Target torque detection at power wrenches having mechanical release clutch

[0002] The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/188,126 filed Jul. 1, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,943 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 of Swedish Patent Application No. 0102428-0 filed Jul. 6, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to a power wrench including a mechanical override type release clutch as well as means for detecting the release of the clutch to detect the attainment of a predetermined target torque level when tightening screw joints.

[0004] In one type of prior art power wrench, as shown for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,374, a predetermined release torque level is detected by a mechanical device connected to one of the clutch halves for transferring a release movement to a power shut-off device. This mechanical type of target torque detection suffers from the drawback of an undesirable mechanical influence on the clutch operation in that the release torque level to some extent is dependent on the frictional resistance in the release detecting mechanism.

[0005] In another type of prior art wrench, as shown for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,208, the attainment of a predetermined target torque level is indicated by a micro switch indicating a release movement of one of the clutch parts. The switch is usually connected to an electric control unit for initiating power shut-off as a clutch release is indicated. This type of clutch release sensing device is disadvantageous in that it is exposed to mechanical wear and therefore has a limited service life.

[0006] In still another type of prior art wrench, the clutch release is indicated by a Hall-element located close to the clutch for detecting the release movement of one part of the clutch and delivering an electric signal in response thereto. This type of release detection, however, requires a specific clutch design providing an extended or amplified release movement for ensuring a proper activation of the Hall-element.

[0007] In order to avoid the problems and drawbacks of the above described previous devices for detecting the target torque level and clutch release point, the invention provides a technique which does not have any influence mechanically or otherwise on the release movement of the clutch and which requires very little space and which does not require any special clutch design.

[0008] A general object of the invention is to provide a technique whereby the actual release of the clutch is detected. This is in contrast to most other techniques which detect a change in position of a moving part of the clutch, which might not correctly reflect the fact that the clutch has actually released. Especially at low output shaft rotation speeds, the inertia of the motor and gear mechanism might not be enough to ensure clutch release after a specific position of the clutch has been detected.

[0009] So, the main object of the invention is to provide a power wrench in which the attainment of a predetermined target torque is detected as a release sound of an override type torque responsive release clutch that is provided comprised in the power wrench.

[0010] Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and claims.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the power wrench according to the invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows schematically a power wrench according to the invention which comprises a housing 10 with a rear handle 11 and a forward angle head 12. An output shaft 14 is journalled in the angle head 12 and is arranged to carry a nut socket for connection to a screw joint for tightening same. Within the housing 10, there is supported an electric rotation motor 15, a reduction gearing 16 and an override type torque release clutch 17.

[0013] Within the handle 11 there is located an electronic control unit 20 that governs operation of the motor. The control unit 20 is connected on one hand to the motor 15 and on the other hand to a power source via a supply cable 21. The latter is connected to the rear end of the handle 11 and communicates electric power from the power source, i.e. a network, to the motor 15 via the control unit 20.

[0014] At the motor end of the control unit 20 there is provided a microphone 22 utilized for detecting the characteristic release sound generated by the clutch 17. The microphone 22 delivers electric signals to the control unit 20, and the latter includes a signal identifying device which is arranged to accomplish braking of the motor 15 as soon as it recognizes the very signal caused by the clutch 17 during the release movement.

[0015] Depending on the clutch design, there is generated a single or a double “click” as the torque transferring rolling elements and cam profiles of the clutch override at the pre-set target torque level. This “click” sound has a characteristic frequency and duration, and in the case of a double “click” there is a characteristic short interval between the “clicks”. These identification characteristics are programmed into the signal identifying device and when there is a coincidence between the programmed data and the signals actually received from the microphone 22 the identifying device delivers an output signal to make the control unit 20 stop the motor 15. The task of the identifying device is to detect and separate the “click” sound(s) of the release clutch from other spurious signals caused by sounds of other frequencies and duration occurring in the power wrench, for instance from the motor 15 and the reduction gearing 16.

[0016] In order to get a safer identification and separation of the clutch release “click” related signals, the identifying device comprises filters for suppressing all signals related to other inadequate sounds. Sounds generated by the motor 15 and the gearing 17 are usually of a lower frequency and are easy to separate from the “click” sound related signals. Some sounds emanating from strikes on the tool housing 10 and/or on the output shaft 14 are often like the “click” sound(s). In particular, the strike sound generated when a nut socket fitted to the output shaft 14 falls down into its proper engagement with the screw head or nut under axial load at some point during the tightening process may be like the “click” sound(s). Such nut socket fall down may occur when reaching the torque snug level of the joint and the torque resistance in the screw thread increases.

[0017] If a single “click” type clutch is used there has to be a very careful identification of the signals to safely establish whether a clutch release has actually taken place. Should a signal emanating from an external strike on the power tool be mistaken for a clutch release signal there would be generated an erroneous stop signal interrupting the tightening process at a premature stage. That would be a serious error, because the screw joint might not be tightened at all. If, however, a double “click” type of clutch is used it is much easier to separate the clutch release signal from occurring strike related signals, because in this case you can safely identify the double “click” signal.

[0018] The control unit 20 also comprises a brake sequence for accomplishing braking of the motor 15 to a quick stop as the “click” sound related signal is detected, which means that possible torque overshoots due to remaining kinetic energy in the rotating parts will be avoided.

[0019] It is to be noted that the invention is not limited to the above described example but can be freely varied within the scope of the claims. For instance the location of the microphone may be varied, and from the sound recording point of view it might be advantageous to locate the microphone closer to the release clutch. The technique according to the invention, moreover, may be used in power wrenches of different types, for instance in power wrenches having different configurations such as straight, angular and pistol handle type, mains or battery powered.