Title

Drill bit adapter and electric tool

Technical field

[0001] The present application relates to an electric tool, in particular to a drill bit adapter of an electric tool.

Background art

[0002] In the prior art, electric hammers and electric drills, etc. are well- developed electric tools. Electric hammers are used for striking and drilling, while electric drills are mainly used for drilling. To perform different functions, these electric tools are generally used with different processing heads, for example: slotted-shank drill bits, round-shank drill bits, hexagonal drill bits, or screws of different sizes, etc. Different types of screws generally need different types of mounting interfaces for connection. At the same time, it is also necessary to retain their characteristic of being able to clamp a drill bit. Thus, there is a need to provide a drill bit adapter with an adjustable mounting interface in order to improve the applicability of an electric tool and the flexibility of mode switching thereof.

Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above, the present invention provides an improved drill bit adapter and electric tool, thereby effectively solving or mitigating one or more of the above problems and other problems in the prior art.

[0004] To solve the abovementioned technical problems, according to one aspect of the present application, a drill bit adapter is provided, comprising: an outer sleeve, having a first through-hole arranged in an axial direction; an inner sleeve, mounted in the first through-hole in the axial direction, and having a second through-hole arranged in the axial direction; a shank, fixedly connected to the inner sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are able to reciprocate in the axial direction, so that the first through-hole or the second through-hole is selectively exposed at an end of the drill bit adapter that is remote from the shank; and wherein the first through-hole and the second through-hole are used to mount a first fastener and a second fastener having different dimensions.

[0005] To solve the abovementioned technical problems, according to another aspect of the present application, an electric tool is further provided, comprising the drill bit adapter as described above.

[0006] According to the technical solution of the present application, the outer sleeve and inner sleeve capable of reciprocating in the axial direction enable the first through-hole or second through-hole to be selectively exposed for mounting the first fastener and second fastener having different dimensions. Such a drill bit adapter arrangement at least enables the connection and operation of fasteners of two different dimensions, and includes a simple solution in which switching is achieved by forward and backward movement, so can simplify a switching action during a job, thus optimizing operation.

Brief description of the drawings

[0007] A fuller understanding of the present application will be gained by reading the detailed description of specific embodiments below in conjunction with the drawings, in which identical reference labels denote identical elements in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an axial sectional schematic view of an embodiment of a drill bit adapter, wherein the drill bit adapter is switched to a first operating state, and a first fastener is not fitted.

[0008] Fig. 2 shows a sectional schematic view of an embodiment in which a drill bit adapter is switched to a second operating state, wherein a second fastener is not fitted.

[0009] Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional schematic drawing of an embodiment of an outer sleeve of a drill bit adapter. [0010] Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional schematic drawing of an embodiment of the fit between a shank and inner sleeve of a drill bit adapter.

[0011] Fig. 5 shows a sectional schematic view of the fit between the shank and inner sleeve in Fig. 4.

[0012] Fig. 6 shows a sectional schematic view of an embodiment in which a drill bit adapter is switched to a first operating state, wherein a first fastener is fitted.

[0013] Fig. 7 shows a sectional schematic view of an embodiment in which a drill bit adapter is switched to a second operating state, wherein a second fastener is fitted.

[0014] Fig. 8 shows a sectional schematic view of an embodiment in which a drill bit adapter is switched to a third operating state, wherein the drill bit adapter is in a pre-fitting stage of the third operating state.

[0015] Fig. 9 shows a sectional schematic view of an embodiment in which a drill bit adapter is switched to a third operating state, wherein the drill bit adapter is in a positioning stage of the third operating state.

Detailed description of embodiments

[0016] The present application is described in detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in the drawings. However, it should be clear that the present application can be implemented in many different forms, and should not be understood to be limited to the embodiments expounded herein. These embodiments are provided here in order to make the disclosed content of the present application more complete and closer, and fully convey the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art.

[0017] In addition, with regard to any single technical feature described or implied in the embodiments mentioned herein, or any single technical feature shown or implied in the drawings, the present application still allows any further combination or deletion to be made between these technical features (or their equivalents) without any technical barriers, to obtain more embodiments of the present application that might not be mentioned directly herein.

[0018] To facilitate description of the embodiments mentioned herein, an axial direction, a radial direction and a circumferential direction are introduced here as a reference coordinate system herein. This directional description is intended to express the relative positional relationships among the structural characteristics of the components themselves as well as among the components, not to impose limiting constraints on their absolute positional relationships. Taking the drill bit adapter in Fig. 1 as an example, the axial direction means the direction of shank insertion, which is presented roughly as the left-right direction in the figure; the radial direction refers to the positional relationship of the shank, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve from the inside to the outside, which can be presented roughly as the up-down direction in the figure; and the circumferential direction means the profile encircling direction of either sleeve.

[0019] Referring to Figs 1 - 5, these show an embodiment of a drill bit adapter. Figs. 1 and 2 show the drill bit adapter in its entirety, while Figs. 3 - 5 show some of the components of the drill bit adapter. In addition, Figs. 6 - 9 show various operating states of the drill bit adapter.

[0020] The drill bit adapter 100 essentially comprises, from the inside to the outside, a shank 130, an inner sleeve 120 and an outer sleeve 110, as well as a number of components arranged therein or therebetween. This solution will be first be described in general terms below, and then each structural detail will be described in turn.

[0021] Referring to Figs. 1 - 5, the outer sleeve 110 of the drill bit adapter 100 has a cylindrical outer wall, and a first through-hole 111 is provided therein in the axial direction. The inner sleeve 120 has an outer wall profile matched to the first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve 110, so that it can be mounted in the first through-hole 111 in the axial direction, and the inner sleeve 120 also has a second through-hole 121 arranged in the axial direction. The shank 130 of the drill bit adapter 100 is fixedly connected to the inner sleeve 120, so that the entire drill bit adapter 100 can be fitted into a mounting hole of various types of electric tool by means of the shank 130, and the drill bit adapter 100 fitted into the electric tool is fixed in a mounted position by means of a shank clamping groove 131 on the shank 130.

[0022] In the solution of this embodiment, the outer sleeve 110 and inner sleeve 120 are designed to be able to reciprocate with respect to each other in the axial direction, so that the first through-hole 111 or the second through-hole 121 can be selectively exposed at the end of the drill bit adapter that is remote from the shank 130, in order to mount a first fastener 210 and a second fastener 220 with different dimensions, e.g. a screw with a dimension of 5/16 inch and a screw with a dimension of 1/4 inch, as required. This solution thus at least enables the connection and operation of fasteners of two different dimensions, and includes a simple solution in which switching is achieved by forward and backward movement, so can simplify a switching action during a job, thus optimizing operation.

[0023] As an example of a particular application scenario, when a user is performing the job of securing a window in America, it will be necessary to use many different types of screw for different fastening positions throughout the job, depending on the job specifications and requirements. As this type of window job is generally performed on a window ledge in mid-air, frequent trips up and down to change electric tools will add to the workload considerably and thus lower the working efficiency, but carrying several types of electric tool at the same time to perform a job in mid-air will considerably increase the operator’s weight burden, reducing operational flexibility and increasing the difficulty of the job. If the operator uses an electric tool equipped with the drill bit adapter in embodiments herein, the weight burden can be reduced while avoiding frequent trips up and down during the job as well as avoiding job interruptions, thus effectively improving the working efficiency.

[0024] The structure of each part of the drill bit adapter is described below. In addition, to further improve product performance or reliability, some components can be added, and an exemplary explanation of this is likewise given below.

[0025] Firstly, referring to Figs. 1 - 3, these show an embodiment of the outer sleeve in the drill bit adapter. To realize the manner in which the outer sleeve 110 moves axially relative to the inner sleeve 120 as well as a partial limiting function, the first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve is configured to have the form of a stepped hole. The stepped hole may be chosen from various shapes, e.g. a cylindrical hole or a hexagonal hole, etc., as long as the fitting relationship and movement relationship between the stepped hole and the inner sleeve 120 is not affected. More specifically, the stepped hole comprises a first hole segment Illa, a third hole segment 111c and a second hole segment 111b arranged from left to right in the axial direction in the figures. The first hole segment Illa has a larger diameter than the third hole segment 111c, and the third hole segment 111c has a larger diameter than the second hole segment 111b. Specifically, a step formed between adjacent hole segments can be used to stop the inner sleeve, so that the relative movement between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve has a defined stop position.

[0026] Taking the above into account, the abovementioned limiting function can in fact be realized with at least two hole segments; for example, it would be acceptable to at least provide the first hole segment Illa and the second hole segment 111b. In this case, the second hole segment 111b is also used to mount the first fastener 210, while the first hole segment Illa is used to form a step with the second hole segment 111b.

[0027] In addition, the third hole segment 111c is provided mainly for the purpose of cooperating with a part of the inner sleeve that is used to mount a positioning ball 150; in this solution, a radial space and a closed radial space need to be formed between the third hole segment 111c and the first hole segment Illa in order to enable radial movement of the positioning ball 150, thus making it possible to clamp a drill bit inserted in the second through-hole of the inner sleeve.

[0028] As a simple and easy solution, the first hole segment Illa and third hole segment 111c may be configured to have a cylindrical shape that facilitates relative movement, while the second hole segment 111b may be configured to have a hexagonal shape for mounting the first fastener 210.

[0029] In addition, to further improve the reliability of limiting between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, a limiting protrusion 112 may also be provided in the first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve 110. For example, it is provided on the first hole segment Illa of the first through-hole 111.

[0030] The limiting protrusion 112 may be integrally formed with the through- hole, or realized in the form of a structure consisting of a pin 112a and a pin hole 112b. Specifically, the pin hole 112b may be provided in the outer sleeve 110, in such a way that it connects an outer wall of the outer sleeve 110 to the first hole segment Illa of the first through-hole 111 thereof. The pin 112a is then passed through the pin hole 112b to form the limiting protrusion 112 disposed in the first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve 110. In addition, by providing a corresponding limiting slot in the inner sleeve, start and stop positions of axial movement between the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120 can be defined.

[0031] As a simple and easy solution, the pin hole 112b may be configured as a radially extending through-hole. Alternatively, it may be configured as an obliquely extending through-hole capable of connecting the outer wall of the outer sleeve 110 to the first through-hole 111 thereof, etc., as long as a pin can still be inserted therein.

[0032] Furthermore, in addition to limiting the start and stop positions of axial movement between the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120, a corresponding structural feature may also be provided to achieve the positioning thereof after movement to a specific position. Specifically, a mounting groove 113 may be provided in the first hole segment Illa of the first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve 110, and an elastic positioning member 140 may be fitted into the mounting groove 113 during assembly. As an application example, the mounting groove 113 may be configured as a ring groove, while the elastic positioning member 140 is configured as a C-shaped ring; this makes the assembly process simpler.

[0033] Now referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, these show an embodiment of the assembly of the shank and inner sleeve in the drill bit adapter; the outer wall profile of the inner sleeve 120 is configured as a stepped part, wherein each segment forming the stepped part may be selected from various shapes, such as a cylindrical face or hexagonal face, etc., as long as normal fitting and normal relative movement are possible between it and the outer sleeve 110. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the stepped part comprises a first step segment 124a, a third step segment 124c and a second step segment 124b arranged in sequence in the axial direction, and these respectively correspond to the hole segments in the first through-hole of the outer sleeve that were mentioned above.

[0034] As already briefly described above in the section concerning the outer sleeve, the third step segment 124c is further provided with a ball accommodating hole 125, which is used for connecting the third step segment 124c to the second through-hole 121 and accommodating the positioning ball 150. When the outer sleeve 120 and inner sleeve 130 move in a cooperating manner, the third step segment 124c and third hole segment 111c also correspondingly cooperate, in such a way that the positioning ball 150 is pressed so that it extends into the second through-hole 121 of the inner sleeve 120 from the ball accommodating hole 125, or in such a way that the positioning ball 150 moves back from the ball accommodating hole 125 into a gap between the first through-hole of the outer sleeve and the outer wall of the inner sleeve.

[0035] As a simple and easy solution, the ball accommodating hole 125 may be configured as a radially extending through-hole. Alternatively, it may also be configured as an obliquely extending through-hole capable of connecting the third step segment 124c to the second through-hole 121, etc., as long as it can still accommodate the positioning ball 150 and does not impede movement thereof.

[0036] In addition, a limiting slot 122 is further provided in the axial direction on the outer wall of the inner sleeve 120; the position of the limiting slot 122 should correspond to the limiting protrusion 112 in the outer sleeve 110, such that the limiting slot 122 can be used to accommodate and define a movement path of the limiting protrusion 112. Thus, the start and stop positions of relative axial movement between the outer sleeve 110 and inner sleeve 120 are defined.

[0037] It should be known that the axially arranged limiting slot 122 mentioned herein is not limited to being arranged perfectly in parallel with the axial direction; rather, the intention is to indicate that it has an axial groove component. For example, the limiting slot 122 may also be configured as an inclined groove having both circumferential and axial components. Such a groove cooperates with the corresponding limiting protrusion in the outer sleeve, and can likewise define the start and stop positions of movement.

[0038] Furthermore, in addition to limiting the start and stop positions of axial movement between the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120, a corresponding structural feature may also be provided to achieve the positioning thereof after movement to a specific position. Thus, for use in cooperation with the mounting groove 113 on the outer sleeve, at least two positioning grooves 123a, 123b may also be provided on the outer wall of the inner sleeve 120, spaced apart in the axial direction; these grooves may be configured in the form of ring grooves. Thus, as the outer sleeve 110 and inner sleeve 120 experience relative axial movement, when either one of the two positioning grooves 123a, 123b corresponds to the mounting groove 113, the elasticity of the compressed elastic positioning member 140 accommodated in the mounting groove 113 can be partially released, causing it to extend into each positioning groove 123a, 123b from the mounting groove 113, thus achieving axial positioning between the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120. The two positioning grooves 123a, 123b thus result in there being at least two positioning points, i.e. the outer sleeve 110 and inner sleeve 120 have at least two different operating states. Of course, the number of positioning grooves may also be increased or decreased depending on requirements.

[0039] Continuing to refer to Figs. 4 - 5, as a solution for fixedly connecting the inner sleeve 120 to the shank 130, the shank 130 may be configured to be in an interference fit with a first end of the second through-hole 121 of the inner sleeve 120. As a solution for fitting the inner sleeve 120 to the second fastener 220, a second end of the second through-hole 121 thereof may be configured to have a size and profile for mounting the second fastener 220.

[0040] In addition, it should be known that although not shown in the figures, the multiple cooperating features on the outer sleeve and inner sleeve that are mentioned above are technically interchangeable. For example, the limiting protrusion could also be provided on the outer wall of the inner sleeve, while the limiting slot is correspondingly provided in the first through-hole of the outer sleeve in the axial direction. As another example, the limiting slot could also be provided on the outer wall of the inner sleeve, while at least two positioning grooves are correspondingly spaced apart axially and provided in the first through-hole of the outer sleeve. These alternative solutions should likewise be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0041] Different operating states of the drill bit adapter 100 are described below with reference to Figs. 6 - 9, to facilitate understanding of the functions and significance of the various structural design features of the drill bit adapter 100.

[0042] Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, these show a first operating state of the drill bit adapter. In this case, the outer sleeve 110 can be pulled from left to right in the axial direction relative to the inner sleeve 120. During pulling, the movement of the limiting protrusion 112 in the limiting slot 122 provides guidance and limiting for the movement of the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120. At the same time, the elastic positioning member 140 located in the positioning groove 123a and the mounting groove 113 is pressed so that it retracts into the mounting groove 113, and when the outer sleeve 110 moves relative to the inner sleeve 120 to a position where the positioning groove 123b is aligned with the mounting groove 113, the elastic positioning member extends into the positioning groove 123b from the mounting groove, thus establishing positioning again. In this way, the drill bit adapter is switched to the first operating state. At this time, a screw with a dimension of 5/16 inch serving as the first fastener 210 can be fitted into the exposed first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve, and the electric tool can then be operated to complete a fastening task.

[0043] Now referring to Figs. 2 and 7, these show a second operating state of the drill bit adapter. In this case, the outer sleeve 110 can be pushed from right to left in the axial direction relative to the inner sleeve 120. During pushing, the movement of the limiting protrusion 112 in the limiting slot 122 provides guidance and limiting for the movement of the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120. At the same time, the elastic positioning member 140 located in the positioning groove 123b and the mounting groove 113 is pressed so that it retracts into the mounting groove 113, and when the outer sleeve 110 moves relative to the inner sleeve 120 to a position where the positioning groove 123a is aligned with the mounting groove 113, the elastic positioning member extends into the positioning groove 123a from the mounting groove, thus establishing positioning again. In this way, the drill bit adapter is switched to the second operating state. At this time, a screw with a dimension of 1/4 inch serving as the second fastener 220 can be fitted into the exposed first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve, and the electric tool can then be operated to complete a fastening task.

[0044] Again referring to Figs. 8 - 9, these show a third operating state of the drill bit adapter, respectively showing a pre-fitting stage and a positioning stage in the third operating state.

[0045] In the pre-fitting stage shown in Fig. 8, the outer sleeve 110 can be pulled from left to right in the axial direction relative to the inner sleeve 120. During pulling, the movement of the limiting protrusion 112 in the limiting slot 122 provides guidance and limiting for the movement of the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120. At the same time, the elastic positioning member 140 located in the positioning groove 123a and the mounting groove 113 is pressed so that it retracts into the mounting groove 113, and when the outer sleeve 110 moves relative to the inner sleeve 120 to a position where the positioning groove 123b is aligned with the mounting groove 113, the elastic positioning member extends into the positioning groove 123b from the mounting groove, thus establishing positioning again. In this way, the drill bit adapter is switched to the first operating state. At this time, a drill bit 230 with a shank dimension of 1/4 inch can be inserted into the second through-hole 121 of the inner sleeve 120. As the drill bit 230 is inserted, it will press the positioning ball 150 located in the ball accommodating slot 125, such that the positioning ball moves towards an accommodating gap formed between the first hole segment Illa of the first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve 110 and the second step segment 124b of the inner sleeve 120, thereby completing pre-fitting of the drill bit.

[0046] In the positioning stage shown in Fig. 9, the outer sleeve 110 can be pushed from right to left in the axial direction relative to the inner sleeve 120. During pushing, the movement of the limiting protrusion 112 in the limiting slot 122 provides guidance and limiting for the movement of the outer sleeve 110 and the inner sleeve 120. At the same time, the elastic positioning member 140 located in the positioning groove 123b and the mounting groove 113 is pressed so that it retracts into the mounting groove 113, and when the outer sleeve 110 moves relative to the inner sleeve 120 to a position where the positioning groove 123a is aligned with the mounting groove 113, the elastic positioning member extends into the positioning groove 123a from the mounting groove, thus establishing positioning again. At this time, as the accommodating gap formed between the first hole segment Illa of the first through-hole 111 of the outer sleeve 110 and the second step segment 124b of the inner sleeve 120 is closed, the positioning ball 150 will be pressed through the ball accommodating slot 125 so that it moves towards the second through-hole 121 of the inner sleeve 120, and is finally jammed in a shank recess of the drill bit 230, thus clamping and positioning the drill bit 230. The electric tool can then be operated to complete a drilling task.

[0047] In addition, although not shown in its entirety in the figures, an embodiment of an electric tool is also provided here with reference to Fig. 1. The electric tool comprises the drill bit adapter 100 in any one of the above embodiments or combinations thereof, and thus has the various effects which the drill bit adapter brings about, and which are not repeated here. As an example of a specific application, the electric tool may be an electric hammer, an impact drill or a handheld drill.

[0048] On this basis, the specific embodiments above are merely intended to explain the present application without limiting it. To explain relative positional relationships, relative orientational terms such as left/right and up/down are used in the present application, but these do not define absolute positions. Those skilled in the art could still make various changes and alterations to the technical solution of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application, so all equivalent technical solutions also fall within the scope of the present application, and the scope of patent protection of the present application shall be defined by the claims.