Torque Clutch Locking Element for Slip-Free Drilling Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held power tools with torque clutches experience unreliable drilling mode settings and slipping issues due to indirect axial locking of the pressure plate, leading to limited reliability and specific use conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held power tool with a torque clutch that includes a locking element movable in a plane transverse to the longitudinal center axis, allowing for reliable activation and deactivation with small forces and paths, enabling three operating modes: screwdriving, drilling, and percussion drilling, through a structurally simple and robust configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If indirect axial locking of the pressure plate via spring retainer is used, then the torque clutch can be deactivated in drilling mode, but the locking reliability is limited and slipping may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element acts as an intermediary component between the transmission element and the pressure plate. It provides direct axial locking by engaging with the transmission element's locking surface, eliminating the need for indirect locking through the spring retainer alone. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable torque clutch deactivation in drilling mode without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If axial displaceability of the transmission element is enabled for torque clutch activation, then the torque clutch can be activated in screwdriving mode, but large actuating forces and paths are required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is movable in a plane transverse to the longitudinal center axis, representing a dimensionality change from purely axial movement. This transverse movement allows the locking element to engage and disengage from the transmission element's locking surface with small forces and paths, while still enabling reliable torque clutch activation and deactivation.
3Force
If the locking element is movable in a plane transverse to the longitudinal center axis, then small actuating forces and paths are required, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element serves multiple functions: it provides direct axial locking of the transmission element, enables torque clutch deactivation, and can be moved in a transverse plane for easy actuation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall mechanism complexity while achieving small actuating forces and paths.
4Reliability
If direct locking of the transmission element is implemented, then reliable torque clutch deactivation is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element combines the functions of axial positioning and transverse movement into a single component. It merges the locking function with the actuation mechanism, directly engaging the transmission element's locking surface while being movable in a transverse plane. This merging reduces structural complexity compared to having separate locking and actuation components.
Data Source
AI summary
In a hand-held power tool, a torque clutch associated with an output spindle, a transmission element axially displaceable in the direction of a longitudinal center axis of the output spindle, a locking element axially immovable in the direction of the longitudinal center axis and movable in a plane transverse to the longitudinal center axis, for activating and deactivating the torque clutch, the locking element enabling, in at least a first operating position, axial displaceability of the transmission element in the direction of the longitudinal center axis to activate the torque clutch, and in at least a second operating position, for at least limiting the axial displaceability of the transmission element to deactivate the torque clutch, in the second operating position of the locking element, the output spindle being at least essentially axially immovable relative to the gear housing in the direction of the longitudinal center axis.