Fastening tool

A fastening tool includes: a cylindrical rotation guide member extending in one direction and rotatably supported; a holding member having an opening in which a driver bit is detachably inserted, and configured to move in an axis direction along the extension direction of the rotation guide member inside the rotation guide member and to rotate together with the rotation guide member; and a moving member configured to move the holding member in a front and rear direction along the rotation guide member; a rotation member; and a transmission member connected to the moving member and having flexibility to be wound along an outer periphery of the rotation member. The rotation member is rotated by the motor, so that the moving member is moved with the transmission member in one direction in which a screw engaged with the driver bit is pressed against a fastening target.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-034722 filed on Mar. 4, 2021, Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-034723 filed on Mar. 4, 2021, Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-034724 filed on Mar. 4, 2021, Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-034725 filed on Mar. 4, 2021, Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-149653 filed on Sep. 14, 2021, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-149654 filed on Sep. 14, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and priority is darned to each.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fastening tool configured to engage a driver bit with a screw, to push and press the screw against a fastening target with the driver bit, and to rotate the driver bit for screwing.

BACKGROUND ART

Known is a tool called a portable striking machine configured to strike out connected stoppers loaded in a magazine sequentially from a tip end of a driver guide by using an air pressure of a compressed air supplied from an air compressor or a combustion pressure of a gas.

In a tool configured to fasten a screw by rotating a bit and to move the bit in a direction in which the screw is fastened, in the related art, suggested is an air pressure-type screw striking machine configured to rotate a bit by an air motor and to move the bit by an air pressure in a direction in which a screw is fastened (for example, refer to PTL 1).

Since the tool configured to use an air pressure is not provided with a motor and the like, a substrate on which electronic components constituting a control circuit and the like are mounted is not required. On the other hand, it is necessary to connect and use an air hose, which deteriorates a handling property.

In contrast, suggested is a screw striking machine configured to compress a spring by a drive force of a motor configured to rotate a screw, and to strike the screw by urging of the spring (for example, refer to PTL 2).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

In any of the screw striking machine configured to use the air pressure and the screw striking machine configured to strike a screw by urging of the spring, it is difficult to control an amount of movement of the driver bit in the direction in which the screw is fastened.

In addition, as for an electric screw striking machine used with holding a handle by a hand, a configuration is suggested in which a battery is attached to a lower part of the handle and a substrate is provided between the handle and the battery. However, with such a configuration, a dimension of the tool along an extension direction of the handle is increased.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fastening tool capable of easily controlling an amount of movement of a driver bit in a direction in which a screw is fastened.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastening tool configured to suppress an increase in dimension of the tool along an extension direction of a handle.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a fastening tool including a cylindrical rotation guide member extending in one direction and rotatably supported by a bearing; a holding member having an opening in which a driver bit is detachably inserted, and configured to move in an axis direction along the extension direction of the rotation guide member inside the rotation guide member and to rotate together with the rotation guide member; a moving member configured to move the holding member in a front and rear direction along the rotation guide member; a rotation member configured to be driven and to rotate by a motor; and a transmission member connected to the moving member and having flexibility to be wound along an outer periphery of the rotation member, wherein the rotation member is rotated by the motor, so that the moving member is moved with the transmission member in one direction in which a screw engaged with the driver bit is pressed against a fastening target.

In addition, the present invention provided a fastening tool including a tool body extending in one direction; a handle extending in another direction intersecting with the extension direction of the tool body; an accommodating unit provided on one side of the handle along the extension direction of the tool body and configured to accommodate therein consumables; and a substrate accommodating part provided on a surface of a side, which faces the handle, of the accommodating unit and configured to accommodate therein a substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fastening tool of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Configuration Example of Fastening Tool of Present Embodiment

FIG.1Ais a side cross-sectional view showing an example of an internal structure of a fastening tool according to the present embodiment,FIG.1Bis a top cross-sectional view showing the example of the internal structure of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment, andFIG.1Cis a front cross-sectional view showing the example of the internal structure of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment. In addition,FIG.2Ais an exploded perspective view showing the example of the internal structure of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment, andFIG.2Bis an outer perspective view showing an example of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment.

A fastening tool1of the present embodiment includes a bit holding unit3configured to hold a driver bit2so as to be rotatable and to be movable in an axis direction, a first drive unit4configured to rotate the driver bit2held by the bit holding unit3, and a second drive unit5configured to move the driver bit2held by the bit holding unit3in the axis direction.

In addition, the fastening tool1includes a screw accommodating unit6in which a screw200is accommodated, a screw feeding unit7configured to feed the screw accommodated in the screw accommodating unit6, and a nose unit8configured to be pressed against a fastening target to which the screw200is to be fastened, and to eject the screw.

In addition, the fastening tool1includes a tool body10and a handle11. Further, the fastening tool1includes a battery attaching part13to which a battery12is detachably attached, at an end portion of the handle11.

In the fastening tool1, the tool body10extends in one direction along an axis direction of the driver bit2denoted with arrows A1and A2, and the handle11extends in another direction intersecting with the extension direction of the tool body10. In the fastening tool1, the extension direction of the tool body10, i.e., the axis direction of the driver bit2denoted with arrows A1and A2is referred to as ‘front and rear direction’. In addition, in the fastening tool1, the extension direction of the handle11is referred to as ‘upper and lower direction’. Further, in the fastening tool1, a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the tool body10and the extension direction of the handle11is referred to as ‘right and left direction’.

The first drive unit4is provided at the rear, which is one side of the tool body10, with the handle11interposed therebetween. In addition, the second drive unit5is provided at the front, which is the other side of the tool body10, with the handle11interposed therebetween.

In the screw accommodating unit6, a plurality of screws200are connected by a connecting band and a spirally wound connected screw is accommodated.

FIGS.3A and3Bare perspective views showing an example of a main part configuration of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment,FIGS.4A to4Care sectional perspective views showing the example of the main part configuration of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment, andFIG.5is a top cross-sectional view showing the example of the main part configuration of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment, showing details of the bit holding unit3and the first drive unit4. Next, the bit holding unit3and the first drive unit4are described with reference to the respective drawings.

The bit holding unit3includes a holding member30configured to detachably hold the driver bit2, a rotation guide member31configured to support the holding member30so as to be movable in the front and rear direction denoted with the arrows A1and A2along the axis direction of the driver bit2, and to rotate together with the holding member30, a moving member32configured to move the holding member30in the front and rear direction along the rotation guide member31, and an urging member33configured to urge the moving member32in a rearward direction denoted with the arrow A2.

The holding member30is constituted by, for example, a circular cylinder-shaped member having an outer diameter slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the rotation guide member31, and configured to be inserted inside the rotation guide member31. The holding member30is provided at an end portion on a front side along the axis direction of the driver bit2with an opening30ahaving a shape that matches a cross-sectional shape of the driver bit2. The holding member30has an attaching/detaching holding mechanism30cconfigured to detachably hold the driver bit2and provided in the opening30a. In the holding member30, the opening30ais exposed inside the rotation guide member31, and the driver bit2is detachably inserted in the opening30a.

The rotation guide member31extends along the extension direction of the tool body10, i.e., the front and rear direction denoted with the arrows A1and A2along the axis direction of the driver bit2. The rotation guide member31has a cylindrical shape in which the holding member30is inserted, and an end portion on a front side is rotatably supported via a bearing34a, which is an example of the bearing, by a metal front frame10bprovided on a front side of a resin case10aconstituting an exterior of the tool body10. In addition, an end portion on a rear side of the rotation guide member31is connected to the first drive unit4.

In the rotation guide member31, groove portions31aextending in the front and rear direction denoted with the arrows A1and A2along the axis direction of the driver bit2are formed at two locations on side parts facing in a radial direction. The rotation guide member31is connected to the holding member30via connecting members30bconfigured to penetrate the holding member30in the radial direction and to protrude from both sides of the holding member30as the connecting members30benter the groove portions31a.

The holding member30is provided with hole portions penetrating in a direction perpendicular to a rotation direction of the driver bit2, and the connecting members30bare inserted into the hole portions and fixed by pins30f. The connecting member30bis constituted by a cylindrical member having an oval cross section.

In the connecting member30b, a long-side direction of the oval shape is a direction along the extension direction of the groove portion31aparallel to the axis direction of the driver bit2denoted with the arrows A1and A2, and a short-side direction of the oval shape is a direction (denoted with arrows B1and B2) orthogonal to the extension direction of the groove portion31a, i.e., a direction along the rotation direction of the rotation guide member31. The connecting member30bis configured such that a width of the oval shape in the short-side direction, i.e., a width along the rotation direction of the rotation guide member31is slightly smaller than a width of the groove portion31aalong the same direction.

Thereby, the connecting member30binserted in the groove portion31ais supported by the groove portion31aso as to be movable along the axis direction of the rotation guide member31. Further, the movement of the connecting member30balong the rotation direction of the rotation guide member31is restricted between one side surface and the other side surface of the groove portion31aalong the extension direction of the groove portion31a. Therefore, a rotation operation of the rotation guide member31causes the connecting member30bto be pushed by one side surface or the other side surface of the groove portion31aaccording to the rotation direction of the rotation guide member31and to be applied with a force in a circumferential force, which is the rotation direction, from the rotation guide member31.

Therefore, when the rotation guide member31rotates, the connecting members30bare pushed by the groove portions31aof the rotation guide member31, so that the holding member30rotates together with the rotation guide member31. Further, the connecting members30bare guided by the groove portions31aof the rotation guide member31, so that the holding member30moves in the front and rear direction along the axis direction of the driver bit2.

The moving member32is an example of a transmission member, and includes a first moving member32aconfigured to rotate together with the holding member30and to move the holding member30in the front and rear direction along the rotation guide member31, a second moving member32cconfigured to be supported via a bearing32bby the first moving member32aand to push the first moving member32avia the bearing32b, and a cushioning member32dattached to a rear side of the second moving member32c.

The first moving member32ais constituted by, for example, a circular cylinder-shaped member having an inner diameter slightly greater than an outer diameter of the rotation guide member31, and configured to be inserted to an outer side of the rotation guide member31. The first moving member32ais connected to the holding member30via the connecting members30bprotruding from the groove portions31aof the rotation guide member31, and therefore, is supported to be movable along the axis direction of the rotation guide member31.

The bearing32bis an example of a bearing and is inserted between an outer periphery of the first moving member32aand an inner periphery of the second moving member32c. The first moving member32aconstitutes a bearing inner ring holding member configured to hold an inner ring of the bearing32b, and the second moving member32cconstitutes a bearing outer ring holding member configured to hold an outer ring of the bearing32b. In the bearing32b, the inner ring is supported by the outer periphery of the first moving member32aso as not to be movable in the rotation direction and the axis direction, and the outer ring is supported by the inner periphery of the second moving member32cso as not to be movable in the rotation direction and the axis direction.

Thereby, the second moving member32cis connected to the first moving member32avia the bearing32bin a state where movement in the front and rear direction along the axis direction is restricted. In addition, the second moving member32cis configured to rotatably support the first moving member32avia the bearing32b.

Therefore, as the second moving member32cmoves in the front and rear direction along the axis direction, the first moving member32ais pushed by the second moving member32cvia the bearing32b, and moves in the front and rear direction along the axis direction together with the second moving member32c. In addition, the first moving member32ais configured to be rotatable with respect to the second moving member32cthat is not rotatable with respect to the rotation guide member31.

The urging member33is constituted by a coil spring, in the present example, is inserted between the front frame10bprovided on the front side of the case10aof the tool body10and the second moving member32cof the moving member32, outside the rotation guide member31, and is in contact with a spring seat32farranged to contact an end face of the outer ring of the bearing32b. The urging member33is compressed as the moving member32moves in the forward direction denoted with the arrow A1, and urges the moving member32in the rearward direction denoted with the arrow A2.

The first drive unit4includes a bit rotating motor40configured to be driven by electricity supplied from the battery12, and a speed reducer41. The bit rotating motor40is an example of the first motor, in which a shaft40aof the bit rotating motor40is connected to the speed reducer41, and a shaft41aof the speed reducer41is connected to the rotation guide member31. In the first drive unit4, the speed reducer41is configured to use a planetary gear, and the bit rotating motor40is arranged coaxially with the rotation guide member31, the holding member30and the driver bit2held by the holding member30.

In the first drive unit4, the bit rotating motor40and the speed reducer41are attached to a metal rear frame10cprovided on a rear side of the case10aof the tool body10, and the shaft41aof the speed reducer41is supported by the rear frame10cvia a bearing42. The rotation guide member31is rotatably supported via the bearing42, which is an example of a bearing, by connecting a rear end portion to the shaft41aof the speed reducer41and supporting the shaft41ato the rear frame10cvia the bearing42.

The bit holding unit3and the first drive unit4are integrally assembled by connecting the front frame10band the rear frame10cwith a coupling member10dextending in the front and rear direction, and the front frame10bis fixed to the case10aof the tool body10by a screw10e.

Further, in the bit holding unit3, an end portion on the front side of the rotation guide member31is supported via the bearing34aby the front frame10bfixed to the front side of the case10aof the tool body10, and an end portion on the rear side of the rotation guide member31is supported via the shaft41aof the speed reducer41and the bearing42by the rear frame10cfixed to the rear side of the case10a. Therefore, in the bit holding unit3, the rotation guide member31is rotatably supported by the tool body10.

Thereby, the first drive unit4is configured to rotate the rotation guide member31by the bit rotating motor40. When the rotation guide member31rotates, the connecting members30bare pushed by the groove portions31aof the rotation guide member31, so that the holding member30configured to hold the driver bit2rotates together with the rotation guide member31.

The bit holding unit3is provided with a guide member32gon the second moving member32c. The coupling member10dis provided with a pair of guide wall portions10gat an interval slightly larger than a diameter of the guide member32g, and the guide member32gis inserted between the pair of guide wall portions10g, so that the pair of guide wall portions10gfaces a peripheral surface of the guide member32g.

Thereby, the guide member32gis guided to the coupling member10d, so that the second moving member32ccan move in the front and rear direction denoted with the arrows A1and A2along the axis direction of the driver bit2and the rotation following the rotation guide member31is restricted.

FIGS.6A and6Bare top cross-sectional views showing the example of the internal structure of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment, showing details of the second drive unit5. Next, the second drive unit5is described with reference to the respective drawings.

The second drive unit5includes a bit moving motor50configured to be driven by electricity supplied from the battery12, and a speed reducer51. The bit moving motor50is an example of the motor and the second motor, in which a shaft50aof the bit moving motor50is connected to the speed reducer51, and a shaft51aof the speed reducer51is connected to a pulley52, which is an example of the rotation member. In the second drive unit5, the pulley52is supported by the tool body10via a bearing53. In the second drive unit5, the shaft50aof the bit moving motor50is arranged along the extension direction of the handle11.

In the second drive unit5, one end of a string-like wire54, which is an example of the transmission member, is connected to the pulley52, and the pulley52rotates, so that the wire54is wound along an outer periphery52aof the pulley52. In addition, the other end of the wire54is connected to a wire connecting portion32hprovided on the second moving member32cof the moving member32. The transmission member may also be a string made of fibers or the like, a belt made of rubber or the like, or a chain made of a metal or the like, as long as it has flexibility to be wound along the outer periphery of the rotation member such as the pulley52. When the transmission member is constituted by a chain, the rotation member may be a sprocket having teeth.

Thereby, the second drive unit5is configured to move the second moving member32cin the forward direction denoted with the arrow A1by rotating the pulley52by the bit moving motor50to wind up the wire54. In the bit holding unit3, when the second moving member32cmoves forward, the first moving member32ais pushed via the bearing32b, and the first moving member32amoves forward along the axis direction, together with the second moving member32c. The first moving member32amoves forward, so that the holding member30connected to the first moving member32avia the connecting members30bmoves forward and the driver bit2held by the holding member30moves in the forward direction denoted with the arrow A1.

The second drive unit5is arranged offset to one side with respect to a substantial center in a right and left direction of the fastening tool1so that a tangential direction of a portion of the pulley52where the wire54is wound follows the extension direction of the rotation guide member31. That is, the arrangement is such that a center of the pulley52, in the present example, the shaft50aof the bit moving motor50is offset to one side with respect to the rotation guide member31and the outer periphery52aof the pulley52on which the wire54is to be wound overlaps the rotation guide member31, when seen in the axis direction of the pulley52.

In addition, the pulley52and the like are arranged so that the wire54between the pulley52and the second moving member32cis parallel to the axis direction of the rotation guide member31in the radial direction of the pulley52, as shown inFIGS.6A and6Band is parallel to the axis direction of the rotation guide member31also in the axis direction of the bit moving motor50orthogonal to the radial direction of the pulley52, as shown inFIG.1A.

Further, if the wire54is overlapped and wound on the pulley52, a distance from the center of the pulley52to the wire54changes according to the number of turns. Therefore, the amount of movement of the driver bit2when the pulley52makes one rotation changes. Further, an angle between a direction, in which the wire54is stretched between the pulley52and the second moving member32c, and a moving direction of the driver bit2along the axis direction of the rotation guide member31changes.

Therefore, a diameter of the pulley52and the like are set so that an amount of rotation α of the pulley52, which is required to move the driver bit2by a predetermined amount by moving the moving member32from one end portion to the other end portion within a movable range along one direction, is less than 360°.

Thereby, in an operation where the pulley52winds up the wire54so as to move the driver bit2by the predetermined amount, the wire54is not overlapped and wound on the pulley52, as shown inFIG.6B, and the amount of movement of the driver bit2is suppressed from being inaccurate. Further, a change in parallelism between the direction in which the wire54is stretched between the pulley52and the second moving member32cand the moving direction of the driver bit2along the axis direction of the rotation guide member31is suppressed.

Therefore, a relationship between the amount of rotation of the bit moving motor50and the amount of movement of the holding member30becomes a one-to-one relationship over the entire movable range of the holding member30, so that the amount of movement of the holding member30along the axis direction of the rotation guide member31can be controlled by controlling the amount of rotation of the bit moving motor50. That is, the amount of movement of the driver bit2attached to the holding member30can be controlled by controlling the amount of rotation of the bit moving motor50.

Further, regardless of the winding amount of the wire54, the tension that is applied to the wire54is always parallel to the moving direction of the driver bit2along the axis direction of the rotation guide member31, so that the movement of the driver bit2and the decrease in transmission efficiency of the force for pushing the screw200via the driver bit2can be suppressed.

Thereby, the wire54between the pulley52and the second moving member32cis stretched linearly along the moving direction of the moving member32, and increases in load at a time of winding up the wire54by the pulley52and load at a time of pulling out the wire54from the pulley52are suppressed.

Note that, since the wire54has flexibility that enables the winding on the pulley52, the wire cannot move the moving member32rearward by pushing the second moving member32c. Therefore, provided is the urging member33that is compressed as the moving member32moves in the forward direction denoted with the arrow A1and applies a force, which pushes the moving member32in the rearward direction denoted with the arrow A2, to the moving member32. Thereby, in the configuration where the wire54is wound by the pulley52and the driver bit2is advanced, the driver bit2after the advance can be moved rearward.

In addition, the holding member30configured to hold the driver bit2is supported to be movable in the front and rear direction with respect to the rotation guide member31and is configured to rotate together with the rotation guide member31by the engagement between the connecting members30bprovided to the holding member30and the groove portions31aprovided to the rotation guide member31.

Therefore, in the configuration where the bit rotating motor40is arranged coaxially with the rotation guide member31, the holding member30, and the driver bit2held by the holding member30, it is possible to implement a configuration where the driver bit2is rotated and the driver bit2is moved in the front and rear direction without moving the bit rotating motor40in the front and rear direction.

Note that, in the configuration where the bit rotating motor40is arranged coaxially with the driver bit2, a configuration is considered in which the rotation operation of the bit rotating motor40is converted into the movement of the driver bit2in the front and rear direction by using a feed screw.

However, in the configuration where the feed screw is used, an amount of advance of the driver bit2per rotation of the motor cannot be increased, so that it is difficult to increase the moving speed of the driver bit2even when the rotation speed of the motor is increased.

In the fastening tool1, it is necessary to increase the moving speed of the driver bit2so as to shorten a time required to press the screw200against the fastening target with the driver bit2. However, in the configuration where the feed screw is used, it is difficult to shorten the time required to press the screw200against the fastening target with the driver bit2.

In contrast, in the configuration where the holding member30configured to hold the driver bit2is supported so as to be movable in the front and rear direction with respect to the rotation guide member31, the pulley52is rotated by the second drive unit5to wind up the wire54, and to move the holding member30forward, the moving speed of the driver bit2can be increased according to the rotation speed of the bit moving motor50. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required to press the screw200against the fastening target with the driver bit2.

FIGS.7A and7Bare cross-sectional views showing an example of an attaching/detaching holding mechanism, andFIGS.8A and8Bare perspective views showing the example of the attaching/detaching holding mechanism, showing details of the attaching/detaching holding mechanism30c. Next, the attaching/detaching holding mechanism30cis described with reference to the respective drawings.

The attaching/detaching holding mechanism30cincludes a ball30dexposed in the opening30aand a spring30efor pressing the ball30din a direction in which the ball is exposed in the opening30a. The spring30eis an example of the pressing member, and is constituted by a leaf spring, an urging member such as a coil, or an elastic member such as rubber, and in the present example, is constituted by an annular leaf spring and is fitted on the outer periphery of the holding member30.

When the insertion portion20of the driver bit2is inserted into the opening30aof the holding member30, the attaching/detaching holding mechanism30ccauses the ball30dpushed by the insertion portion20to retreat in the outer periphery direction of the holding member30while deforming the spring30ein a direction in which a diameter of the annular spring30eincreases.

When the insertion portion20of the driver bit2is inserted into the opening30aof the holding member30up to a position where a groove portion20aformed on the outer periphery of the insertion portion20faces the ball30d, the ball30durged by the spring30eis fitted into the groove portion20a. This prevents the driver bit2from being carelessly separated from the holding member30.

Further, when a predetermined force or more is applied in a direction in which the driver bit2is pulled out from the holding member30, the ball30dretreats while deforming the spring30ein the direction in which the diameter of the annular spring30eincreases, so that the driver bit2can be pulled out from the holding member30.

In the operation of inserting and pulling out the insertion portion20of the driver bit2with respect to the opening30aof the holding member30, the ball30dretreats in the outer periphery direction of the holding member30. For this reason, a space for retreating the ball30dis required on the outer periphery of the holding member30. On the other hand, the holding member30is inserted in the cylindrical rotation guide member31, so that it is not possible to secure a space for retreating the ball30dbetween the outer periphery of the holding member30and the inner periphery of the rotation guide member31.

Further, when a diameter difference between the holding member30and the rotation guide member31is set so as to secure a space for retreating the ball30dbetween the outer periphery of the holding member30and the inner periphery of the rotation guide member31, it is necessary to increase an outer diameter of the rotation guide member31because a radial dimension of the driver bit2is determined and therefore the outer diameter of the holding member30cannot be reduced. For this reason, the size of the device becomes large.

In contrast, the rotation guide member31is provided with the groove portions31aconfigured to guide the connecting members30b. The groove portion31apenetrates from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the rotation guide member31, and extends in the axis direction of the rotation guide member31.

Therefore, the ball30dof the attaching/detaching holding mechanism30cis provided aligned with the position of the groove portion31aof the rotation guide member31. That is, in the holding member30, the connecting member30band the ball30dof the attaching/detaching holding mechanism30care provided coaxially along the axis direction of the rotation guide member31. Thereby, the ball30dof the attaching/detaching holding mechanism30cis exposed to the groove portion31aof the rotation guide member31in any of the operation in which the rotation guide member31and the holding member30rotate and the operation in which the holding member30moves in the axis direction with respect to the rotation guide member31.

Therefore, the operation in which the insertion portion20of the driver bit2is inserted and pulled out with respect to the opening30aof the holding member30causes the ball30dretreating in the outer periphery direction of the holding member30to enter the groove portion31aof the rotation guide member31.

Therefore, with the configuration where the holding member30is inserted in the cylindrical rotation guide member31, it is possible to secure a space for retreating the ball30dof the attaching/detaching holding mechanism30c. In addition, by using the groove portion31ainto which the connecting member30bis inserted as a space for retreating the ball30d, an area of the opening provided to the rotation guide member31is suppressed, and the strength can be secured.

Further, it is not necessary to secure a space for retreating the ball30dbetween the outer periphery of the holding member30and the inner periphery of the rotation guide member31by increasing the diameter difference between the holding member30and the rotation guide member31, so that it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device.

FIG.9is a perspective view showing an example of a screw feeding unit and a nose unit according to present embodiment, showing details of the screw feeding unit7and the nose unit8. Next, the screw feeding unit7and the nose unit8are described with reference to each drawing.

The screw feeding unit7includes a screw feeding motor70, a pinion gear71attached to a shaft of the screw feeding motor70via a speed reducer, a rack gear72in mesh with the pinion gear71, and an engaging part73connected to the rack gear72and engaged with the connected screw fed from the screw accommodating unit6.

The rack gear72of the screw feeding unit7is supported to be movable in the upper and lower direction along a feeding direction of the connected screw. In the screw feeding unit7, the screw feeding motor70rotates forward and reversely, so that the engaging part73engaged with the connected screw moves in the upper and lower direction and the connected screw is fed.

The nose unit8includes an ejection passage80to which the screw200is supplied by the screw feeding unit7and through which the driver bit2passes, a contact member81having an ejection port81aformed to communicate with the ejection passage80and configured to come into contact with a fastening target, a contact arm82configured to move in the front and rear direction in conjunction with the contact member81, and an adjusting part83configured to restrict an amount of movement of the contact arm82. In addition, the nose unit8includes a cover member88configured to cover a path, through which the screw200is to pass, from the screw accommodating unit6to the ejection passage80in an openable and closable manner.

In the fastening tool1, each component constituting the ejection passage80, the contact member81and the contact arm82is assembled to constitute the nose unit8, and is fixed to the front frame10band the nose body part10fconstituting the tool body10. In addition, the fastening tool1includes a contact switch part84configured to be pushed and actuated by the contact arm82.

In the nose unit8, the contact member81is supported to be movable in the front and rear direction denoted with the arrows A1and A2, and the contact arm82is configured to move in the front and rear direction in conjunction with the contact member81. In the nose unit8, the contact member81is urged forward by an urging member (not shown), and the contact member81pressed against the fastening target and moved rearward is urged and moved forward by the urging member.

In the nose unit8, an amount of movement of the contact arm82until the contact arm82is moved rearward due to the pressing of the contact arm81against the fastening target and the contact switch part84is actuated is adjusted by the adjusting part83. The contact switch part84is switched between actuation and non-actuation by being pushed by the contact arm82. In the present example, a state where the contact switch part84is not pressed by the contact arm82and is not actuated is referred to as ‘off of the contact switch part84’, and a state where the contact switch part84is pushed by the contact arm82and is thus actuated is referred to as ‘on of the contact switch part84’.

Next, configurations relating to control and operation of the fastening tool1are described with reference to the respective drawings. The fastening tool1includes a trigger9configured to receive an operation and a trigger switch part90configured to be actuated by an operation of the trigger9. The trigger9is provided on a front side of the handle11and is configured to be operable by a finger of a hand gripping the handle11. The trigger switch part90is configured to be pushed and actuated by the trigger9.

The trigger switch part90is switched between actuation and non-actuation by being pushed by the trigger9. In the present example, a state where the trigger9is not operated, the trigger switch part90is not pushed by the trigger9and the trigger switch part90is not actuated is referred to as ‘off of the trigger switch part90’, and a state where the trigger9is operated and the trigger switch part90is pushed and actuated by the trigger9is referred to as ‘on of the trigger switch part90’.

The fastening tool1includes a control unit100configured to control the first drive unit4, the second drive unit5and the screw feeding unit7, based on outputs of the trigger switch part90configured to be actuated by the operation of the trigger9and the contact switch part84configured to be pushed and actuated by the contact member81.

The control unit100is constituted by a substrate on which various electronic components are mounted, and is provided to a substrate accommodating part111provided on a back surface-side of the screw accommodating unit6between the screw accommodating unit6and the handle11.

In a case of an electric tool used with holding the handle by a hand, an accommodating unit for accommodating consumables such as screws is provided in front of the handle. In order to be able to grip the handle by a hand, a space for a finger is required between the handle and the accommodating unit.

Therefore, the fastening tool1is provided with the substrate accommodating part111on the back surface-side of the screw accommodating unit6by using a space between the screw accommodating unit6and the handle11.

In a case of an electric tool used with holding the handle by a hand, a configuration is suggested in which a battery is attached to a lower part of the handle and a substrate is provided between the handle and the battery. With such a configuration, a dimension of the electric tool in the upper and lower direction along the extension direction of the handle is increased.

In contrast, the substrate accommodating part111is provided on the back surface-side of the screw accommodating unit6, so that the increase in dimension of the fastening tool1in the upper and lower direction along the extension direction of the handle11is suppressed. Further, since the spirally wound connected screw is accommodated in the screw accommodating unit6, a surface of the screw accommodating unit6facing the handle11is substantially circular. Thereby, it is possible to secure a volume of the substrate accommodating part111while suppressing the increase in size of the fastening tool1.

FIGS.10A to10Care perspective views showing the example of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment, as seen from the rear, andFIG.11is a perspective view showing an example of a setting unit, showing a detail of a setting unit110. Next, the setting unit110is described with reference to the respective drawings.

The fastening tool1includes the second drive unit5configured to move the driver bit2in the front and rear direction along the axis direction, and the second drive unit5is configured to be driven by the bit moving motor50, and the moving member32connected, by the wire54, to the pulley52configured to be driven and to rotate by the bit moving motor50and the holding member30connected to the moving member32are configured to move forward along the axis direction of the driver bit2, along the rotation guide member31.

Thereby, an amount of movement (amount of advance) of the driver bit2can be controlled by controlling an amount of rotation of the bit moving motor50. That is, by rotating the bit moving motor50in conjunction with the rotation of the bit rotating motor40configured to rotate the driver bit2in a direction in which the screw200is fastened, the amount of advance of the driver bit2configured to advance following the screw200is controlled by an amount of rotation of the bit moving motor50, as the screw200is fastened. As a result, a stop position of the driver bit2along the axis direction can be controlled.

Therefore, the fastening tool1includes a setting unit110configured to set an amount of advance of the driver bit2. The setting unit110is an example of the setting means, and is configured so that any setting value can be selected from a plurality of setting values or any setting value can be selected steplessly.

In the present example, the setting unit110is configured so that a setting value is selected by an operation unit110aconstituted by a button. In addition, the operation unit110amay be configured such that a setting value is selected by a rotary dial. Further, the setting unit110may have a configuration of displaying a selected setting value by a method of indicating a current value with a label, a stamp or the like, a method of indicating a current value with a display unit110bsuch as an LED or the like, or the like so that an operator can easily perceive the current setting value.

The setting unit110is provided on each of both left and right sides of a surface of a side, which faces the handle11, of the substrate accommodating part111provided on the back surface-side of the screw accommodating unit6.

This makes it possible to visually recognize the setting unit110from both the left and right sides of the handle11, when seeing the fastening tool1from the rear.

In a use aspect in which the handle11is held by a hand, the surface of the side of the screw accommodating unit6, which faces the handle11, faces toward the operator holding the fastening tool1. Thereby, the setting unit110is provided on the surface of the side, which faces the handle11, of the substrate accommodating part111provided on the back surface-side of the screw accommodating unit6, so that the display unit110bprovided on the setting unit110can be easily seen. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the operator will miss the display. Note that, the content that is displayed on the display unit110bincludes an ON/OFF state of a power supply, an operation mode selected from a variety of selectable operation modes, presence or absence of a screw, a remaining amount of screws, presence or absence of an abnormality, and the like, in addition to a setting value of a screw depth prescribed by an amount of advance of the driver bit2.

In addition, in the use aspect in which the handle11is held by a hand, the operation unit110asuch as a button provided on the setting unit110can also be easily seen. Therefore, in a state of holding the handle11with one hand, the operation unit110acan be operated with the other hand while visually recognizing the operation unit110a, so that the operation can be reliably performed. Further, the display unit110bcan be seen without changing a posture or largely changing the line of sight during a work, so that it is possible to prevent an alarm or the like from not being noticed during a continuous work. Further, it is possible to prevent the ejection port81afrom being unconsciously directed toward the operator when the operator tries to gaze at the display unit110bor the operation unit110a.

In addition, the substrate constituting the control unit100is accommodated in the substrate accommodating part111. A surface of a side, which faces the handle11, of the substrate is mounted with switches and the like constituting the operation unit110aand lamps and the like constituting the display unit110b, so that a substrate for the setting unit110separate from the control unit100can be omitted.

Operation Example of Fastening Tool of Present Embodiment

FIG.12Ais a side cross-sectional view showing an example of an operation of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment, andFIG.12Bis a top cross-sectional view showing the example of the operation of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment. Next, a fastening operation of the fastening tool according to the present embodiment is described with reference to the respective drawings.

In a standby state, as shown inFIG.1A, a tip end of the driver bit2is located at a standby position P1behind the ejection passage80, and the fastening tool1can supply the screw200to the ejection passage80.

When the contact member81is pressed against the fastening target, the contact switch part84is pushed by the contact arm82, the contact switch part84becomes on, the trigger9is operated and the trigger switch part90becomes on, the control unit100drives the bit moving motor50of the second drive unit5and also drives the bit rotating motor40of the first drive unit4at a predetermined timing.

When the bit moving motor50is driven and rotates in a positive direction, which is one direction, the pulley52rotates in the positive direction, so that the wire54is wound on the pulley52. The wire54is wound on the pulley52, so that the second moving member32cconnected to the wire54is guided to the rotation guide member31and moves forward along the axis direction. When the second moving member32cmoves forward, the first moving member32ais pushed by the second moving member32cvia the bearing32b, and moves forward along the axis direction while compressing the urging member33, together with the second moving member32c.

When the first moving member32amoves forward, the connecting members30bare guided to the groove portions31aof the rotation guide member31, so that the holding member30connected to the first moving member32aby the connecting members30bmoves forward along the axis direction of the driver bit2.

Thereby, the driver bit2held by the holding member30moves in the forward direction denoted with the arrow A1, engages with the screw200supplied to the ejection port81aof the nose unit8, moves the screw200forward and presses the same against the fastening target.

When the bit rotating motor40is driven and rotates in the positive direction, which is one direction, the rotation guide member31rotates in the positive direction. When the rotation guide member31rotates in the positive direction, the connecting members30bconnected to the holding member30is pushed by the groove portions31aof the rotation guide member31, so that the holding member30rotates together with the rotation guide member31.

Thereby, the driver bit2held by the holding member30rotates the screw200in the positive direction (clockwise direction) and screws the same into the fastening target. The control unit100moves forward the driver bit2by the second drive unit5to make the driver bit2to follow the screw to be screwed into the fastening target, based on a load applied to the bit rotating motor40, the number of rotations of the bit rotating motor40, a load applied to the bit moving motor50, the number of rotations of the bit moving motor50, and the like, in conjunction with the operation of rotating the driver bit2by the first drive unit4to screw the screw into the fastening target.

As shown inFIGS.12A and12B, the control unit100stops the driving of the bit rotating motor40and moves reversely the bit moving motor50when the tip end of the driver bit2protrudes from the ejection port81aof the contact member81and reaches a predetermined actuation end position P2. The control unit100determines that the tip end of the driver bit2has reached the actuation end position P2, based on the number of rotations of the bit moving motor50.

When the bit moving motor50rotates in an opposite direction, which is the other direction, the pulley52rotates in the opposite direction, so that the wire54is pulled out from the pulley52. The wire54is pulled out from the pulley52, so that the urging member33compressed by the second moving member32cmoving forward is stretched to push the second moving member32crearward.

The second moving member32cis pushed rearward by the urging member33, so that it is guided to the rotation guide member31and moves rearward along the axis direction. When the second moving member32cmoves rearward, the first moving member32ais pushed by the second moving member32cvia the bearing32b, and moves rearward along the axis direction, together with the second moving member32c.

When the first moving member32amoves rearward, the connecting members30bare guided to the groove portions31aof the rotation guide member31, so that the holding member30connected to the first moving member32aby the connecting members30bmoves rearward along the axis direction of the driver bit2.

Thereby, the driver bit2held by the holding member30moves rearward, and the tip end of the driver bit2returns to the standby position P1. Note that, the moving member32is provided with the cushioning member32dmade of rubber or the like on a rear side of the second moving member32c, so that while the second moving member32cmoves rearward, the second moving member32cis suppressed from directly colliding with the rear frame10c, and therefore, sound generation and damage can be suppressed. When the second moving member32cis pushed rearward by the urging member33and the tip end of the driver bit2returns to the standby position P1, the control unit100stops the rotation of the bit moving motor50. When the trigger switch part90becomes off, the control unit100rotates the screw feeding motor70in one direction to lower the engaging part73. When the engaging part73descends to a position where it engages with a next screw200, the control unit100raises the engaging part73by rotating reversely the screw feeding motor70, and supplies the next screw200to the ejection passage80.

FIGS.13A to13Care cross-sectional views showing fastened states of the screw, in whichFIG.13Ashows a state where a head portion201of the screw200does not float or is not buried with respect to a surface of a fastening target202, i.e., is so-called flush with the surface,FIG.13Bshows a state where the head portion201of the screw200floats from the fastening target202, andFIG.13Cshows a state where the head portion201of the screw200is buried in the fastening target202.

In the fastening tool1, in a case where the screw200is a countersunk screw, the amount of advance of the driver bit2is preferably set so that a surface of the head portion201of the screw200becomes the same as, so-called flush with the surface of the fastening target202when the tip end of the driver bit2reaches the actuation end position P2, as shown inFIG.13A. Note that, the screw200is not limited to the countersunk screw, and in a case of a pan, a bind, a truss, or the like, the amount of advance of the driver bit2is preferably set so that the seat surface of the head portion201of the screw200is in contact with the surface of the fastening target202and the head portion201of the screw200does not float from the fastening target202.

In a case where the head portion201of the screw200floats from the fastening target202at the time when the tip end of the driver bit2reaches the actuation end position P2, as shown inFIG.13B, the amount of advance of the driver bit2may be increased to advance the actuation end position P2. On the other hand, in a case where the head portion201of the screw200is buried in the fastening target202, as shown inFIG.13C, the amount of advance of the driver bit2may be reduced to retreat the actuation end position P2.

Therefore, the amount of movement (amount of advance) of the driver bit2can be set by the setting unit110. The amount of movement (amount of advance) of the driver bit2is prescribed by the number of rotations (amount of rotation) of the bit moving motor50. The bit moving motor50is rotated by a set amount of rotation with the standby position P1, which is an initial position of the driver bit2, as a starting point, and is then stopped or reversely rotated to control the actuation end position P2. Therefore, the fastening target can be adjusted.

Additional Notes

This application discloses at least the following inventions (1) to (13).(1) A fastening tool includes: a cylindrical rotation guide member extending in one direction and rotatably supported by a bearing; a holding member having an opening in which a driver bit is detachably inserted, and configured to move in an axis direction along the extension direction of the rotation guide member inside the rotation guide member and to rotate together with the rotation guide member; a moving member configured to move the holding member in a front and rear direction along the rotation guide member; a rotation member configured to be driven and to rotate by a motor; and a transmission member connected to the moving member and having flexibility to be wound along an outer periphery of the rotation member. The rotation member is rotated by the motor, so that the moving member is moved with the transmission member in one direction in which a screw engaged with the driver bit is pressed against a fastening target.

In the present invention, an amount of movement of the driver bit in one direction in which the screw engaged with the driver bit is pressed against the fastening target and is fastened is controlled by controlling an amount of rotation of the motor.(2) The fastening tool according to (1), where the transmission member is stretched in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the rotation guide member.(3) The fastening tool according to (1) or (2), where arrangement is made such that a center of the rotation member is offset to one side with respect to the rotation guide member and the outer periphery of the rotation member on which the transmission member is wound overlaps the rotation guide member, when seen in an axis direction of the rotation member.(4) The fastening tool according to any one of (1) to (3), where a shaft of the motor is offset to one side with respect to the rotation guide member.(5) The fastening tool according to any one of (1) to (4), where an amount of rotation of the rotation member, which is required to move the moving member from one end portion to the other end portion within a movable range along one direction, is less than 360°.(6) The fastening tool according to (1) to (5), includes an urging member that is compressed as the moving member moves in one direction, in which the screw engaged with the driver bit is pressed against the fastening target, and urges the moving member in another direction opposite to the one direction.(7) A fastening target includes: a tool body extending in one direction; a handle extending in another direction intersecting with the extension direction of the tool body; an accommodating unit provided on one side of the handle along the extension direction of the tool body and configured to accommodate therein consumables; and a substrate accommodating part provided on a surface of a side, which faces the handle, of the accommodating unit and configured to accommodate therein a substrate.

In the present invention, the substrate accommodating part is provided on a back surface-side of the accommodating unit by using a space between the accommodating unit and the handle.(8) The fastening tool according to (7), where the substrate accommodating part comprises a display unit provided on the surface of the side that faces the handle.(9) The fastening tool according to (8), where the substrate is provided with the display unit.(10) The fastening tool according to any one of (7) to (9), where the substrate accommodating part has an operation unit provided on the surface of the side that faces the handle.(11) The fastening tool according to (10), where the substrate is provided with the operation unit.(12) The fastening tool according to (10), where the operation unit is provided on each of both left and right sides of the surface of the side which faces the handle.(13) The fastening tool according to (8), where a content that is displayed on the display unit is at least one of a setting value of a screw depth prescribed by an amount of advance of the driver bit, an ON/OFF state of a power supply, a selected operation mode, presence or absence of a screw, a remaining amount of screws, and presence or absence of an abnormality.