Abstract:
A setting tool for driving fastening elements in a constructional component includes a setting mechanism located in the tool housing ( 21 ) and including a drive piston ( 7 ) for driving a fastening element ( 6 ) in the constructional component ( 1 ), a reading device ( 10 ) for acquiring information containing in a coding ( 8 ) provided on a magazine strip ( 27 ) containing the fastening element ( 6 ), and control device ( 15 ) communicating with the reading device ( 10 ) for adjusting setting parameters for a setting process dependent on data acquired by the reading device ( 10 ) upon reading out the coding ( 8 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a setting tool, in particular to a combustion-engined setting tool, for driving fastening elements such as nails, bolts, pins, etc., in a constructional component and includes a setting mechanism located in the tool housing and having a drive piston for driving a fastening element in the constructional component. The present invention also relates to a magazine with fastening elements and a propellant holder for the setting tool.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Setting tools of the type described above can operate with liquid, gaseous, or solid fuels or be driven with pneumatic, mechanical, or electro-pneumatic drives.  
         [0005]     The setting tools are used primarily for driving fastening elements, such as nails, bolts, pints and the like in concrete, steel, wood, etc. The quality of attachment depends, among others, from a correct adjustment of setting parameters, e.g. from adjustment of the setting energy that depends from a fastening element to be driven in and from the selection of an appropriate propellant, in particular, from a correct metering of liquid or gaseous fuel or the selection of a correct cartridge strength. German Publication DE-OS 32 32 137 discloses an electrically driven setting tool in which one or several drive-in blows can be applied to a fastening element. The number of the drive-in blows is determined in advance based on preliminary selected elements and is set manually. This means that such setting parameter as the drive-in energy is adjusted manually. The manual adjustment of the drive-in energy and, thus, of a number of the drive-in blows are associated with increased costs and is a serious drawback.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,241 discloses a setting tool operated with a liquefied gas, and a magazine with fastening elements of which is provided with a switch that turns on when the magazine becomes empty. A turn-on condition of the switch is communicated to a microprocessor which evaluates the information and makes the information optically available to the user. A setting or drive-in process is not any more possible.  
         [0007]     Known also are powder charge-operated setting tools (e.g., a setting tool DX A 40 MK of the assignee herein, firm catalogue 2001, Austria, page 53) in which the parameter “setting energy” is manually adjusted with a setting wheel. The adjustment is effected based on a fastening element, which is to be driven in, and on a cartridge strength. In incorrect setting parameters (e.g., setting energy) are present, a defective setting will take place.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a setting tool of the type described above in which the drawbacks of prior art tools are eliminated.  
         [0009]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a setting tool of the type described above in which setting parameters such as, e.g., setting energy and/or necessary number of drive-in blows, etc., are adjusted automatically, dependent on a to-be-driven-in, fastening element.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing in a setting tool, a reading device for acquiring information containing in a coding provided on a magazine strip containing the fastening element, and a control device communicating with the reading device for adjusting setting parameters for a setting process dependent on data acquired by the reading device upon reading out the coding.  
         [0011]     The present invention permits an automatic adjustment of setting parameters of the setting tool, such as a necessary setting energy and a number of piston strokes, without intervention of a tool user. Furthermore, the present invention permits to determine before the start of a setting process whether the available fastening elements, which are contained in the magazine or the magazine strip, are compatible, i.e., can be driven in with a particular setting tool. If not, the control device sets a setting parameter that prevents actuation of actuation mechanism, and/or ignition mechanism, and/or trigger switch. The setting tool cannot be actuated, and no damage can occur to the tool or done to the tool user.  
         [0012]     Advantageously, the setting tool has a further device for acquiring information containing in a coding provided on a propellant holder, e.g., a fuel reservoir, a cartridge strip, or a blister box, which is arranged on the setting tool and which is connected with the control device for transmitting acquired data thereto, with the control device adjusting the setting parameters dependent on the data transmitted thereto form the further reading device.  
         [0013]     The provision of the further reading device permits the control device of the setting tool to evaluate the fuel or the propellant and to calculate a setting parameter, e.g., the setting energy, the necessary amount of fuel, or the necessary throttling, e.g., of an exhaust throttle.  
         [0014]     As discussed above, the setting energy is one of the most important setting parameters. For adjusting the setting energy, there is provided, according to the present invention, a regulation device which is controlled by the tool control device. The regulation device can, e.g., control a metering device-when the setting tool is operated with a liquid fluid, or it can be formed as a chock in a powder charge-operated setting tool. The regulation device advantageously facilitate the automatic control of the setting energy in the inventive setting tool.  
         [0015]     Advantageously, the regulation device or the control device itself distributes the setting energy of the setting tool on a number of separate blows applied by the drive piston. This has an advantageous effect, in particular, in tools having a relatively small power, as this permits to perform, with these tools, setting processes which require a large consumption of energy. This is because the setting energy is determined by the sum of energies of a plurality of separate blows.  
         [0016]     Preferably, both of the reading devices include each a data reader. The data reader can be formed, e.g., as a tracer element that can scan a mechanically traceable coding. However, the data reader can be formed as an electronic receiver capable of scanning an electronic coding provided on the strip magazine and/or propellant holder.  
         [0017]     The present invention also relates to a magazine with fastening elements which is provided with a coding containing information or data regarding the type, dimensions, and/or field of application of the fastening elements containing in the magazine strip. The coding can be mechanically scanned, mechanically read-out or be electronic.  
         [0018]     If the coding is formed as a mechanically traceable coding, it can be cost effectively formed as, e.g., grooves, recesses, a particular profile provided on the magazine or the magazine strip.  
         [0019]     Advantageously, the propellant holder, e.g., a cartridge strip, a propellant box, or a fuel pressure reservoir, is also provided with coding containing data regarding type and properties of the propellant. This coding can likewise be read- out mechanically. It can also be read-out electronically. When the coding is formed as a mechanically traceable coding, it can be cost-effectively formed as recesses, grooves, or as a particular profile provided on the propellant holder.  
         [0020]     According to an advantageous embodiment of the propellant holder, the holder has a data communication interface connected with the data storage identification unit. In the embodiment of an inventive propellant holder, which can be economically produced, the data storage identification unit is form as EEPROM or as magnetic strip.  
         [0021]     In a further, economically produced propellant holder, the data communication interface is formed as an antenna, preferably, as a transponder antenna or as a contact element that cooperates with a mating contact element provided in the propellant holder receptacle of the setting tool.  
         [0022]     The inventive propellant holder can be formed also, e.g., as a pressure can or pressure container for a gaseous and/or liquid fuel. However, the inventive propellant holder can be also formed as a box or a cassette for solid propellant charges in form of a cartridge or blister strip.  
         [0023]     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the setting tool the data processing unit is connected with the ignition device or a device for shifting the ignition unit between operational and non-operational modes. In the operational mode of the ignition device, the setting tool can perform a setting process, as in this mode, the propellant is ignited by the ignition device.  
         [0024]     According to a particular advantageous embodiment of the setting tool, the data processing unit actuates the ignition device for igniting the propellant when the following conditions are met, namely, 
        (i) the data processing unit has received identification data which were read-out from a data storage identification unit of the propellant holder received in the receptacle of the setting tool and which are recognized by the data processing unit as authorized identification data of a propellant suitable for the setting tool; and     (ii) and the propellant supply level data read-out from the data storage identification unit and communicated to the data processing unit indicate that the propellant holder is not empty.        
 
         [0027]     This embodiment of the setting tool is particularly user-friendly.  
         [0028]     In order to reduce the data transmission path between the data communication interfaces, which are provided, respectively, on the holder and the setting tool, to a most possible extent, the data communication interface of the setting tool is located in a region of the propellant holder receptacle. The data communication interface of the setting tool can be formed as antenna or as a transponder antenna, or a mating contact element, or a magnetic strip reader. The data communication interfaces (and other electronic components) of the propellant holder and the setting tool are adapted to each other to form an ideal propellant holder system.  
         [0029]     The novel features of the present invention, which are considered as characteristics for the invention, are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however both as to its construction and its mode operation, together with additional advantages and objects thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiment, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:  
       [0030]     The drawings show:  
         [0031]      FIG. 1 a  schematic, partially cross-sectional view of a setting tool according to the present invention, which is placed against a constructional component; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 2 a  side view of a magazine strip for the inventive setting tool; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a setting tool  20  according to the present invention which is pressed against a constructional component  1  to which a metal element  2  is to be fastened. The setting tool  20  has a housing  21  with a handle  28  formed integrally therewith. On the handle  28 , there is arranged a trigger switch  17  with which a setting process is actuated. The setting tool  20  further includes a piston guide  29 , a piston  7  displaceable in the piston guide  29 , and a combustion chamber  22  adjoining the piston guide  29  and forming a part thereof. A bolt guide  5  adjoins the piston guide  29  in the setting direction  18  of the setting tool  20 . At the front, in the setting direction  18 , end of the bolt guides, a magazine  30  with fastening elements  6  is provided. The setting tool  20  has a receptacle  16  in which a replaceable propellant holder  13  is arranged. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the propellant holder  13  is formed as a pressure container for a liquid fuel, e.g., liquefied gas. The propellant holder  23  is connected with a fuel conduit  23  in which a metering device  12 , e.g. a metering valve is arranged. The metering device  12  is connected with a combustion chamber  22  by a fuel conduit  24 . The fuel flows from the propellant holder  13  into the combustion chamber  22  through fuel conduits  23 ,  24  an the metering device  12 .  
         [0034]     In the combustion chamber  22 , there is arranged an ignition device  11  with which an air-fuel mixture that fills the combustion chamber  22 , is ignited. The metering device  12  and the ignition device  11  are connected by respective electrical conductors  25 ,  26  with a regulation device  35  for regulating the setting energy. An electrical conductor  36  connects the regulation device  35  with a control device  15 . The control device  15 , by controlling the regulation device  35 , controls the number of piston strokes for a setting process and, thereby, a number of refillings of the combustion chamber  22  and a respective number of ignition processes performed by the ignition device  11 . The control device  15  also controls, in combination with the regulation device  35  and the metering device  12 , the combustion energy produced in the combustion chamber  22 . The control device  15  can be formed as an integrated circuit and/or as a microprocessor. The regulation device  35  can also be formed as an electronic circuit or as an electromechanical regulation device, e.g., in case of a regulation of power, the regulation device  35  can be formed as a flue gas opening.  
         [0035]     The setting device  20  further includes a reading device  10  for acquiring data contained in a coding and which is connected by appropriate data transmission means  14  with a data reader  9 . The data reader  9  can be formed, e.g., as a tracer element or a filler. At the front of the bolt guide  5 , there is provided an attachment element  4  formed as a magnetic flux coupler and including a permanent magnet  3 . With the permanent magnet  3 , the setting tool  20  is placed against the metal element  2  so that it cannot be lifted from a selected setting point during the setting process.  
         [0036]     A magazine strip  27 , which is shown in detail in  FIG. 2 , is located in the magazine  30 . On the magazine strip  27 , fastening elements  6 , e.g., nails are arranged. The magazine strip  27  is also provided with a coding  8 . The coding  8  contains information related to fastening elements  6 , such as type (material, other particularities, etc.), dimensions (length, diameter, etc.), mechanical characteristics (e.g., stem stiffness), field of application (type of the material of the constructional component into which it can be set, e.g., steel concrete, wood, etc.). Based on this information or data, the control device  15  can determine setting parameters of a setting process, such as, e.g., the necessary setting energy, the necessary amount of fuel, the ignition pulse, and/or the number of piston strokes necessary to obtain the necessary setting energy. The data can also indicate whether a particular setting element  6  can be set with a particular setting tool, so that an actuation mechanism, and/or the trigger switch  17 , and/or the ignition device  11  are(is) deactivated in case the setting element  6  is not compatible with the setting tool  20 .  
         [0037]     The coding  8  can be detected or read-out by the data reader  9  and be transmitted by the data transmission means  14  to the reading device  10 . The data reader  9  can operate mechanically as it can be formed, as it has already been discussed above, as a tracer element.  
         [0038]     The coding  8  can be formed, e.g., by one or several recesses  8 . 1 , by grooves, by a specific profile, and as a bar code. An absence of a recess or a groove in the region of the coding  8  can also serve as information.  
         [0039]     Also, the setting tool can include an electronic data storage. In this case, the data reader  9  and the data transmission means  14  are formed as electronic components/conduits electrically connected with the reading device  10 .  
         [0040]     In the reading device  10 , the data are converted in an analog or digital electronic form and are transmitted to the control device  15  over the conductor  36  and are evaluated there. The control device  15  predetermines setting parameters for the following setting process such as, e.g., setting energy, amount of fuel, number of blows or piston strokes which are necessary for setting a fastening element  6 . During the setting process, the setting tool  20  will be held at its setting region  19 , against the metal element  2  overlying the constructional component  1 , with the attachment element  4  and the permanent magnet  3  until the setting process is completed with a necessary number of piston strokes.  
         [0041]     Another reading device  40  is provided in the region of the receptacle  16  and is connected with a data reader for reading out the coding  48  provided on the propellant holder  13 . The coding  48  contains information related to the type and characteristics of the fuel or the propellant and its suitability for different setting tools. The information which is acquired by the reading device  40 , is communicated in form of an analog or digital data to the control device  15  for further processing. In response to the received data, the control device  15  determines the amount of fuel necessary for effecting the setting process and, if necessary, the number of strokes required to obtain the necessary setting energy. Further, the coding  48  permits to ascertain whether the fuel in the propellant holder  19  is suitable for the setting tool  20 . If not, the actuation mechanism, the trigger switch  17 , and/or the ignition device  11  are deactivated.  
         [0042]     In case of an explosion-operated setting tool, a coding similar to coding  48  on the propellant holder  13  is provided, e.g., on a cartridge strip or a cartridge box, etc. An appropriate reading device can be provided in an appropriate location of the setting tool for reading out the coded information and for transmitting the read-out information or data to a control unit of the setting tool.  
         [0043]     Though the present invention was shown and described with references to the preferred embodiment, such is merely illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as a limitation thereof, and various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, not intended that the present invention be limited to the disclosed embodiment or details thereof, and the present invention includes all variations and/or alternative embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.