Abstract:
An insulation system for a tool includes a first element configured to electrically insulate an output unit of the tool from a detachably receivable tool element of the tool that is configured to process a workpiece. The insulation system further includes and a second element configured to electrically insulate the output unit toward the outside. A method includes mounting the insulation system on the tool.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to patent application nos. DE 10 2013 016 328.5, filed on Oct. 4, 2013 in Germany, and DE 10 2014 204 380.8, filed on Mar. 11, 2014, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an insulation system for a tool, a tool, and a method for mounting the insulation system on the tool. The tool is in particular a screwdriving/drilling tool that is holdable in the hand of a user. 
         [0003]    In the automobile industry, tools, for example screwdriving tools, are used in the mounting of batteries of electric vehicles. The batteries are generally storage batteries which consist of a plurality of elements which are intended to be screwed together. In this case, the screws are also intended to be screwed into live parts. In this case, the protection of an operator of the tool from electrical voltages, which are dangerous for the operator, should be ensured. 
         [0004]    Currently, this is realized for example by the tool being wrapped with insulating tape. However, this is very laborious and susceptible to error. In addition, it is only possible to avoid contact with live parts as a result. However, it is not possible to prevent at least introduction of the electrical voltages from the workpiece to be processed into the tool. 
         [0005]    Therefore, it is the object of the present disclosure to provide an insulation system for a tool, a tool, and a method for mounting an insulation system on a tool, with which the abovementioned problems can be solved. In particular, provision is intended to be made of an insulation system for a tool, a tool, and a method for mounting an insulation system on a tool, in which both the tool and the operator thereof are protected from electrical voltages which occur on a workpiece to be processed with the tool. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    This object is achieved by an insulation system for a tool according to the disclosure. 
         [0007]    Advantageous further configurations of the insulation system are specified in the dependent claims. 
         [0008]    The insulation system for a tool provides a coherent overall concept which ensures that both the tool and the operator thereof are protected from electrical voltages which occur on a workpiece to be processed with the tool. Introduction of the electrical voltages from the workpiece to be processed into the tool is prevented. As a result, provision is made of an overall solution for example of a screw system for category A screw connections, said screw system making it possible to operate under “live working” conditions. 
         [0009]    The insulation system is easily retrofittable and can thus be used in any desired standard screwdriver. This is also advantageous for the keeping of spare parts for a user of the tool. 
         [0010]    The insulation system achieves the abovementioned object in an easy and readily manageable manner. The insulation system contributes to high process reliability of the tool. 
         [0011]    The object is also achieved by a tool according to the disclosure. 
         [0012]    Advantageous further configurations of the tool are specified in the dependent claims. 
         [0013]    The tool achieves the same advantages as were mentioned above with regard to the insulation system. 
         [0014]    The object is also achieved by a method for mounting an insulation system on a tool according to the disclosure. 
         [0015]    Advantageous further configurations of the method are specified in the dependent claims. 
         [0016]    The method achieves the same advantages as were mentioned above with regard to the insulation system. 
         [0017]    Further possible implementations of the disclosure also comprise combinations that are not explicitly mentioned of features or embodiments that are described above or in the following text with regard to the exemplary embodiment. 
         [0018]    Here, a person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the particular basic form of the disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The disclosure is described in more detail in the following text with reference to the appended drawings and by way of an exemplary embodiment. In the drawings: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a tool having an insulation system according to one exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional view of an insulation system of the tool according to the exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference signs, unless stated to the contrary. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a tool  1  having an insulation system  2 . The tool  1  may be a screwdriving tool, a drilling tool, a riveting tool, a punching tool, a bolt-firing tool, etc. The tool  1  in  FIG. 1  is a tool that is holdable in the hand. However, the tool  1  is not limited thereto. The tool  1  can also be a stationary tool or bench tool. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 1 , the tool  1  has a handle  11 , an on/off switch  12 , a battery compartment  13 , a housing  14 , and an output unit  15 . The insulation system  2  has a first element  21 , a second element  22 , a receiving element  23 , and a fastening unit  24 . 
         [0025]    A battery, for example a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery, can be received in the battery compartment  13 . As a result, the tool  1  is a cordless tool. The housing  14  is made of a material, for example plastics material, etc., which acts in an electrically insulating manner. As a result, in the region of the housing  14 , the tool  1  has a surface made of an electrically insulating material. However, at the output unit  15 , the tool  1  has a metal housing, in particular a steel housing. Thus, the output unit  15  has an electrically conductive housing. The output unit  15  is configured to receive a tool element (not illustrated) by way of which the tool  1  can process a workpiece. For example, the output unit  15  is a quick-action chuck for receiving a screwdriver bit, drill bit, etc. 
         [0026]    The first element  21  is an electrically insulated and electrically insulating extension which is received by the output unit  15 . The first element  21  can be snapped into the output unit  15 , as described below. The second element  22  is a housing made of an electrically insulating material, for example plastics material, etc. For example, the second element  22  is a one-piece housing. The second element  22  can receive, in particular enclose, the output unit  15  and the first element  21 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In addition, the second element  22  receives the receiving element  23 . In this case, the second element  22  engages in the receiving element  23  or bears against the latter such that the receiving element  23  projects partially out of the second element  22 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . At its end facing the tool  1 , the second element  22  is slotted at the fastening unit  24  and provided with two fastening elements  24 A,  24 B. By way of the fastening unit  24 , the second element  22  can be fastened to the housing  14  of the tool  1  using the two fastening elements  24 A,  24 B. The fastening elements  24 A,  24 B are two fastening elements  24 A,  24 B that are arranged in the radial direction of the output unit  15 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The fastening elements  24 A,  24 B are fastening elements that are attached preferably in a recessed manner, for example clamping screws, etc., which clamp the second element  22  and thus the insulation system  2  to the housing  14  of the tool  1 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows the structure of the insulation system  2  in more detail. Accordingly, a drive flange  21 A for the first element  21  is provided. The drive flange  21 A is arranged in the output unit  15  of the tool  1 , and in particular is snapped on to the output unit  15 . The first element  21  is arranged on the drive flange  21 A via a form-fitting toothing  21 B. The first element  21  is axially secured via a clamping pin  21 C. In addition, at its other end, the first element  21  is arranged via a form-fitting toothing  21 D on an output flange  23 A which is connected to a quick-action chuck  23 B of the receiving element  23 . The first element  21  is axially secured, here too, via a clamping pin  21 E. 
         [0028]    By way of the first element  21 , a screwing point on a workpiece is electrically disconnected from the tool  1 . 
         [0029]    In order to reduce the radial play of the insulating output shaft made up of the drive flange  21 A, first element  21  and output flange  23 A, said output shaft is mounted in the front region of the second element  22  by way of a bearing  22 A. Mounting takes place by way of the form-fitting toothings  21 B,  21 D. The second element  22 , as insulating housing, has a collar  22 B which bounds the gripping region for the user of the tool  1 . The collar  22 B projects, as a ring, outwardly out of the second element  22 . By way of the collar  22 B, the user of the tool  1  feels where the region that is dangerous, because it is live, on the insulating system  2  begins. 
         [0030]    Accordingly, the tool  1  in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  is a cordless portable screwdriver which apart from the clamping flange on the output, the output unit  15 , and the output shaft itself has a surface made of plastics material. The cordless embodiment of the tool  1  is also advantageous in order to avoid transfer of potential via a cord. 
         [0031]    The above-described solution consists in the following procedure being carried out in a method for mounting the insulation system  2  on a tool  1 . In the output unit  15 , in particular the quick-change chuck thereof, an insulated and insulating extension in the form of the element  21  is snapped on by means of the drive flange  21 A. Subsequently, the insulating housing of the insulation system  2 , that is to say the second element  22 , is pushed onto the housing of the tool  1  via the insulating extension. Fixing in the arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  takes place in this case by way of the fastening unit  24  and by the radial clamping screws, the fastening elements  24 A,  24 B, which are arranged in a recessed manner. 
         [0032]    The insulation system  2  can be retroactively mounted on a conventional standard screwdriver. This simplifies the keeping of spare parts for the user of the tool  1 . 
         [0033]    A commercially available hexagon key can be fitted, as a tool element that is not illustrated, in the quick-change chuck  23 B of the receiving element  23 . Thus, the receiving element  23  is configured for detachably receiving or mounting the tool element that is not illustrated. 
         [0034]    In summary, by way of the insulation system  2 , the desired additional electrical insulation of the tool  1  from electrical voltages on a workpiece to be processed by way of the tool  1  can be realized. 
         [0035]    According to a second exemplary embodiment, no mounting of the output shaft made up of the drive flange  21 A, first element  21  and output flange  23 A by way of the bearing  22 A is provided to reduce the radial play of the insulating output shaft. 
         [0036]    Otherwise, in the present exemplary embodiment, too, the tool  1  and its insulation system  2  are constructed in the same way as described with reference to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         [0037]    According to a third exemplary embodiment, no collar  22 B which bounds the gripping region for the user of the tool  1  is provided. This makes it easier to produce the second element  22 . The collar  22 B is not necessarily required if a user of the tool  1  does not have to or will not grip the tool  1  at the second element  22 , for example, when processing a live workpiece. 
         [0038]    Otherwise, in the present exemplary embodiment, too, the tool  1  and its insulation system  2  are constructed in the same way as described with reference to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         [0039]    According to a fourth exemplary embodiment, the insulation system  2  is embodied such that the receiving element  23  and the first element  21  cannot be removed from the tool  1  without removing the second element  22 . Such a construction prevents easy, for example tool-free, changing of the insulated output by an operator of the tool  1 . As a result, safety for the tool  1  and its operator can be further increased. 
         [0040]    Otherwise, in the present exemplary embodiment, too, the tool  1  and its insulation system  2  are constructed in the same way as described with reference to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         [0041]    All of the above-described configurations of the tool  1  and of the insulation system  2  can be used individually or in any possible combinations. In particular, all of the features and/or functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments can be combined as desired. In addition, in particular the following modifications are conceivable. 
         [0042]    The parts illustrated in the figures are illustrated schematically and the precise configuration thereof can deviate from the forms shown in the figures, as long as their above-described functions are ensured. 
         [0043]    One or both of the fastening elements  24 A,  24 B can, if necessary, also be embodied in some other manner than by way of a screw. Fastening means in the form of welding, adhesive bonding, a snap-connection, etc., are also possible for the two fastening elements  24 A,  24 B.