Combustion-powered placing tool and method for operating such a placing tool

Abstract

A combustion-powered placing tool for driving fastening elements into a subsurface comprises a main combustion chamber for a compressible fuel, a driving piston, which in a starting position is retracted, and which can be driven from the main combustion chamber in the placing direction via expandable gases, a prechamber to which an ignition device is assigned, and in which a pressure acting upon the main combustion chamber can be build up prior to ignition of a fuel-air mixture in the main combustion chamber, wherein an additional ignition device is assigned to the main combustion chamber. In order to improve the effectiveness and/or the functionality during driving-in of a fastener, the placing tool comprises a selector device, allowing a selection between a reduced energy operation having an ignition in the main combustion chamber and a high-energy operation having an ignition in the prechamber.

Claims

1. A combustion-powered setting tool for driving fastening elements into a substrate, the tool comprising at least one main combustion chamber for a fuel; a driving piston that is completely retracted in an initial position and can be driven by expandable gases out of the at least one main combustion chamber in a setting direction in a low-power mode and a high-power mode; a prechamber; an ignition device, wherein the ignition device is associated with the prechamber and in the prechamber, prior to the ignition of a fuel/air mixture in the at least one main combustion chamber, a pressure acting on the at least one main combustion chamber is built up in the high power mode; an additional ignition device, wherein the additional ignition device is associated with the at least one main combustion chamber, and in the at least one main combustion chamber, a fuel/air mixture is ignited without prior ignition in the prechamber in the low power mode; and a selector device by which a selection is made between the low-power mode and the high-power mode.

2. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the setting tool comprises a control device that is connected to at least one sensor device for detecting the pressure, temperature, and/or position in or near the prechamber and/or connected to at least one sensor device in or near the at least one main combustion chamber.

3. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the setting tool comprises a reset device that is connected for control to the ignition device of the at least one main combustion chamber and/or the prechamber in order to effect a resetting of the driving piston into the initial position of the driving piston in the event of a piston fault as a result of an ignition in the at least one main combustion chamber and/or the prechamber.

4. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the setting tool comprises an actuator with which a target value of a pressure, temperature, position, and/or time control can be set or adjusted manually.

5. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in addition to the low-power mode and the high-power mode, the setting tool has at least one other operating mode in which a piston fault is detected and/or eliminated.

6. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in addition to the low-power mode and the high-power mode, the setting tool has at least one other operating mode in which a gas mixture is first ignited by the ignition device of the prechamber, and then the gas mixture is ignited in the at least one main combustion chamber by the additional ignition device based on time, pressure, position, and/or temperature control.

7. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 2, wherein the setting tool comprises a reset device that is connected for control to the ignition device of the at least one main combustion chamber and/or the prechamber in order to effect a resetting of the driving piston into the initial position of the driving piston in the event of a piston fault as a result of an ignition in the at least one main combustion chamber and/or the prechamber.

8. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 2, wherein the setting tool comprises an actuator with which a target value of a pressure, temperature, position, and/or time control can be set or adjusted manually.

9. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein the setting tool comprises an actuator with which a target value of a pressure, temperature, position, and/or time control can be set or adjusted manually.

10. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 2, wherein, in addition to the low-power mode and the high-power mode, the setting tool has at least one other operating mode in which a piston fault is detected and/or eliminated.

11. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein, in addition to the low-power mode and the high-power mode, the setting tool has at least one other operating mode in which a piston fault is detected and/or eliminated.

12. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 4, wherein, in addition to the low-power mode and the high-power mode, the setting tool has at least one other operating mode in which a piston fault is detected and/or eliminated.

13. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 2, wherein, in addition to the low-power mode and the high-power mode, the setting tool has at least one other operating mode in which a gas mixture is first ignited by the ignition device of the prechamber, and then the gas mixture is ignited in the at least one main combustion chamber by the additional ignition device based on time, pressure, position, and/or temperature control.

14. The combustion-powered setting tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein, in addition to the low-power mode and the high-power mode, the setting tool has at least one other operating mode in which a gas mixture is first ignited by the ignition device of the prechamber, and then the gas mixture is ignited in the at least one main combustion chamber by the additional ignition device based on time, pressure, position, and/or temperature control.

15. A combustion-powered setting tool for driving fastening elements into a substrate, the combustion-powered setting tool comprising at least one main combustion chamber for a fuel; a driving piston that is completely retracted in an initial position and can be driven by expandable gases out of the at least one main combustion chamber in a setting direction; a prechamber; an ignition device, wherein the ignition device is associated with the prechamber and in the prechamber, prior to the ignition of a fuel/air mixture in the at least one main combustion chamber, a pressure acting on the at least one main combustion chamber can be built up; an additional ignition device, wherein the additional ignition device is associated with the at least one main combustion chamber; and an air bleed valve device associated with the at least one main combustion chamber, wherein the air bleed valve device is capable of equalizing pressure with a surrounding of the setting tool if there is a piston fault during a secondary ignition in the at least one main combustion chamber.

16. A method for operating a combustion-powered setting tool for driving fastening elements into a substrate, the combustion-powered setting tool comprising at least one main combustion chamber for a fuel; a driving piston that is completely retracted in an initial position; a prechamber; an ignition device associated with the prechamber; an additional ignition device associated with the at least one main combustion chamber; the method comprising driving the driving piston by expandable gases out of the at least one main combustion chamber in a setting direction; selecting between a low-power mode and a high power mode; and, if the high-power mode is selected, building up a pressure in the prechamber, prior to the ignition of a fuel/air mixture in the at least one main combustion chamber, acting on the at least one main combustion chamber; and, if the low-power mode is selected, igniting a fuel/air mixture in the at least one main combustion chamber without prior ignition in the prechamber.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein a piston fault is detected automatically, and an ignition is initiated in the prechamber or in the at least one main combustion chamber to return the driving piston to the driving piston's initial position.

18. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the main combustion chamber is flushed if there is a piston fault, after which the driving piston is returned to the driving piston's initial position by an ignition in the at least one main combustion chamber achieved in low-power mode.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising detecting the piston fault by detecting piston position.

20. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the main combustion chamber is flushed if there is a piston fault, after which the driving piston is returned to the driving piston's initial position by an ignition in the at least one main combustion chamber achieved in low-power mode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) Additional advantages, features and details of the invention follow from the following description, in which various exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional representation of a combustion-powered setting tool in a longitudinal section shortly after an ignition in a prechamber in a high-power mode;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the setting tool from FIG. 1 in a low-power mode shortly after an ignition in a main combustion chamber;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a setting tool that is similar to that in FIGS. 1 and 2 with an electrical control device that is connected to sensor devices, and

(5) FIG. 4 shows the setting tool from FIGS. 1 and 2 in the case of piston fault and subsequent ignition of a main combustion chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 shows a highly simplified representation in longitudinal section of a setting tool 1 in various operating states. The setting tool 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 can be operated with a fuel gas or with a vaporizable liquid fuel. The setting tool 1 comprises a housing 3 with a main cylinder 5 that defines a main combustion chamber 6. The main combustion chamber 6 can be supplied with gas and/or air via an inlet device 8.

(7) In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a driving piston 10 is guided upward and downward in the housing 3 of the setting tool 1 so as to be displaceable back and forth. The driving piston 10 comprises a piston rod 11 that extends from a piston head 12. A setting end 14 of the piston rod 11 facing away from the piston head 12 is arranged in a bolt guide (not shown) that has the function of guiding fastening elements, also referred to as bolts. In FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of the setting end 14 of the piston rod 11 of the driving piston 10.

(8) The bolt guide with the piston rod 11 of the driving piston 10 arranged therein is also called a setting unit. A fastening element such as a nail, bolt, or the like, can be driven into a substrate (not shown) using the setting unit. Before a fastening element is set, the setting tool 1 is pressed with its bolt guide against the substrate. A switch (not shown), which is also referred to as a trigger switch, is used to initiate the setting process, for example. The switch is provided on a handle (also not shown) of the setting tool 1, for example.

(9) In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a setting direction is indicated by an arrow 15. During the setting of the fastening element, the driving piston 10 is powerfully accelerated with the piston rod 11 in the setting direction 15 in order to drive the fastening element into the substrate. During the setting process, the driving piston 10 is moved from its initial position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which corresponds to a top dead center, into an end position, which corresponds to a bottom dead center.

(10) In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, an upward movement of the driving piston 10 is limited by a piston stop 16 that is securely fixed to the housing. Top dead center of the driving piston 10 is defined by the piston stop 16. The piston stop 16 can be combined with a magnetic device 17. The magnetic device 17 serves the purpose, for example, of holding the driving piston 10 with a predetermined retention force in its initial position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(11) A movement of the driving piston 10 downward is limited by one or more stop and/or damping elements 28, 29. The stop and/or damping elements 28 are embodied as buffers, for example.

(12) The piston head 12 comprises a first piston surface 21, which faces toward the main combustion chamber 6. A second piston surface 22, which faces away from the main combustion chamber 6, defines a prechamber 25 in a prechamber cylinder 24. The prechamber cylinder 24 is arranged within the housing 3 of the setting tool 1.

(13) The prechamber 25 constitutes a precombustion chamber with which an ignition device 26 and an inlet device 27 are associated. Moreover, the stop and/or damping elements 28, 29 are arranged in the prechamber 25. Air or a fuel gas/air mixture is fed via the inlet device 27 to the prechamber or precombustion chamber 25 and is ignited with the aid of the ignition device 26 in the prechamber 25, as indicated by a symbol 60 in FIG. 1.

(14) The prechamber cylinder 24 comprises two passage openings 31, 32, which enable exhaust gases to escape from the prechamber 25, for example. The passage openings 31, 32 can be sealed as needed by a control device 30. The control device 30 comprises a control sleeve 34 that has two passage openings 37, 38.

(15) When the passage openings 37, 38 of the control sleeve 34 are caused to overlap with the passage openings 31, 32, then the passage openings 31, 32 are opened, as can be seen in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the passage openings 31, 32 are sealed by the control sleeve 34. The control sleeve 34 has substantially the shape of a straight, regular cylinder and can be moved downward and upward in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

(16) Two overflow openings 41, 42 are provided between the prechamber 25 and the main combustion chamber 6. A valve device 43, 44 is associated with the overflow openings 41, 42, respectively. The valve devices 43, 44 are valve flaps, for example, that are opened in FIGS. 1 and 2 in order enable the ignited air/fuel mixture to flow through from the prechamber 25 into the main combustion chamber 6. In FIG. 4, the valve devices 43, 44 are closed.

(17) The control device 30 comprises a control pressure surface 45 that is connected for pressure control to the main combustion chamber 6. The control pressure surface 45 is embodied as a ring-shaped surface 46 that faces toward the main combustion chamber 6 radially outside of the prechamber cylinder 24. The control pressure surface 45 is coupled mechanically by means of a coupling element with the control sleeve 34.

(18) The coupling element is embodied as a slide 50 which, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, is guided so as to be displaceable downward and upward back and forth against the prechamber cylinder 24. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the control pressure surface 45 that is embodied as a ring-shaped surface 46 is provided at an upper end 51 of the slide 50. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the control sleeve 34 is secured to a lower end 52 of the slide 50.

(19) The control device 30 further comprises spring means 54, 55 that are embodied as helical compression springs, for example. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a respective stop 56, 57 that is securely fixed to the cylinder is associated with the lower ends of the spring means 54, 55. The stops 56, 57 that are securely fixed to the housing are provided on the prechamber cylinder 24.

(20) The spring means 54, 55 are braced between the stops 56, 57 that are securely fixed to the cylinder and the upper end 51 of the slide 50 with the control pressure surface 45. The slide 50 is thus supported by means of the spring means 54, 55 on the stops 56, 57 that are securely fixed to the cylinder.

(21) In FIG. 1, the setting tool 1 is shown shortly after the ignition 60 in the prechamber 25. The ignited mixture travels via the opened valve devices 43, 44 through the overflow openings 41, 42 into the main combustion chamber 6. The passage openings 31, 32 of the prechamber 25 are sealed by the control sleeve 34.

(22) In FIGS. 1 to 3, the driving piston 10 is located in its initial or starting position at rear dead center. In this initial or starting position, the driving piston 10 is retracted completely into the housing 3. In the initial position or starting position, the piston head 12 of the driving piston 10 abuts against the piston stop 16 that is securely fixed to the cylinder.

(23) The setting tool 1; 101 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 can be operated in various operating modes or functional modes. In a high-power mode, a gas mixture, particularly a fuel/air mixture, is metered both into the prechamber 25 and into the main combustion chamber 6. A first ignition occurs as a result of the ignition device 26 in the prechamber 25.

(24) In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a selector device, a control device, a reset device, and an actuator are indicated symbolically by a total of four rectangles 81 to 84. Using the selector device 81, it is possible to switch between the different operating modes of the setting tool 1. The control device 82 can be provided alternatively or in addition to the control device 30. The control device 82 preferably also has the function of presenting the various operating modes of the setting tool 1. The reset device 83 advantageously serves the purpose of initiating the elimination of a piston fault of the setting tool 1 as needed. The actuator 84 is advantageously used to manually set and/or adjust a target value of a pressure, temperature, position, and/or time control.

(25) In FIG. 1, the ignition in the prechamber 25 is indicated by a symbol 60. The combustion then propagates in the direction of the main combustion chamber 6 and ignites same through the valve devices 43, 44, which are embodied as check valves.

(26) It is shown in FIG. 2 that, in a low-power mode of the setting tool 1, injection and ignition occur only in the main combustion chamber 6. The ignition in the main combustion chamber 6 occurs by means of the additional ignition device 76, as is indicated by a symbol 90.

(27) In low-power mode, it is possible to adjust, particularly reduce, the spring bias of the spring means 54, 55. By reducing the spring bias, the driving piston 10 can be easily prevented from running onto a gas cushion in low-power mode. The spring bias can be adjusted, for example, by means of a screw thread between the stops 56, 57 that are securely fixed to the housing and the prechamber cylinder 24.

(28) In FIG. 3, a setting tool 101 is shown with a control device 105, which replaces the control devices 30, 82 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The setting tool 101 further comprises a sensor device 106, which is associated with the prechamber 25. Moreover, the setting tool 101 comprises a sensor device 107, which is associated with the main combustion chamber 6.

(29) The control device 105 is connected by a control line 111 to the additional ignition device 76. Moreover, the control device 105 is connected by a control line 112 to the sensor device 106. Furthermore, the control device 105 is connected by a control line 113 to the sensor device 107.

(30) The sensor devices 106, 107 are position, time, pressure, or temperature sensors. The control device 105 is preferably an electronic control. Starting at a predetermined target value that is adjusted via the control device 105, the ignition occurs in the main combustion chamber 6 by means of the ignition device 76 located therein, which is embodied as a spark plug, for example. The target value can either be set by a user or automaticallybased on the evaluation of a previous setting operation, for example.

(31) During operation of the setting tool 101, a defined system pressure is first built up in the main combustion chamber 6 by the prechamber combustion. Then the ignition device 76 is ignited by means of the control device 105 at the defined point in time. In the case of a pressure-controlled ignition, the pressure is measured by the sensor device 106 in the prechamber 25 and/or by the sensor device 107 in the main combustion chamber 6. The main combustion chamber 6 is then ignited starting at a certain pressure level.

(32) FIG. 4 shows the setting tool 1 from FIGS. 1 and 2 with a piston fault. The driving piston is shown with its end facing away from the piston head 12 cut away. The piston head 12 of the driving piston 10 is arranged somewhat below the stops 56, 57 that are securely fixed to the housing. With the aid of the additional ignition device 76 of the main combustion chamber 6, the piston fault can be eliminated according to different variants.

(33) According to a first variant, the driving piston 10 is returned after an additional ignition cycle in the main combustion chamber 6 to its original or initial position. The valve device 75 is used to vent the main combustion chamber 6. A symbol 120 denotes a secondary ignition in the main combustion chamber 6 that is initiated by the additional ignition device 76.

(34) The arrows 121,122 indicate that pressure equalization is being performed between the main combustion chamber 6 and the surroundings via the opened valve device 75. When the valve device 75 is closed, this results in the formation of negative pressure in the main combustion chamber 6, so final cooling of the combustion gases in the main combustion chamber 6 has the effect of the driving piston 10 in FIG. 4 being pulled upward and back into its initial position. During normal operation, the valve device 75 is closed.

(35) The elimination of the piston fault is initiated by actuation of the reset device 83, for example. When the reset device 83 is actuated, the additional ignition or secondary ignition 120 of the main combustion chamber 6 is initiated. If the residual gas fraction in the main combustion chamber 6 is too great, the valve device 75 of the main combustion chamber 6 is advantageously opened in order to enable flushing of the main combustion chamber 6.

(36) If normal device flushing due to a piston fault does not work, it is possible to flush the main combustion chamber 6 and feed fresh air in by opening the valve device 75. After fuel is introduced, the main combustion chamber 6 can then be ignited by means of the additional ignition device 76. A setting operation that is brought about in this way occurs in low-power mode. After the setting operation in low-power mode, the driving piston is again returned by thermal means, so that the setting tool 1 can then be used again in high-power mode.