EP1028831B1 - Actuating tool - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an actuating tool for a fastener having an internal polygonal arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

An operating tool of the type mentioned is known from DE-PS 44 16 268. It is used for Screwing or unscrewing hexagon socket screws. The tool has an external hexagon for this purpose on that in the hexagon socket of the Screw fits. On one with the external hexagon Introductory is an elastic clamping device arranged in a recess of the Introductory is introduced. When inserting the The tool in the hexagon socket is the Snap ring designed clamping device with a Force applied. The beveled open ends the snap ring move towards each other, so that the outside diameter decreases. Thereby can the introducer into the hexagon socket the screw. The disadvantage of this known Confirmation tool that the snap ring in the recess can slip very easily, which in some cases inserting the tool in the hexagon socket is not possible. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that the snap ring is such is compressed that the bevels of the Do not protrude ends over the edge of the recess, so that a secure hold of the tool in the Hexagon socket not guaranteed in all cases is.

From German utility model 297 08 764 a screwdriver with a polygonal engagement area known. This has a recess in which is inserted a plastic ring that is when pressing the tool into the inner polygon arrangement a screw deformed elastically. In another embodiment of the screwdriver it is provided that a spring washer in the recess is inserted, the contour of a rosette equal, with the areas between the rounded ones Corners have a curvature. Such clamping elements, especially the plastic ring, wear out with frequent use, however, very quickly. The spring ring with the rosette-like contour is complex and expensive to manufacture.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an operating tool for an internal polygon arrangement having fasteners to create the does not have the disadvantages mentioned above.

This task is accomplished using an actuating tool solved that the features mentioned in claim 1 having. Due to the resilient support achieved in an advantageous manner that the spring ring when inserting the tool head in centered an internal polygonal arrangement of a screw and this position after subtracting the Tool from the screw. So he will fixed in the recess by the resilient support or tense. With further attachments therefore the postponement remains almost constant because of the boundary edges of the inner polygon arrangement when attaching the tool in the essentially in the same place of the spring washer to meet. This enables the power transmission from the boundary edges on the spring washer essentially always at the same tangent angle. The invention Confirmation tool stands out This means that the spring ring is not uncontrolled can slip in the recess, causing a simple and secure attachment of the Tool with almost constant attachment force is guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment, that the spring ring is a helical spring-like Swirl forms. That means the spring ring is in interlocks, with the ends of the preferably open spring washers in a laterally offset opposite layer are located. By intertwining the Spring washers, the winding of which along an imaginary one Helix runs, this is supported resilient at least in some areas on the side walls the recess. This makes it a safe one Fixing the spring ring in the recess realized. In a preferred embodiment, the Recess on one level, being a normal of this Plane with a longitudinal axis of the actuating tool coincides. So the spring ring runs on a concentric circular path around the longitudinal axis of the tool.

In addition, it is preferably provided that the ends of the open spring washer loaded Almost touch condition. So it's an almost closed one Spring ring formed which is springy against the flat surfaces of the internal polygon arrangement supported. This makes it a safer one Tool held in the screw.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the recess as a substantially rectangular or U-shaped Groove is formed. This allows the interlaced spring washer at least in some areas support the legs of the groove. So he keeps his Position in relation to the tool longitudinal axis.

In a particularly preferred embodiment provided that the spring ring is preferred by one spring-hard wire is formed, one in have a substantially circular cross section can. Alternatively, it can be provided that the spring ring has an angular cross section that preferably triangular, quadrangular or hexagonal is. It is also possible to change the cross section to be trapezoidal. With an angular cross-section is particularly advantageous that an inclined surface of the spring washer on the boundary edges of the Inside polygonal arrangement of the screw hits. Thereby act essentially the same forces in Attach, since the boundary edges on the. Slant hits, with a radial force component arises, the spring ring into the recess urges. This is particularly advantageous if the dimensions of the tool and / or the internal polygon arrangement the screw have tolerances.

In a preferred embodiment, that the diameter of the cross section of the spring washer 0.07 to 0.14 times one by the Polygon arrangement defined wrench size is.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the actuating tool is characterized by that the tool head is formed by two spherical sections becomes, whose centers - in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the Operating tool measured - one Distance from each other. So it will be a two Ball halves comprising spherical head, the has the dimensions of the outer polygonal arrangement and inserting the operating tool into the Inside polygonal arrangement also allowed when the Longitudinal axis of the operating tool not with the Longitudinal axis of the screw is aligned. This is particularly so then advantageous if the screw is behind an obstacle. It is also provided that the center of the first spherical section and the Center of the second spherical section on the Longitudinal axis of the operating tool and that the centers in a space between the base areas of the spherical sections.

In a particularly preferred embodiment provided that the ball head with a ball section on a shaft of the actuating tool is arranged and that preferably on the other Ball section a truncated cone is placed, the Lateral surface an angle α with the normal, that is, the longitudinal axis of the confirmation tool, includes. It is also preferably provided that the central axis of the truncated cone with the Longitudinal axis of the actuating tool coincides. Through the truncated cone placed on the spherical section an insertion area of the tool is formed, on the one hand a swivel angle of the actuating tool with respect to the longitudinal axis of the Screw limited. On the other hand, it also inserting the tool head into the inner polygonal arrangement the screw prevents when the Swivel angle was chosen too large. Thus damage to the screw or Tool prevented. In particular, the maximum permissible swivel angle 30 ° to 40 °, preferably 30 °. It is therefore provided that the outer surface an angle of 30 ° with the normal, that is, the longitudinal axis of the actuating tool.

Finally, in a preferred embodiment provided that the truncated cone at its Shell surface has a polygonal arrangement, wherein the external polygonal arrangement of the tool head in the polygonal arrangement of the truncated cone merges. This ensures that power transmission with pivoted actuating tool too possible via the polygonal arrangement of the truncated cone is. In addition, there are at least two areas the polygonal arrangement of the truncated cone when reached the maximum swivel angle to the opposite flat surfaces of the inner polygon arrangement on. So there are areas on top of each other therefore an impermissibly high surface pressure can be avoided so that both the screw as well as the operating tool is not damaged become.

Further advantageous configurations result from the subclaims.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Werkzeugkopfes eines Betätigungswerkzeugs,

Figur 2

einen Schnitt durch den Werkzeugkopf der Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Federring,

Figur 4

den Werkzeugkopf gemäß Figur 1 in Seitenansicht,

Figur 5

einen Schnitt durch den Werkzeugkopf parallel zur Längsachse des Betätigungswerkzeugs, und

Figuren 6a bis 6d

verschiedene Ausführungsformen des Federrings.

In the following we explain the invention with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Figure 1

1 shows a perspective view of a tool head of an actuating tool,

Figure 2

2 shows a section through the tool head of FIG. 1,

Figure 3

a spring washer,

Figure 4

1 in side view,

Figure 5

a section through the tool head parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating tool, and

Figures 6a to 6d

different embodiments of the spring washer.

In the following it is assumed as an example that an actuating tool, especially a Allen key, for an internal hexagon arrangement having fastening means, in particular an Allen screw. Of course the internal polygonal arrangement can also be different Have number of edges. Furthermore, purely exemplary assumed that the operating tool a ball head-like tool head having. Of course it is too possible to make the tool head cylindrical.

An actuating tool 1 is shown in FIG. It comprises an essentially cylindrical, hexagonal shaft 3. This instructs a tool head 5 at its end. This is as a hexagon ball head with an external hexagon arrangement 7 executed. The tool head 5 is in one piece realized with the shaft 3, the Shank 3 includes chamfered surfaces 9, which in Fall in the direction of a central axis of the tool in such a way that a constriction 11 is formed. in the The area of the constriction 11 closes the tool head 5 with surfaces 13 in their course rise to one end 15 of the tool head 5, thus their distance from the longitudinal axis of the actuating tool 1 enlarge. In the further course of the Tool head 5, a recess 17 is provided, which as essentially rectangular respectively U-shaped groove 19 also referred to as a recess is realized is. In the area between the constriction 11 and the groove 19, the tool head 5 by one first ball section 20 formed. The groove 19 takes a spring washer 21. In the further course of the Tool head to the end 15 follow the groove 19 on outwardly curved surfaces 23, the in the direction of the central axis of the actuating tool 1 fall off. The surfaces 23 are the outer surfaces a second spherical section 25 of the tool head 5, on which a truncated cone 27 is placed is. This forms with its stump surface 29 End 15 of the operating tool 1. The truncated cone has a polygonal arrangement on its lateral surface 31, in particular a hexagon arrangement 33 on. It can easily be seen in FIG. 1 that the outer hexagon arrangement 7 or the Tool head 5 through the first spherical section 20, the second spherical section 25 and the truncated cone 27 is formed. That is, the surfaces 13 of the first Ball section 14, the surfaces 23 of the second Ball section 25 and the outer surface 31 go each one over the other.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the tool head 5 in an enlarged view. Just like that it can be seen that the preferably open spring ring 21 is arranged in the groove 19. It lies in a distance to a groove base 35 of the groove 19. Die Depth t of the recess 17 or groove 19 is selected so that the spring ring 21, the cross section has a diameter d in the loaded Condition to be completely absorbed by the groove 19 can. Under "loaded condition" is in the course the application understood that the spring ring 21 on its outer surface 36 with a force from the outside is charged to him or his Ends 37 and 37 'pressed together. Without further it can be seen that the spring ring 21 overhangs the surfaces 13 and 23 (FIG 4). The open spring ring 21 has an opening gap 39, whose width b is chosen in this way is that when the spring washer 21 is loaded Outside diameter A is reduced so that it completely from the groove 19 or recess 17 is added. The ends are 37 and 37 'are shifted towards one another such that a spring ring is almost closed, that is, that the ends 37 and 37 'almost touch. Thereby, that the ends 37 and 37 'in the loaded state have a small distance from each other, there is a residual elasticity, which is another Allows the ends 37 and 37 'to move towards one another. For example, this can be done during a swivel process of the operating tool 1 against one Screw may be required. The ends 37 and 37 ' the spring ring 21 are preferably sharp-edged and executed without degrees so that flat cross-sectional areas be formed, which is in a loaded Almost touch the spring washer 21. Furthermore, in FIG. 2 a wrench size SW represented by a Distance between two diametrically opposite surfaces is defined. The diameter d of the spring ring 21 is preferably 0.07 to 0.14 times that Width across flats SW.

In Figure 3, the spring ring 21 is a side view shown. It can be seen that the spring ring 21 has a turn W, an imaginary one Screw line follows. This is where the ends are 37 and 37 'not directly opposite one another, but are laterally offset from each other. The Spring ring 21 is so entangled that it itself with its lateral surface 36 on side walls 41 and 43 (Figure 4) resiliently supported. However, it is also possible to design the spring ring 21 in a wave shape, so that it is like a meandering spring ring is realized. Finally, an entangled one Spring washer 21 wave-shaped become.

In Figure 4, the actuating tool 1 is schematic reproduced in side view, with the Representation of the polygon arrangement for clarity was waived because of. It is recognizable that the spring ring 21 with respect to a longitudinal axis 45 of the actuating tool 1 centered is, the spring ring 21 in the unloaded state is shown, i.e. at a distance from the bottom of the groove 35 lies. In Figure 4 it can be clearly seen that the tool head 5 from the spherical sections 20 and 25 and the truncated cone 27 is formed. Further it is clearly shown that the recess 17 on a plane E1, a normal of which Level E1 coincides with the longitudinal axis 45. in the the rest are the same parts as in Figure 1 with the same Provide reference numerals, in so far referenced their description.

FIG. 5 shows the operating tool 1 in a sectional view, the longitudinal axis 45 lying in the sectional plane. Parts that are the same as in FIGS. 1 to 4 are provided with the same reference numerals, so that they will not be described again. In Figure 5 it can be seen again that the tool head 5 is formed by the first and second spherical sections 20 and 25 and the truncated cone 27. The base surfaces of the first and second spherical sections 20 and 25 face one another and are arranged at a distance x from one another which reflects the width of the recess 17 or groove 19. A center point M _{1 of} the first ball section 14 and a center point M _{2 of} the second ball section 25 lie on the longitudinal axis 45 of the actuating tool 1 at a distance from one another and in a space between the base surfaces of the ball sections 20 and 25. The diameter r of the first and second ball sections 20 and 25 is preferably slightly larger than half the width across flats SW. This means that at the transition between the side wall 41 of the groove 19 and the surface 23 of the second spherical section 25, the largest diameter of the tool head is reached, which corresponds to the width across flats SW of the polygonal arrangement.

Should the actuating tool with respect to an angle the axial of the screw (not shown) are used, the key width SW the polygonal arrangement through the surfaces 13 and 23 educated. That is, the distance of two diametrically opposite surfaces 13 and 23 the corresponds to twice the radius r and the width across flats SW defines if, as already mentioned, that Operating tool 1 at a swivel angle Internal polygon arrangement of the screw introduced shall be. The maximum swivel angle of the operating tool 1 opposite the screw is determined by the angle α that the lateral surface 31st of the truncated cone 27 with the central axis 45. In particular, this angle can α 30 ° to 40 °, here about 30 °. The angle α determines thus the maximum permissible swivel range of the operating tool 1 opposite the screw. The means when inserted into the inner polygonal arrangement Tool head 5 can be the actuating tool 1 can be pivoted until a surface of the Hexagon arrangement 33 on a side surface of the inner polygon arrangement is applied. At the angle α is adjust the dimension M of the constriction, that is, the constriction 11 is so too in diameter dimension that at maximum swivel angle a touch of the actuating tool 1 in the area of Constriction 11 is avoided with a screw. If the tool head 5 with a swivel angle in the hexagon socket arrangement of the screw be greater than the maximum allowable Is attached, prevents the truncated cone 27 inserting the tool head 5 in the screw. This is achieved in that the The longitudinal extent of the truncated cone 27 is chosen in this way is that at least one boundary edge of the Inside polygonal arrangement of the screw on the Butt surface 29 meets or a transition edge 47 between the outer surface 31 and the stump surface 29 keyed to an inner surface of the screw is because a distance of the transition edge 47 to a Area 13 is larger than the width across flats SW. The Truncated cone 27 thus forms an insertion area of the Actuating tool 1 that limits the swivel angle and thus damage to the screw and of the tool head 5 prevented.

FIGS. 6a to 6d each show sections a tool head 5 of an actuating tool 1, which is shown only by other embodiments the spring ring compared to the above mentioned embodiment differs. In figure 6a, a spring ring 21 'is shown, the Cross-section is essentially triangular. In figure 6b is a substantially hexagonal one Spring washer 21 '', essentially in FIG. 6c trapezoidal spring washer 21 '' 'and in Figure 6d an essentially diamond-shaped spring ring 21 '' '' shown in cross section. Especially It is advantageous in these embodiments that each a slope S of the spring washer 21 ', 21' ', 21 '' 'and 21' '' 'with a boundary edge one Inside polygonal arrangement of a screw in contact occurs. By the angle of the slope S relative to the The longitudinal center axis 45 can be the insertion force to be applied can be varied. Because the Slope S is provided when the Spring washers on the boundary edge of the inner polygon arrangement one acting radially on the spring washer Force component that generates the spring ring moved radially inward. The fact that over the entire Course of the slope S a constant angle is present in all cases Insertion force constant, so these spring washers advantageous compared to round spring washers. The latter are characterized by a variable insertion force out.

From what has been said above, it is immediately clear that the tool head 5 even without a truncated cone 27 can be realized. In this case too optimal holding properties of the spring washer 21 realized. By limiting the swivel range of the operating tool by means of the truncated cone 27 the advantage is also realized that the spring ring at the maximum possible Swivel angle with the inner polygonal arrangement in Intervention remains and ensures a secure hold. However, it is possible to use a spring washer for one Operating tool with a cylindrical To provide tool head, which is then a safe Hold in engagement position with a screw and also one for each insertion process almost constant insertion force required.

Claims (21)

1. An actuating tool for a fixing device, especially a screw, with an internal multi-sided structure, having a tool head (5) with an external multi-sided structure (7) which fits in the internal multi-sided structure, wherein the tool head (5) has a surrounding recess (17) which receives a spring ring, characterized in that the width (x) of the recess (17) is greater than the dimension of the spring ring (21) measured in the direction of the width, in that the spring ring (21) abuts resiliently sidewalls (41, 43) of the recess (17), at least locally, and in that the tool head (5) is formed from two ball segments (20, 25), whose base surfaces face one another and are arranged at a distance (x) from each other which corresponds to the width of the recess (17).
2. An actuating tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring ring is of open form and/or the spring ring (21) forms a helical spring-like turn (W).
3. An actuating tool according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (17) lies in a plane (E1) and a normal to the plane (E1) coincides with a longitudinal axis (45) of the actuating tool (1).
4. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring ring (21) is substantially completely received in the recess (17) in the stressed state.
5. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends (37, 37') of the spring ring (21) nearly touch each other in the stressed state.
6. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (17) is in the form of a substantially rectangular or U-shaped groove (19).
7. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring ring (21) is formed from a wire which has a substantially circular cross-section.
8. An actuating tool according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the spring ring (21) is formed from a wire which has a cornered cross-section.
9. An actuating tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the cross-section is triangular, four-sided or six-sided.
10. An actuating tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the cross-section is trapezoidal.
11. An actuating tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the cross-section is diamond-shaped.
12. An actuating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter (d) of the cross-section of the spring ring (21) amounts to 0.07 to 0.14 times a key width (SW) defined by the multi-sided structure.
13. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centre points (M₁, M₂) of the ball segments (20, 25) have a spacing from one another - measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis (45) of the actuating tool (1).
14. An actuating tool according to claim 13, characterized in that the centre point (M₁) of the first ball segment (20) and the centre point (M₂) of the second ball segment (25) lie in a space between the base surfaces of the ball segments (20, 25) and in that the centre points (M₁, M₂) lie on the longitudinal axis (45) of the actuating tool (1).
15. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball segments (20, 25) form a ball head which has the dimensions of the external multi-sided structure (7).
16. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball head is disposed with one ball segment (20) on a shank (3) of the actuating tool (1).
17. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a frustum of a cone (27) is disposed on the other ball segment (25), with its peripheral surface (31) subtending an angle α with the normal and in that its central axis coincides with the longitudinal axis (45) of the actuating tool (1).
18. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle α amounts to about 30°.
19. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frustum of a cone (27) has a multi-sided structure (33) on its peripheral surface (31).
20. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external multi-sided structure (7) merges into the multi-sided structure (33) of the frustum of a cone (27).
21. An actuating tool according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external multi-sided structure (7) is an external hexagonal structure.

Images