Torque value adjustment system for use with click type torque wrenches to minimize repetitive motions
A system for adjusting torque value settings on click type torque wrenches. The system is configured to limit repetitive motions by an operator including limiting repetitive wrist movements to rotate a wrench handle, while also providing a very portable and easy to use system with built-in safety features. The system includes an electric motor or driver that is operable, e.g., by manual movement of a lever on a controller or control signals from a digital controller, to rotate the head of the wrench while the operator holds the wrench handle in an unlocked configuration. The operator inserts the head of the wrench into an adaptive, self-centering chuck provided at the output of the electric motor. A tool rest extends from a base of the system at an end opposite the mounting chuck, and this rest is configured to support the body of the wrench parallel to the motor shaft.
1 . A system for adjusting a torque value of a click type torque wrench, comprising:
a chuck configured for receiving and retaining a head of the click type torque wrench, the click type torque wrench having an integral wrench body, a handle at an end of the wrench body, and a locking mechanism proximate the handle;
a motor with a drive shaft coupled to the chuck; and
a controller configured to control the motor, wherein the controller, in response to an input from a user, causes the motor to rotate in a user-selectable direction to rotate the drive shaft such that the chuck, the received head of the click type torque wrench, and the integral wrench body rotate to adjust the torque value of the click type torque wrench with the locking mechanism in a released position.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the chuck is self-centering and includes jaws with one or more slots configured for receiving one or more differently sized drivers on the head.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a base supporting the chuck and the motor from a top surface; and
a tool support configured to support the wrench body at a location proximate to the handle in a parallel alignment with the drive shaft of the motor.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a guard with a hollow cylindrical body.
5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising a base supporting the chuck and the motor from a top surface,
wherein the guard is pivotally coupled with the base so as to be pivotable between a horizontal position in which the guard is spaced apart from the chuck and a vertical position in which the hollow cylindrical body extends about the chuck at least partially blocking access to the chuck.
6 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising a safety interconnect between the guard and the controller, the safety interconnect configured to enable rotation of the motor only when the guard is in the vertical position.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the guard is further supported on the base to be slidable between a first linear position proximate to the motor and a second linear position spaced apart from the motor and proximate to the chuck and wherein the safety interconnect is configured to only enable operation of the motor when the guard is in the second linear position and is in the vertical position.
8 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising a block configured for sliding upon the base,
wherein the guard is pivotally supported on the block,
wherein the safety interconnect comprises a momentary switch for completing a circuit in the controller and a pushrod housed in a channel in the base, and
wherein the pushrod is moved into contact with the momentary switch only when the block is slid to move the guard to the second linear position and the guard is pivoted into the vertical position.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises a stepper motor, and the controller is configured to provide a digital control signal to cause the motor to rotate the drive shaft a predefined number of turns to set the torque value of the click type torque wrench.
10 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a tool support configured to support the wrench body at a location proximate to the handle in a parallel alignment with the drive shaft of the motor; and
a position indicator assembly with at least one indicator needle at a vertical and horizontal position relative to the tool support that is configured for providing visual indication of a location of the handle relative to a set of micrometer barrel increment marks on the wrench body of the click type torque wrench.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the position indicator assembly includes at least one support block and at least one screw to adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the at least one indicator needle to place the at least one indicator needle adjacent a user-selectable torque value in the set of micrometer barrel increment marks.
12 . A system for adjusting a torque value of a click type torque wrench, comprising:
a driver for receiving and retaining a head of the click type torque wrench;
a controller configured to control the driver to rotate the head to adjust the torque value of the click type torque wrench; and
a guard with a hollow cylindrical body,
wherein the guard is pivotally coupled with a base so as to be pivotable between a horizontal position in which the guard is spaced apart from an output portion of the driver and a vertical position in which the hollow cylindrical body extends about the output portion of the driver.
13 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a safety interconnect between the guard and the controller configured to enable operation of the driver only when the guard is in the vertical position.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the guard is further supported on the base to be slidable between a first linear position proximate to the driver and a second linear position spaced apart from the driver and proximate to a chuck, and wherein the safety interconnect is configured to enable operation of the driver only when the guard is in the second linear position and is in the vertical position.
15 . The system of claim 14 ,
wherein the guard is pivotally supported on the block,
wherein the safety interconnect comprises a momentary switch for completing a circuit in the controller and a pushrod housed in a channel in the base, and
wherein the pushrod is moved into contact with the momentary switch only when the block is slid to move the guard to the second linear position and the guard is pivoted into the vertical position.
16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the driver includes a motor and a chuck that is self-centering and includes jaws with two or more slots configured for receiving two or more differently sized drivers on the head.
17 . A system for adjusting a torque value of a click type torque wrench, comprising:
a chuck configured for receiving and retaining a head of the click type torque wrench, the click type torque wrench having an integral wrench body and a handle at an end of the wrench body;
a motor with a drive shaft coupled to the chuck;
a base with a top surface supporting the chuck and the motor; and
a tool support configured to support the wrench body at a location proximate to the handle in a parallel alignment with the drive shaft of the motor.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the chuck is self-centering and includes jaws with two or more slots configured for receiving two or more differently sized drivers on the head.
19 . The system of claim 17 , further including a guard with a hollow cylindrical body, wherein the guard is pivotally coupled with the base so as to be pivotable between a horizontal position in which the guard is spaced apart from the chuck and a vertical position in which the hollow cylindrical body extends about the chuck at least partially blocking access to the chuck.
20 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a controller configured to control the motor, wherein the controller, in response to an input from a user, causes the motor to rotate in a user-selectable direction to rotate the drive shaft such that the chuck, the received head of the click type torque wrench, and the integral wrench body are rotated to adjust the torque value of the click type torque wrench with the locking mechanism in a released position.
21 . The system of claim 20 , further including:
a guard supported on the base, the guard slidable between a first linear position proximate to the motor and a second linear position spaced apart from the motor and proximate the chuck; and
a safety interconnect between the guard and the controller, wherein the safety interconnect is configured to enable operation of the motor only when the guard is in the second linear position and is in the vertical position.
22 . The system of claim 21 , further comprising a block configured for sliding upon the base,
wherein the guard is pivotally supported on the block,
wherein the safety interconnect comprises a momentary switch for completing a circuit in the controller and a pushrod housed in a channel in the base, and
wherein the pushrod is moved into contact with the momentary switch only when the block is slid to move the guard to the second linear position and the guard is pivoted into the vertical position.
23 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the motor comprises a stepper motor, and the system further comprises:
a controller configured to provide a digital control signal to cause the motor to rotate the drive shaft a predefined number of turns to set the torque value of the click type torque wrench.