Low profile display for power tools
A low profile integrated display that is integrated into a neck housing of a tool, such as a powered ratchet or powered torque wrench. A portion or section of the neck housing is removed to provide clearance for and receive a display assembly that includes a printed circuit board (PCB), display screen, lens, and buttons. A support/barrier is also placed between the PCB and a drive shaft of the tool to separate, support, and protect the PCB from the drive shaft of the tool. This allows the display assembly to be integrated into the neck housing of a tool, instead of a handle of the tool, which provides for a smaller profile of the tool compared to prior art tools, and reduces the risk of damage to the display assembly.
1 . A tool including a motor housing portion, a motor disposed in the motor housing portion, and a drive shaft operably coupled to the motor, the tool comprising:
an elongated housing portion coupled to the motor housing portion and housing the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable within the elongated housing portion;
a cutout formed in the elongated housing;
a barrier disposed in the cutout, wherein the barrier includes first and second sides and a groove formed in the first side, wherein the groove extends longitudinally along the drive shaft;
a controller disposed on the second side of the barrier; and
a display screen operably coupled to the controller.
2 . The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a user input interface operably coupled to the controller.
3 . The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a display housing disposed on the elongated housing portion and housing the controller.
4 . The tool of claim 3 , wherein the display housing includes a display aperture adapted to allow the display screen to be viewable.
5 . The tool of claim 4 , further comprising a lens disposed over the display screen and received in the display aperture.
6 . The tool of claim 3 , wherein the barrier, the controller, and the display screen are assembled to the display housing.
7 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the barrier, the controller, and the display screen are assembled to the elongated housing portion with the controller disposed between the barrier and the display screen.
8 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the elongated housing portion includes flats formed by the cut out, and the flats extend along opposing sides of the drive shaft.
9 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein the flats are adapted to receive and support the barrier.
10 . The tool of claim 1 , further comprising an output assembly coupled to the elongated housing portion opposite the motor housing portion and operably coupled to the drive shaft.
11 . A display assembly for a tool including an elongated housing portion and a drive shaft disposed in the elongated housing portion, wherein the elongated housing portion includes a cutout formed in the elongated housing, the display assembly comprising:
a barrier including first and second sides and a groove formed in the first side, wherein the barrier is adapted to be disposed in the cutout with the groove extending longitudinally along the drive shaft;
a controller disposed on the second side of the barrier; and
a display screen operably coupled to the controller.
12 . The display assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a user input interface operably coupled to the controller.
13 . The display assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a display housing adapted to be disposed on the elongated housing portion and house the controller.
14 . The display assembly of claim 13 , wherein the display housing includes a display aperture adapted to allow the display screen to be viewable.
15 . The display assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a lens disposed over the display screen and received in the display aperture.
16 . The display assembly of claim 15 , wherein the barrier, the controller, the display screen, and the lens are assembled to the display housing with the controller disposed between the barrier and the display housing.
17 . The display assembly of claim 15 , wherein the barrier, the controller, the display screen, the lens, and the display housing are adapted to be assembled to the elongated housing portion with the controller disposed between the barrier and the display housing.
18 . The display assembly of claim 13 , wherein the display housing includes first and second display housing portions that are adapted to be coupled together around the elongated housing portion.
19 . The display assembly of claim 18 , wherein the barrier, the controller, and the display screen are assembled to the first display housing portion with the controller disposed between the barrier and the first display housing portion.
20 . The display assembly of claim 18 , wherein the barrier, the controller, the display screen, and the first display housing portion are adapted to be assembled to the elongated housing portion with the controller disposed between the barrier and the first display housing portion.