Patent ID: 6401572
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B25B,F16H

Abstract:
Torque tool comprisinga torque converter actuated by a motor; said torque converter including a housing means comprising, with sequentially decreasing internal diameters, the following four features: a threaded bore; an annular indentation; an internal spur gear; and a smooth bore; and then an external spur, located to correspond essentially to said smooth bore; a flange for coaxially interconnecting said torque converter with said motor; a threaded ring for engaging said threaded bore, mounted with a close-running fit to a cylindrical extension of said flange and with a sliding contact to a flat surface of said flange, said threaded ring being provided with several axial through-holes, circumferentially and equidistantly disposed with respect to a central axis of said threaded ring; an index plate located in said annular indentation and provided with a multiplicity of orifices disposed on a circumference equal to that of said several axial through-holes; resiliently biased balls essentially disposed in said several axial through holes and in corresponding orifices of said multiplicity of orifices; fasteners for securing said index plate against said flange; said torque converter further including an input shaft incorporating a first sun gear centrally provided with a blind hole; a first needle bearing inserted with a close-fit in said blind hole; a first bearing for holding for said input shaft against said flange; a first planet carrier comprising first and second disc-shaped plates, equally spaced and firmly interconnected; said first disc-shaped plate being provided with a centrally located axial passage for said first sun gear; said second disc-shaped plate being centrally provided with an outwardly extending second sun gear, said second disc-shaped plate and said second sun gear forming a unitary structure having a central through-opening into which a first sliding bearing is press-fitted; first planetary gear located in said first planet carrier and comprising, besides said first sun gear, three first planet pinions drivingly engaged with said first sun gear and said internal spur gear; said torque converter means further comprising a second planet carrier including a third and fourth disc-shaped plates, equally spaced and firmly interconnected; said third disc-shaped plate being provided with a second central axis opening for the passage of said second sun gear; said fourth disc-shaped plate being centrally provided with an outwardly extending third sun gear; said fourth disc-shaped plate and said third sun gear forming a unitary structure having a central through-opening into which a second sliding bearing is press-fitted, the latter having an equal diameter with said first sliding bearing, said central through-opening and said: second sliding bearing being coaxial; a second planetary gear encased in said second planet carrier and comprising, besides said second sun gear, three second planet pinions drivingly engaged with said second sun gear and said internal spur; said torque converter further comprising a third planet carrier including; fifth and a sixth disc-shaped plates equally spaced and firmly interconnected; said fifth disc-shaped plate, directed towards second planet carriers, being provided with a third central access opening for the passage of said third sun gear; said sixth disc-shaped plate being centrally provided with an outwardly extending hub, successively followed by a fourth sun gear and a bearing journal, external diameters of said outwardly extending hub, said fourth sun gear and said bearing journal diminishing consecutively; said sixth disc-shaped plate together with said outwardly extending hub, said fourth sun gear and said bearing journal constituting a unitary structure; a third sliding bearing press-fitted in a central closed opening disposed in said sixth disc-shaped plate and in said outwardly extending hub, said third sliding bearing being coaxial with and having the same diameter as said second sliding bearing;: a third planetary gear disposed in said third planet carrier and including, besides said third sun gear; three third planet pinions and needle bearings for supporting said three third planet pinions on axles, the latter being perpendicularly secured to said fifth and sixth disc-shaped plates, said third planet pinions being drivingly engaged with said third sun gear and said internal spur gear; a stepped pin inserted in said first needle bearing and in said first, second and third sliding bearings; said torque converter means further comprising: a fourth planet carrier incorporating seventh and eighth disc-shaped plates equally spaced and firmly interconnected by attaching elements; said seventh disc-shaped plate being provided with a centrally located cylindrical sleeve; a second bearing having an inner and an outer race, said inner race being light-press fitted onto said cylindrical sleeve, and said outer race being mounted with an interference fit against said internal spur gear, an internal diameter of said cylindrical sleeve being commensurate with said outwardly extending hub to assure a free passage of the latter; said eight disc-shaped plate extending into a concentrical hub of reduced diameter and ending with an output shaft having a reduced diameter with respect to said concentrical hub; said eight disc-shaped plate together with said concentrical hub and said output shaft forming a one-piece structure; a fourth sliding bearing press fitted in a blind hole formed in said eighth disc-shaped plate and partially in said concentrical hub, said fourth sliding bearing being coaxial with and having the same diameter as said bearing journal; a fourth planetary gear, disposed in said fourth planet carrier and including, besides said fourth sun gears, :four fourth planet pinions and axles to support said fourth planet pinions; a multiplicity of roll needles, closely spaced together and disposed between each one of said fourth planet pinions and each one of said axles to support said fourth planet pinions, the latter being drivingly engaged with said fourth sun gear and said internal spur gear; and a hub bearing disposed between said concentrical hub and said smooth bore.