Rail Impact Wrench Handle Decoupling for Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating an electrically operated impact wrench for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts on a track is extremely strenuous due to high torques and forces involved, leading to operator fatigue and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A vibration decoupling device is integrated to separate the handle from the impact wrench, using elastomeric materials around the axis of rotation of the electric drive motor, with the accumulator acting as a counterweight on the operating side, ensuring that forces and vibrations are heavily damped, and the control device is positioned to avoid undamped forces, allowing only electrical lines to pass through the decoupling plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the impact wrench mechanism is directly connected to the handle, then the structure is simple, but the operator experiences high vibrations and forces leading to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The impact wrench is divided into two separate sides by a decoupling plane: the working side containing the impact wrench mechanism and electric drive motor, and the operating side containing the handle and control device. This segmentation isolates the vibration source from the operator's hand, reducing vibration exposure while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A vibration decoupling device is introduced as an intermediary element between the working side and operating side. This decoupling device allows mechanical connection for power transmission while blocking vibration transmission to the handle, effectively mediating between the high-vibration impact mechanism and the operator's hand.
2Ease of operation
If the electric drive motor is located on the operating side with the handle, then vibrations are reduced, but the mechanical connection becomes complex requiring drive shafts through the decoupling plane
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the electric drive motor on the operating side with the handle (conventional arrangement), the invention inverts this by locating the motor on the working side with the impact wrench mechanism. This inversion simplifies the mechanical connection by eliminating the need for drive shafts penetrating the decoupling plane, while the vibration decoupling device still effectively protects the operator.
3Ease of operation
If vibration dampening materials are added around the motor axis, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration dampening materials are applied locally and selectively around specific components (such as the motor axis or mounting points) rather than throughout the entire device. This targeted approach provides effective vibration damping at critical locations while minimizing the addition of components and maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces operator fatigue by providing a high level of operating comfort and reliability, allowing for efficient operation with reduced vibration transmission, enabling easier handling and maintenance of the impact wrench.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration decoupling device decouples the at least one handle from the impact wrench mechanism in a vibration-damping manner
Implementation Method 2
The at least one vibration damper is elastically designed to achieve vibration decoupling or damping. Preferably, the at least one vibration damper comprises an elastomeric material, in particular a rubber material.
Implementation Method 3
Because the accumulator is arranged on the operating side, it forms a counterweight to the impact wrench mechanism and, optionally, to the electric drive motor, so that the accumulator effectively dampens or decouples vibrations at the at least one handle.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an impact wrench for tightening and loosening nuts and screws of a rail, having a vibration decoupling device (7) which serves for vibration decoupling of at least one handle (10, 11, 13) of an electrically operated impact wrench.