Patent Publication Number: US-2016236335-A1

Title: Torque screwdriver

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/116,570, filed Feb. 16, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a torque screwdriver. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Screwdriver is a wide used hand tool in the conventional industry or daily lives, wherein torque screwdriver is a common type of the various types of the screwdriver, which can be used to tighten the external elements, such as screws, screw bolts or screw nuts, etc. 
     In general, the torque screwdriver includes a handle, a tube body and a driving head, wherein the driving head is for directly connecting and driving the external element by providing torque thereto. However, during using the torque screwdriver, the friction between the tube body and the driving head would be generated easily, it would easily occur the abrasion between the tube body and the driving head. 
     Further, the driving head is embedded to the tube body, generally. Hence, when the external element has long arm, the driving head would be stuck easily, and excessive noise would be generated. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a torque screwdriver includes a handle, a tube body, a torque adjusting mechanism, a tripping mechanism, a driving base and a driving head. One end of the tube body is connected to the handle. The torque adjusting mechanism is disposed in the tube body and for providing a predetermined torque value. The tripping mechanism is disposed in the tube body, and one end of the tripping mechanism is pushed by the torque adjusting mechanism. The driving base is disposed in the tube body and located in the other end of the tube body, and one end of the driving base is pushed by the other end of the tripping mechanism. The driving head is connected to the other end of the tube body, one end of the driving head is embedded between the driving base and an inner wall of the tube body, and the driving head is driven by the driving base, wherein the driving head includes an embedding structure and a stepped structure. The embedding structure is located on an outer wall of the end of the driving head, and against to the inner wall of the tube body. The stepped structure is located on the outer wall of the end of the driving head for forming a gap between the inner wall of the tube body and thereof. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a torque screwdriver includes a handle, a tube body, a torque adjusting mechanism, a tripping mechanism, a driving base, a driving head and a self-calibrated mechanism. One end of the tube body is connected to the handle. The torque adjusting mechanism is disposed in the tube body and for providing a predetermined torque value. The tripping mechanism is disposed in the tube body, and one end of the tripping mechanism is pushed by the torque adjusting mechanism. The driving base is disposed in the tube body and located in the other end of the tube body, and one end of the driving base pushed by the other end of the tripping mechanism. The driving head is connected to the other end of the tube body, one end of the driving head is embedded between the driving base and an inner wall of the tube body, and the driving head is driven by the driving base, wherein a gap is formed between the driving head and the tube body. The self-calibrated mechanism is located between the driving head and the driving base for aligning an axis of the driving base with an axis of the driving head. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a torque screwdriver includes a handle, a tube body, a torque adjusting mechanism, a tripping mechanism, a driving base and a driving head. The tube body includes an upper tube body connected to the handle and a lower tube body connected to the upper tube body, wherein a diameter of the lower tube body is greater than a diameter of the upper tube body. The torque adjusting mechanism is disposed in the upper tube body and for providing a predetermined torque value. The tripping mechanism disposed in the lower tube body, and includes a first ball member and at least two second ball members, wherein the first ball member is against to the torque adjusting mechanism, and the second ball members are slidably pushed by the first ball member, and against to an inner wall of the lower tube body. The driving base is disposed in the lower tube body, the first ball member and the second ball members are contained in one end of the driving base. The driving head is connected to the other end of the tube body, one end of the driving head is embedded between the driving base and the inner wall of the lower tube body, and the driving head is driven by the driving base, wherein a gap is formed between the driving head and the tube body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an appearance of a torque screwdriver according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the torque screwdriver according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial enlarged view of the torque screwdriver according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the torque screwdriver according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of one state of the torque screwdriver of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of another state of the torque screwdriver of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a torque screwdriver according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a torque screwdriver according to further another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the driving head of the torque screwdriver according to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an appearance of a torque screwdriver  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 1 , the torque screwdriver  100  includes a handle  110 , a tube body  120  and a driving head  130 . The handle  110  and the driving head  130  are connected to two end of the tube body  120 , respectively. The user can hold the handle  110  for driving the tube body  120  and linking the driving head  130  to rotate, so that the external element (not shown) can be screwed to the predetermined position. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the torque screwdriver  100  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The torque screwdriver  100  further includes a torque adjusting mechanism  140 , a tripping mechanism  150  and a driving base  160 . The torque adjusting mechanism  140  is disposed in the tube body  120  and for providing a predetermined torque value. The tripping mechanism  150  is disposed in the tube body  120 , and one end of the tripping mechanism  150  is pushed by the torque adjusting mechanism  140 . The driving base is disposed in the tube body  120  and located in the other end which connected to the driving head  130  of the tube body  120 , and one end of the driving base  160  is pushed by the other end of the tripping mechanism  150 . According to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the driving base  160  is an unidirectional ratchet for driving the driving head  130  to rotate in a predetermined direction. 
     In detail, the driving head  130  is connected to the other end of the tube body  120 , and the end of the driving head  130  which connected to the tube body  120  is embedded between the driving base  160  and an inner wall of the tube body  120 , and the driving head  130  is driven by the driving base  160 . The driving head  130  includes a stepped structure  131  and an embedding structure  132 , wherein the stepped structure  131  is located on the outer wall of the end of the driving head  130  which is connected to the tube body  120 , and is for forming a gap between the inner wall of the tube body  120  and thereof, and the embedding structure is located on an outer wall of the end of the driving head  130  which is connected to the tube body  120 , and against to the inner wall of the tube body  120 . According to the embodiment of  FIG. 2  the stepped structure  131  is a groove. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial enlarged view of the torque screwdriver  100  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , an axial length of the stepped structure  131  is D 1 , an axial length of the embedding structure  132  is D 2 , wherein D 1  is greater than D 2 . The conventional torque screwdriver has the driving head without the stepped structure arranged thereon, and it would generate excessive frictional force to lead the fluent driven of the driving head, and to generate loud noise during working. Further, when the axial length of the embedded portion between the driving head and the tube body is too long, the stress between the driving head and the tube body under the lever principle would be excessive during using the torque screwdriver, so that the driving head would be stuck easily due to the deformation thereof. Hence, the stepped structure  131  according to the embodiment not only can reduce the frictional force, but also can reduce the frictional area and the arm forced on the external element by the arrangement of the axial length D 1  which is greater than the axial length D 2  and the embedded area between the driving head  130  and the tube body  120  which is smaller than the gap. Thus, the driving head would not be stuck, and the noise can be reduced. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the torque screwdriver  100  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the tube body  120  can include an upper tube body  121 , a lower tube body  122  and a sleeving member  123 . The upper tube body  121  is connected to the handle  110 , and the torque adjusting mechanism  140  is disposed therein. The lower tube body  122  is connected to the upper tube body  121 , and the tripping mechanism  15  is disposed therein, wherein the lower tube body is welded to the upper tube body in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . The sleeving member  123  connects the lower tube body  122  and the driving head  130 . The lower tube body  122  includes a first connecting structure  122   a  located on the inner wall thereof, and the sleeving member  123  includes a second connecting structure  123   a  located on the outer wall thereof, wherein the lower tube body  122  is connected to the sleeving member  123  by the connection of the first connecting structure  122   a  and the second connecting structure  123   a.  The driving base  160  can be rotated corresponding to the sleeving member  123 . One end of the driving head  130  is tube-shaped, and the end of the driving head  130  can be embedded between the driving base  160  and the tube body  120 . A pivoting ring  133  is disposed between the driving head  130  and the sleeving member  123 . The protruding embedding structure  132  of the driving head  130  is against to the inner wall of the sleeving member  123 , and the gap is formed between the depressed stepped structure  131  and the sleeving member  123  of the tube body  120 . The driving base  160  is an unidirectional ratchet, wherein a tooth element  162  of the unidirectional ratchet element is unidirectionally meshed to a tooth portion  132  on the inner wall of the driving head  130 , so that the driving head  130  can be linked.  100231  Furthermore, the torque screwdriver  100  can further include a bearing  161  disposed between the sleeving member  123  and the driving head  160 . Therefore, the rotation between the driving head  160  and the sleeving member  123  can be stably and fluent, so that the friction between the elements of the torque screwdriver  100  can be avoided, and the useful life of the torque screwdriver  100  can be extended. 
     According to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the torque adjusting mechanism  140  includes an adjusting lever  141 , an elastic member  142 , a sliding member  143  and a pushing member  144 . On end of the adjusting lever  141  is connected to the handle  110 , so that the handle  110  can drive the torque adjusting mechanism  140 . The elastic member  142  can be surrounded the adjusting lever  141 , one end of the elastic member  142  is connected against to the sliding member  143 , and the sliding member  143  can axially move along the adjusting lever  141 . The compression of the elastic member  142  can be adjusted by the axial movement of the sliding member  143  for changing the predetermined torque value of the torque adjusting mechanism  140 . The pushing member  144  is connected against to the other end of the elastic member  142 , and is connected against to the tripping mechanism  150 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the tripping mechanism  150  includes a first ball member  151  and at least two second ball members  152 , wherein the first ball member  151  and the second ball members  152  are contained in the end of the driving base  160 . The first ball member  151  is against to the torque adjusting mechanism  140 , that is, the first ball member  151  is pushed by the elastic member  142  via the pushing member  144 . The second ball members  152  are slidably pushed by the first ball member  151 , and against to the inner wall of the lower tube body  122 . According to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the tripping mechanism  150  includes three second ball members  152 . 
     Further, the driving base  160  can further include a containing groove  163  and at least two through holes  164 . In detail, the first ball member  151  and the second ball members  152  are located in the containing groove  163 . The through holes  164  are formed on the side wall of the containing groove  163 , wherein the second ball members  152  are against to the inner wall of the lower tube body  122  through the through holes  164 . According to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the driving base  160  includes three through holes  164 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views taken along line  5 - 5  of two states of the torque screwdriver  100  of  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 5A , when each of the second ball members  152  is driven in a driving position, a radial distance perpendicular to an axial line I of the lower tube body  122  of the tube body  120  between the axial line I of the lower tube body  122  and the a center C each of the second ball members  152  is L 1 . In  FIG. 5B , when each of the second ball members is driven in a tripping position, a radial distance perpendicular to the axial line of the tube body between the axial line of the tube body and the a center of each of the second ball members is L 2 , and L 1  is greater than L 2 . Therefore, when the torque screwdriver  100  provides the torque to the external element, and the torque value is greater than the predetermined torque value, the second ball members  152  will be pushed from the driving position to the tripping position. 
     In detail, the lower tube body  122  can include at least four positioning areas  122   a  and at least four tripping areas  122   b  located on the inner wall thereof, wherein, according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the lower tube body  122  includes six positioning areas  122   a  and six tripping areas  122   b  located on the inner wall thereof. The positioning areas  122   a  are axial grooves of the lower tube body  122 , and the positioning areas  122   a  and the tripping areas  122   b  are alternately located on the inner wall of the lower tube body  122 , and each of the positioning areas  122   a  is connected to each of the tripping areas  122   b  which is adjacent thereto. As shown in  FIG. 5A , when the second ball members  152  is located on the driving position, the second ball members  152  are against to the positioning areas  122   a  through the through holes  164 . 
     When the torque screwdriver  100  is driven, the driving base  160  can be rotated via the tube body  120 , and the driving head  130  can be linked for providing torque to the external element, at the same time, the torque adjusting mechanism  140  provides pressure to the first ball member  151 . The second ball members  152  are pushed by the pressure providing from the torque adjusting mechanism  140  indirectly via the first ball member  151 , so that the second ball members  152  can be positioned in the containing groove  163  and against to the positioning areas  122   a  through the through holes  164 . 
     When the torque value provided to the external element is greater than the predetermined torque value, the feedback torque value from the driving head  130  is greater than the pressure pushed on the second bail members  152 , and the second ball members  152  would be pushed from the positioning areas  122   a  to the tripping areas  122   b.  At the same time, the driving base  160  and the driving head  130  cannot be linked with the tube body  120 . Therefore, the excessive torque provided to the external element can be avoided. Moreover, the number of the second ball members  152  can be two, three or more, the number of the positioning areas  122   a  and the number of the tripping areas  122   b  can be changed for adapting to the number of the second ball members  152 , and the tripping areas  122   b  can also be arranged as axial protruding-shaped, and will not be limited to the foregoing description. 
     The tripping mechanism  150  is disposed in the upper tube body  121 , and the second ball members  152  are against to the inner wall of the upper tube body, so that a diameter of the lower tube body  122  can be greater than a diameter of the upper tube body  121 . Further, the upper tube body  121  is for containing the torque adjusting mechanism  140 , so that an axial length of the upper tube body  121  can be greater than an axial length of the lower tube body  122 . Therefore, the weight and volume of the torque screwdriver  100  can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can also be reduced. 
     The torque screwdriver  100  can further include a gasket  101  disposed between the handle  110  and the tube body  120 . Precisely. the gasket  101  is disposed between the adjusting lever  141  located in the tube body  120  and the handle  110 . Therefore, it is favorable for the position and the connection between the handle  110  and the adjusting lever  141 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a torque screwdriver  100  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 6 , the lower tube body  122  is integrated with the upper tube body  121 . Therefore, the assembling and manufacturing of the torque screwdriver  100  can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can also be reduced. 
     According to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the elements and the arrangements thereof in the torque screwdriver  100  are the same as the foregoing description, and will not be described again herein. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a torque screwdriver  100  according to further another embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 7 , the torque screwdriver  100  includes a handle  110 , a tube body  120 , a torque adjusting mechanism  140 , a tripping mechanism  150 , a driving base  160 , a driving head  130  and a self-calibrated mechanism  170 , wherein the arrangements of the handle  110 , the tube body  120 , the torque adjusting mechanism  140 , the tripping mechanism  150 , the driving base  160  and the driving head  130  are the same as the foregoing description, and will not be described again herein. 
     Especially, the self-calibrated mechanism  170  is located between the driving head  130  and the driving base  160  for aligning an axis of the driving base  160  with an axis of the driving head  130 . Hence, the tilt of the driving base  160  during using can be avoided so as to ensure the mesh between the tooth element  162  of the driving base  160  and the tooth portion  132  on the inner wall of the driving head  130 . 
     In detail, the self-calibrated mechanism  170  includes a ball  171  against to the driving head  130  and the driving base  160 , so that the axis of the driving base  160  can be aligned with the axis of the driving head  130  via the bail  171 . Therefore, the tilt of the driving base  160  during using can be avoided so as to ensure the mesh between the tooth element  162  of the driving base  160  and the tooth portion  132  on the inner wall of the driving head  130 . 
     Furthermore, the self-calibrated mechanism  170  can further include a first groove  172  and a second groove  173 , wherein the first groove  172  is formed on one end of the driving head  130  for containing the ball  171  therein, and the second groove  173  is formed on one end of the driving base  160  for containing the ball  171  therein. That is, the corresponding two ends of the ball  171  are against to the first groove  172  and the second groove  173 , respectively. Therefore, the ball  171  can align the driving base  160  and the driving head  130  stably. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the driving head  130  of the torque screwdriver  100  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8 , the first groove  172  includes two bottom surfaces  172   a,  wherein an angle A between the bottom surfaces  172   a  is equal to or greater than  45  degrees and equal to or less than 140 degrees. The ball  171  can be contained in the first groove  172  and against to the bottom surfaces  172   a.  It is favorable for stably aligning the driving base  160  and the driving head  130 , and increasing the aligning precision. Moreover, the second groove  173  can also include two bottom surfaces, and the angle between the bottom surfaces can be equal to the angle A of the first groove  172 , and will not be described again herein. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.