CYCLE COUNTER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cycle counter for a pneumatic, or hydraulic, or electric apparatus, in particular for a pneumatic impact wrench.

[0002] Pneumatic impact wrenches are known comprising a spindle for rotatingly supporting a screwing tool, typically a socket wrench, for screwing/unscrewing nuts, bolts, screws and the like. Such wrenches are further provided with a pneumatically rotatable rotor.

[0003] The rotor, connected mechanically to the spindle by an impact mechanism, rotates the spindle by impacts.

[0004] In use, known pneumatic wrenches are subject to scheduled maintenance operations, involving the entire or partial dismantling/assembling of the wrench, after a period of time previously determined by the manufacturer on the basis of statistical estimates. Nevertheless, this means that some wrenches, which have been little used in this period of time, are subjected to maintenance too soon, this giving rise to an unnecessary waste of time, and on the other hand the other wrenches, which are used intensely in this period of time, are subjected too late to maintenance, this entailing the risk of excessive wear of the components of the wrench.

[0005] A cycle counter according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in document US 6 536 536.

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide pneumatic apparatuses, in particular pneumatic impact wrenches, for which it is possible to program more effectively than with known wrenches the moment in which they have to be subjected to maintenance.

[0007] The invention provides a cycle counter as defined in independent claim 1.

[0008] The cycle counter according to the invention, inserted into a pneumatic impact wrench of known type, enables the moment in which the wrench should be subjected to maintenance to be programmed very precisely.

[0009] In fact, said cycle counter enables, by calculating, and making accessible to an operator, the number of cycles actually performed by said rotor, to establish more accurately, on the basis of the effective use of said wrench, the moment in which to subject the latter to maintenance.

[0010] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached Figure that shows an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example.

[0011] With reference to the attached Figure a partially exploded pneumatic impact wrench 1 is shown.

[0012] The pneumatic impact wrench 1 comprises a main body 2 and a grip 3 projecting from the main body 2.

[0013] The pneumatic impact wrench 1 further includes a spindle 5, projecting from a first front end portion 4 of the main body 2, arranged for rotatingly supporting an impact wrench, which is not shown, which is typically a socket wrench.

[0014] The pneumatic impact wrench 1 further comprises a pneumatic motor, shown partially in the Figure.

[0015] The pneumatic motor comprises a stator or cylinder that is not shown that has a cylindrical shape.

[0016] The internally hollow stator has a variable thickness, in particular increasing from an upper portion thereof to a lower portion thereof.

[0017] The stator is provided with openings for delivering and discharging an operating fluid, for example pressurised air.

[0018] The pneumatic motor further comprises a rotor 6 that is pneumatically rotatable.

[0019] The rotor 6 is housed inside the stator, between the rotor 6 and the stator a gap being defined for receiving, in a known manner that is therefore not disclosed in detail, the operating fluid.

[0020] The rotor 6 has a cylindrical shape with a substantially circular section.

[0021] Also, the rotor 6 is rotatingly coupled with the stator, in such a manner that it is rotatable around a rotation axis that is eccentric with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stator.

[0022] In the rotor 6 radial seats 7 are obtained externally, in each of which a vane 8 is slidable. The radial seats 7 are mutually angularly equidistant and shaped in such a manner as each to receive a vane 8.

[0023] The vanes 8, which are, for example, made of carbon fibre, are suitable for being hit by the operating fluid.

[0024] Each vane 8 is radially slidable inside the respective seat 7, in such a manner as to be movable between a retracted configuration, in which the vane 8 is completely received inside the seat 7, and an extracted configuration, in which the vane 8 projects outside the seat 7.

[0025] More precisely, the vane 8 is positioned in the retracted configuration when the respective seat 7 is at the point of minimal distance from an internal wall of the stator facing the seat 7. On the other hand, the vane 8 is positioned in the extracted configuration when the respective seat 7 is at the point of maximum distance from the aforesaid internal wall.

[0026] During rotation of the rotor 6, an end 9 of each vane 8 is maintained in contact with the internal wall of the stator, in such a manner that two circumferally consecutive vanes 8 define in the aforesaid gap, together with the stator, with the rotor 6, with a first closing flange and with a second closing flange that are not shown, that are positioned on opposite ends of the stator, a plurality of chambers having a volume that varies during rotation of the rotor 6.

[0027] During operation, the operating fluid, as it has great pressure, is delivered inside a chamber of initially reduced volume near the zone in which the rotor 6 is nearer the stator.

[0028] On the vanes 8 that bound this chamber forces act that tend to drive the rotor 6 in opposite directions.

[0029] The prevailing force is the force that acts on the vane 8 that protrudes more from the respective seat 7.

[0030] The result of the aforesaid forces produces a torque on the rotor 6.

[0031] Also, the rotor 6 is connected mechanically to the spindle 5 by an impact mechanism of known type that is not shown to rotate the spindle 5 through impacts.

[0032] In particular, depending on the type of impact mechanism used, for each complete rotation of the rotor 6, i.e. for each "cycle" of the rotor 6, there is one or more impacts transmitted to the spindle 5.

[0033] Also, the pneumatic impact wrench 1 comprises a cover 10 positioned in a rear second end portion 11 of the main body 2 opposite the first front end portion 4.

[0034] The pneumatic impact wrench 1 further comprises a cycle counter 12 arranged for counting the cycles performed by the rotor 6.

[0035] In this description a "cycle" is a complete rotation of the rotor 6 around the rotation axis thereof.

[0036] As mentioned previously, depending on the type of impact mechanism used, for each complete rotation of the rotor 6, i.e. for each "cycle" of the rotor 6, one or more impulses transmitted to the spindle 5 correspond.

[0037] The cycle counter 12 comprises magnet means 13 that is rotatable by the rotor 6.

[0038] In particular, the magnet means 13 is supported by a supporting element 14, of annular shape, fixed to a wall 15 of a rear hub included in the rotor 6.

[0039] The magnet means 13 comprises a plurality of magnets 16, for example eight in number, each generating, once rotated by the rotor 6, a respective variable magnetic field.

[0040] In particular, each magnet 16 is housed in a corresponding recess 17 with which the supporting element 14 is provided, the magnets 16 being arranged in succession along a circular path.

[0041] In an embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the magnet means 13 comprises a single magnet.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the magnet means 13, comprises a pair of magnets.

[0043] The cycle counter 12 further comprises a sensor 18 mounted inside the pneumatic impact wrench 1. More precisely, the sensor 18 is fixed to an internal wall, which is not shown, of the cover 10, in such a manner as to face, in use, the magnet means 13.

[0044] The sensor 18 is configured for detecting the magnet means 13 such as to determine a complete rotation performed by the rotor 6 and for generating, for each complete rotation detected, a corresponding cycle signal.

[0045] In particular, the sensor 18 is configured in such a manner as to generate this cycle signal only when the complete detected rotation is performed by the rotor 6 at a speed below a preset reference speed. This preset reference speed can comprise, for example, a loadless rotation speed of the rotor 6, i.e. the rotation speed of the rotor 6 when the impact wrench is not engaged with an element to be screwed/unscrewed.

[0046] In this manner, the cycle counter 12 counts only the cycles in which the pneumatic impact wrench 1 is actually working.

[0047] The cycle counter 12 further comprises a processing unit 19, or microprocessor, mounted inside the pneumatic impact wrench 1, in particular supported by the cover 10.

[0048] The processing unit 19 is configured for communicating with the sensor 18 for receiving the aforesaid cycle signals and for processing, on the basis of these cycle signals, information on the use of the pneumatic impact wrench 1.

[0049] In particular, this information comprises a total number of cycles completed by the rotor 6 and/or a rotation direction of the rotor 6 and/or a total or partial working time of the pneumatic impact wrench 1 and/or a number of impacts for each cycle and/or a number of revolutions per minute of the rotor 6.

[0050] The processing unit 19 comprises a memory card 20, including a flash memory, to store the aforesaid information and make it accessible, as disclosed below, to an operator.

[0051] In fact, the processing unit 19 comprises interface means 21 communicating with the memory card 20 and configured for connecting to portable mass-memory means, which is not shown, such as to make the aforesaid information accessible to the operator.

[0052] In an embodiment of the invention the interface means 21 comprises a USB gate and the portable mass-memory means comprises a USB key.

[0053] In a further embodiment of the invention, the interface means 21 comprises a "slot" and the portable mass-memory means comprises a MicroSD (Micro Secure Digital).

[0054] In another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the processing unit 19 comprises data-transmission means communicating with the memory card 20 and configured for wireless connection to a remote data-receiving device.

[0055] The cycle counter 12 further comprises a battery, which is not shown, for supplying the processing unit 19 electrically.

[0056] Also, the cycle counter 12 comprises auto-supplying means 22 for supplying the aforesaid battery.

[0057] This supplying means includes an electric conductor 23 mounted inside the pneumatic impact wrench 1, in particular supported by the cover 10.

[0058] The electric conductor 23 is connected electrically to the battery and supplies the latter with an electric current induced by the variable magnetic field generated by the magnet means 13 when rotated by the rotor 6.

[0059] The magnet means 13 must therefore comprise a number of magnets 16 that are sufficient for generating a variable magnetic field that is such as to induce a suitable electric current in the electric conductor 23.

[0060] The cycle counter 12 further comprises a LED 24, or alternatively a luminous light, for example positioned on the cover 10.

[0061] The LED 24 communicates with the processing unit 19, which switches on the LED 24 to alert the operator, for example, that the moment has arrived, after a preset number of detected cycles, to proceed with the scheduled maintenance.

[0062] Also, the cycle counter 12 comprises a screen 25, positioned, for example, on the cover 10 below the LED 24.

[0063] The screen 25 communicates with the processing unit 19 and displays one or more of the aforesaid information, making information immediately accesible to the operator.

[0064] It should be noted that the cycle counter 12 disclosed above, inserted into a pneumatic impact wrench 1 of known type, enables the moment in which the pneumatic impact wrench 1 has to be submitted to maintenance to be scheduled precisely.

[0065] In fact, the cycle counter 12 enables, by calculating and making available to an operator, the number of cycles actually performed by the rotor 6, to establish more accurately, on the basis of the actual use of the wrench, the moment in which to subject the wrench to maintenance.

[0066] It should be known that the cycle counter according to the invention is insertible into any pneumatic, or hydraulic, or electric apparatus, provided with a rotating part of which the number of completed revolutions is wished to be known.

Claims

1. Cycle counter for a pneumatic, or hydraulic, or electric apparatus (1), in particular for a pneumatic impact wrench, comprising:

a sensor (18) mounted inside said apparatus (1), said sensor (18) being configured for detecting a complete rotation performed by a rotor (6) included in said apparatus (1), and for generating, for each complete rotation detected, a cycle signal; and

a processing unit (19) mounted inside said apparatus (1), said processing unit (19) being configured for communicating with said sensor (18) for receiving said cycle signal and for processing, on the basis of said cycle signal, information on the use of said apparatus (1), in particular a total number of cycles completed by said rotor (6) and/or a rotation direction of said rotor (6) and/or a total or partial working time of said apparatus (1) and/or a number of impacts for each cycle and/or a number of revolutions per minute of said rotor (6), in which said processing unit (19) comprises a memory card (20) configured for storing said information and making said information accessible to an operator, characterised in that said sensor (18) is configured in such a manner as to generate said cycle signal when said detected complete rotation is performed at a speed that is lower than a preset reference speed , in particular a loadless rotation speed of said rotor (6).

2. Cycle counter according to claim 1, and comprising magnet means (13) associated with said rotor (6) and configured for being detected by said sensor (18).

3. Cycle counter according to claim 2, wherein said magnet means (13) comprises at least one magnet (16) generating a variable magnetic field that is detectable by said sensor (18).

4. Cycle counter according to claim 2, or 3, wherein said magnet means (13) comprises a plurality of magnets (16) each generating a respective variable magnetic field detected by said sensor (18).

5. Cycle counter according to any one of claims 2 to 4, and comprising supporting means (14), in particular of annular shape, which is fixable to said rotor (6) and arranged for supporting said magnet means (13).

6. Cycle counter according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said sensor (18) is fixed to an internal wall of a cover (10) included in said apparatus (1), said sensor (18) facing said magnet means (13).

7. Cycle counter according to any preceding claim, wherein said processing unit (19) comprises interface means (21) communicating with said memory card (20) and configured for connecting to portable mass-memory means.

8. Cycle counter according to any preceding claim, wherein said processing unit (19) comprises data-transmission means communicating with said memory card (20) and configured for wireless connection to a remote data-receiving device.

9. Cycle counter according to any preceding claim, and comprising a battery for supplying said processing unit (19) electrically.

10. Cycle counter according to claim 9, as claim 9 is appended to claim 2, and comprising auto-supplying means (22) for supplying said battery, said auto-supplying means (22) including an electric conductor (23) mounted inside said apparatus (1), said electric conductor (23) being connected electrically to said battery for supplying said battery with an electric current induced from a variable magnetic field generated by said magnet means (13).

11. Cycle counter according to any preceding claim, and comprising signalling means (24, 25) mounted on said apparatus (1), said signalling means (24, 25) being configured for communicating with said processing unit (19) for receiving said information and for signalling it to said operator.

12. Cycle counter according to claim 11, wherein said signalling means (24, 25) comprises a LED (24).

13. Cycle counter according to claim 11, or 12, wherein said signalling means (24, 25) comprises a screen (25) for displaying said information.

14. Pneumatic, or hydraulic, or electric apparatus, in particular pneumatic impact wrench, comprising a cycle counter (12) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Ansprüche

1. Zykluszähler für eine pneumatische, eine hydraulische oder eine elektrische Vorrichtung (1), insbesondere für einen pneumatischen Schlagschrauber mit:

einem Sensor (18) der innerhalb der Vorrichtung (1) befestigt ist, wobei der Sensor (18) dazu ausgebildet ist, eine von einem Rotor (6), der in der Vorrichtung (1) aufgenommen ist, erfolgte vollständige Umdrehung zu detektieren und um für jede detektierte vollständige Umdrehung ein Zyklussignal abzugeben; und

einer Verarbeitungseinheit (19), die innerhalb der Vorrichtung (1) aufgenommen ist, wobei die Verarbeitungseinheit (19) dazu ausgebildet ist, mit dem Sensor (18) zu kommunizieren, um das Zyklussignal zu erhalten und zu verarbeiten und um auf der Basis des Zyklussignals, von Information betreffend die Verwendung der Vorrichtung (1), insbesondere einer Gesamtzahl von durch den Rotor (6) vollführten Zyklen und/oder einer Rotorrichtung des Rotors (6) und/oder einer vollständigen oder teilweisen Arbeitszeit der Vorrichtung (1) und/oder einer Anzahl von Schlägen für jeden Zyklus und/oder einer Anzahl von Umdrehungen pro Minute des Rotors (6), wobei die Verarbeitungseinheit (19) eine Speicherkarte (20) aufweist, die zum Speichern der Information ausgebildet ist, diese Information für einen Bediener zugänglich zu machen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Sensor (18) auf eine solche Weise konfiguriert ist, dass er das Zyklussignal erzeugt, wenn eine vollständige Umdrehung bei einer Geschwindigkeit detektiert wird, die geringer als eine voreingestellte Referenzgeschwindigkeit ist, insbesondere eine lastlose Umdrehungsgeschwindigkeit des Rotors (6).

2. Zykluszähler nach Anspruch 1, der ferner ein Magnetmittel (13) aufweist, das mit dem Rotor (6) zusammenhängt und zum Detektieren durch den Sensor (18) ausgebildet ist.

3. Zykluszähler nach Anspruch 2, bei dem das Magnetmittel (13) wenigstens einen Magnet (16) aufweist, der ein variables Magnetfeld erzeugt, das von dem Sensor (18) detektierbar ist.

4. Zykluszähler nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, bei dem das Magnetmittel (13) eine Mehrzahl von Magneten (16) aufweist, die jeweils ein betreffendes variables Magnetfeld erzeugen, das von dem Sensor (18) detektiert wird.

5. Zykluszähler nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, der ferner ein Aufnahmemittel (14) aufweist, insbesondere von ringförmiger Form, das an dem Rotor (6) fixierbar ist und dazu ausgebildet ist, das Magnetmittel (13) aufzunehmen.

6. Zykluszähler nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 2 bis 5, bei dem der Sensor (18) an einer Innenwand einer Abdeckung (10) befestigt ist, die zu der Vorrichtung (1) gehört, wobei der Sensor (18) dem Magnetmittel (13) zugewandt ist.

7. Zykluszähler nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei dem die Verarbeitungseinheit (19) ein Interfacemittel (21) aufweist, das mit der Speicherkarte (20) kommuniziert und dazu ausgebildet ist, sich mit einem tragbaren Massenspeichermittel zu verbinden.

8. Zykluszähler nach irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, bei dem die Verarbeitungseinheit (19) ein Datenübertragungsmittel aufweist, das mit der Speicherkarte (20) kommuniziert und zur drahtlosen Verbindung mit einer entfernten Datenaufnahmevorrichtung ausgebildet ist.

9. Zykluszähler gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, der ferner eine Batterie zur elektrischen Versorgung der Verarbeitungseinheit (19) aufweist.

10. Zykluszähler nach Anspruch 9, soweit Anspruch 9 von Anspruch 2 abhängig ist, der ferner ein Selbstversorgungsmittel (22) zur Versorgung der Batterie aufweist, wobei das Selbstversorgungsmittel (22) einen elektrischen Leiter (23) einschließt, der innerhalb der Vorrichtung (1) aufgenommen ist, wobei der elektrische Leiter (23) elektrisch mit der Batterie verbunden ist, um die Batterie mit einem elektrischen Strom zu versorgen, der von einem variablen Magnetfeld erzielt wird, das von dem Magnetmittel (13) erzeugt wird.

11. Zykluszähler gemäß irgendeinem vorhergehenden Anspruch, der ferner ein Signalmittel (24, 25) aufweist, das an der Vorrichtung (1) aufgenommen ist, wobei das Signalmittel (24, 25) dazu ausgebildet ist, mit der Verarbeitungseinheit (19) zu kommunizieren, um die Information zu erhalten und sie an eine Bedienungsperson zu signalisieren.

12. Zykluszähler nach Anspruch 11, bei dem das Signalmittel (24, 25) eine LED (24) umfasst.

13. Zykluszähler nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, bei dem das Signalmittel (24, 25) eine Anzeige (25) zum Anzeigen der Information aufweist.

14. Pneumatische, hydraulische oder elektrische Vorrichtung, insbesondere pneumatischer Schlagschrauber, mit einem Zykluszähler (12) gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.

Revendications

1. Compteur de cycles pour un appareil pneumatique, ou hydraulique, ou électrique (1), notamment pour une clé à chocs pneumatique, comprenant :

un capteur (18) monté à l'intérieur dudit appareil (1), ledit capteur (18) étant configuré pour détecter un tour complet réalisé par un rotor (6) inclus dans ledit appareil (1), et pour générer, pour chaque tour complet détecté, un signal de cycle ; et

une unité de traitement (19) montée à l'intérieur dudit appareil (1), ladite unité de traitement (19) étant configurée pour communiquer avec ledit capteur (18) afin de recevoir ledit signal de cycle et pour traiter, en se basant sur ledit signal de cycle, des informations sur l'utilisation dudit appareil (1), notamment un nombre total de cycles réalisés par ledit rotor (6) et/ou un sens de rotation dudit rotor (6) et/ou un temps de travail total ou partiel dudit appareil (1) et/ou un nombre de chocs pour chaque cycle et/ou un nombre de tours par minute dudit rotor (6), dans lequel ladite unité de traitement (19) comprend une carte mémoire (20) configurée pour stocker lesdites informations et rendre lesdites informations accessibles à un opérateur, caractérisé en ce que ledit capteur (18) est configuré de manière à générer ledit signal de cycle lorsque ledit tour complet détecté est réalisé à une vitesse qui est inférieure à une vitesse de consigne prédéfinie, notamment une vitesse de rotation à vide dudit rotor (6).

2. Compteur de cycles selon la revendication 1, et comprenant des moyens d'aimant (13) associés audit rotor (6) et configurés pour être détectés par ledit capteur (18).

3. Compteur de cycles selon la revendication 2, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'aimant (13) comprennent au moins un aimant (16) générant un champ magnétique variable qui est détectable par ledit capteur (18).

4. Compteur de cycles selon la revendication 2, ou 3, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'aimant (13) comprennent une pluralité d'aimants (16) chacun générant un champ magnétique variable respectif détecté par ledit capteur (18).

5. Compteur de cycles selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, et comprenant des moyens de support (14), notamment de forme annulaire, qui sont solidarisables audit rotor (6) et agencés pour supporter lesdits moyens d'aimant (13).

6. Compteur de cycles selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 5, dans lequel ledit capteur (18) est fixé à une paroi intérieure d'un couvercle (10) inclus dans ledit appareil (1), ledit capteur (18) étant en regard desdits moyens d'aimant (13).

7. Compteur de cycles selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite unité de traitement (19) comprend des moyens d'interface (21) en communication avec ladite carte mémoire (20) et configurés pour être connectés à des moyens de mémoire de masse portables.

8. Compteur de cycles selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite unité de traitement (19) comprend des moyens de transmission de données en communication avec ladite carte mémoire (20) et configurés pour la connexion sans fil à un dispositif de réception de données distant.

9. Compteur de cycles selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, et comprenant une batterie destinée à alimenter électriquement ladite unité de traitement (19).

10. Compteur de cycles selon la revendication 9, lorsque la revendication 9 dépend de la revendication 2, et comprenant des moyens d'auto-alimentation (22) destinés à alimenter ladite batterie, lesdits moyens d'auto-alimentation (22) comprenant un conducteur électrique (23) monté à l'intérieur dudit appareil (1), ledit conducteur électrique (23) étant relié électriquement à ladite batterie pour alimenter ladite batterie d'un courant électrique induit à partir d'un champ magnétique variable généré par lesdits moyens d'aimant (13).

11. Compteur de cycles selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, et comprenant des moyens de signalisation (24, 25) montés sur ledit appareil (1), lesdits moyens de signalisation (24, 25) étant configurés pour communiquer avec ladite unité de traitement (19) afin de recevoir lesdites informations et pour les signaler audit opérateur.

12. Compteur de cycles selon la revendication 11, dans lequel lesdits moyens de signalisation (24, 25) comprennent une LED (24).

13. Compteur de cycles selon la revendication 11, ou 12, dans lequel lesdits moyens de signalisation (24, 25) comprennent un écran (25) pour afficher lesdites informations.

14. Appareil pneumatique, ou hydraulique, ou électrique, notamment une clé à chocs pneumatique, comprenant un compteur de cycles (12) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.

Drawing