Power tool gear-train and torque overload clutch therefor
First Claim
1. A hand-held motor driven power tool, comprising:
- a motor housing,a motor disposed in the motor housing and having a motor spindle driven by the motor during use,a gear box,a gear train disposed in the gear box and including an input gear connected to the motor spindle, an output spindle for driving a tool bit, and at least a first gear reduction between the input gear and the output gear arranged so that, during use, the output spindle rotates at a higher or lower rate relative to the motor spindle, anda clutch mechanism arranged to interrupt drive between the motor to the output spindle when a torque force applied to the output spindle exceeds a predetermined threshold,a manually operable dial connected to the clutch mechanism for varying the threshold at which drive is interrupted; and
wherein the clutch mechanism is bounded by the motor on a first side of the clutch mechanism, the gear train on a second side of the clutch mechanism and the dial on a third side of the clutch mechanism.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power tool transmission is described in which an overload clutch mechanism is arranged to provide a relatively compact power tool. A torque adjustment dial is arranged between the visible portions of the motor housing and the gearbox, and the dial is coupled to a compression spring such that rotation of the dial cause the spring to be compressed or decompressed, thereby adjusting the torque at which the clutch overloads and ratchets. The compression spring is arranged at least partially between the motor and gearbox or gear train, in a space which conventional power tools do not utilized for this purpose. Thus, the dimensions of the power tool'"'"'s transmission can be reduced with respect to conventional power tools. Furthermore, the space on the gearbox immediately behind a chuck can be used for another purpose other than accommodating the adjustment collar, as is the case with conventional power tools.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hand-held motor driven power tool, comprising:
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a motor housing, a motor disposed in the motor housing and having a motor spindle driven by the motor during use, a gear box, a gear train disposed in the gear box and including an input gear connected to the motor spindle, an output spindle for driving a tool bit, and at least a first gear reduction between the input gear and the output gear arranged so that, during use, the output spindle rotates at a higher or lower rate relative to the motor spindle, and a clutch mechanism arranged to interrupt drive between the motor to the output spindle when a torque force applied to the output spindle exceeds a predetermined threshold, a manually operable dial connected to the clutch mechanism for varying the threshold at which drive is interrupted; and wherein the clutch mechanism is bounded by the motor on a first side of the clutch mechanism, the gear train on a second side of the clutch mechanism and the dial on a third side of the clutch mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A hand-held motor driven power tool, comprising:
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a motor housing having a front end and a rear end, a motor disposed in the motor housing and having a motor spindle driven by the motor during use, a gear box having a gear box front end and a gear box rear end, the gear box rear end proximate to the motor housing front end, a gear train disposed in the gear box and including an input gear connected to the motor spindle, an output spindle for driving a tool bit, and at least one gear reduction between the input gear and the output spindle arranged so that, during use, the output rotates at a higher or lower rate relative to the motor spindle, a clutch mechanism arranged to interrupt drive between the motor and the output spindle when a torque force applied to the output spindle exceeds a predetermined threshold, a manually operable dial connected to the clutch mechanism for varying the threshold at which drive is interrupted; and wherein the dial is located between the motor housing front end and the gear box rear end.
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19. A hand-held motor driven power tool, comprising:
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a motor housing, a motor disposed in the motor housing and having a motor spindle driven by the motor during use, a gear box located forward of the motor housing, a planetary gear train disposed in the gear box and including an input gear connected to the motor spindle, an output spindle for driving a tool bit, a first stage ring gear and a second stage ring gear located between the input gear and the output spindle, a clutch means for interrupting drive between the motor and the output spindle when a torque force applied to the output spindle exceeds a predetermine threshold, a manually operable clutch adjustment means for varying the threshold at which drive is interrupted; and wherein the clutch adjustment means is located between the motor housing and the second stage ring gear. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification