PNEUMATIC SIGNAL GENERATING DEVICE FOR A PNEUMATIC TOOL

Description

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a signal generating device, and more particularly to a pneumatic signal generating device for a pneumatic tool.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] With reference to Fig. 6, a conventional pneumatic tool 70 substantially comprises a body 71, a driving device 72, a trigger assembly 73, and a silencer 74. The body 71 has a holding chamber 711, a trigger chamber 712, an inlet channel 713, and an outlet channel 714. The trigger chamber 712 is adjacent to the holding chamber 711 and extends laterally. The inlet channel 713 and the outlet channel 714 communicate with the trigger chamber 712. The driving device 72 is mounted in the holding chamber 711, and the trigger assembly 73 is mounted in the trigger chamber 712. The silencer 74 is mounted on a bottom of the body 71 and communicates with the outlet channel 714.

[0003] When the conventional pneumatic tool 70 is in use, the body 71 is connected with an air compressor by a pipe and compressed air can be led into the inlet channel 713. When the trigger assembly 73 is pressed, the compressed air is led into the holding chamber 711 to actuate the driving device 72 and the pneumatic tool 70 works. In addition, redundant air will be discharged from the outlet channel 714.

[0004] The compressed air is the power source for driving the conventional pneumatic tool 70 to operate, but the pressure of the compressed air is unstable and is not easily detected. Therefore, to detect the pressure in the pneumatic tool and the pressing times of the trigger assembly 73 is difficult.

[0005] In addition, to mount an electrical element in the pneumatic tool 70 for detecting the pressure or the pressing times of the trigger assembly 73 is also difficult. Additional wires or electrical elements are necessary for the arrangement of the detecting electrical element, so the structure of the conventional pneumatic tool having a detecting function is complicated.

[0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a pneumatic signal generating device for a pneumatic tool to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. Other pneumatic tools are known from WO 2016/055566 A1 and WO 96/11090 A1.

[0007] The main objective of the invention is to provide a pneumatic signal generating device that is applied to detect the conditions of a pneumatic tool.

[0008] The pneumatic generating device has a valve sleeve, a valve core, a piston pin, and a guiding assembly. The valve sleeve has a sleeve chamber, an opening, and an input end. The sleeve chamber is defined in the valve sleeve. The opening is defined in an end of the valve sleeve and communicates with the sleeve chamber. The input end is defined in an end of the valve sleeve opposite the opening. The valve core is mounted rotatably in the sleeve chamber of the valve sleeve and has an axial hole and an annular groove. The axial hole is defined axially through the valve core. The annular groove is defined around an outer surface of the valve core. The piston pin is mounted moveably in the axial hole in the valve core and has an end extending out of the input end of the valve sleeve and combined with a sealing cap. The guiding assembly is combined rotatably with the valve core and has a signal member and a guiding tube. The signal member is combined with the valve core, is held in the annular groove in the valve core, and has a passage defined in the signal member and communicating with the sleeve chamber of the valve sleeve. The guiding tube is connected with the signal member and communicates with the passage in the signal member.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 

Fig. 1

is a side view in partial section of a pneumatic tool having a pneumatic signal generating device in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2

is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the pneumatic signal generating device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

is a side view in partial section of the pneumatic signal generating device in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

is an enlarged operational side view in partial section of the pneumatic tool with the pneumatic signal generating device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

is an enlarged operational side view of the pneumatic tool in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6

is an enlarged operational cross sectional side view of the pneumatic signal generating device in Fig. 5.

[0011] With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, a pneumatic signal generating device in accordance with the present invention is mounted in a trigger chamber 11 of a pneumatic tool 10, is connected with a trigger assembly 12 and comprises a valve sleeve 20, a valve core 30, a piston pin 40, and a guiding assembly 50.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 1, the pneumatic tool 10 may be conventional and has an inlet channel 13 and an outlet channel 14. The trigger chamber 11 is defined laterally in a body of the pneumatic tool 10. The inlet channel 13 and the outlet channel 14 communicate with the trigger chamber 11.

[0013] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the valve sleeve 20 is mounted in the trigger chamber 11 of the pneumatic tool 10, is cylindrical in shape, and has a sleeve chamber 21, an opening 22, two inlets 23, two outlets 24, a limiting groove 25, and an input end 26. The sleeve chamber 21 is defined in the valve sleeve 20. The opening 22 is defined in an end of the valve sleeve 20 facing the trigger assembly 12 and communicates with the sleeve chamber 21. The two inlets 23 are defined radially in the valve sleeve 20 at positions away from the opening 22 and communicate with the sleeve chamber 21. The two outlets 24 are defined radially in the valve sleeve 20, are diametrically opposite each other, and communicate with the sleeve chamber 21. The limiting groove 25 is curved, is defined radially in the valve sleeve 20 at a position between the opening 22 and the outlets 24, and communicates with the sleeve chamber 21. The input end 26 is defined in an end of the valve sleeve 20 opposite the opening 22 and has a pin hole 261 defined through the input end 26.

[0014] With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the valve core 30 is mounted rotatably in the sleeve chamber 21 of the valve sleeve 20 and comprises an input segment 32, an output segment 31, a connection segment 33, an axial hole 34, and an annular groove 35. The input segment 32 is formed on an end of the valve core 30, and the output segment 31 is formed on an end of the valve core 30 opposite the input segment 32. The connection segment 33 is mounted between the input segment 32 and the output segment 31 to connect the input segment 32 with the output segment 31. The axial hole 34 is defined axially through the input segment 32, the connection segment 33, and the output segment 31. The annular groove 35 is defined around an outer surface of the valve core 30 at a position corresponding to the two outlets 24 in the valve sleeve 20 and is preferably defined between the input segment 32 and the output segment 31 and formed around the connection segment 33.

[0015] With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the output segment 31 further has a notch 311 and a positioning recess 312. The notch 311 is defined radially in the output segment 31 at a position corresponding to the limiting groove 25. The positioning recess 312 is defined longitudinally in the output segment 31 and is diametrically opposite to the notch 311. The input segment 32 has a mounting hole 321, a guiding channel 322, an input chamber 323, an input hole 324, and a guiding recess 325. The mounting hole 321 is defined longitudinally in the input segment 32 and is co-axial with the positioning recess 312 in the output segment 31. The guiding channel 322 is longitudinally in the input segment 32, is co-axial with the mounting hole 321, and communicates with the mounting hole 321 and the sleeve chamber 21. The input chamber 323 is defined in the input segment 32 and communicates with the axial hole 34. The input hole 324 is defined radially in the input segment 32 and communicates with the input chamber 323 and one of the inlets 23 in the valve sleeve 20. The guiding recess 325 is defined in an end of the input segment 32 facing the pin hole 26 of the valve sleeve 20. The end of the input segment 32 provided with the guiding recess 325 is adjacent to the input end 26 of the valve sleeve 20, such that the compressed air entering into the pin hole 261 can be led into the guiding channel 322 and the input chamber 323 via the guiding recess 325.

[0016] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the piston pin 40 is mounted through the axial hole 34 of the valve core 30 and has a first end extending out of the pin hole 261 of the valve sleeve 20 and a second end connected with the trigger assembly 12. The first end of the piston pin 40 is combined with a sealing cap 41. With the sealing cap 41, the pin hole 261 can be sealed and the compressed air can be kept from entering into the valve sleeve 20 and the valve core 30.

[0017] With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the guiding assembly 50 is combined rotatably with the valve core 30 and comprises a fastening member 51, a signal member 52 and a guiding tube 53. The fastening member 51 is mounted in the positioning recess 312 and preferably is a bolt. The signal member 52 is mounted in the mounting hole 321 and is co-axial with the fastening member 51. The signal member 52 may be T-shaped and has a mounting segment 522 and a guiding segment 523. The mounting segment 522 extends laterally and has a first end inserted into the mounting hole 321 in the valve core 30 and a second end defined as a positioning end 521. A fastening hole 524 is defined in the positioning end 521 and is screwed with the fastening member 51. With the fastening member 51 being screwed with the fastening hole 524, the signal member 52 is held securely in the mounting hole 321. The guiding segment 523 protrudes inclinedly from the mounting segment 522. A guiding passage 525 is L-shaped, is defined in the mounting segment 522 and the guiding segment 523, communicates with the guiding channel 322 and is free from communicating with the fastening hole 524. When the fastening member 51 is rotated, the signal member 52 will be moved relative to the mounting hole 321 and the position of the signal member 52 is adjusted. The guiding tube 53 is inserted into an end of the guiding segment 523, communicates with the guiding passage 525, and extends into the outlet channel 14 of the pneumatic tool 10.

[0018] With reference to Figs. 3 to 5, when in use, the pneumatic tool 10 is connected with a compressed air source. When the trigger assembly 12 is pressed, the piston pin 40 will be axially moved relative to the valve sleeve 20 and the sealing cap 41 will depart from the valve sleeve 20 to open the pin hole 261. At this time, the compressed air will enter the trigger chamber 11 via the inlet channel 13 and some of the compressed air will enter the guiding channel 322 via the pin hole 261 and the guiding recess 325. The compressed air shunt will then enter the guiding passage 525 of the signal member 52 and the guiding tube 53. Consequently, the compressed air shunt entering into the guiding tube 53 can serve as a pressure signal to be led to a counter or a pressure gauge connected with the outlet channel 14 of the pneumatic tool 10. Accordingly, the pressing times of the trigger assembly 12 or the pressure in the pneumatic tool 10 can be easily calculated or detected by the compressed air shunt, and additional electrical elements and wire arrangement are not necessary. In addition, the pneumatic signal generating device in accordance with the present invention can be easily assembled in a conventional pneumatic tool, and the weight and volume of the pneumatic tool will not be increased.

Claims

1. A pneumatic signal generating device for a pneumatic tool, characterized in that the pneumatic signal generating device comprises:

a valve sleeve (20) having

a sleeve chamber (21) defined in the valve sleeve (20);

an opening (22) defined in an end of the valve sleeve (20) and communicating with the sleeve chamber (21); and

an input end (26) defined in an end of the valve sleeve (20) opposite the opening (22);

a valve core (30) mounted rotatably in the sleeve chamber (21) of the valve sleeve (20) and having

an axial hole (34) defined axially through the valve core (30); and

an annular groove (35) defined around an outer surface of the valve core (30);

a piston pin (40) mounted moveably in the axial hole (34) in the valve core (30) and having an end extending out of the input end (26) of the valve sleeve (20) and combined with a sealing cap (41); characterized by a guiding assembly (50) combined rotatably with the valve core (30) and comprising

a signal member (52) combined with the valve core (30), held in the annular groove (35) in the valve core (30), and having a passage (525) defined in the signal member (52) and communicating with the sleeve chamber (21) of the valve sleeve (20); and

a guiding tube (53) connected with the signal member (52) and communicating with the passage (525) in the signal member (52).

2. The pneumatic signal generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the valve core (30) further comprises
an input segment (32) formed on an end of the valve core (30);
an output segment (31) formed on an end of the valve core (30) opposite the input segment (32); and
a connection segment (33) mounted between the input segment (32) and the output segment (31) to connect the input segment (32) with the output segment (31);
the axial hole (34) is defined axially through the input segment (32), the connection segment (33), and the output segment (31);
the annular groove (35) is defined between the input segment (32) and the output segment (31) and is formed around the connection segment (33); and the signal member (52) is combined with the input segment (32) of the valve core (30).

3. The pneumatic signal generating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the input segment (32) of the valve core (30) has
a mounting hole (321) defined in the input segment (32); and
a guiding channel (322) defined in the input segment (32) and communicating with the mounting hole (321) and the sleeve chamber (21);
the signal member (52) has an end mounted in the mounting hole (321) in the input segment (32) and communicates with the sleeve chamber (21) via the guiding channel (322).

4. The pneumatic signal generating device as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the signal member (52) comprising
a mounting segment (522) extending laterally and inserted into the mounting hole (321) in the valve core (30); and
a guiding segment (523) protruding inclinedly from the mounting segment (522).

5. The pneumatic signal generating device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4,
wherein
the output segment (31) of the valve core (30) has a positioning recess (312) defined in the output segment (31);
the guiding assembly (50) further comprises a fastening member (51) mounted in the positioning recess (312); and
the signal member (52) comprises a positioning end (521) extending laterally and combined securely with the fastening member (51).

Ansprüche

1. Pneumatische Signalerzeugungsvorrichtung für ein pneumatisches Werkzeug, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die pneumatische Signalerzeugungsvorrichtung Folgendes umfasst:

eine Ventilhülse (20) aufweisend

eine in der Ventilhülse (20) definierte Hülsenkammer (21);

eine Öffnung (22), die in einem Ende der Ventilhülse (20) definiert ist und mit der Hülsenkammer (21) in Verbindung steht; und

ein Eingangsende (26), das in einem Ende der Ventilhülse (20) gegenüber der Öffnung (22) definiert ist;

einen Ventilkern (30), der drehbar in der Hülsenkammer (21) der Ventilhülse (20) angebracht ist und

ein axiales Loch (34) aufweist, das axial durch den Ventilkern (30) definiert ist und;

eine ringförmige Nut (35), die um eine Außenfläche des Ventilkerns (30) definiert ist;

einen Kolbenbolzen (40), der beweglich in dem axialen Loch (34) in dem Ventilkern (30) angebracht ist und ein Ende aufweist, das sich aus dem Eingangsende (26) der Ventilhülse (20) heraus erstreckt und mit einer Dichtungskappe (41) kombiniert ist; gekennzeichnet durch eine Führungsanordnung (50), die drehbar mit dem Ventilkern (30) kombiniert ist und ein Signalelement (52) umfasst, das mit dem Ventilkern (30) kombiniert ist, in der ringförmigen Nut (35) im Ventilkern (30) gehalten ist und einen Durchgang (525) aufweist, der in dem Signalelement (52) definiert ist und mit der Hülsenkammer (21) der Ventilhülse (20) in Verbindung steht; und

ein Führungsrohr (53), das mit dem Signalelement (52) verbunden ist und mit dem Durchgang (525) in dem Signalelement (52) in Verbindung steht.

2. Pneumatische Signalerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Ventilkern (30) ferner Folgendes umfasst:

ein Eingangssegment (32), das an einem Ende des Ventilkerns (30) ausgebildet ist;

ein Ausgangssegment (31), das an einem Ende des Ventilkerns (30) gegenüber dem Eingangssegment (32) ausgebildet ist; und

ein Verbindungssegment (33), das zwischen dem Eingangssegment (32) und dem Ausgangssegment (31) angebracht ist, um das Eingangssegment (32) mit dem Ausgangssegment (31) zu verbinden;

das axiale Loch (34) ist axial durch das Eingangssegment (32), das Verbindungssegment (33) und das Ausgangssegment (31) definiert;

die ringförmige Nut (35) ist zwischen dem Eingangssegment (32) und dem Ausgangssegment (31) definiert und um das Verbindungssegment (33) herum ausgebildet; und

das Signalelement (52) ist mit dem Eingangssegment (32) des Ventilkerns (30) kombiniert.

3. Pneumatische Signalerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 2, wobei
das Eingangssegment (32) des Ventilkerns (30) ein im Eingangssegment (32) definiertes Befestigungsloch (321) aufweist; und
einen Führungskanal (322), der in dem Eingangssegment (32) definiert ist und mit dem Befestigungsloch (321) und der Hülsenkammer (21) in Verbindung steht;
das Signalelement (52) hat ein Ende, das in dem Befestigungsloch (321) im Eingangssegment (32) befestigt ist, und steht mit der Hülsenkammer (21) über den Führungskanal (322) in Verbindung.

4. Pneumatische Signalerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei das Signalelement (52) Folgendes umfasst:

ein Befestigungssegment (522), das sich seitlich erstreckt und in das Befestigungsloch (321) in den Ventilkern (30) eingesetzt ist; und

ein Führungssegment (523), das schräg aus dem Befestigungssegment (522) herausragt.

5. Pneumatische Signalerzeugungsvorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, wobei
das Ausgangssegment (31) des Ventilkerns (30) eine Positionierungsaussparung (312) aufweist, die in dem Ausgangssegment (31) definiert ist;
die Führungsanordnung (50) ferner ein Befestigungselement (51) umfasst, das in der Positionierungsaussparung (312) angebracht ist; und
das Signalelement (52) ein Positionierungsende (521) umfasst, das sich seitlich erstreckt und sicher mit dem Befestigungselement (51) kombiniert ist.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de génération de signaux pneumatiques pour outil pneumatique, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de génération de signaux pneumatiques comprend :

un manchon de vanne (20) comportant

une chambre de manchon (21) définie dans le manchon de vanne (20) ;

une ouverture (22) définie dans une extrémité du manchon de vanne (20) et communiquant avec la chambre de manchon (21) ; et

une extrémité d'entrée (26) définie dans une extrémité du manchon de vanne (20) opposée à l'ouverture (22) ;

un noyau de vanne (30) monté de manière à pouvoir tourner dans la chambre de manchon (21) du manchon de vanne (20) et comportant un trou axial (34) défini axialement à travers le noyau de vanne (30) ; et

une gorge annulaire (35) définie autour d'une surface extérieure du noyau de vanne (30) ;

une broche de piston (40) montée de manière mobile dans le trou axial (34) dans le noyau de vanne (30) et comportant une extrémité s'étendant hors de l'extrémité d'entrée (26) du manchon de vanne (20) et combinée avec une calotte d'étanchéité (41) ; caractérisé par

un ensemble de guidage (50) combiné de manière à pouvoir tourner avec le noyau de vanne (30) et comprenant

un élément de signalisation (52) combiné avec le noyau de vanne (30), maintenu dans la gorge annulaire (35) dans le noyau de vanne (30), et comportant un passage (525) défini dans l'élément de signalisation (52) et communiquant avec la chambre de manchon (21) du manchon de vanne (20) ; et

un tube de guidage (53) connecté à l'élément de signalisation (52) et communiquant avec le passage (525) dans l'élément de signalisation (52).

2. Dispositif de génération de signaux pneumatiques selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
le noyau de vanne (30) comprend en outre
un segment d'entrée (32) formé sur une extrémité du noyau de vanne (30) ;
un segment de sortie (31) formé sur une extrémité du noyau de vanne (30) opposée au segment d'entrée (32) ; et
un segment de connexion (33) monté entre le segment d'entrée (32) et le segment de sortie (31) pour connecter le segment d'entrée (32) au segment de sortie (31) ;
le trou axial (34) est défini axialement à travers le segment d'entrée (32), le segment de connexion (33), et le segment de sortie (31) ;
la gorge annulaire (35) est définie entre le segment d'entrée (32) et le segment de sortie (31) et est formée autour du segment de connexion (33) ; et
l'élément de signalisation (52) est combiné avec le segment d'entrée (32) du noyau de vanne (30).

3. Dispositif de génération de signaux pneumatiques selon la revendication 2, dans lequel
le segment d'entrée (32) du noyau de vanne (30) comporte un trou de montage (321) défini dans le segment d'entrée (32) ; et
un canal de guidage (322) défini dans le segment d'entrée (32) et communiquant avec le trou de montage (321) et la chambre de manchon (21) ;
l'élément de signalisation (52) a une extrémité montée dans le trou de montage (321) dans le segment d'entrée (32) et communique avec la chambre de manchon (21) par l'intermédiaire du canal de guidage (322).

4. Dispositif de génération de signaux pneumatiques selon la revendication 3, dans lequel
l'élément de signalisation (52) comprend
un segment de montage (522) s'étendant latéralement et inséré dans le trou de montage (321) dans le noyau de vanne (30) ; et
un segment de guidage (523) dépassant obliquement du segment de montage (522).

5. Dispositif de génération de signaux pneumatiques selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans lequel
le segment de sortie (31) du noyau de vanne (30) comporte un retrait de positionnement (312) défini dans le segment de sortie (31) ;
l'ensemble de guidages (50) comprend en outre un élément de fixation (51) monté dans le retrait de positionnement (312) ; et
l'élément de signalisation (52) comprend une extrémité de positionnement (521) s'étendant latéralement et combinée de manière sécurisée à l'élément de fixation (51).

Drawing