EP3031581A1 - Setting device and method for operating same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a setting device (1) for fastening elements (6), comprising a driving piston (7) which can be driven by a primary drive (21) and a secondary drive (22). In order to provide a light and handy setting tool, the primary drive (21) in a hybrid drive for the driving piston (7) is combined with the secondary drive (22) such that the driving piston (7) is driven both with the primary (21) and also with the secondary (22) drive is drivable.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a setting device for fastening elements, with a driving piston which can be driven by a primary drive, and with a secondary drive. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a setting device.

State of the art

From the German patent DE 103 25 920 B4 a setting device for fasteners drivable via expandable gases is known, with a piston guide in which a driving piston is displaceably mounted and with a piston return device, via which the driving piston is moved after a setting operation back to an initial position, the piston return means an electric motor drive means and at least one Transmission device for transmitting the motor power to the drive piston has.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a lightweight and handy setting tool that allows the provision of a large setting energy.

The object is in a setting device for fasteners, with a driving piston, which is driven by a primary drive, and with a secondary drive, achieved in that the primary drive is combined in a hybrid drive for the drive piston so with the secondary drive that the Drive piston is drivingly driven with both the primary and the secondary drive. The secondary drive is not only as in the German patent DE 103 25 920 B4 known setting device used to return the driving piston. According to a substantial Aspect of the invention, the secondary drive in the hybrid drive is combined with primary drive, that the secondary drive can also be used in addition, at least supportive, or alone for accelerating the drive piston.

A preferred embodiment of the setting device is characterized in that the primary drive is a gas drive. The term gas drive in connection with the setting tool means that the drive piston is driven by an expandable gas. A defined amount of the expandable gas is preferably ignited in a combustion chamber by a suitable ignition device, such as a spark plug. Then the expandable gas expands abruptly, whereby the driving piston is accelerated.

Another preferred embodiment of the setting device is characterized in that the secondary drive is an electric motor drive. The electromotive drive is used not only for applying a force to the driving piston, but particularly advantageous for applying a driving force to the driving piston in order to accelerate it. However, the electromotive drive can also be used to move the drive piston in the direction of a combustion chamber to compress expandable gas in the combustion chamber, in particular vorzukomprimieren or recharge.

Another preferred embodiment of the setting tool is characterized in that the secondary drive is drivingly connected to a piston rod of the driving piston. The driving connection between the secondary drive and the piston rod of the drive piston can be represented, for example, by intermeshing gears or by a friction gear.

A further preferred embodiment of the setting device is characterized in that the primary and the secondary drive are connected in terms of control with a common control unit. The common control unit controls, for example, the primary drive designed as a gas drive, in particular a combustion process in the combustion chamber of the primary drive. In particular, the gas metering and ignition of the expanding gas in the combustion chamber are controlled to control the combustion. For controlling the electromotive drive, which is preferably the secondary drive, for example, at least one electric motor is connected in terms of control with the common control unit. The control of the two drives via the common control unit preferably takes place as a function of a current Eintreibenergiebedarf.

A further preferred embodiment of the setting device is characterized in that the secondary drive is associated with a coupling which allows uncoupling of the secondary drive from the driving piston. This provides the advantage that the secondary drive, in particular the electric motor drive, depending on demand on or can be disengaged.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a setting device described above. The inventive combination of the two drives in the hybrid drive for the drive piston operating modes of the setting device are possible, which can not be displayed with conventional setting devices. This has a particularly advantageous effect on an optimized with regard to the required energy consumption operation of the setting device, which is controlled in particular depending on the current Eintreibenergiebedarf.

A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the setting device comprises at least a first mode in which the driving piston is accelerated solely by the primary drive, and at least a second mode in which the driving piston is accelerated by the primary and the secondary drive. The first operating mode corresponds to a standard combustion drive. After a setting process, the driving piston can be returned to an initial position by means of a thermal piston recirculation typical for gas appliances and / or by the secondary drive. The second mode is also referred to as hybrid drive. In the second mode of operation, the drive piston is preferably accelerated by the combustion pressure provided by the primary drive and by the electric drive representing the secondary drive.

A further preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the setting device has at least one third mode in which the driving piston is accelerated solely by the secondary drive. This operating mode is also referred to as electric drive. The third mode is particularly advantageous for applications in which a relatively low set energy is needed.

A further preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the secondary drive is used to charge a combustion chamber of the primary drive by means of the drive piston. This operating mode is also referred to as a combustion drive with charging. The secondary drive is used to compress expandable gas in the combustion chamber of the primary drive, in particular pre-compress. A subsequent piston acceleration of the drive piston is then carried out by the increased combustion pressure as a result of the charge. As a result, more set energy can be released than with conventional setting tools.

A further preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the primary drive, in particular a gas metering and / or an ignition of the primary drive, is controlled by a common control, via which the secondary drive is also controlled. The common control makes it possible in a simple way to optimize the operation of the setting device depending on Eintreibenergiebedarf energetically.

The invention further relates to a computer program product with a program code for carrying out the method described above, in particular when the program is executed in the common control of the setting device.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which, with reference to the drawings, various embodiments are described in detail.

The single accompanying figure shows a simplified representation of a setting device according to the invention.

embodiments

In the accompanying figure, a setting device 1 with a housing 2 is shown greatly simplified. The housing 2 comprises a (not shown) handle on which the setting device 1 for driving a fastener 6 can be tacked, which emerges at a setting end 5 of the setting tool 1 and in a (also not shown) is driven in the ground.

The fastening elements 6 used are preferably provided via a device-internal (not shown) magazine, which is mounted in the vicinity of the setting end 5 on the setting tool 1. From the magazine, the fastening elements 6, preferably individually, automatically removed and provided in an element guide 4 at the setting end 5.

Energy required for driving the fastening elements 6 into the ground is transmitted to the fastening element 6 in the piston guide 3 via a drive piston 7, which is guided in a piston guide 3.

Energy required for driving the fastening elements 6 into the substrate is provided, for example, in a fuel container 8 in the interior of the setting device 1. The fuel in the fuel tank 8 is preferably an expandable gas such as LPG. Therefore, the fuel container 8 is also referred to as a gas can or gas cartridge.

The fuel container 8 is connected via an adjustable or controllable metering device 10 and a connecting line 11 with a combustion chamber or a combustion chamber 12. The metering device 10 is preferably designed as a metering valve.

In the combustion chamber or the combustion chamber 12 is fuel, ie gas, mixed from the fuel tank 8 with air to a combustible mixture which is ignited by an igniter 14 to a fastener 6, such as a bolt or nail, from the element guide 4 am Settling 5 in the underground to collect. The energy required for driving is transmitted when actuating a trigger or trigger of the setting device 1 via the driving piston 7 from the combustion chamber 12 to the fastening element 6 at the setting end 5.

For control purposes, a control or control unit 20 is arranged in the setting device 1. From the controller 20, a control line 16, which is also referred to as ignition cable extends to the ignition device 14 in the combustion chamber 12. About the ignition cable 16, the ignitable mixture is ignited in the combustion chamber 12 by means of the ignition device 14. Via a control line 17, the metering device 10 is connected to the controller 20 in terms of control.

The combustion chamber 12, the ignition device 14 and the metering device 10 with the fuel container 8 represent a primary drive 21 for the drive piston 7. The primary drive 21 is combined in a hybrid drive for the drive piston 7 with a secondary drive 22.

The secondary drive 22 is designed as an electric motor drive with an electrical power supply device 23 and an electric motor 24. The electrical power supply device 23 is designed, for example, as a battery or rechargeable battery and connected to the electric motor 24 via a power supply line.

In addition, the electric motor 24 is connected via a control line 18 in terms of control with the controller 20. Thus, the controller 20 provides a common control for the primary drive 21 and the secondary drive 22.

The electromotive drive representing the secondary drive 22 is drivingly connected to a piston rod 30 of the drive piston 7 via a coupling device 25. The coupling device 25 comprises a gear wheel 26 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive shaft of the electric motor 24.

The gear 26 has an external toothing 27, which is in engagement with a linear toothing 28, which is formed on the piston rod 30 of the driving piston 7. The coupling device 25 may be combined with a coupling (not shown) which allows engagement and disengagement of the electric motor 24.

By a connected to the controller 20 rectangle 34, a display of the setting device 1 is indicated. By an also connected to the controller 20 rectangle 35 an input device of the setting device 1 is indicated. About the display 34 operation-dependent information of the setting device 1 are displayed externally visible to an operator. About the input device 35 can be made by the operator inputs to the setting device 1.

In the accompanying figure, a first position or starting position of the driving piston 7 is indicated by a line 38. By a magnetic device 40 of the driving piston 7 is held in its first position or initial position. The magnetic device 40 includes, for example, two magnets whose north and south poles are indicated by rectangles. Alternatively or additionally, the drive piston 7 can be held by friction in its initial position or first position 38.

By the primary drive 21 and / or the secondary drive 22 of the driving piston 7 can be moved from its first position or starting position 38 in its second position shown in the figure. Due to the associated acceleration of the driving piston 7, the fastening element 6 can be driven at the end 5 of the setting device 1 in the ground.

After the setting process, the driving piston 7 can be brought back into its starting position or first position 38 by the thermal piston recirculation typical for gas appliances or by the secondary drive 22 with the electric motor 24 and the coupling device 25.

The electromotive drive 22, which represents the secondary drive, can take place via the motor unit 24, which acts mechanically on the piston rod 30, as shown. Alternatively or additionally, the electric drive via a (not shown) coil system on the piston guide side and a corresponding counterpart on the piston side, for example in the form of a plunger, done. This type of electric drive is similar to a reciprocating solenoid.

The setting device according to the invention can be operated in five different operating modes. In a first operating mode, which is also referred to as standard combustion drive, the drive piston 7 is accelerated exclusively via the combustion pressure provided with the primary drive 21.

The driving piston 7 is located before the combustion in its initial position or first position 38, which is also referred to as the rearmost position. By igniting the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber 12 by means of the ignition device 14 of the driving piston 7 is abruptly moved to the second position shown in the figure, wherein the driving piston 7 is accelerated.

In a second mode of operation, which is also referred to as hybrid drive, the driving piston is accelerated both by the combustion pressure provided by the primary drive 21 and by the electric drive which constitutes the secondary drive 22. The combustion process is started in the hybrid drive as well as in the first operating mode. By the common control 20 for the two drives 21 and 22 is at the piston acceleration additionally the electric motor 24, which is assigned to the secondary drive 22, switched on.

In a third mode of operation, the secondary or electromotive drive 22, which is also referred to as an electric drive, is used for precompression of the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber 12. The piston acceleration is due to the increased combustion pressure due to the charge. The third operating mode is also referred to as a combustion drive with charging.

The drive piston 7 is initially in its second position shown in the figure in front of the rear position 38. To achieve a higher oxygen concentration in the combustion chamber 12 of the electric motor drive 22 moves the drive piston 7 to the rear, that is to the combustion chamber 12 to. As a result, the air in the combustion chamber 12 is compressed.

At the same time, the injection of the gas from the fuel tank 8 via the metering device 10 into the combustion chamber 12. Then the ignition by the ignition device 14. The subsequent combustion with the pressure build-up accelerates the piston and moves the piston 7 from its initial position 38 back into its second Position shown in the figure.

The electromotive drive 22 is preferably coupled to the drive piston 7 in the third operating mode only during the charging phase. Subsequently, the driving piston 7 is brought mechanically or electrically controlled out of engagement with the driving piston 7. As a result, an undesirable incorrect load during the working stroke of the driving piston 7 is prevented in a simple manner.

In a fourth mode, the driving piston 7 is additionally accelerated by the electric drive 22 in the working direction. The pre-compression of the air in the combustion chamber 12 is carried out as in the third mode. In the acceleration of the driving piston 7 but in addition the electric motor drive 22 is switched on to accelerate the driving piston 7. The fourth mode is also referred to as a hybrid drive with charging.

In a fifth mode of operation, the drive piston 7 is accelerated exclusively by the electromotive drive 22. The fifth mode is also called Electric drive designates. The fifth operating mode with the electric drive is particularly suitable for applications in which only a relatively low setting energy is needed to drive the fastener 6 in the ground. The driving piston 7 is also at the beginning of the electric drive in its first position or starting position 38th

The setting device 1 according to the invention with the hybrid drive can be made lighter than a conventional gas appliance and also lighter than a battery-powered setting device. With the setting tool 1 according to the invention higher set energies can be achieved by the hybrid drive than with conventional setting tools.

The various possibilities for combining the individual drives 21 and 22 allow a very large variation of the set energy. With reduced setting energy can be compared to standard energy settings, such as a piston flow adjustment, gas or battery capacity can be saved.

Claims (11)

Setting device (1) for fastening elements (6), with a drive piston (7) which can be driven by a primary drive (21), and with a secondary drive (22), characterized in that the primary drive (21) in a hybrid drive for the drive piston (7) is so combined with the secondary drive (22) that the drive piston (7) is drivingly driven with both the primary (21) and the secondary (22) drive. Setting tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the primary drive (21) is a gas drive. Setting tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary drive (22) is an electric motor drive. Setting tool according to claim 3, characterized in that the secondary drive (22) is drivingly connected to a piston rod (30) of the drive piston (7). Setting tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primary (21) and the secondary (22) drive are connected in terms of control with a common control unit (20). Setting tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary drive (22) is associated with a coupling which allows uncoupling of the secondary drive (22) of the driving piston (7). Method for operating a setting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the setting device (1) at least a first mode in which the driving piston (7) is accelerated solely by the primary drive (21), and at least one second Operating mode in which the driving piston (7) by the primary (21) and the secondary (22) drive is accelerated. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the setting device (1) has at least a third operating mode in which the driving piston (7) is accelerated solely by the secondary drive (22). A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the secondary drive (22) is used to charge a combustion chamber (12) of the primary drive (21) by means of the driving piston (7). Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the primary drive (21), in particular a gas metering and / or ignition of the primary drive (21), via a common control (20) is controlled, via which also the secondary Drive (22) is controlled. Computer program product with a program code for performing a method according to one of claims 7 to 10, in particular, when the program is executed in the common control (20) of the setting device (1).

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