WO2008117880A1

WO2008117880A1 - Fastener driving tool

Info

Publication number: WO2008117880A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/056268
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideyuki Tanimoto; Toshihito Sakaba; Hiroyuki Oda; Yoshihiro Nakano
Original assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-03-26
Filing date: 2008-03-25
Publication date: 2008-10-02
Also published as: JP5099413B2; TW200848223A; JP2008238289A; TWI371350B

Abstract

A fastener driving tool(l) includes a housing(2), a motor(31), a plunger(63), a coil spring(62), and a transmission member(52). The motor provided in the housing. The plunger is provided in the housing for impacting a fastener (IA) in a fastener driving direction. The coil spring (62) urges the plunger in the fastener driving direction. The transmission member (52) is provided between the motor and the plunger for moving the plunger by a driving force of the motor in another direction opposite to the fastener driving direction. The transmission member (52) has one end portion. The plunger includes a fastener driving portion (63B) for driving the fastener, and an urging portion (63A) urged by the coil spring. The transmission member (52) is inserted into the coil spring. The one end portion of the transmission member is connected to the urging portion.

Description

DESCRIPTION

FASTENER DRIVING TOOL Technical Field The present invention relates to a fastener driving tool, and more particularly, to an electrical fastener driving tool. Background Art

In a conventional fastener driving tool, a fastener such as a nail is adapted to be driven into a workpiece such as a wood and a gypsum plaster board by urging and accelerating a plunger using an urging force of a spring. Such fastener driving tool accumulates a resilient energy of the spring by a motor. A coil spring can accumulate a resilient energy by forcible resilient deformation such as expansion or compression. The expansion or compression of the coil spring is achieved by a motor, a reduction gear, a plunger and a plurality of rotation gears as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.H09-295283. Each of the plurality of the rotation gears has a driving pin that is fixed at a position separately from a rotation center of each rotation gear. A plurality of protrusions is provided on an outer periphery surface of the plunger. The plunger is pushed up in a prescribed stroke by engagement between the driving pins and the plurality of protrusions. Disclosure of the Invention

Since the plurality of protrusions of the plunger is separate from a central axis of the coil sprig, the coil spring receives a force in a direction inclined with respect to expansion or compression direction of the coil spring. Accordingly, when the resilient energy is accumulated by expansion or compression of the coil spring, smooth deformation of the coil spring along its central axis may no occur, thereby causing a high electricity consumption at the motor for generating the resilient energy. In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener driving tool providing a low electricity consumption for the generation of resilient energy of the coil spring.

In order to attain the above and other objects, the present invention provides a fastener driving tool including a housing, a motor, a plunger, a coil spring, and a transmission member. The motor provided in the housing. The plunger is provided in the housing for impacting a fastener in a fastener driving direction. The coil spring urges the plunger in the fastener driving direction. The transmission member is provided between the motor and the plunger for moving the plunger by a driving force of the motor in another direction opposite to the fastener driving direction. The transmission member has one end portion. The plunger includes a fastener driving portion for driving the fastener, and an urging portion urged by the coil spring. The transmission member is inserted into the coil spring. The one end portion of the transmission member is connected to the urging portion. With this arrangement, the coil spring can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis of the coil spring when a resilient energy of the coil spring is accumulated by forcible resilient deformation thereof as a result of pulling the plunger by the transmission member. Accordingly, excessive sliding contact of the coil spring with ambient components can be restrained or prevented, and the driving force of the motor for driving the transmission member can be efficiently utilized for generating the resilient energy of the coil spring, thereby providing a low electricity consumption at the motor.

Preferably, the urging portion defines an inner region and the one end portion of the transmission member is connected to a central portion of the inner region of the urging portion.

With this arrangement, the coil spring can be moved in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis of the coil spring with high accuracy, thereby providing a lower electricity consumption at the motor.

Preferably, the urging portion has an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the coil spring in a direction perpendicular to the fastener driving direction. With this arrangement, the plunger can be moved in a space where at least the coil spring can be forcibly deformed. Therefore, a compact layout is achievable, to provide a compact tool.

Preferably, the one end portion includes a retained portion. The urging portion includes a retaining portion engageable with the retained portion, and an urging main body to which the retaining portion is attached.

With this arrangement, only the urging main body can be replaced by a new urging main body. Preferably, the retained portion and the transmission member are made from materials different from each other.

Preferably, the retaining portion includes a cap member having a cylindrical shape and formed with a through- hole. The transmission member extends through the through- hole and the retained portion is disposed in the cap member.

Preferably, the cap member has an engaging portion and the urging main body has an engaged portion threadingly engaged with the engaging portion.

With this arrangement, the urging main body and the cap member can be easily assembled with each other and disassembled from each other. Preferably, the urging member has a supporting portion for supporting the fastener driving portion. The supporting portion has one part being made from a resin.

With this arrangement, the fastener driving tool can have a lightweight structure. Preferably, the fastener driving portion has one end part supported by the supporting portion. The one end part has one of a meander shape and a through-hole configuration.

With this arrangement, the fastener driving portion can be fixedly retained by the urging main body. Preferably, the supporting portion is integrally formed with the one end part of the fastener driving portion. With this arrangement, fixed connection between the supporting portion and the fastener driving portion can be provided, thereby fixedly retaining the fastener driving portion by the urging main body.

Preferably, the fastener driving tool further includes a connection member. The supporting member and the fastener driving portion connect to each other via the connecting member. With this arrangement, the supporting portion can be connected to the fastener driving portion easily, thereby fixedly retaining the fastener driving portion by the urging main body after the connection.

Further, in order to attain the above and other objects, the present invention provides a fastener driving tool including a housing, a motor, a plunger, a coil spring, and a transmission member. The motor is provided in the housing. The plunger is provided in the housing for impacting a fastener in a fastener driving direction. The coil spring urges the plunger in the fastener driving direction. The transmission member is provided between the motor and the plunger for moving the plunger by a driving force of the motor in another direction opposite to the fastener driving direction. The plunger includes a fastener driving portion for driving the fastener, and an urging portion having a supporting portion for supporting the fastener driving portion. The supporting portion has one part being made from resin.

Preferably, the fastener driving portion has one end part supported by the supporting portion. The one end part has one of a meander shape and a through-hole configuration. Preferably, the supporting portion is integrally formed with the one end part of the fastener driving portion.

Preferably, the fastener driving tool further includes a connection member. The supporting member and the fastener driving portion connect to each other via the connecting member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fastener driving tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a clutch mechanism of the fastener driving tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective partially cut away showing a spring guide and its associated components according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing the clutch mechanism in a state that a drum is located in its initial position;

Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing the clutch mechanism in a state that the drum rotates together with an output shaft; Fig. 4C is a perspective view showing the clutch mechanism in a state that a power transmission pin is located on a shut-off position;

Fig. 4D is a perspective view showing the clutch mechanism in a state that a plunger is performing a nail driving operation;

Fig. 4E is a perspective view showing the clutch mechanism in a state after the nail driving operation;

Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a periphery of a nose portion in a state before the nail driving operation;

Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a periphery of a nose portion in a state during the nail driving operation;

Fig. 5C is a cross-sectional view showing a periphery of a nose portion in a state after the nail driving operation;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a clutch mechanism according to a modification to the first embodiment ; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a view showing a state where the power transmission pin of the clutch mechanism is moved over a rail portion;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fastener driving tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a plunger of the fastener driving tool according to the second embodiment ;

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a blade of the fastener driving tool according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cable and a retained portion of the fastener driving tool according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a periphery of a spring guide according to a first modification to the embodiments ;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a periphery of a spring guide according to a second modification to the embodiments;

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a clutch mechanism of the fastener driving tool according to a modification to the first embodiment; Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a plunger of the fastener driving tool according to a modification to the second embodiment;

Fig. 18 is a plan view showing a blade of the fastener driving tool according to a modification to the second embodiment;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a cable and a retained portion of the fastener driving tool according to a modification to the second embodiment;

Fig. 20 is a plan view showing a buffer mechanism integrally provided on a cable of the fastener driving tool according to a modification to the second embodiment; and

Fig. 21 is a view showing a buffer mechanism provided on a clutch mechanism of the fastener driving tool according to a modification to the second embodiment.

Brief Description of Reference Numerals

1: nail gun IA: nail

2: housing

3: driving portion

4 : clutch mechanism

5: transmission portion 6: coil spring portion

7: nose portion

8: magazine

21: handle

21A: trigger 22: battery

24A: guide pulley

31: motor

31A: driving shaft

32: planetary gear mechanism 32A: output shaft

41: guide plate

41a: through-hole

41b: pin guide groove

42: pin supporting portion 42a: through-hole

42B: projecting portion

42b: slit

43: power transmission pin

43A: pin groove sliding portion 43B: pin hook portion

43C: pin sliding portion

44: drum hook

44A: bearing 44B: hook portion

45: shaft supporting portion

45B: latched portion

51: drum 51A: latching portion

51a: through-hole

51b: wire guide groove

52: cable

61: spring guide 62: coil spring

63: plunger

63A: urging portion

63B: blade

63a: air pass 64: damper

71: base

71a: through-hole

72: nose

72a: injection hole 73: nose urging spring

104 : clutch mechanism

141: guide plate

141A: rail portion

141B: slant surface 141C: plane end surface

142: pin supporting portion

142A: pin urging spring

143: power transmission pin

144 : drum hook 201: nail gun

201A: nail

202: housing 203: driving portion

204: clutch mechanism

205: transmission portion

206: coil spring portion 207: nose portion

208: magazine

221: handle

221A: trigger

221B: switch 222: battery

231: motor

231A: driving shaft

232: planetary gear mechanism

232A: output shaft 232B: gear

234A: pulley

234B: belt

251: drum

252: cable 252A: retained portion

252B: cable portion

261: spring guide

262: coil spring

263: plunger 263A: urging main body

263B: blade

263C: retaining portion

263D: engaged portion

263E: engaging portion 263G: buffer

263a: through-hole

264: bumper 361: spring guide

361a: though-hole

363: plunger

363b: groove 404: clutch mechanism

444 : drum hook

444B: hook portion

444C: first portion

444D: second portion 463:plunger

463A: urging main body

463B: blade

463b: through-hole

463c: through-hole 463F: pin

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A fastener driving tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 through 5C. The fastener driving tool shown in Fig. 1 is an electrically-operated type nail gun 1 where a fastener such as a nail IA is adapted to be driven into a workpiece W such as a wood and a gypsum plaster board.

The nail gun 1 mainly includes a housing 2, a driving portion 3, a clutch mechanism 4, a transmission portion 5, a coil spring portion 6, "a nose portion 7, and a magazine 8.

Hereinafter, a direction in which a plunger 63 described later moves away from a damper 64 described later will be described as an upper direction, and a direction in which the plunger 63 is urged by a coil spring 62 described later to strike the nail IA will be described as a lower direction.

The housing 2 is made from resin such as nylon and polycarbonate and accommodates the driving portion 3 and the like. A handle 21 is provided on an upper section of the housing 2 and is provided with a trigger 21A to control the driving portion 3. A battery 22 is detachably provided on the handle 21. The handle 21 is also provided with a power supply portion (not shown) to supply electric power supplied from the battery 22 to the driving portion 3.

The driving portion 3 mainly includes a motor 31 and a planetary gear mechanism 32. The motor 31 is provided on a lower section of the housing 2 and is located below the handle 21. The motor 31 has a driving shaft 31A directing perpendicular to the upper and lower direction. The planetary gear mechanism 32 'is provided on an end of the driving shaft 31A and is a well-known gear mechanism including a sun gear, an orbital gear, and an output shaft 32A. The output shaft 32A of the planetary gear mechanism 32 is fixed coaxially with the driving shaft 31A. The planetary gear mechanism 32 can have a compact size, and increased reduction ratio of the planetary gear mechanism 32 can be provided. Thus, a compact nail gun 1 can result, even if the reduction ratio of the planetary gear mechanism 32 is increased.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the clutch mechanism 4 mainly includes a guide plate 41, a pin supporting portion 42, a power transmission pin 43, and a drum hook 44. The clutch mechanism 4 is disposed near the driving portion 3 and is connected to the output shaft 32A.

As shown in Fig. 1, the guide plate 41 is accommodated in and fixed to the housing 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide plate 41 is formed with a through-hole 41a, through which the output shaft 32A penetrates, at a center of the guide plate 41. The guide plate 41 has a surrounding portion that surrounds the through-hole 41a. The surrounding portion is formed with a looped pin guide groove 41b having an oblong shape. A distance from a centeral axis of the output shaft 32A to an outer edge of the pin guide groove 41b is not constant in a circumferential direction of the outer edge. Specifically, the central axis of the output shaft 32A is located at one imaginary focal position of the pin guide groove 41b (oblong shape has two focal positions) .

The pin supporting portion 42 is disposed at a position opposite to the driving portion 3 with respect to the guide plate 41. The pin supporting portion 42 is formed with a through-hole 42a. The pin supporting portion 42 is rotatable together with the output shaft 32A by fixedly inserting the output shaft 32A into the through-hole 42a. The pin supporting portion 42 has a projecting portion 42B extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a penetration direction of the through-hole 42a. The projecting portion 42B is formed with a slit 42b extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the penetration direction of the through-hole 42a.

The power transmission pin 43 has a pin groove sliding portion 43A located at one end thereof, a pin hook portion 43B located at another end thereof, and a pin sliding portion 43C interposed between the pin groove sliding portion 43A and the pin hook portion 43B. The pin sliding portion 43C is inserted into the slit 42b and slidable with respect to the pin supporting portion 42. The pin groove sliding portion 43A is inserted into the pin guide groove 41b while the power transmission pin 43 being inserted into the slit 42b. The power transmission pin 43 slidably and circularly moves in the pin guide groove 41b.

The pin guide groove 41b has the oblong shape around the central axis of the output shaft 32A. The pin supporting portion 42 is fixed to the output shaft 32A, and is rotatable about the central axis of the output shaft 32A. Therefore, the power transmission pin 43 inserted into the pin guide groove 41b moves toward and away from the central axis of the output shaft 32A in the slit 42b in accordance with a change in angular rotational position of the pin supporting portion 42. The pin hook portion 43B has a plane substantially perpendicular to a circularly moving direction of the power transmission pin 43.

The drum hook 44 is made from a metal and includes a bearing 44A formed with a through-hole. The output shaft 32A is inserted into the through-hole of the bearing 44A. The drum hook 44 is disposed at a position opposite to the guide plate 41 with respect to the pin supporting portion 42. The drum hook 44 is rotatable about the central axis of the output shaft 32A, but is not fixed to the output shaft 32A. The drum hook 44 includes a hook portion 44B extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the output shaft 32A. The hook portion 44B is capable of contacting with the pin hook portion 43B while the drum hook 44 being assembled to the output shaft 32A.

A shaft supporting portion 45 is provided on a position opposite to the driving portion 3 with respect to the clutch mechanism 4. The shaft supporting portion 45 is fixed to the housing 2 and rotatably supports a distal end of the output shaft 32A. The shaft supporting portion 45 has one side facing the clutch mechanism 4, and includes a latched portion 45B on the one side. The latched portion 45B is capable of latching onto a latching portion 51A described later.

As shown in Fig. 1, the transmission portion 5 mainly includes a drum 51 and a cable 52. As shown in Fig. 2, the drum 51 has a ring shape forming a through-hole 51a. One end of the drum hook 44 opposite to the driving portion 3 is force-fitted with the through-hole 51a. The drum 51 is located adjacent to the clutch mechanism 4. Since the drum 51 is connected to the drum hook 44 by force-fitting with the through-hole 51a, the drum 51 is coaxially rotatable together with the drum hook 44. The drum 51 is formed with a cable guide groove 51b at an entire circumference thereof. The drum 51 includes the latching portion 51A protruding from one side surface thereof, the one side surface being positioned opposite to the clutch mechanism 4. The latching portion 51A and the latched portion 45B is configured to latch with each other in a state that the drum 51 is positioned at an angular rotational position where the drum 51 begins to wind the cable 52. Accordingly, the latching portion 51A and the latched portion 45B can define an initial position that the drum 51 begins to rotate.

A length of the circumference of the drum 51 is substantially four-thirds of a length that the coil spring 62 moves from a bottom dead center to a top dead center described later.

One end of the cable 52 is fixed to the cable guide groove 51b of the drum 51, and another end of the cable 52 is connected to an urging portion 63A described later. The cable 52 has fibrous steel wires bundled together as a wire bundle. A surface of the wire bundle is coated with a resin. Thus, the cable 52 has a high strength and flexibility. Since the surface of the wire bundle is coated with resin, the cable 52 does not damage to the drum 51 and the like such as scratching. Two guide pulleys 24A and 24B are provided in the housing 2 in order to suspend the cable 52. The coil spring portion 6 mainly includes a spring guide 61, the coil spring 62, and the plunger 63. The spring guide 61 is provided in the housing 2 as a separate member. The spring guide 61 has cylindrical two-layer structure. An outer layer of the spring guide 61 is made from aluminum or resin such as nylon and polycarbonate and defines an outer peripheral surface of the spring guide 61. An inner layer of the spring guide 61 is made from steel having a hardness the same as that of the coil spring 62 and defines an inner peripheral surface of the spring guide 61. An axis of the spring guide 61 is parallel to the upper and lower direction. Accordingly, the spring guide 61 has an abrasion resistance against the coil spring 62 and can have a lightweight structure. The inner peripheral surface of the inner layer is coated with an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene layer that has a low coefficient of friction.

The coil spring 62 is inserted into the spring guide 61. The coil spring 62 is made from steel and has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the spring guide 61. As described above, the inner layer of the spring guide 61 is made from steel having the hardness the same as that of the coil spring 62. Thus, frictional wearing of the inner layer can be lower than that of an inner layer made from resin when the coil spring 62 and the urging portion 63A described later are slidingly moved with respect to the spring guide 61. Further, since the inner peripheral surface of the inner layer of the spring guide 61 is coated with the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene layer, the abrasion resistance of the spring guide 61 against the coil spring 62 can be further improved. Furthermore, since the spring guide 61 is a separate member with respect to the housing 2, only the spring guide 61 can be replaced by a new spring guide if the spring guide 61 is damaged or excessively worn.

As shown in Fig. 3, the plunger 63 has the urging portion 63A and a blade 63B. The urging portion 63A is located on a lower end of the coil spring 62. The urging portion 63A is made from a metal and has a disk shape having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the coil spring 62. The urging portion 63A is connected at a center position thereof to the other end of the cable 52 which is inserted into the coil spring 62. Thus, the urging portion 63A can be pulled by the cable 52, and is movable upwardly against an urging force of the coil spring 62 along the spring guide 61, and can compress the coil spring 62. Since the outer diameter of the urging portion 63A is substantially the same as that of the coil spring 62, the urging portion 63A can have an optimized size, thereby resulting a compact nail gun 1. A position, where the urging portion 63A is positioned at its lowest position while being urged by the coil spring 62 in an initial state prior to nail driving operation, will be referred to as the bottom dead center. Another position, where the urging portion 63A is positioned at its highest position while being pulled by the cable 52, will be referred to as the top dead center. • The urging portion 63A is formed with a pair of air passes 63a extending through a thickness of the urging portion 63A.

The blade 63B is an elongated plate and protrudes from a central portion of the urging portion 63A in a direction opposite to the cable 52. As shown in Fig. 1, the damper 64 is provided below the urging portion 63A in the housing 2. The damper 64 is made from a resin such as a flexible rubber, a urethane and the like. As shown in Fig. 1, the nose portion 7 is located below the coil spring portion 6. As shown in Fig. 1 and 5A, the nose portion 7 mainly includes a base 71, a nose 72, and a nose urging spring 73. The base 71 is fixed to the housing 2 by a screw and is formed, with a through-hole 71a that allows the blade 63B to extend thereinto. The nose 72 is located below the base 71 and capable of moving in upper and lower direction with respect to the base 71. The nose 72 is formed with an injection hole 72a into which the blade 63B can extend. The nose urging spring 73 is interposed between the base 71 and the nose 72, and urges the nose 72 upwardly, i.e. in a direction opposite to a nail driving direction with respect to the base 71. Accordingly, the nose 72 can normally maintain contact with the base 71 by the urging force of the nose urging spring 73.

As shown in Fig. 1, in the initial state prior to nail driving operation, the blade 63B penetrates both of the through-hole 71a of the base 71 and the injection hole 72a of the nose 72, and a distal end of the blade 63B is projected from a lowest edge of the nose 72 while the nose 72 contacts the base 71.

The magazine 8 is detachably provided on the nose portion 7 and accommodates a plurality of nails IA. Each of the plurality of nails IA is supplied to be spanned between the base 71 and the nose 72 to be driven by the blade 63B.

In the above-described nail gun 1, when the nail IA is to be driven into the workpiece W, firstly, a target position, into which the nail IA is driven, of the workpiece W is decided by contacting the distal end of the blade 63B projecting from the lowest edge of the nose 72 to a driven area Wl of a surface of the workpiece W. Since the blade 63B is positioned on a trajectory through which a driven nail IA passes and the target nail driving position can be determined by the blade 63B projecting from the lowest edge of the nose 72, the nail driven position can be defined easily and accurately. In a state that the driving position is decided, user pulls the trigger 21A to supply power to the motor 31 and to rotate the driving shaft 31A. Rotation of the driving shaft 3IA is transmitted to the output shaft 32A by way of the planetary gear mechanism 32 that decelerates rotating speed of the driving shaft 31A.

As shown in Fig. 4A, the pin supporting portion 42 coaxially fixed to the output shaft 32A rotates by the rotation of the output shaft 32A and the power transmission pin 43 supported on the pin supporting portion 42 will be brought into abutment with the hook portion 44B of the drum hook 44. A position where the power transmission pin 43 abuts against the drum hook 44 is defined as a transmitting position. The drum 51 has an initial position where the latching portion 5IA can latch with the latched portion 45B while the drum hook 44 is located in a position shown in Fig. 4A.

As shown in Fig. 4B, the output shaft 32A and the pin supporting portion 42 rotate in a counterclockwise direction while the power transmission pin 43 is positioned at its the transmission position. Thus, the drum hook 44 in abutment with the power transmission pin 43 also rotates. Since the drum 51 is fixed to drum hook 44, the drum 51 rotates and wound up the cable 52 over the cable guide groove 51b.

The urging portion 63A connected to the other end of the cable 52 is pulled upwardly by the cable 52 winding upwardly against the urging force of the coil spring 62, and compresses the coil spring 62. A locus of the connection position between the urging portion 63A and the cable 52 passes through an inner region of the coil spring 62, the inner region being defined by an inner surface of the coil spring 62, and approximately in conformance with a central axis of the coil spring 62 while compressing the coil spring 62. Thus, the urging portion 63A can be pulled in a direction parallel to the central axis of the coil spring 62. Therefore, the urging portion 63A moves in a state that a surface, to which the coil spring 62 contacts, of the urging portion 63A is perpendicular to the central axis of the coil spring 62.

The outer diameter of the urging portion 63A is substantially the same as that of the coil spring 62. Accordingly, excessive contact of the urging portion 63A and the coil spring 62 with the spring guide 61 can be eliminated, and a load imparted on the motor 31 can be only a load of the compression of the coil spring 62, thereby providing a low electricity consumption at the motor 31.

In a state shown in Fig. 4C the output shaft 32A has rotated substantially 270 degrees from the state shown in Fig. 4A. In this state, the power transmission pin 43 moves away from the output shaft 32A along the slit 42b due to the oblong shape of the pin guide groove 41b, thereby releasing from the drum hook 44. Accordingly, a transmission of driving force from the output shaft 32A to the drum 51 rotatable together with the drum hook 44 is shut-off. A position where the power transmission pin 43 does not abut against the drum hook 44 is defined as a shut-off position. The plunger 63 is pulled substantially to the top dead center when the output shaft 32A rotates substantially 270 degrees from the state shown in Fig. 4A. Therefore, the coil spring 62 is compressed and has maximum resilient energy at the shut-off position.

Upon shutting off the transmission of the driving force to the drum 51, a pulling of the urging portion 63A by the cable 52 is stopped. Thus, the urging portion 63A rapidly moves toward the bottom dead center by the resilient energy of the coil spring 62, thereby impacting the nail IA by the blade 63B. As shown in Fig. 4D, since the cable 52 is released from the drum 51, the drum 51 and the drum hook 44 rotates in the clockwise direction opposite to a rotational direction of the output shaft 32A.

The spring guide 61 has a cylindrical shape and accommodates the urging portion 63A therein. Thus, a space, in which the coil spring 62 is accommodated, in the spring guide 61 is substantially hermetically-sealed space. The urging portion 63A divides the space in the spring guide 61 into a first space positioned above the urging portion 63A and a second space positioned below the urging portion 63A. When the urging portion 63A moves from the top dead center toward the bottom dead center, the urging portion 63A compresses an air in the second space of the spring guide 61. In this case, the urging portion 63A is subject to so-called an air damper effect, and the rapidly movement of the urging portion 63A may be prevented. However, the pair of air passes 63a is formed in the urging portion 63A, and the first space and the second space are in fluid communication with each other via the pair of air passed 63a. Therefore, the air damper effect can be prevented, and the urging portion 63A can be moved from the top dead center toward the bottom dead center rapidly. Further, since the inner peripheral surface of the inner layer of the spring guide 61 is coated with the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene layer, a contact resistance between the spring guide 61 and the coil spring 62, which is being moved toward the bottom dead center, can be reduced. Accordingly, a waste of the resilient energy accumulated in the coil spring 62 can be prevented, thereby increasing the impact force for the nail IA.

Upon moving the plunger 63 downward rapidly, the nail gun 1 other than the plunger 63 is subject to a reaction force as a counteraction. Unless the user presses the nail gun 1 toward the workpiece W strongly, the nose portion 7 may be moved away from the workpiece W, thereby moving away the nail gun 1 from the workpiece W. However, as shown in Fig. 5B, since the nose urging spring 73 is interposed between the base 71 and the nose 72, at least the nose 72 still stays on or close to the surface of the workpiece W by inertial force, thereby guiding the nail IA. Accordingly, the nail IA can be adequately held and guided in the nose portion 7 during the nail driving operation without strongly pressing the nail gun 1 toward the workpiece W.

As shown in Fig. 4E, the drum hook 44 rotates in the clockwise direction so that the drum 51 reaches the initial position, after the coil spring 62 has been moved to the bottom dead center and the nail IA has been driven into the workpiece W by the plunger 63. On the other hand, the pin supporting portion 42 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, thereby moving the power transmission pin 43 from the shut-off position to the transmitting position along the pin guide groove 41b. Accordingly, the power transmission pin 43 latches with the hook portion 44B again and the power transmission pin 43 and the hook portion 44B return to the state shown in Fig. 4A.

Further, as shown in Fig. 5C, the nose 72 moves toward the base 71 by the urging force of the nose urging spring 73, thereby returning to the initial state prior to nail driving operation.

Next, a clutch mechanism according to a modification to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 through 9. As shown in Fig. 6, the clutch mechanism 104 includes a guide plate 141, a pin supporting portion 142, a power transmission pin 143, and a drum hook 144 provided on the drum 51.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the guide plate 141 is fixed to the housing 2 and has a guide surface 141D which faces the pin supporting portion 142 and contacts with one end portion of the power transmission pin 143. A rail portion 141A protrudes from the guide surface 141D toward the drum 51 and extends along a trajectory of the power transmission pin 143, circularly moving on the guide surface 141D of the guide plate 141, in a range of 270 degrees. Further, one end portion of the rail portion 141A has a slant surface 141B and another end portion of the rail portion 141A has a plane end surface 141C perpendicular to the guide surface 141D.

The pin supporting portion 142 having a substantially disk shape is located at a position opposite to the driving portion 3 with respect to the guide plate 141, and is coaxially rotatably fixed with the output shaft 32A by a key. Further, the pin supporting portion 142 includes a pin urging spring 142A that urges the power transmission pin 143 toward the guide plate 141.

The power transmission pin 143 is movably supported in a direction parallel to the central axis of the output shaft 32A by the pin supporting portion 142 so that the one end portion of the power transmission pin 43 faces the guide plate 141 and another end portion of the power transmission pin 143 faces the drum 51. Further, the power transmission pin 143 is urged by the pin urging spring 142A toward the guide plate 141. Thus, the one end portion of the power transmission pin 143 consistently contacts with the guide plate 141.

The drum 51 is located at a position opposite to the guide plate 141 with respect to the pin supporting portion 142. The drum hook 144 is provided on a surface of the drum 51, the surface facing the pin supporting portion 142. Further, the drum hook 144 is capable of engaging with the other end of the power transmission pin 143 while the power transmission pin 143 is positioned on the rail portion 141A.

As shown in Fig. 8, in order to rotate the drum 51, the output shaft 32A and the pin supporting portion 142 are rotated, and the one end of the power transmission pin 143 is moved over the rail portion 141A. At this moment, the one end of the power transmission pin 143 slides the slant surface 141B and moves over the rail portion 141A. Upon moving the power transmission pin 143 over the rail portion 141A, the other end of the power transmission pin 143 projects toward the drum 51. In this state, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the other end of the power transmission pin 143 latches with the drum hook 144 by rotating the pin supporting portion 142, thereby rotating the drum 51 together with the output shaft 32A and the pin supporting portion 142.

Upon rotating the output shaft 32A by 270 degrees and positioning the plunger 63 at the top dead center, the one end of the power transmission pin 143 reaches the plane end surface 141C. Since the power transmission pin 143 is urged by the pin urging spring 142A toward the guide plate 141, the one end of the power transmission pin 143 moves from the rail portion 141A to the guide surface 141D, thereby releasing the other end of the power transmission pin 143 from the drum hook 144. Thus, the drum 51 becomes freely rotatable, thereby releasing the compressed coil spring 62, and impacting and driving the nail IA by the blade 63B of the plunger 63.

Next, a fastener driving tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 10 and 13. As shown in Fig. 10, in the nail gun 201 according to the second embodiment, a drum 251 of a transmission portion 205 is driven to rotate by a motor 231 via a clutch mechanism 204, thereby winding a cable 252 and moving a plunger 263 to the top dead center against an urging force of a coil spring 262. Subsequently, the drum 251 is released by the clutch mechanism 204 so that the plunger 263 moves toward the bottom dead center and a nail 201A supplied from a magazine 208 to a nose 207 is impacted. Accordingly, the fastener driving tool 201 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the fastener driving tool 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, description with respect to like parts and components that are the same as those of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different aspects will be described. A switch 221B is provided near a trigger 221A of a handle 221 in a housing 202. The switch 221B is connected to a battery 222. Upon pulling the trigger 221A, the switch 221B turns on to start electric power supply to the motor 231 from the battery 222. A decelerating mechanism 232 is disposed between the motor 231 and the clutch mechanism 204 in a driving portion 203. The decelerating mechanism 232 includes a pulley 232A, a plurality of gears 232B, a pulley 234A, and a belt 234B. The pulley 232A is connected to a driving shaft 231A. The plurality of gears 232B is disposed between the pulley 234A and the clutch mechanism 204. The belt 234B is mounted over the pulley 232A and the pulley 234A. Rotation of the driving shaft 231A of the motor 231 is deceleratingly transmitted to the clutch mechanism 204 by the decelerating mechanism 232.

The clutch mechanism 204 has the configuration the same as that of the clutch mechanism 4 of the first embodiment. Thus, a connection between the drum 251 and clutch mechanism 204 is shut-off after the drum 251 rotates predetermined degrees that are degrees of rotation of the drum 251 for moving upwardly the plunger 263 from the bottom dead center to the top dead center.

The drum 251 is disposed in the housing 202 coaxially with the clutch mechanism 204 in the transmission portion 205. Further, the drum 251 is disposed in the housing 202 in such a manner that a tangent line of an outer circumference of the drum 251, the tangent line being coincident with the cable 252 wound over the outer circumference, substantially coincides with a central axis of a spring guide 261. Accordingly, the cable 252 can be wound along an axis of the spring guide 261, thereby moving the plunger 263 toward the top dead center. Further, a guide pulley for guiding the cable 252 is not required when the drum 251 winds the cable 252. Therefore, a resistance force applied during pulling up the plunger 263 can be reduced. The cable 252 connected to the drum 251 has a retained portion 252A and a cable portion 252B. The retained portion 252A is formed in a substantially spherical shape having a diameter larger than that of the cable portion 252B. The retained portion 252A is fixed to one end of the cable portion 252B, the one end of the cable portion 252B being opposite to another end of the cable portion 252B connected to the drum 251. A retained portion (not shown) is also provided on the other end of the cable portion 252B and is formed in a substantially spherical shape the same as that of the retained portion 252A. The retained portion (not shown) is retained by the drum 251. The cable portion 252B has fibrous steel wires bundled together as a wire bundle. A surface of the wire bundle is coated with a resin.

A coil spring portion 206 is provided which includes a spring guide 261, a coil spring 262, and a plunger 263. The spring guide 261 is provided below the drum 251. The coil spring 262 is inserted into the spring guide 261. The plunger 263 is urged by the coil spring 262.

As shown in Fig. 11, the plunger 263 includes an urging main body 263A, a blade 263B, and a retaining portion 263C. The urging main body 263A is made from resin and integrally formed with the blade 263B. One end of the urging main body 263A opposite to the blade 263B is formed with a recess. An inner surface of the recess is provided with an engaged portion (female thread) 263D. The engaged portion 263D is formed with a thread groove thredingly engaged with the retaining portion 263C.

As shown in Fig. 12, the blade 263B is an elongated plate. One end of the blade 263B has a meander shape. The one end of the blade 263B is embedded into the urging main body 263A to become integral with the urging main body 263A. Thus, the one end of the blade 263B can be fixedly retained by the urging main body 263A.

As shown in Fig. 13, the retaining portion 263C is formed in a substantially cylindrical cap shape and is formed with a through-hole 263a. The cable portion 252B is inserted into the through-hole 263a. Thus, the retained portion 252A can be retained by the retaining portion 263C. Outer periphery of the retaining portion 263C is provided with an engaging portion (male thread) 263E. The engaging portion 263E is formed with a thread thredingly engaged with the engaged portion 263D, resulting in connecting the retaining portion 263C with the urging main body 263A. As shown in Figs. 11 and 13, a buffer 263G made from a rubber is interposed between the retained potion 252A and the retaining portion 263C. Thus, the plunger 263 is connected to the cable 252 via the buffer 263G. Accordingly, the buffer 263G can absorb impacts when rapidly urging the plunger 263 by the coil spring 262 and driving the nail 201A, and can suppress transmissions of the impact to the cable 252, the clutch mechanism 204, and another mechanism related to driving the nail gun 201, thereby prolonging service life of the nail gun 201. Since the connection between the retaining portion 263C and the urging main body 263A is attained by threding engagement between the engaging portion 263E and the engaged portion 263D, the urging main body 263A can be replaced easily by a new urging main body if the urging main body 263A or the blade 263B is damaged. A bumper 264, made from a resin such as a flexible rubber, a urethane and the like, is provided below the urging main body 263A.

When the nail 201A is driven by the above-described nail gun 201, a user pulls the trigger 211A to turn on the switch 221B and to electrically connect the battery 222 to the motor 231, thereby supplying electric power to the motor 231. Thus, driving force of the motor 231 is transmitted to the clutch mechanism 204 to rotate the drum 251 by way of the pulleys 232A and 234A, belt 234B, and the plurality of gears 232B.

Upon winding the cable portion 252B by rotation of the drum 251, the plunger 263 including the retaining portion

263C is pulled upwardly by the retained potion 252A, thereby integrally moving the retained potion 252A and the plunger

263 toward the top dead center.

The connection between the drum 251 and the motor 231 is shut-off by the clutch mechanism 204 after the plunger 263 has moved to the top dead center. Accordingly, a force for pulling the plunger 263 toward the top dead center is shut-off and the plunger 263 is moved toward the bottom dead center for driving the nail 201A by the biasing force of the coil spring 262. When driving the nail 201A, the plunger 263 is stopped rapidly. Therefore, since the cable 252 is rapidly brought into a loose state from a tension state, an impact may be generated on the cable 252 and the cable 252 may be deteriorated. However, since the buffer 263G is interposed between the cable 252 and the plunger 263, the buffer 263G can absorb the impact to avoid deterioration of the cable 252.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiment thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, a plunger 363 according to a modification may be formed with a plurality of grooves 363b. The plurality of grooves 363b is open on the first space and the second space of the spring guide 61. With this structure, the first space and the second space can be in fluid communication with each other via the plurality of grooves 363b. Therefore, the air damper effect can be prevented.

Further, as shown in Fig. 15, a spring guide 361 according to another modification may be formed with a plurality of though-holes 361a. A space in the spring guide

361 is in fluid communication with outside air via the plurality of through-holes 361a.

As described above, the inner peripheral surface of the spring guide 61 is coated with the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene layer. However, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyacetal, a fluorine resin or the like is also available as the coating material. These materials can also reduce a sliding resistance between the spring guide 361 and the coil spring 62. Further, as shown in Fig. 16, a clutch mechanism 404 according to a modification to the first embodiment may include a drum hook 444 having a hook portion 444B. The hook portion 444B may include a first portion 444C made from a metal and a second portion 444D made from a resin having a density lower than that of the metal. The first portion 444C slidably contacts the power transmission pin 43 when the output shaft 32A rotates. Since the first portion 444C is made from the metal, the first portion 444C has an abrasion resistance against the power transmission pin 43. Further, since the second portion 444D is made from the resin, the drum hook 444 can have a lightweight structure.

Accordingly, the nail gun 1 and a portion which rotates with the drum 51 to be pulled by the cable 52 in the nail driving operation, can have a lightweight structure, thereby improving a response of the drum hook 444 in the nail driving operation. That is, the drum hook 444 can easily return to the initial position after the nail driving operation.

Further, as shown in Fig. 17, a plunger 463 according to a modification to the second embodiment includes an urging main body 463A, a blade 463B and a pin 463F. The urging main body 463A and the blade 463B are connected by the pin 463F. The urging main body 463A is formed with a through-hole 463b through which the pin 463F is inserted. As shown in Fig. 18, the blade 463B is formed with a through-hole 463c through which the pin 463F is inserted. Accordingly, the pin 463F is inserted into the through-holes 463b and 463c in a state that the blade 463B is attached to the urging main body 463A, thereby fixing the blade 463B with the urging main body 463A. Therefore, the blade 463B can be easily replaced by a new blade by pulling the pin 463F from the through-holes 463b and 463c, if the blade 463B is damaged such as bending.

Further, as shown in Figs. 17 and 19, the retained portion 252A may be directly retained by the retaining portion 263C. Further, a buffer mechanism (the buffer 263G) of the second embodiment is provided between the retained potion 252A, which is one end portion of the cable 252, and the retaining portion 263C, which is a connecting portion of the plunger 263 and the cable 252. However, as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, the buffer mechanism 352C and 51B may be provided on a middle portion of the cable 352 or in the clutch mechanism 204. The buffer mechanism 352C is integrally provided on the cable 352. That is, the buffer mechanism can absorb the impact of the nail gun 201 as long as the buffer mechanism is provided in a mechanism for driving the nail gun 201. The cables 52 and 252 have the fibrous steel wires as the wire bundle, respectively. However, a sheet member having fibrous steel wires bundled together may be used for pulling the plunger 63 and 263 in place of the cables 52 and 252. A surface of the sheet member is coated with a resin. Further, the drums according to the above-described embodiments are made from a metal. However, the drums may^¬ be made from a resin for having a lightweight structure and improving the impact force or an acceleration of the plunger. Further, the retained portion 252A and the cable portion 252B may be made from materials different from each other.

Claims

1. A fastener driving tool comprising: a housing; a motor provided in the housing; a plunger provided in the housing for impacting a fastener in a fastener driving direction; a coil spring urging the plunger in the fastener driving direction; and a transmission member provided between the motor and the plunger for moving the plunger by a driving force of the motor in another direction opposite to the fastener driving direction, the transmission member having one end portion, wherein the plunger comprises a fastener driving portion for driving the fastener, and an urging portion urged by the coil spring, and wherein the transmission member is inserted into the coil spring, and the one end portion of the transmission member is connected to the urging portion.

2. The fastener driving tool according to claim 1, wherein the urging portion defines an inner region, and wherein the one end portion of the transmission member is connected to a central portion of the inner region of the urging portion.

3. The fastener driving tool according to claim 1, wherein the urging portion has an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the coil spring in a direction perpendicular to the fastener driving direction.

4. The fastener driving tool according to claim 1, wherein the one end portion comprises a retained portion, and wherein the urging portion comprises a retaining portion engageable with the retained portion, and an urging main body to which the retaining portion is attached.

5. The fastener driving tool according to claim 4, wherein the retained portion and the transmission member are made from materials different from each other.

6. The fastener driving tool according to claim 4, wherein the retaining portion comprises a cap member having a cylindrical shape and formed with a through-hole, and wherein the transmission member extends through the through-hole and the retained portion is disposed in the cap member.

7. The fastener driving tool according to claim 6, wherein the cap member has an engaging portion and the urging main body has an engaged portion threadingly engaged with the engaging portion.

8. The fastener driving tool according to claim 1, wherein the urging member has a supporting portion for supporting the fastener driving portion, the supporting portion having one part being made from a resin.

9. The fastener driving tool according to claim 8, wherein the fastener driving portion has one end part supported by the supporting portion, the one end part having one of a meander shape and a through-hole configuration.

10. The fastener driving tool according to claim 9, wherein the supporting portion is integrally formed with the one end part of the fastener driving portion.

11. The fastener driving tool according to claim 8, further comprising a connection member, wherein the supporting member and the fastener driving portion connect to each other via the connecting member.

12. A fastener driving tool comprising: a housing; a motor provided in the housing; a plunger provided in the housing for impacting a fastener in a fastener driving direction; a coil spring urging the plunger in the fastener driving direction; and a transmission member provided between the motor and the plunger for moving the plunger by a driving force of the motor in another direction opposite to the fastener driving direction, wherein the plunger comprises a fastener driving portion for driving the fastener, and an urging portion having a supporting portion for supporting the fastener driving portion, the supporting portion having one part being made from resin.

13. The fastener driving tool according to claim 12, wherein the fastener driving portion has one end part supported by the supporting portion, the one end part having one of a meander shape and a through-hole configuration.

14. The fastener driving tool according to claim 13, wherein the supporting portion is integrally formed with the one end part of the fastener driving portion.

15. The fastener driving tool according to claim 12, further comprising a connection member, wherein the supporting member and the fastener driving portion connect to each other via the connecting member.