Driver with External Torque Value Indicator Integrated with Spindle Lock and Related Method

• US 20080060487A1
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schell, Craig A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,578,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/469
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1456 having electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/147 specially adapted for electrically operated wrenches or screwdrivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/12 involving photoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/1421 using optical transducers

Abstract

A power tool generally includes a housing and a motor assembly connected to a transmission assembly. The motor assembly and the transmission assembly are secured against rotation in the housing. A plurality of protrusions extends from a component of the transmission assembly. The power tool further includes an output spindle and a spindle lock assembly that connects the output spindle to the transmission assembly. The spindle lock assembly includes an anvil, an outer ring member and a plurality of roller members. The roller members and the protrusions are disposed between the anvil and the outer ring member. An indicator member extends from the outer ring member. A compliant member connects the outer ring member to an interior portion of the housing. A scale is connected to an exterior portion of the housing, wherein the indicator member moves relative to the scale to indicate a value of torque at the output spindle.

Claims

1. A power tool comprising:

a housing;

a motor assembly connected to a transmission assembly, wherein said motor assembly and said transmission assembly are secured against rotation in the housing;

a plurality of protrusions that extend from a component of said transmission assembly;

an output spindle;

a spindle lock assembly that connects said output spindle to said transmission assembly, said spindle lock assembly includes an anvil, an outer ring member and a plurality of roller members, wherein said roller members and said protrusions are disposed between said anvil and said outer ring member;

an indicator member that extends from said outer ring member;

a compliant member that connects said outer ring member to an interior portion of said housing; and

a scale connected to an exterior portion of said housing, wherein said indicator member moves relative to said scale to indicate a value of torque at said output spindle.

2. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said compliant member is a spring with successive coils that wrap around a portion of the transmission.

3. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said compliant member is a spring with successive coils that are disposed between said transmission and said output spindle.

4. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said component of said transmission assembly is a planet carrier of a planetary transmission.

5. The power tool of claim 1, wherein said compliant member is a spring and wherein said spring is in a compressed state regardless of a position of said outer ring member.

6. A power tool comprising:

a housing that contains a transmission assembly that connects an output spindle to a motor assembly;

a compliant member that connects one of said transmission assembly and said motor assembly to said housing;

a trigger assembly connected to said housing, said trigger assembly activates said motor assembly when said trigger assembly is in a retracted condition;

an indicator member that extends from one of said motor assembly and said transmission assembly and terminates above an exterior portion of said housing; and

a scale connected to said exterior portion of said housing beneath a portion of said indicator member, wherein said indicator member moves relative to said scale to indicate a value of torque at said output spindle.

7. The power tool of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of protrusions that extend from a component of said transmission assembly, a spindle lock assembly that connects said output spindle to said transmission assembly, wherein said spindle lock assembly includes an anvil, an outer ring member and a plurality of roller members and wherein said roller members and said protrusions are disposed between said anvil and said outer ring member and wherein said outer ring member is secured to said housing.

8. The power tool of claim 6, wherein said component of said transmission assembly includes one of a planetary transmission and a parallel shaft spur gear style transmission.

9. The power tool of claim 6, wherein said compliant member is a spring and wherein said spring is in a compressed state regardless of a position of one of said transmission assembly and said motor assembly.

10. A method comprising:

rotating a housing of a power tool to rotate an output spindle of said power tool;

moving a spindle lock assembly to a lock condition;

compressing a spring between said spindle lock assembly and said housing;

moving an indicator member that extends from said spindle lock assembly relative to said housing; and

indicating value of torque applied to said output spindle on an external scale on said housing with said indicator member.