction changing member" is a pulley, the extending direction of the string-like member can be changed by hanging the string-like member on the pulley. This makes it possible to change the direction of the force (or the reaction force) acting on the string-like member from the member attached to one end of the string-like member, and the force (or the reaction force) acting from the string-like member to the member attached to the other end of the string-like member.

[0026] A similar effect may be achieved by using a known reversing mechanism such as a gear as the "direction changing member."

[0027] In such a driving tool, the direction changing member may be disposed between the biasing member and the injection port in the injection direction. For example, the direction changing member may be disposed at a position further in the injection direction than the biasing member (including both a case where the direction changing member is close to the biasing member and a case where the direction changing member is separated from the biasing member). However, this does not prevent the biasing member and the direction changing member from being disposed at different positions in a direction perpendicular to the injection direction.

[0028] According to this configuration, by using the "string-like member" and the "direction change member," it is possible to narrow the distance between the plunger and the urging member in the injection direction compared to when these are not used, or to arrange the plunger and the urging member so that the movement range of the plunger in the injection direction and the extension range of the urging member at least partially overlap, thereby making it possible to reduce the overall height of the driving tool in the injection direction.

[0029] In such a driving tool, the biasing member is configured to extend on a first axis, and the plunger is configured to move on a second axis as the biasing member extends on the first axis, and the first axis and the second axis may be configured to overlap when viewed from a side view perpendicular to the extension direction of the biasing member.

[0030] Here, "the first axis and the second axis overlap in a side view seen from a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the urging member" means that "the first axis and the second axis overlap" in a "side view" seen from any one of the directions "perpendicular to the extension direction of the urging member."

[0031] Therefore, the first axis and the second axis may not overlap in a certain side view (for example, a front view), but may overlap in a different side view (for example, a right side view).

[0032] With this configuration, the plunger and the biasing member are positioned at a distance from each other, at least in a side view where the first axis and the second axis overlap, making it possible to suppress the moment generated by striking the fastener.

[0033] The first axis and the second axis may be the same. In this case, the first axis and the second axis overlap in a "side view" from any direction "perpendicular to the extension direction of the biasing member."

[0034] Furthermore, the biasing member may be provided in an area surrounded by the plunger in a top view parallel to the extension direction of the biasing member. This configuration also allows the plunger and the biasing member to be positioned close to each other, thereby suppressing the moment generated by striking the fastener. This configuration can be applied to a driving tool in place of or in addition to the configuration in which "the first axis and the second axis overlap in a side view perpendicular to the extension direction of the biasing member."

[0035] Furthermore, even if the first axis and the second axis do not overlap in side view, the moment can be suppressed by bringing the biasing member and the plunger closer to each other. For example, the minimum distance (minimum interval) between the biasing member and the plunger in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the extension direction of the biasing member may be configured to be smaller than the maximum length of the biasing member in the top view (or the diameter if the biasing member is a coil spring), preferably smaller than half the maximum length of the biasing member in the top view.

[0036] Furthermore, in such a driving tool, in a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, the distance between the ejection side end of the biasing member attached to the main body and the center of gravity of the biasing member may be smaller than the distance between the ejection side end and the plunger, and in a second state in which the biasing member is extended, the distance between the ejection side end and the center of gravity of the biasing member may be larger than the distance between the ejection side end and the plunger.

[0037] In such a driving tool, when the biasing member transitions from a first state in which it is compressed to a second state in which it is extended, the direction in which the center of gravity of the biasing member moves and the direction in which the plunger moves may be configured to be opposite to each other.

[0038] Here, when the "biasing member" is made up of multiple members (for example, multiple springs), the "center of gravity of the biasing member" corresponds to the center of gravity of the entire biasing member made up of multiple members.

[0039] The present application further discloses a driving tool including a body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member attached to the body, and a plunger configured to move in an ejection direction toward the ejection port as the biasing member extends, wherein when the biasing member extends, a biasing force in the ejection direction acts from the biasing member on the body, and wherein in a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, the distance between an ejection-side end of the biasing member attached to the body and an extending-side end of the biasing member is smaller than the distance between the ejection-side end and an end of the plunger in a direction away from the ejection port, and wherein in a second state in which the biasing member is extended, the distance between the ejection-side end and the extending-side end of the biasing member is greater than the distance between the ejection-side end and an end of the plunger in a direction away from the ejection port.

[0040] In addition, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the driving tool may further include a movable member that engages with the end side of the biasing member on the separating side and the one end side of the connecting member (including the string-like member), and the connecting member (including the string-like member) may be configured to be attached to the end side of the separating side by the movable member.

[0041] Here, the "moving member" is a general term for a member that is disposed on the end of the biasing member on the side away from the biasing member and moves together with the end of the biasing member on the side away from the biasing member. Therefore, when the biasing member compresses, the moving member moves together in the compression direction, and when the biasing member expands, the moving member moves together in the expansion direction. The moving member may be made up of multiple members that move together.

[0042] Alternatively, the driving tool may include a connecting member (including a string-like member) whose both end sides are attached to the end sides on the opposite sides that move in the extension direction of the biasing member, and whose middle part engages with the plunger.

[0043] With this configuration, both ends of the connecting member (including the string-like member) are attached to the opposite sides of the spring member, thereby improving the balance of the forces acting between the connecting member (including the string-like member) and the opposite end side of the spring member.

[0044] In this case, the driving tool may include a moving member attached to the separating end of the urging member by adhesive or the like as a means for attaching the connecting member (including the string-like member) and the separating end of the urging member. By further attaching both ends of the connecting member (string-like member) to this moving member, it becomes possible to attach the connecting member (string-like member) and the separating end of the urging member.

[0045] Additionally, the present application discloses a second driving tool. This driving tool includes a body having an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member having an ejection-side end attached to the body and an opposite-side end not attached to the body, a movable member that engages with the opposite-side end, and a plunger configured to move in an ejection direction toward the ejection port as the biasing member extends, wherein in a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, the distance between the ejection-side end and the movable member is smaller than the distance between the ejection-side end and the plunger, and in a second state in which the biasing member is extended, the distance between the ejection-side end and the movable member is greater than the distance between the ejection-side end and the plunger.

[0046] According to such a driving tool, the area in which the biasing member is extended and the area in which the plunger moves at least partially overlap, so that it is possible to realize a reduction in the size of the driving tool.

[0047] Here, the "distance between the injection side end and the plunger" may be the distance between the injection side end and any part of the plunger, for example, the distance between the injection side end and the end of the plunger in the direction away from the injection port.

[0048] This driving tool may be combined with the above-described configuration. Such a driving tool includes a main body having an injection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member having an injection-side end attached to the main body and an opposing-side end not attached to the main body, a movable member engaging with the opposing-side end, and a plunger configured to move in an injection direction toward the injection port as the biasing member extends, wherein in a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, the distance between the injection-side end and the movable member is smaller than the distance between the injection-side end and the plunger, and in a second state in which the biasing member is extended, the distance between the injection-side end and the movable member is greater than the distance between the injection-side end and the plunger, and when the biasing member extends, a biasing force in the injection direction acts on the main body from the biasing member.

[0049] The present application also discloses a third driving tool, which includes a body having an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member having an ejection-side end attached to the body and an opposite-side end not attached to the body, and a plunger configured to move in an ejection direction toward the ejection port as the biasing member extends, wherein in a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, the distance between the ejection-side end and the center of gravity of the biasing member is smaller than the distance between the ejection-side end and the plunger, and in a second state in which the biasing member is extended, the distance between the ejection-side end and the center of gravity of the biasing member is greater than the distance between the ejection-side end and the plunger.

[0050] With this driving tool, the area where the center of gravity moves as the biasing member extends at least partially overlaps with the area where the plunger moves, making it possible to reduce the size of the driving tool. In addition, because the center of gravity of the biasing member moves away from the main body, it is possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in the direction opposite to the movement of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger.

[0051] Here, the "distance between the end of the injection side and the plunger" may be the distance between the end of the injection side and any part of the plunger, for example, the distance between the end of the injection side and the center of gravity of the plunger.

[0052] Here, the driving tool may further include a connecting member (including a string-like member) having one end attached to the end side of the force-generating member on the side away from the force-generating member that moves in the extension direction and the other end attached to the plunger, and a direction change member that engages with the connecting member (string-like member) between the one end and the other end to change the direction of the force acting on the connecting member (string-like member).

[0053] This application discloses a fourth driving tool that includes a body having an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member having an ejection-side end attached to the body and an opposite-side end not attached to the body, and a plunger for ejecting the fastener from the ejection port as the biasing member expands, wherein the center of gravity of the biasing member moves in opposite directions to the plunger when the biasing member transitions from a first state in which it is compressed to a second state in which it is expanded.

[0054] With such a driving tool, the direction of movement of the center of gravity of the urging member is opposite to the direction of movement of the plunger, making it possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in the opposite direction to the movement of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger.

[0055] Here, the "movement direction of the plunger" may be the movement direction of any part of the plunger, for example, the movement direction of the center of gravity of the plunger.

[0056] As described above, when the "biasing member" is composed of multiple members (e.g., multiple springs), the "center of gravity of the biasing member" corresponds to the center of gravity of the entire biasing member that is made up of multiple members.

[0057] Here, the driving tool may further include a connecting member (including a string-like member) having one end attached to an end side of the biasing member on the side away from the biasing member that moves in the extension direction and the other end attached to the plunger, and a direction changing member that engages with the connecting member (string-like member) between the one end and the other end to change the direction of a force acting on the connecting member (string-like member). This application discloses a fifth driving tool. This driving tool includes a biasing member, a plunger configured to be movable as the biasing member extends, and a main body including a main body portion that houses the biasing member and the plunger and a grip portion connected to the main body portion. The biasing member is configured such that, when the biasing member transitions from the second state in which it is extended to the first state in which it is compressed, an end of the biasing member in a direction away from the injection port is compressed so as to pass a position where a connecting portion connecting the grip portion and the main body portion is provided in the injection direction, and when the biasing member transitions from the first state to the second state, the end of the biasing member extends in the direction away from the injection port so as to pass a position where the connecting portion is provided in the injection direction. This driving tool can reduce the moment acting on the grip portion due to the extension of the biasing member. Furthermore, because the biasing member extends in the direction away from the injection port, the movement direction of the center of gravity of the biasing member is opposite to the movement direction of the plunger. This makes it possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger.

[0058] Here, "the position where the connection portion that connects the grip portion and the main body portion in the injection direction is provided" corresponds to the center position of the area extending in the injection direction when the connection portion extends in the injection direction.

[0059] In the above-described driving tool, the plunger may be configured such that, when transitioning from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state, the end of the plunger in the separation direction passes through a position where the connection portion is provided in the injection direction.

[0060] This application discloses a seventh driving tool. This driving tool includes a main body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member attached to the main body, a plunger configured to move in an ejection direction toward the ejection port as the biasing member extends, and a moving member provided to transmit the biasing force of the biasing member to the plunger and moving together with the biasing member, wherein the product of the movement distance and mass of the biasing member and the moving member is configured to be greater than the product of the movement distance and mass of the plunger.

[0061] According to this configuration, the impulse acting on the main body in the ejection direction during driving, which is caused by the plunger, the biasing member, and the moving member, is greater than the impulse acting in the opposite direction away from the main body, and therefore it is possible to reduce the recoil during driving.

[0062] The "movement distance of the biasing member and the moving member" refers to the movement distance of the member made up of the biasing member and the moving member, and corresponds to the movement distance of the center of gravity of such a member. When the biasing member and the moving member move integrally, the movement distances of the biasing member and the moving member are approximately the same, so the "movement distance of the biasing member and the moving member" is equal to the movement distance of the biasing member or the moving member.

[0063] Each of the first to seventh driving tools described above may further include a movable member that engages with the distal end of the biasing member and one end of the connecting member (including a string-like member), and the connecting member (string-like member) may be configured to be attached to the distal end by the movable member.

[0064] Each of the above-mentioned driving tools may be provided with a movable member that engages with the end side of the biasing member, and the biasing member may be configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port, thereby moving the movable member in the direction away from the injection port and moving the plunger in the injection direction.

[0065] In each of the driving tools described above, the mass of the plunger may be greater than the sum of the mass of the moving member and a value obtained by multiplying the mass of the biasing member by a coefficient of 0.3 to 0.7.

[0066] The device may further include a connecting member having one end attached to the end side of the force generating member on the side that moves away from the force generating member in the extension direction and the other end attached to the plunger, and a direction changing member attached to the main body to change the direction of the force acting on the plunger by engaging with the connecting member between the one end and the other end.

[0067] Here, the "connecting member" is a member that connects the plunger and the biasing member. The "connecting member" includes, but is not limited to, a string-like member.

[0068] The "direction changing member" is a member that changes the direction of the force generated when the biasing member extends in the direction away from the injection port, and applies it to the plunger. The "direction changing member" includes, but is not limited to, a pulley and a gear.

[0069] In each of the driving tools described above, the mass of the biasing member may be greater than the mass of the plunger, and the mass of the plunger may be greater than the mass of the moving member.

[0070] In each of the driving tools described above, in a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, the distance between the ejection side end of the biasing member attached to the main body and the moving member may be smaller than the distance between the ejection side end and the plunger, and in a second state in which the biasing member is extended, the distance between the ejection side end and the moving member may be larger than the distance between the ejection side end and the plunger.

[0071] In each of the driving tools described above, in a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, the distance between the end of the biasing member on the ejection side attached to the main body and the center of gravity of the biasing member may be smaller than the distance between the ejection side end and the plunger, and in a second state in which the biasing member is extended, the distance between the ejection side end and the center of gravity of the biasing member may be larger than the distance between the ejection side end and the plunger.

[0072] Each of the above-mentioned driving tools may further comprise a connecting member (including a string-like member) having one end attached to the end side on the side away from the spring member that moves in the extension direction by the moving member and the other end attached to the plunger, and a direction changing member for changing the direction of the force acting on the connecting member (string-like member) by engaging with the connecting member (string-like member) between the one end side and the other end side.

[0073] In each of the driving tools described above, when the biasing member extends, a biasing force in the ejection direction may be applied from the biasing member to the main body.

[0074] The present application discloses a sixth driving tool that includes a body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member attached to the body, an actuator attached to the body, and a plunger configured to be movable by the actuator in an ejection direction toward the ejection port, and configured such that when the plunger moves toward the ejection port, the biasing member extends in a direction away from the ejection port. Such a driving tool includes an actuator for moving the plunger and a biasing member. The actuator may be any device capable of moving the plunger, such as a solenoid, that drives the plunger using electromagnetic force. With such a driving tool, the biasing member extends in a direction away from the injection port, so that the direction of movement of the center of gravity of the biasing member is opposite to the direction of movement of the plunger. This reduces the recoil acting on the main body in the opposite direction to the movement of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger by the actuator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0075] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a driving tool according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a driving tool according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plunger assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (front view) of a plunger assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (side view) of a plunger assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (plan view) of a plunger assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view including a plunger and a wire according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0076] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments.

[0077] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an electric driving tool 10 according to a first embodiment (however, a partial cross-section of the magazine 14 is shown), and FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the driving tool 10 as seen from the same direction (however, the state after all fasteners F in the magazine 14 have been ejected is shown). This driving tool 10 is an electric nail gun configured to be able to drive nails (an example of a "fastener F") by driving a plunger 32 (FIG. 2) using a motor 20 (FIG. 2). For convenience, the upward direction on the paper in FIG. 1 may be simply referred to as the upward direction or direction X1, the downward direction on the paper may be simply referred to as the downward direction or direction X2, the rightward direction on the paper may be simply referred to as the rightward direction or direction Z, and the leftward direction on the paper may be simply referred to as the leftward direction or direction Z. The left direction on the paper in Figure 1 corresponds to the direction in which the fastener F is fired, and is therefore sometimes referred to as the firing direction DR1 or the injection direction DR1, while the opposite right direction corresponds to the direction in which the fastener F moves away from the injection port 12A from which it is fired, and is therefore sometimes referred to as the separation direction DR2.

[0078] The driving tool 10 includes a housing 12, a magazine 14 that stores fasteners F to be driven by the driving tool 10, a driver 34 for driving the fasteners F, a plunger 32 to which the driver 34 is attached, a motor 20 and a gear 22 for moving the plunger 32 from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, a coil spring 36 (an example of a "biasing member" or "driving means") that applies a driving force to move the plunger 32 from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, a moving member 38 disposed at the extending end of the coil spring 36, a wire 40 (an example of a "string-like member" or "connecting member") that engages with the plunger 32 and the moving member 38 to link them, and a pulley 42 (an example of a "direction changing member") around which the wire 40 is hung. The driving tool 10 is further provided with a detachable battery B.

[0079] The driving tool 10 includes a housing 12 (hereinafter, the housing 12 and the portion fixed to the housing 12 may be referred to as the "tool body" or simply the "body") that houses the main components of the driving tool 10, including the plunger 32. The housing 12 includes a grip portion 12B for an operator to hold, a bridge portion 12C that connects the motor 20 to a battery mounting portion to which a battery B is attached, a nose portion 12D for driving out the fastener F, and a main body portion 12G that houses the plunger assembly 30 including the plunger 32 and the coil spring 36. The grip portion 12B and the bridge portion 12C are each formed, for example, in a columnar shape extending in the vertical direction so that the operator can easily grasp them. The grip portion 12B is connected to the main body portion 12G (FIG. 1) at a connecting portion 12H (FIG. 1). The front end of housing 12 (and the front end of driving tool 10) is provided with nose portion 12D, which is formed with ejection port 12A for ejecting fastener F to the left of the page. A contact arm 12D1 may be attached to the tip of nose portion 12D. Contact arm 12D1 is provided around ejection port 12A so as to be able to extend and retract from ejection port 12A, and functions as a safety device that allows the ejection of fastener F only when contact arm 12D1 is pressed against the object to be driven and trigger 12E is pressed down.

[0080] A trigger 12E is provided on the housing 12. When pressed by a user, the trigger 12E establishes electrical continuity between the battery B and the motor 20. The trigger 12E is exposed on a surface of the grip portion 12B facing forward (the direction DR1 in which the fastener F is driven out), and is biased forward by a trigger biasing member 12F such as a spring.

[0081] The battery B is configured to be detachably attached to the lower end portions of the grip portion 12B and the bridge portion 12C. The battery B functions as a DC power source that supplies power to drive a motor and the like, and is configured to output a predetermined DC voltage (for example, 14 V to 20 V), such as a lithium-ion battery. The driving tool 10 can be portable and used by attaching the battery B. However, the battery B may be configured to be stored within the housing 12, or power may be supplied by means other than a battery.

[0082] Driving tool 10 includes magazine 14 attached below nose portion 12D. Magazine 14 is configured to be loaded with a plurality of linked fasteners F (FIG. 1). Magazine 14 includes pusher 14A that urges fasteners F toward nose portion 12D. Pusher 14A is urged by a urging member (not shown) so that when the leading fastener F is driven out by driver 34, adjacent fasteners F are supplied to the ejection path of nose portion 12D.

[0083] The driving tool 10 further includes a plunger assembly 30. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plunger assembly 30, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the plunger assembly 30 with the coil spring 36 in its most compressed state (an example of the "first state") and its most extended state (an example of the "second state"), respectively (note that if FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the front view, FIG. 5 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the left side view). FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to views viewed from a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the coil spring 36. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the plunger assembly 30 in a plan view (top view). FIG. 6 corresponds to a view viewed from a direction parallel to the extension direction of the coil spring 36. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the plunger 32, a pin 38A that is part of the moving member 38, and a wire 40 that engages with the plunger 32 and the moving member 38. The plunger assembly 30 includes a driver 34, a plunger 32, a coil spring 36, a moving member 38, a wire 40, and a pulley 42, as well as a cylinder 44 that houses the coil spring 36 and a pair of guide rails 46 that regulate the movement direction of the plunger 32.

[0084] The driver 34 is a member that contacts and strikes the fastener F to drive it out. As shown in these drawings, the driver 34 according to this embodiment is made of a rigid metal body formed into a long, thin rod that extends in the driving direction DR1 of the fastener F. Because the fastener F is located on an extension line of the driver 34, when the driver 34 moves in the driving direction DR1, the front end of the driver 34 strikes the fastener F. The rear end of the driver 34 is connected to the plunger 32 and is configured to move integrally with the plunger 32.

[0085] The plunger 32 is a member that moves integrally with the driver 34 along a central axis AX1 (an example of a "second axis") from top dead center to bottom dead center to drive out the fastener F. As shown in FIG. 7, the plunger 32 has four side walls: a first side wall 32A that engages with the wire 40; a second side wall 32B that is connected to the first side wall 32A at a substantially right angle and that engages with a guide rail 46; a third side wall 32C that is connected to the second side wall 32B at a substantially right angle and is disposed substantially parallel to the first side wall 32A and that engages with the driver 34; and a fourth side wall 32D that is connected to the third side wall 32C and the first side wall 32A at a substantially right angle and is disposed substantially parallel to the second side wall 32B and that engages with the guide rail 46. A cylinder 44, which will be described later, is disposed in a hollow area surrounded by the four side walls. The outer wall surface of the first sidewall 32A is provided with gear engagement portions 32A1, which are two protrusions provided at different heights. Engagement of the gear engagement portion 32A1 with a gear 22 (described later) causes the plunger 32 to move from the bottom dead center toward the top dead center against the elastic force (biasing force) of the coil spring 36. The top dead center of the plunger 32 is set in an area toward the rear end of the tool body, and the bottom dead center is set in an area between the top dead center and the nose portion 12D. Therefore, when the plunger 32 moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the plunger 32 moves in a launch direction DR1 approaching the injection port 12A, and when the plunger 32 moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, the plunger 32 moves in a departure direction DR2 away from the injection port.

[0086] The first side wall 32A of the plunger 32 is further provided with a wire engaging portion 32A2. The wire engaging portion 32A2 includes a first portion 32A21 formed to protrude inward from the inner wall surface of the first side wall 32A (i.e., toward the third side wall 32C) and a second portion 32A22 extending from the end of the first portion 32A21 in a direction toward the top dead center. The surface of the first portion 32A21 facing the top dead center serves as a pressure-receiving surface for applying a force from the wire 40 to the plunger 32 in the launch direction DR1. The second portion 32A22 also restricts the wire 40 from shifting in a direction toward the third wall. Furthermore, by forming the first portion 32A21 to protrude in a direction toward the third side wall 32C, the wire 40 engaging with the pressure-receiving surface of the first portion 32A21 can extend along the inner wall surface of the first side wall 32A. This makes it possible to prevent the wire 40 from shifting in a direction away from the third side wall 32C. In addition, the wire engaging portion 32A2 is formed symmetrically with respect to an imaginary plane IP1 (FIG. 6) that is parallel to a plane that approximates the second side wall 32B and the fourth side wall 32D and is equidistant from both planes. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the plunger 32 from tilting due to an imbalance in the force acting on the plunger 32 from the wire 40.

[0087] The second side wall portion 32B and the fourth side wall portion 32D are formed symmetrically with respect to the imaginary plane IP1. The second side wall portion 32B and the fourth side wall portion 32D are provided with guide rollers 32B1 and 32D1, respectively, for engaging with the guide rail 46. Two guide rollers 32B1 and 32D1 are provided on each of the top dead center side and the bottom dead center side. Therefore, by engaging each of the two guide rollers 32B1 and 32D1 with the guide rail 46, it is possible to prevent the plunger 32 from tilting during movement.

[0088] The third side wall portion 32C is provided with a driver engaging portion 32C1 that is formed symmetrically with respect to the imaginary plane IP1 and to which the rear end of the driver 34 is connected. This makes it possible to prevent the plunger 32 from tilting due to the reaction force that the plunger 32 receives when the driver 34 strikes the fastener F.

[0089] As shown in these drawings, the plunger 32 is configured so that, when the direction of movement of the plunger 32 (the direction connecting the top dead center and the bottom dead center) is used as the reference, the distance between the driver engagement portion 32C1 and the injection port 12A is smaller than the distance between the wire engagement portion 32A2 and the injection port 12A.

[0090] The cylinder 44 is a member that houses the coil spring 36 and guides the movement direction of the pin 38A that forms part of the moving member 38. The cylinder 44 according to this embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 44A formed in a cylindrical shape and a cap portion 44C that corresponds to a lid for the cylindrical portion 44A. The cylinder 44 penetrates a hollow area surrounded by the four side wall portions of the plunger 32 and is fixed to the housing 12 so that the movement direction of the plunger 32 and the central axis of the cylinder 44 are approximately parallel, and the cap portion 44C fixes the guide rail 46.

[0091] A coil spring 36 made of a compression spring that can expand and contract in the direction of the center axis of the cylinder 44, i.e., in the direction of movement of the plunger 32, is housed inside the cylinder 44.

[0092] The coil spring 36 is inserted between the moving member 38 and the bottom surface of the cylinder 44. A cushioning member such as rubber is inserted between the coil spring 36 and the moving member 38. A cushioning member such as rubber is also inserted between the coil spring 36 and the cylinder 44. Due to the biasing force of the coil spring 36, one end 36A of the coil spring 36 is pressed against the bottom surface of the cylinder on the injection port side (the bottom dead center side of the plunger 32) via the cushioning member. Since the cylinder 44 is fixed to the housing 12, the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 does not move relative to the housing 12 in the injection direction DR1. Note that the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 may be fixed to the housing 12 using an adhesive or the like. The moving member 38 is disposed on the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 via the cushioning member, and tension is applied to the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 of the moving member 38 by the wire 40. When the coil spring 36 is compressed from an extended state, the other end 36B of the coil spring and the moving member 38 move in a launching direction DR1 along the central axis AX1 (an example of a "first axis"), and when the coil spring 36 is expanded from a compressed state to its original state, the other end 36B of the coil spring and the moving member 38 move in a moving direction DR2 away from the injection port 12A along the central axis AX1 (an example of a "first axis"). A pair of holes 44B extending parallel to the central axis, i.e., parallel to the extending direction of the coil spring 36, are formed in the wall of the cylinder 44.

[0093] The moving member 38 directly or indirectly engages with a portion of the wire 40, thereby moving the wire 40 as the other end 36B of the coil spring expands. The moving member 38 according to this embodiment is composed of multiple members that move together, and includes an annular portion 38B disposed at the other end 36B of the coil spring, and a pin 38A fixed to the annular portion 38B and with which both ends of the wire 40 are engaged. In this embodiment, a pair of holes 44B formed in the wall of the cylinder 44 are parallel to two planes that approximate the first side wall portion 32A and the third side wall portion 32C of the plunger 32 and are formed so as to intersect with an imaginary plane IP2 ( FIG. 6 ) that passes through the central axes of the cylinder 44 and the coil spring 36. Furthermore, both ends of the pin 38A engage with the pair of holes 44B so that the extending direction of the pin 38A is approximately parallel to this imaginary plane. Therefore, even if the moving member 38 including the pin 38A moves in the central axis direction of the cylinder 44 as the coil spring 36 expands or compresses, it is possible to prevent the pin 38A from twisting in the circumferential direction of the cylinder 44.

[0094] The wire 40 is attached to the moving member 38 and the plunger 32 to link the moving member 38 and the plunger 32. Because the wire 40 is a member that connects the moving member 38 and the plunger 32, it is sometimes called a connecting member.

[0095] In this embodiment, the wire 40 is formed into a ring shape by connecting one end of the wire 40 to a portion spaced from the end of the wire 40, and the pin 38A engages with the wire 40 by passing through this ring-shaped portion. The wire 40 engaging with the pin 38A passes through a hole in the annular portion 38B of the moving member 38 and extends in the thrust direction DR1 along the central axis of the coil spring 36. After passing through a hole formed in the bottom surface of the cylinder 44, the wire 40 is wound around the pulley 42, whereby the wire 40 changes direction and extends in the separation direction DR2, and engages with the pressure-receiving surface of the wire engagement portion 32A2 of the plunger 32. A buffer member may be provided on the shaft of the pulley 42. The pulley 42 is fixed to the cylinder 44, which is fixed to the housing 12, and therefore the pulley 42 is fixed to the housing 12 (the tool body). However, the pulley 42, which is a direction-changing member, may be disposed between the coil spring 36 and the injection port 12A in the injection direction DR1. For example, the pulley 42 may be provided at a position further forward in the injection direction DR1 than the coil spring 36 (including near the bottom of the cylinder 44 or near one end 36A, which is the fixed end, of the coil spring 36). However, this does not prevent the biasing member and the direction-changing member from being provided at different positions in the direction perpendicular to the injection direction.

[0096] The wire 40 then extends in the launch direction DR1, changes direction by being wound around the pulley 42, and extends in the separation direction DR2 along the central axis of the coil spring 36. At the other end of the wire 40, the other end of the wire 40 is connected to a portion of the wire 40 spaced from the end, forming a loop. The pin 38A penetrates this loop-shaped portion to engage with the wire 40. Therefore, both ends of the wire 40 engage with the pin 38A, and the intermediate portion of the wire 40 engages with the plunger 32. In other words, both end portions of the wire 40 are attached to the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 via the movable member 38. The end portions of the wire 40 and the movable member 38 are configured to be movable together with the other end 36B of the coil spring 36. The intermediate portion of the wire 40 engages with the plunger 32.

[0097] That is, the wire 40 comprises a first portion 40A (one end side of the wire 40) including one end that engages with the moving member 38, a second portion 40B that is connected to the first portion 40A and includes a portion extending in the launch direction DR1, a third portion 40C that is connected to the second portion 40B and includes a portion extending approximately in the moving away direction, a fourth portion 40D (an intermediate portion of the wire 40) that is connected to the third portion 40C and engages with the plunger 32, a fifth portion 40E that is connected to the fourth portion 40D and includes a portion extending approximately in the launch direction DR1, a sixth portion 40F that is connected to the fifth portion 40E and includes a portion extending in the moving away direction DR2, and a seventh portion 40G (the other end side of the wire 40) that is connected to the sixth portion 40F and includes the other end that engages with the moving member 38.

[0098] This configuration makes it possible to improve the balance between the force acting from the moving member 38 to the wire 40 and the force acting from the wire 40 to the plunger 32. However, instead of the wire 40, a string-like member or other connecting means may be used, one end of which is attached to the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 and the other end of which is attached to the plunger 32.

[0099] The drive mechanism for moving the plunger 32 from the bottom dead center to the top dead center is composed of a motor 20 and a gear 22. The motor 20 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is composed of a three-phase DC brushless motor, and is disposed, for example, within the bridge portion 12C so that the output shaft of the motor 20 is substantially perpendicular to the driving direction DR1 and the receding direction DR2. A gear having the output shaft of the motor 20 as its rotation axis meshes with a first gear 22A constituting the gear 22, and the first gear 22A meshes with a second gear 22B constituting the gear 22. The first gear 22A is disposed in the receding direction DR2 relative to the gear of the output shaft of the motor 20, and the second gear 22B is disposed in the receding direction DR2 relative to the first gear 22A. The first gear 22A and the second gear 22B are provided with torque rollers (not shown) that are parallel to the rotation axis and protrude toward the outer wall surface of the first side wall portion 32A of the plunger 32. The torque roller rotates about the central axis of the first gear 22A (second gear 22B) as the first gear 22A (second gear 22B) rotates. Because the central axis of the first gear 22A (second gear 22B) is parallel to the output shaft of the motor 20, the torque roller reciprocates in the thrust direction DR1 and the separation direction DR2 as the first gear 22A (second gear 22B) rotates. When the plunger 32 is near the bottom dead center, the torque roller of the first gear 22A engages with one of the convex portions provided on the bottom dead center side as the gear engagement portion 32A1. Then, as the first gear 22A rotates, the torque roller moves in the separation direction DR2, pushing up the gear engagement portion 32A1 of the plunger 32 in the separation direction DR2, thereby enabling the plunger 32 to move in the separation direction DR2. When the torque roller of the first gear 22A moves to the farthest position in the separating direction DR2, the torque roller of the second gear 22B engages with the other convex portion provided on the top dead center side as the gear engagement portion 32A1. As the second gear 22B rotates, the torque roller moves in the separating direction DR2, pushing the gear engagement portion 32A1 of the plunger 32 further in the separating direction DR2, thereby enabling the plunger 32 to move further in the separating direction DR2. When the torque roller of the second gear 22B moves to the farthest position in the separating direction DR2, the plunger 32 reaches the top dead center, and the engagement between the gear engagement portion 32A1 and the second gear 22B is released.

[0100] The driving tool 10 further includes a control unit for driving the motor 20. The control unit is mounted on a PCB board 24 (FIG. 2) that is disposed in the gap between the motor 20 and the battery B within the bridge portion 12C. The control unit includes a semiconductor memory device (e.g., a NOR flash memory) that stores a computer program, and a processor (e.g., a CPU) that executes the computer program to generate a signal (e.g., a PWM signal) for controlling the motor 20. A driving method using the driving tool 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. First, a contact signal indicating whether the contact arm 12D1 is in contact with the object into which the fastener F is to be driven is shown. When the contact arm 12D1 contacts and presses into the object, the contact signal turns ON. The CPU receives the contact signal and detects that the contact arm 12D1 is in contact with the object. When the operator presses the trigger 12E, the trigger signal turns ON. The CPU receives the trigger signal and detects that the trigger 12E is pressed. When both the trigger SW signal and the contact SW signal turn ON, the CPU supplies a PWM signal to the inverter circuit to drive the motor 20. Each switching element of the inverter circuit performs a switching operation based on the PWM signal from the CPU. When the switching elements turn ON, the output voltage of battery B is applied to the three-phase windings that constitute the stator of the motor 20, causing a winding current to flow through each phase of the winding. The rotor of the motor 20 begins to rotate in accordance with the rotating magnetic field generated by the three-phase windings.

[0101] The plunger 32 is stationary at a standby position between the top dead center and the bottom dead center. When the motor 20 starts driving, the torque roller provided on the second gear 22B contacts the gear engagement portion 32A1 of the plunger 32 and pushes the plunger 32 upward in the separation direction DR2. Because the plunger 32 is connected to the moving member 38 by the wire 40, the moving member 38 moves in the ejection direction DR1 while compressing the coil spring 36 as the plunger 32 moves in the separation direction DR2. As a result, when the coil spring 36 transitions from the second state in which it is extended to the first state in which it is compressed, the plunger 32 moves in the separation direction DR2, passing the position where the connection portion 12H is provided in the ejection direction DR1, and moves to a region toward the rear end of the tool body. Meanwhile, the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 moves in the injection direction DR1, passing the position where the connection portion 12H is provided in the ejection direction DR1.

[0102] The plunger 32 then reaches the top dead center. At this time, the plunger 32 and the gear 22 are disengaged. As a result, the coil spring 36, which was in a compressed state, expands all at once. Here, one end 36A of the coil spring 36 is located at the bottom surface of the cylinder, which is fixed to the housing 12. Therefore, the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 does not move relative to the tool body, at least in the injection direction DR2. Therefore, the one end 36A may be referred to as the fixed end. On the other hand, the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 is not fixed to the tool body and is therefore movable relative to the tool body. Therefore, the other end 36B may be referred to as the moving end. Furthermore, the direction from the one end 36A toward the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 coincides with the separation direction DR2.

[0103] Therefore, the coil spring 36 expands in the separating direction DR2. The other end 36B of the coil spring 36 moves in the separating direction DR2 until it expands from its compressed state and returns to its original state. The moving member 38 also moves in the separating direction DR2, which corresponds to the expanding direction of the coil spring 36, together with the other end of the coil spring 36.

[0104] While the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 moves in the separating direction DR2, one end 36A of the coil spring 36, which is fixed to the tool body, presses the tool body in the driving direction DR1. Therefore, when the coil spring 36 expands, a biasing force acts on the tool body in the driving direction DR1 from the coil spring 36. This makes it possible to reduce the reaction force acting on the body in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger.

[0105] Since the moving member 38 is connected to the plunger 32 by the wire 40, the plunger 32 and the driver 34 move in the driving direction DR1 in conjunction with the movement of the moving member 38 in the separating direction DR2.

[0106] While plunger 32 moves from top dead center to bottom dead center, the rotor of motor 20 continues to rotate. Because the force impeding rotation of motor 20 is released, the rotational speed of the rotor of motor 20 may increase. When plunger 32 reaches near bottom dead center, driver 34, which moves in the ejection direction DR1 together with plunger 32, ejects fastener F supplied to nose portion 12D in the ejection direction DR1. Fastener F is ejected from injection nozzle 12A.

[0107] When the coil spring 36 transitions from a first state in which it is compressed to a second state in which it is extended, the plunger 32 moves in the injection direction DR1, passes the position where the connecting portion 12H is provided in the launching direction DR1, and moves to a region on the front end side of the tool body. Meanwhile, the other end 36B of the coil spring 36 moves in the separation direction DR2, passes the position where the connecting portion 12H is provided in the launching direction DR1, and moves to a region on the rear end side of the tool body.

[0108] When the plunger 32 reaches the bottom dead center, the first gear 22A, which rotates in synchronization with the rotor of the motor 20, is configured to engage with the gear engagement portion 32A1 of the plunger 32. As a result, the plunger 32 starts to move from the bottom dead center toward the top dead center. As the plunger 32 moves toward the top dead center, the coil spring 36 is compressed.

[0109] When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the CPU initiates deceleration control to slow down the rotation of the motor 20, for example, brake control as an example of deceleration control. Specifically, the CPU generates a PWM signal with a smaller duty ratio than during normal rotation and outputs it to each switching element of the inverter circuit. The deceleration control by the CPU significantly reduces the rotational speed of the rotor of the motor 20. The plunger 32 continues to move slowly toward the top dead center. Thereafter, the rotor of motor 20 stops rotating. The timing at which motor 20 stops rotating can be set as appropriate. For example, a control signal pattern for brake control may be prepared such that motor 20 stops when the CPU outputs a control signal according to a predetermined pattern to the inverter circuit. As motor 20 stops, plunger 32 stops at a standby position midway between top dead center and bottom dead center.

[0110] According to the driving tool 10 described above, when a biasing member such as the coil spring 36 extends, a biasing force acts on the tool body from one end 36A of the coil spring 36 in the injection direction DR2 (referred to as "Configuration 1").

[0111] Therefore, when the coil spring 36 expands, a biasing force acts on the tool body in the injection direction DR1 from one end 36A of the coil spring 36. This makes it possible to reduce the recoil that acts on the tool body in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the plunger 32 as a reaction to the plunger 32 moving from the top dead center to the bottom dead center and striking the fastener F.

[0112] Configuration 1 is applicable to driving tool 10 as well as to a driving tool that includes a main body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member attached to the main body, and a plunger configured to be movable in the ejection direction toward the ejection port as the biasing member extends.

[0113] Furthermore, the driving tool 10 includes the following components, and therefore exhibits the following effects. Note that it is not necessary for all of these components to be mounted on the same driving tool; each component may be mounted on a different driving tool, or multiple components may be mounted on the same driving tool. [Configuration 2] In configuration 2, in the driving tool 10, in a first state (FIG. 4) in which a biasing member such as the coil spring 36 is compressed, the distance (D21) between one end 36A of the coil spring 36 (an example of the "ejection-side end") and the moving member 38 is smaller than the distance (D31) between the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 or the like and the plunger 32, and in a second state (FIG. 5) in which the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 is extended, the distance (D22) between the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 or the like and the moving member 38 is larger than the distance (D32) between the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 or the like and the plunger 32. Note that the distances referred to here are based on the compression and extension directions of the coil spring 36 or the like.

[0114] With such a driving tool, the area in which the urging member is extended and the area in which the plunger moves as the urging member is extended at least partially overlap, making it possible to reduce the size of the driving tool.

[0115] In the driving tool 10 according to this embodiment, the pulley 42 is disposed in the gap between the injection port 12A and one end 36A (an example of the "end on the injection side") of the coil spring 36 when the compression and extension directions or the injection direction of the coil spring 36 etc. are used as a reference. Therefore, in the second state, the front end of the plunger 32 in the injection direction DR1 can be moved close to the injection port 12A until it is positioned in the gap between the injection port 12A and one end 36A (an example of the "end on the injection side") of the coil spring 36.

[0116] Additionally, in the driving tool 10, in a plan view (FIG. 6) seen from the compression and expansion directions of the coil spring 36, etc., the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 is disposed in an area surrounded by the plunger 32, which makes it possible to further reduce the size of the driving tool. Furthermore, by disposing the coil spring 36 and the plunger 32 in close proximity to each other, it is possible to suppress the moment generated by striking the fastener.

[0117] Furthermore, in the driving tool 10, when the coil spring 36 extends along the first axis and the plunger 32 moves along the second axis, the first axis and the second axis are configured to be coaxial, i.e., coincide with the central axis AX1. This configuration also contributes to suppressing the moment generated by striking the fastener. However, the coaxial configuration is not necessary; for example, the first axis and the second axis may be configured to overlap when viewed from a side view perpendicular to the extension direction of the coil spring 36, which is the biasing member. With this configuration, the plunger and the biasing member are positioned apart from each other, at least in a side view where the first axis and the second axis overlap, making it possible to suppress the moment generated by striking the fastener. Even if the first axis and the second axis do not overlap in a side view, the moment can be suppressed by bringing the biasing member, coil spring 36, and the plunger close to each other. 6, the minimum distance (minimum gap) between the biasing member and the plunger may be configured to be smaller than the maximum length of the biasing member in the top view (the diameter of the coil spring 36 if the biasing member is a coil spring 36), preferably smaller than half the maximum length of the biasing member in the top view (the radius of the coil spring 36 if the biasing member is a coil spring 36). Note that configuration 2 is applicable to not only driving tool 10 according to this embodiment, but also to a driving tool including a main body provided with an injection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member including an injection-side end attached to the main body and a separation-side end not attached to the main body, a movable member engaging with the separation-side end, and a plunger configured to be movable in the injection direction toward the injection port as the biasing member extends.

[0118] [Configuration 3] In the third configuration, in the driving tool 10, in a first state (FIG. 4) in which a biasing member such as a coil spring 36 is compressed, the distance (D11) between one end 36A of the coil spring 36 (an example of an "ejection-side end") and the center of gravity G1 of the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 is smaller than the distance (D31) between the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 and the plunger 32. In a second state (FIG. 5) in which the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 is expanded, the distance (D12) between the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 and the center of gravity G2 of the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 is greater than the distance (D32) between the one end 36A of the coil spring 36 and the plunger 32. Note that the distances referred to here are based on the directions of compression and expansion of the coil spring 36. The center of gravity of the coil spring 36 corresponds to the center position between the one end 36A and the other end 36B on the central axis.

[0119] With such a driving tool, the area where the center of gravity moves as the urging member extends and the area where the plunger moves will at least partially overlap with each other based on the compression and extension directions of the coil spring 36, etc., making it possible to reduce the size of the driving tool. In addition, because the center of gravity of the urging member moves in the direction away from the main body, it is possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in the direction opposite to the movement of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger.

[0120] Configuration 3 is applicable to the driving tool 10 according to this embodiment as well as to a driving tool including a main body provided with an injection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member having an end on the injection side attached to the main body and an end on the separation side not attached to the main body, and a plunger configured to be movable in the injection direction toward the injection port as the biasing member extends.

[0121] [Configuration 4] In configuration 4, when the driving tool 10 transitions from a first state (FIG. 4) in which the biasing member, such as the coil spring 36, is compressed, to a second state (FIG. 5) in which the biasing member is extended, the direction of movement of the center of gravity of the biasing member (from G1 to G2) is opposite to the movement of the plunger (from top dead center to bottom dead center). Note that "opposite" means that the directions are approximately 180 degrees apart.

[0122] With such a driving tool, the direction of movement of the center of gravity of the urging member is opposite to the direction of movement of the plunger, making it possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in the opposite direction to the movement of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger.

[0123] Configuration 4 is applicable to the driving tool 10 according to this embodiment as well as to a driving tool including a main body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member having an end on the ejection side attached to the main body and an end on the separation side not attached to the main body, and a plunger for ejecting the fastener from the ejection port by extension of the biasing member.

[0124] [Configuration 5] Configuration 5 is a driving tool 10 that includes a main body having an ejection port 12A for driving in a fastener F, a biasing member such as a coil spring 36 attached to the main body, and a plunger 32 that is configured to be movable in an ejection direction DR1 toward the ejection port 12A as the biasing member extends, and the biasing member extends in a receding direction DR2 away from the ejection port 12A.

[0125] With this type of driving tool, the biasing member extends in a moving away direction DR2 away from the injection port 12A, so the moving direction of the center of gravity of the biasing member (corresponding to the moving away direction DR2) and the moving direction of the plunger (corresponding to the driving direction DR1) are opposite directions. Therefore, even with this configuration, it is possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger.

[0126] Configuration 5 is applicable to the driving tool 10 according to this embodiment as well as to a driving tool including a main body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener, a biasing member attached to the main body, and a plunger configured to be movable in the ejection direction toward the ejection port as the biasing member extends.

[0127] [Variation 1] In a driving tool having at least one of the above-mentioned configurations 1 to 5, the mass of the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 may be greater than the mass of the plunger 32, and the mass of the plunger 32 may be greater than the mass of the moving member 38.

[0128] For example, the mass of the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 may be 40 to 100 grams, the mass of the plunger 32 may be 20 to 40 grams, and the mass of the moving member 38 may be 5 to 20 grams. In this case, a portion occupying 50% or more of the volume of the parts constituting the moving member 38 may be made of resin. For example, it is possible to make the pin 38A of the moving member 38 from metal, and make the parts other than the pin 38A from resin.

[0129] Since the greater the mass of the entire body, the smaller the recoil, the counterweight in conventional driving tools is deliberately made larger in mass than at least one of the biasing member or plunger, thereby increasing the mass of the entire body and reducing recoil.

[0130] However, with the configuration of this modification, it is possible to reduce recoil without relying on a counterweight, thereby reducing the weight of the moving member 38 and, ultimately, the driving tool. On the other hand, the greater the mass of the biasing member such as the coil spring 36, the more recoil can be reduced and the biasing force can be increased. Therefore, by increasing the mass of the biasing member such as the coil spring 36, it is possible to reduce recoil and increase the biasing force.

[0131] However, the driving tool according to the present application may be configured without adopting variant example 1, by further installing a counterweight or the like in a driving tool having at least one of configurations 1 to 5.

[0132] Furthermore, in a driving tool having at least one of the above-described configurations 1 to 5, or in the configurations according to the above-described modified examples, the mass of the plunger 32 may be configured to be greater than the mass of the moving member 38 and the value obtained by multiplying the mass of the biasing member such as the coil spring 36 by a coefficient of 0.3 to 0.7.

[0133] With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the reaction without relying on a counterweight, so that it is possible to reduce the weight of the moving member 38 and, in turn, the weight of the driving tool.

[0134] [Variation 2] The driving tool according to this modification does not necessarily have at least one of the configurations 1 to 5. However, components that may have the same or similar functions or configurations as components in other disclosures will be described using the same or similar reference numerals.

[0135] This driving tool comprises a tool body provided with an ejection port 12A for driving fastener F, a biasing member attached to the tool body, an actuator attached to the tool body, and a plunger configured to be movable in an ejection direction DR1 toward the ejection port 12A by the actuator, and when the plunger moves toward the ejection port 12A, the biasing member is configured to extend in a direction away from the ejection port 12A.

[0136] The actuator may be any type capable of moving the plunger, and may be, for example, a type that drives the plunger using electromagnetic force such as a solenoid, or may be a type that drives the plunger using air pressure or the like. With such a driving tool, when the plunger moves toward the ejection port 12A, the biasing member extends in a direction DR2 away from the ejection port 12A, so that the direction of movement of the center of gravity of the biasing member is opposite to the direction of movement of the plunger. This makes it possible to reduce the recoil acting on the main body in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the plunger as a reaction to the movement of the plunger by the actuator.

[0137] In the above disclosure, the biasing member may be any known configuration capable of applying a biasing force, such as a leaf spring, a disc spring, a leg spring, or a torsion bar spring.

[0138] Furthermore, various methods can be used to attach a string-like member or connecting member such as the wire 40 to a biasing member such as the coil spring 36. For example, the wire 40 or the like may be directly bonded to the coil spring 36 or the like using an adhesive, or they may be attached via another member. Furthermore, the end of the biasing member does not necessarily have to abut against the string-like member or the moving member or the like. For example, the biasing member may be attached so that an end-side region including the end abuts against the string-like member or the moving member or the like.

[0139] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, some components of one embodiment can be added to other embodiments within the scope of ordinary creativity of a person skilled in the art. Also, some components of one embodiment can be replaced with corresponding components of other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 10 Driving tool 12 Housing 12A injection port 12B Grip 12C Bridge 12D nose 12E Trigger 12F Trigger biasing member 12G main body 12H connection 14 Magazine 14A Pusher 20 Motor (actuator) 22 gears 22A 1st gear 22B 2nd gear 24 PCB boards 30 Plunger Assembly 32 Plunger 32A 1st side wall part 32A1 Gear engagement part 32A2 Wire engagement part 32B 2nd side wall part 32C 3rd side wall part 32C1 Driver engagement part 32D 4th side wall part 34 Drivers 36 Coil spring (biasing member) 36A One end of coil spring 36B Other end of coil spring 38 Moving parts 38A pin 38B Annular part 40 Wire (connecting member, string-like member) 42 Pulley (direction change member) 44 cylinders 44A Cylindrical part 44B hole 44C Cap 46 Guide rail B Battery DR1 Launch direction DR2 Departure direction F fastener

Claims

1. A driving tool having a plunger to which a driver for driving a fastener is attached, the plunger being configured to be movable in an ejection direction toward an ejection port by expanding a single or multiple biasing members from a compressed state, a main body provided with the ejection port for driving the fastener; the single or multiple biasing members, one end of which is fixed to the main body and the other end of which is movable relative to the main body; when the single or multiple biasing members expand from a compressed state, a biasing force acting from the single biasing member to the main body or a resultant force of biasing forces acting from the multiple biasing members to the main body is directed in the ejection direction, the biasing member is configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port, a connecting member attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separating side that moves in the separating direction and the plunger; a direction changing member that changes the direction of a force acting on the connecting member from the separating direction to the ejection direction by engaging with the connecting member between one end and the other end of the connecting member, Driving tool.

2. the connecting member includes the one end and the other end attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separation side that moves in the separation direction, and an intermediate portion attached to the plunger, a moving member that engages with the other end of the biasing member on the separation side and the one end and the other end of the connecting member, The connecting member is configured to be attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separated side by the moving member. The driving tool according to claim 1 .

3. the biasing member is configured to extend on a first axis; The plunger is configured to move on a second axis when the biasing member extends on the first axis; When viewed from a side in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the urging member, the first axis and the second axis overlap; The driving tool according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A driving tool having a plunger to which a driver for driving a fastener is attached, the plunger being configured to be movable in an ejection direction toward an ejection port by expanding a single or multiple biasing members from a compressed state, a main body provided with the ejection port for driving the fastener; the single or multiple biasing members each having one end on an injection port side fixed to the main body and another end on a side away from the main body that is not fixed to the main body; a moving member that engages with the other end of the biasing member on the side away from the single or multiple biasing members; In a first state in which the single or multiple biasing members are compressed, The distance between the one end of the ejection port side and the moving member is the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port is smaller than the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port, In a second state in which the single or multiple biasing members are extended, The distance between the one end of the ejection port side and the moving member is The distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port is greater than the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port. when the single or multiple biasing members expand from a compressed state, a biasing force acting from the single biasing member to the main body or a resultant force of biasing forces acting from the multiple biasing members to the main body is directed in the ejection direction, the biasing member is configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port, a connecting member attached to the other end of the biasing member that moves in the separating direction and the plunger; a direction changing member that changes the direction of a force acting on the connecting member from the separating direction to the ejection direction by engaging with the connecting member between one end and the other end of the connecting member, Driving tool.

5. A driving tool having a plunger to which a driver for driving a fastener is attached, the plunger being configured to be movable in an ejection direction toward an ejection port by expanding a single or multiple biasing members from a compressed state, a main body provided with the ejection port for driving the fastener; the single or multiple biasing members each having one end on an injection side fixed to the main body and another end on a remote side not fixed to the main body; In a first state in which the single or multiple biasing members are compressed, The distance between the one end of the ejection port side and the center of gravity of the biasing member is the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port is smaller than the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port, In a second state in which the single or multiple biasing members are extended, The distance between the one end of the ejection port side and the center of gravity of the biasing member is The distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port is greater than the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port. when the single or multiple biasing members expand from a compressed state, a biasing force acting from the single biasing member to the main body or a resultant force of biasing forces acting from the multiple biasing members to the main body is directed in the ejection direction, the biasing member is configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port, a connecting member attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separating side that moves in the separating direction and the plunger; a direction changing member that changes the direction of a force acting on the connecting member from the separating direction to the ejection direction by engaging with the connecting member between one end and the other end of the connecting member, Driving tool.

6. A driving tool having a plunger to which a driver for driving a fastener is attached, the plunger being configured to be movable in an ejection direction toward an ejection port by expanding a single or multiple biasing members from a compressed state, a main body provided with the ejection port for driving the fastener; the single or multiple biasing members each having one end on an injection side fixed to the main body and another end on a remote side not fixed to the main body; When the single or multiple biasing members transition from a first state in which the biasing members are compressed to a second state in which the biasing members are extended, The direction of movement of the center of gravity of the single or multiple biasing members and the direction of movement of the plunger are opposite to each other, and when the single or multiple biasing members expand from a compressed state, a biasing force acting from the single biasing member to the main body or a resultant force of biasing forces acting from the multiple biasing members to the main body is directed in the ejection direction, the biasing member is configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port, a connecting member attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separating side that moves in the separating direction and the plunger; a direction changing member that changes the direction of a force acting on the connecting member from the separating direction to the ejection direction by engaging with the connecting member between one end and the other end of the connecting member, Driving tool.

7. The mass of the plunger is greater than the sum of the mass of the biasing member multiplied by a coefficient of 0.3 to 0.7 and the mass of the moving member. The driving tool according to claim 2.

8. a plunger to which a driver for driving a fastener is attached, and which is configured to be movable in an injection direction toward an injection port by expanding a single or multiple biasing members from a compressed state; the single or multiple biasing members each having one end on an injection side fixed to a main body and another end on a remote side not fixed to the main body; a main body including a main body portion that houses the single or multiple biasing members and the plunger, and a grip portion connected to the main body portion; A driving tool comprising: The single or multiple biasing members may include: when the single or multiple urging members transition from a second state in which they are extended to a first state in which they are compressed, the other end of the single or multiple urging members in a direction away from the injection port is compressed so as to pass through a position where a connecting portion that connects the grip portion and the main body portion is provided in the injection direction, When transitioning from the first state to the second state, the other end of the single or multiple urging members is configured to extend in the separating direction so as to pass through a position where the connecting portion is provided in the ejection direction, and when the single or multiple biasing members expand from a compressed state, a biasing force acting from the single biasing member to the main body or a resultant force of biasing forces acting from the multiple biasing members to the main body is directed in the ejection direction, The biasing member is configured to extend in the separating direction; a connecting member attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separating side that moves in the separating direction and the plunger; a direction changing member that changes the direction of a force acting on the connecting member from the separating direction to the ejection direction by engaging with the connecting member between one end and the other end of the connecting member, Driving tool.

9. The connecting member has one end attached to the other end on a side away from the biasing member that moves in the extension direction, and the other end attached to the plunger. The driving tool according to claim 8.

10. a moving member that engages with the other end of the biasing member on the separated side and the one end of the connecting member, The connecting member is configured to be attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separated side by the moving member. The driving tool according to claim 9.

11. In a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, The distance between the ejection port side end of the biasing member fixed to the main body and the moving member is the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port is smaller than the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port, In a second state in which the biasing member is extended, The distance between the one end of the ejection port side and the moving member is the distance between the plunger and the ejection port side end of the plunger is greater than the distance between the plunger and the ejection port side end of the plunger. The driving tool according to claim 10.

12. In a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, The distance between the ejection port side end of the urging member fixed to the main body and the center of gravity of the urging member is the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port is smaller than the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port, In a second state in which the biasing member is extended, The distance between the one end of the ejection port side and the center of gravity of the biasing member is the distance between the plunger and the ejection port side end of the plunger is greater than the distance between the plunger and the ejection port side end of the plunger. The driving tool according to claim 10.

13. The mass of the plunger is greater than the sum of the mass of the biasing member multiplied by a coefficient of 0.3 to 0.7 and the mass of the moving member. The driving tool according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. a moving member that engages with the other end of the biasing member, the biasing member is configured to extend in the moving away direction away from the injection port, thereby moving the moving member in the moving away direction and moving the plunger in the injection direction. The driving tool according to claim 8.

15. One end of the connecting member is attached to an end side on a side away from the extension direction of the biasing member by the moving member, and the other end is attached to the plunger. The driving tool according to claim 14.

16. In a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, The distance between the end of the biasing member on the emission side attached to the main body and the moving member is: the distance between the injection side end of the biasing member and the plunger is smaller than the distance between the injection side end of the biasing member and the plunger, In a second state in which the biasing member is extended, The distance between the ejection side end of the biasing member and the moving member is: a distance greater than the distance between the injection side end of the biasing member and the plunger; The driving tool according to claim 14.

17. In a first state in which the biasing member is compressed, The distance between one end of the urging member on the injection port side, which is fixed to the main body, and the center of gravity of the urging member is the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port is smaller than the distance between the plunger and the end of the injection port, In a second state in which the biasing member is extended, The distance between the one end of the ejection port side and the center of gravity of the biasing member is the distance between the plunger and the ejection port side end of the plunger is greater than the distance between the plunger and the ejection port side end of the plunger. The driving tool according to claim 15.

18. The mass of the plunger is greater than the sum of the mass of the biasing member multiplied by a coefficient of 0.3 to 0.7 and the mass of the moving member. The driving tool according to any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. The mass of the biasing member is greater than the mass of the plunger, The mass of the plunger is greater than the mass of the moving member. The driving tool according to any one of claims 2, 4, 7, 10 to 18.

20. a main body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener; a single or multiple biasing members each having one end portion on the ejection port side that is fixed to the main body and another end portion that is not fixed to the main body; an actuator attached to the main body; a plunger to which a driver for driving the fastener is attached and which is configured to be movable by the actuator in a direction away from the injection port, When the plunger moves in the separating direction, the other end of the single or multiple biasing members is configured to extend in the separating direction; when the single or multiple biasing members are expanded from a compressed state, a biasing force acting on the main body from the single biasing member or a resultant force of biasing forces acting on the main body from the multiple biasing members is configured to be directed toward the injection port, the biasing member is configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port, a connecting member attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separating side that moves in the separating direction and the plunger; a direction changing member that changes the direction of a force acting on the connecting member from the separating direction to an injection direction toward the injection port by engaging with the connecting member between one end and the other end of the connecting member, Driving tool.

21. a main body provided with an ejection port for driving a fastener; a single or multiple biasing members each having one end portion on the ejection port side that is fixed to the main body and another end portion that is not fixed to the main body; a plunger to which a driver for driving the fastener is attached, the plunger being configured to be movable in a direction away from the ejection port as the single or multiple biasing members expand from a compressed state; a moving member provided to transmit the biasing force of the biasing member to the plunger and moving together with the biasing member, The product of the movement distance and mass of the biasing member and the moving member is configured to be greater than the product of the movement distance and mass of the plunger, and when the single or multiple biasing members are expanded from a compressed state, a biasing force acting on the main body from the single biasing member or a resultant force of biasing forces acting on the main body from the multiple biasing members is configured to be directed toward the injection port, the biasing member is configured to extend in a direction away from the injection port, a connecting member attached to the other end of the biasing member on the separating side that moves in the separating direction and the plunger; A driving tool characterized by further comprising a direction changing member that engages with the connecting member between one end and the other end of the connecting member to change the direction of the force acting on the connecting member from the separation direction to the injection direction toward the injection outlet.

Images