Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Responsive to torque on work
Patent
1998-09-10
2000-06-20
Smith, James G.
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Responsive to torque on work
173176, B25B 23157
Patent
active
060764384
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a power nutrunner of the type having an adjustable torque release clutch.
In particular, the invention concerns a power nutrunner which comprises a planetary reduction gearing with a ring gear, and a torque release clutch associated with the ring gear, wherein the release clutch includes a thrust element, a cam means, and a pretensioned spring acting between a spring support means movably supported in the housing and the thrust element for exerting an adjustable release point determining bias load on the cam means.
A power nutrunner of this type is previously known through U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,487. The pretension level of the clutch biassing spring of this power tool is adjustable by a ring nut which engages an external thread on the tool housing. This ring nut is normally covered by a protective exhaust deflector sleeve, and setting of the clutch spring pretension level is rather awkward, since the protective sleeve has to be released and slid aside to get access to the ring nut. This prior art spring support design is disadvantageous also in that it adds to the outer dimensions of the nutrunner housing.
The main object of the invention is to provide a power nutrunner of the above described type, wherein the clutch spring support means is compact in design, easily accessible by means of a setting tool without dismantling any tool parts, and still well protected against unintentional displacement.
Another object of the invention is to provide a setting tool specially adapted for the adjustable clutch spring support means having the specific features of the invention.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification and claims.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is below described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the front part of a power nutrunner according to the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a fractional section through the power nutrunner shown in FIG. 1, but located in a different plane.
FIG. 3 shows a side elevation of the release clutch included in the power nutrunner shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows a front end view of the nutrunner in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows a cross section along line V--V in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 shows a side elevation of a setting tool according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The nutrunner illustrated in the drawing figures comprises a motor unit 10 the forward end portion only of which is shown in FIG. 1. Since the motor unit 10 does not form any part of the invention a detailed description thereof is not needed and is, therefore, left out of this specification.
To the motor unit 10 there is bolted a housing 11 for a reduction gearing 12 and a torque limiting release clutch 13. An output spindle 14 is connected to the motor unit 10 via the reduction gearing 12 and is provided with a chuck 15 for attachment of a screw joint engaging tool implement. At this forward end, the housing 11 is provided with an end wall 16 in which the output spindle 14 is rotationally journalled. The end wall 16 is formed with an internal neck portion 17 for providing a proper guidance for the output spindle 14. A bushing 18 at the front end of the end wall 16 defines a central bore in the end wall 16 and forms a bearing for the output spindle 14. The bushing 18 is formed with an annular shoulder for transferring axial forces from the spindle 14 to the housing 11. A lock ring 19 and a shock absorbing resilient ring 20 are mounted on the spindle 14 for engagement with the shoulder of the bushing 18. In the opposite direction, the spindle 14 is axially locked by a lock ring 21 cooperating with the inner end of the end wall neck portion 17.
The rear end of the housing 11 comprises an end wall 22 which is secured to the motor unit 10 by means of screws 23. The end wall 22 is formed with a ball race 24 for rotational support of a tubular ring gear 25 via a number of balls 26 in cooperation with a ball race
REFERENCES:
patent: 4084487 (1978-04-01), Wallace
patent: 4898249 (1990-02-01), Ohmori
patent: 5076120 (1991-12-01), Lin
Atlas Copco Tools AB
Smith James G.
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