Electronic torque wrench with torque overshoot compensation

Abstract

A device, such as an electronic torque wrench (100), is provided, comprising a processing circuit (202) and one or more transducers (210). The processing circuit is configured to determine an applied torque (404), and to determine an indicated torque that is less than a target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in the applied torque within an estimated response time of an operator (406). The processing circuit (202) is configured to compare the applied torque with the indicated torque (408) to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; and in response, output a warning to the operator to release a force (410) that generates the applied torque. The warning is output as an output signal, and the one or more transducers (210) are configured to convert the output signal into user-perceivable feedback.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to torque application and measurement devices, and in particular to an apparatus for torque measurement, such as an electronic torque wrench. Background Art

[0002] Fasteners are often used in the assembly of performance critical components and are tightened to a specific torque level to introduce "pre-tension" in the fastener. As torque is applied to the head of the fastener, the fastener may begin to stretch beyond the specific level of applied torque. This stretching results in pre-tension in the fastener, which then holds the components together. Additionally, after the required torque level has been applied, it is often necessary to further rotate the fastener past a specific angle. A common method of tightening these fasteners is with a torque wrench.

[0003] Torque wrenches can be mechanical or electronic. Mechanical torque wrenches are generally less expensive than electronic torque wrenches. There are two common types of mechanical torque wrenches, beam type and clicker type. In a beam type torque wrench, a beam bends relative to a non-deflected beam in response to an applied torque. The amount of deflection of the bent beam relative to the non-deflected beam indicates the amount of torque applied to the fastener. Clicker type torque wrenches have a selectable preloaded snap mechanism that has a spring to release at a specified target torque, thereby producing a click to warn the operator to release the force on the wrench that the applied torque is generated by.

[0004] Electronic torque wrenches tend to be more expensive than mechanical torque wrenches. Many electronic torque wrenches include a user interface having a human input device and an electronic visual display. The electronic torque wrench can receive a target torque through its user interface; and when the electronic torque wrench is used to apply torque to the fastener, a torque reading related to the pre-tensioning force generated in the fastener due to the applied torque can be indicated on the electronic visual display. The electronic torque wrench can also warn the operator to release the force on the wrench when the applied torque reaches the target torque.

[0005] Although the torque wrench warns the operator to release the force on the wrench when the applied torque reaches the target torque, the time it takes the operator to respond to the warning usually results in an increase in the applied torque and thus the target torque. Therefore, it is desirable to have a system and method that solves this problem and other possible problems. Summary of the invention

[0006] Example implementations of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus for torque measurement with torque overshoot compensation, such as an electronic torque wrench. The present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following example implementations.

[0007] Some exemplary embodiments provide a device operable to determine an applied torque, the device comprising: a processing circuit configured to at least: receive an indication of a target torque; determine an applied torque; determine an indicated torque, the indicated torque being less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in applied torque within an estimated response time of an operator; compare the applied torque to the indicated torque to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; and in response, output a warning to an operator to release a force generating the applied torque; and one or more transducers operably connected to the processing circuit, the warning output being an output signal, and the one or more transducers being configured to convert the output signal into user-perceivable feedback.

[0008] Some exemplary embodiments provide a method for operating a device to determine an applied torque, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a target torque; determining an applied torque; determining an indicated torque, the indicated torque being less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in applied torque within an estimated response time of an operator; comparing the applied torque to the indicated torque to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; and in response, outputting a warning to the operator to release a force that generates the applied torque.

[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from reading the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements stated in the present invention, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined or otherwise stated in the specific example embodiments described herein. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole, so that any separable features or elements of the present disclosure should be considered combinable in any aspect and example implementation thereof, unless the context of the present disclosure clearly specifies otherwise.

[0010] Therefore, it will be understood that this brief overview is provided only to summarize some example implementations in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are only examples and should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope or spirit of the present invention in any way. Other example implementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the principles of some of the described example implementations by way of example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Having thus generally described example implementations of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which: Figure 1A and Figure 1B An electronic torque wrench according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for determining applied torque according to some exemplary embodiments, and the apparatus may correspond to the electronic torque wrench of FIG. 1 ; Figure 3 is a graph of applied torque over time for operation of a device such as an electronic torque wrench according to an exemplary embodiment; and Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C , Figure 4D , Figure 4E and Figure 4F is a flow chart illustrating various steps in a method of operating a device, such as an electronic torque wrench, to determine applied torque, according to various exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. In fact, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these example implementations are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout.

[0013] Unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, references to first, second, etc. should not be construed as implying a particular order. A feature described as being above another feature (unless otherwise specified or clear from the context) may alternatively be below, and vice versa; similarly, a feature described as being to the left of another feature may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Furthermore, although reference may be made herein to quantitative measurements, values, geometric relationships, and the like, unless otherwise specified, any one or more (if not all) of these may be absolute or approximate to take into account acceptable variations that may occur, such as variations due to engineering tolerances, and the like.

[0014] As used herein, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, an "or" of a set of operands is an "inclusive or," and thus is true if and only if one or more of the operands are true, as opposed to an "exclusive or," which is false when all operands are true. Thus, for example, "[A] or [B]" is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, or if both [A] and [B] are true. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" mean "one or more," unless otherwise specified or clear from the context to be intended in the singular. Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms "data," "content," "digital content," "information," and similar terms are sometimes used interchangeably unless otherwise specified.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to torque application and measurement devices. Exemplary embodiments will be described primarily in the context of electronic torque wrenches. Other examples of suitable devices for torque measurement include torque testers, torque meters, torque transducers, and the like. Figure 1A and Figure 1B An electronic torque wrench 100 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; as shown, the electronic torque wrench includes a wrench body 102, a wrench head 104 (e.g., a ratchet wrench head), a grip handle 106, a housing 108, a battery assembly 110, and an electronic unit 112 having a user interface 114. In some examples, the wrench body is a tubular construction, made of steel or other rigid material, and receives the wrench head at a first end and the battery assembly at a second end, secured therein by an end cap 116. In some of these examples, the housing is mounted between the housings and carries the electronic unit.

[0016] As shown, the front end 118 of the wrench head 104 includes a connector with a lever 120, which allows the user to select whether the torque is applied to the fastener in a clockwise (CW) direction or a counterclockwise (CCW) direction. The front end also includes a protrusion 122 for receiving sleeves, extensions, etc. of various sizes. The rear end 124 of the wrench head is slidably received in the wrench body 102 and rigidly fixed therein. The wrench head includes at least one vertical flat portion 126 formed between the front end and the rear end for receiving a strain gauge assembly 128. The flat portion of the wrench head is both transverse to the rotation plane of the torque wrench 100 and parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the wrench head. The strain gauge assembly includes one or more strain gauges. In some examples, the strain gauge assembly is a full bridge assembly, which includes four separate strain gauges on a single membrane fixed to the flat portion of the wrench head. The full bridge strain gauge assembly mounted on the flat portion of the wrench head is collectively referred to as a strain tensor.

[0017] As also shown, the housing 108 includes a bottom 130 that is slidably received around the wrench body 104 and defines a hole 132 for receiving a top 134 that carries an electronic unit 112. The electronic unit provides a user interface 114 for operating the electronic torque wrench 100. The electronic unit includes a circuit board 136 that includes a digital display 138 and an annunciator 140 mounted thereon. This portion of the housing defines a hole for receiving a user interface that includes a power button 142, a unit selection button 144, increment / decrement buttons 146A and 146B, and three light emitting diodes (LEDs) 148A, 148B, and 148C. And when activated, the LEDs can light up green, yellow, and red, respectively.

[0018] Figure 2A device 200 for determining the applied torque value according to some example embodiments is shown. The device can be implemented in a variety of different ways, and in some examples, the device is an electronic torque wrench, such as the electronic torque wrench 100. In other examples, the device is a torque tester, a torque meter, a torque transducer, etc. The device includes one or more of a plurality of components that are operably coupled to each other. As shown, for example, the device includes a processing circuit 202, a strain gauge assembly 204 (e.g., a strain gauge assembly 128), an amplifier 206, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 208, one or more transducers 210 (e.g., a digital display 138, annunciator 140, LEDs 148A, 148B, and 148C), etc. One or more of the components. In some examples in which the device corresponds to the electronic torque wrench 100, one or more components may be components of the electronic unit 112, which may be carried by the circuit board 136.

[0019] The processing circuit 202 is configured to determine the applied torque, such as the torque applied to the fastener when the device 200 is an electronic torque wrench, and compare the applied torque with a target torque that can be received via a user interface of the device 200 (e.g., the user interface 114). In some examples, this includes a strain gauge assembly 204, which is configured to measure the applied torque and generate an analog electrical signal whose voltage varies with the applied torque. In some examples, the device includes an amplifier 206, which is configured to receive the analog electrical signal and increase the amplitude of the analog electrical signal to generate an amplified analog electrical signal. The ADC 208 is configured to convert the (amplified) analog electrical signal into an equivalent digital electrical signal. Then, the processing circuit is configured to determine the applied torque based on the equivalent digital electrical signal. In some more specific examples, the equivalent digital electrical signal includes digital data points. In some of these examples, the processing circuit is configured to determine a subset of the digital data points in the moving sampling window, and calculate the applied torque based on a rolling average of the subset of the digital data points in the moving sampling window.

[0020] To further illustrate the use of a rolling average, consider an example where the processing circuit 202 samples one thousand digital data points per second and uses a moving sampling window of ten milliseconds. When torque is applied, the processing circuit may average the first ten digital data points, one per millisecond, to produce a first equivalent digital value at time t = 0.01 seconds, where t = 0.0 seconds marks the start of the torque operation. At time t = 0.011 seconds, the processing circuit may average the digital data points taken between time t = 0.002 and t = 0.011 seconds to produce a second equivalent digital value. At time t = 0.012 seconds, the processing circuit may average the digital data points taken between time t = 0.003 and t = 0.012 seconds to produce a third equivalent digital value. This can continue so that an equivalent digital value can be provided every millisecond until no more Add torque. In short, the processing circuitry may utilize a digital filtering algorithm to provide a rolling average wherein the oldest digital data points are discarded each time a new digital data point is received within a moving sampling window.

[0021] The processing circuit 202 can be configured to compare the applied torque with the target torque to determine when the applied torque matches the target torque, such as when the applied torque is within a threshold torque of the target torque. In response, the processing circuit can be configured to output a warning to the operator to release the force that generates the applied torque. In some examples, the warning is output as an output signal, and the one or more transducers 210 are configured to convert the output signal into user-perceivable feedback.

[0022] In various examples, the one or more transducers 210 include one or more of an electromechanical transducer, an electroacoustic transducer, or one or more electro-optical transducers. In this regard, the electromechanical transducer is configured to convert the output signal into tactile feedback. Examples of suitable electromechanical transducers include eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuators, linear resonant actuators (LRA), piezoelectric actuators, etc. An electroacoustic transducer such as a speaker is configured to convert the output signal into auditory feedback. An electro-optical transducer is configured to convert the output signal into visual feedback. Examples of suitable electro-optical converters include light emitting diode (LED) indicators.

[0023] As explained in the Background section, although the torque wrench warns the operator to release force on the wrench when the applied torque reaches the target torque, the time it takes the operator to respond to the warning typically results in an increased amount of applied torque, and thus the target torque. Figure 3A graph of applied torque versus time is shown, and torque overshoot versus response time is represented when a warning is output when the applied torque matches the target torque, when a (peak) applied torque greater than the target torque is produced when the force on the wrench is released. According to some example embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of a warning when the applied torque matches the target torque, the processing circuit 202 may be configured to output an earlier warning to compensate for the increase in applied torque within the operator's estimated response time. Given the operator's response time, the applied torque may more closely match the target torque when the force is released.

[0024] According to some example embodiments, the processing circuit 202 is configured to determine an indicated torque that is less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in applied torque within an estimated response time of the operator. The processing circuit is configured to compare the applied torque to the indicated torque to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque (e.g., within a threshold torque of the indicated torque). In response, the processing circuit may output a warning to the operator (via one or more transducers 210) to release the force that generated the applied torque, for example in the same or similar manner as described above.

[0025] In some examples, processing circuit 202 is configured to determine a time rate of change of the applied torque, and determine an estimated torque overshoot based on the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time. In some further examples, the estimated torque overshoot is determined as the product of the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time. More specifically, processing circuit 202 may determine the time rate of change of the applied torque. ΔT / Δt , and the estimated torque overshoot is determined as (ΔT / Δt)×t Response , where t Response represents the estimated response time. Then the indicated torque can be determined as T Indication = T Target – (Δ T / Δ t ) × t Response ,in T Target Indicates the target torque.

[0026] In some examples, an estimated response time for an operation of device 200 may be determined based on an actual response time for a previous operation of the device. Likewise, in some examples, processing circuit 202 may be further configured to determine the actual response time for an operation as the time between the output of the warning and the operator releasing the force. The processing circuit may be configured to then determine an estimated response time for a next operation of the device from the actual response time.

[0027] The processing circuit 202 of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be composed of one or more processors alone or in combination with one or more memories. A processing circuit is typically any computer hardware capable of processing information such as data, computer programs, and / or other suitable electronic information. A processing circuit is composed of a collection of electronic circuits, some of which may be packaged as an integrated circuit or multiple interconnected integrated circuits (sometimes more commonly referred to as "chips"). In a more specific example, the processing circuit may be implemented as or include a processor, a coprocessor, a controller, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like.

[0028] Figure 4A – Figure 4F 4 is a flow chart illustrating various steps in a method 400 of operating a device to determine an applied torque according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The method includes receiving an indication of a target torque, such as Figure 4A 402. The method includes determining an applied torque, as shown in box 404. The method includes determining an indicated torque that is less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in applied torque within an estimated response time of the operator, as shown in box 406. The method includes comparing the applied torque to the indicated torque at box 408 to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; and in response, outputting a warning to the operator at box 410 to release the force that produces the applied torque.

[0029] In some examples, the device is implemented as an electronic torque wrench, and the applied torque is a torque applied to the fastener by the electronic torque wrench.

[0030] In some examples, the applied torque matches the indicated torque when the applied torque is within a threshold torque of the indicated torque.

[0031] In some examples, method 400 also includes determining a time rate of change of the applied torque, such as Figure 4B The method further includes determining an estimated torque overshoot based on the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time, as shown in box 414 .

[0032] In some examples, the estimated torque overshoot is determined at block 414 as the product of the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

[0033] In some examples, determining the applied torque at block 404 includes measuring the applied torque and generating an analog electrical signal having a voltage that varies with the applied torque, such as Figure 4CThe method 400 includes converting the analog electrical signal into an equivalent digital electrical signal, as shown in block 418. And the method includes determining the applied torque based on the equivalent digital electrical signal, as shown in block 420.

[0034] In some examples, the equivalent digital electrical signal includes digital data points, and determining the applied torque at block 420 includes determining a subset of the digital data points in a moving sampling window, such as Figure 4D The method 400 further includes calculating the applied torque based on a rolling average of the subset of digital data points in the moving sampling window, as shown in block 424 .

[0035] In some examples, the warning is output as an output signal at block 410. In some of these examples, the method 400 further includes converting the output signal into user-perceivable feedback via one or more transducers of the device, such as Figure 4E As shown in box 426.

[0036] In some examples, one or more transducers include an electromechanical transducer that converts an output signal into tactile feedback.

[0037] In some examples, the electromechanical transducer includes an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), or a piezoelectric actuator.

[0038] In some examples, the one or more transducers include an electro-acoustic transducer that converts the output signal into auditory feedback.

[0039] In some examples, the electroacoustic transducer includes a speaker.

[0040] In some examples, the one or more transducers include one or more electro-optical transducers that convert the output signal into visual feedback, and the one or more electro-optical transducers include one or more light emitting diode (LED) indicators.

[0041] In some examples, method 400 is performed for operation of a device to determine applied torque, and the estimated response time is determined based on actual response times from previous operations of the device.

[0042] In some examples, method 400 is performed for an apparatus to determine an operation of an applied torque, and the method further includes determining an actual response time of the operation as a time between a warning output and an operator releasing the force, such as Figure 4F The method also includes determining an estimated response time for a next operation of the device based on the actual response time, as shown in block 430.

[0043] As discussed above and reiterated below, the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following exemplary embodiments.

[0044] Item 1. A device operable to determine an applied torque, the device comprising: a processing circuit configured to at least: receive an indication of a target torque; determine an applied torque; determine an indicated torque, the indicated torque being less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in applied torque within an estimated response time of an operator; compare the applied torque to the indicated torque to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; and in response, output a warning to an operator to release a force that generates the applied torque; and one or more transducers operably connected to the processing circuit, the warning output being an output signal, and the one or more transducers being configured to convert the output signal into user-perceivable feedback.

[0045] Item 2. The device of Item 1, wherein the device is implemented as an electronic torque wrench, and the applied torque is a torque applied to the fastener by the electronic torque wrench.

[0046] Item 3. The apparatus of item 1 or item 2, wherein the applied torque matches the indicated torque when the applied torque is within a threshold torque of the indicated torque.

[0047] Clause 4. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine a time rate of change of the applied torque, and to determine the estimated torque overshoot based on the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

[0048] Item 5. The apparatus of Item 4, wherein the estimated torque overshoot is determined as the product of the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

[0049] Item 6. The device of any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein the device further comprises: a strain gauge assembly configured to measure an applied torque and to generate an analog electrical signal whose voltage varies with the applied torque; and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog electrical signal into an equivalent digital electrical signal, and wherein the processing circuit is configured to determine the applied torque based on the equivalent digital electrical signal.

[0050] Item 7. An apparatus of Item 6, wherein the equivalent digital electrical signal comprises digital data points, and the processing circuit configured to determine the applied torque comprises a processing circuit configured to perform the following operations: determine a subset of the digital data points in a moving sample window; and calculate the applied torque based on a rolling average of the subset of the digital data points in the moving sample window.

[0051] Clause 8. The device of any one of Clauses 1 to 7, wherein the one or more transducers include an electromechanical transducer configured to convert the output signal into tactile feedback.

[0052] Item 9. The device of Item 8, wherein the electromechanical transducer comprises an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), or a piezoelectric actuator.

[0053] Item 10. The device of any one of Items 1 to 9, wherein the one or more transducers include an electroacoustic transducer configured to convert the output signal into auditory feedback.

[0054] Item 11. The device of Item 10, wherein the electroacoustic transducer comprises a speaker.

[0055] Item 12. The device of any one of Items 1 to 11, wherein the one or more transducers include one or more electro-optical transducers configured to convert the output signal into visual feedback, and the one or more electro-optical transducers include one or more light emitting diode (LED) indicators.

[0056] Clause 13. The device of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the device is operable to determine an operation of the applied torque, and the estimated response time is determined based on actual response times of previous operations of the device.

[0057] Item 14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the apparatus is operable to determine an operation of an applied torque, and the processing circuit is further configured to: determine an actual response time of the operation as the time between the output of a warning and the operator releasing the force; and determine an estimated response time for a next operation of the apparatus based on the actual response time.

[0058] Item 15. A method for operating a device to determine an applied torque, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a target torque; determining an applied torque; determining an indicated torque, the indicated torque being less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in applied torque within an estimated response time of an operator; comparing the applied torque to the indicated torque to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; and in response, outputting a warning to the operator to release the force that generates the applied torque.

[0059] Item 16. The method of Item 15, wherein the device is implemented as an electronic torque wrench and the applied torque is a torque applied to the fastener by the electronic torque wrench.

[0060] Item 17. The method of Item 15 or Item 16, wherein the applied torque matches the indicated torque when the applied torque is within a threshold torque of the indicated torque.

[0061] Item 18. The method of any one of Items 15 to 17, wherein the method further comprises: determining a time rate of change of the applied torque, and determining an estimated torque overshoot based on the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

[0062] Item 19. The method of Item 18, wherein the estimated torque overshoot is determined as the product of the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

[0063] Item 20. The method of any one of Items 15 to 19, wherein determining the applied torque comprises: measuring the applied torque and generating an analog electrical signal having a voltage that varies with the applied torque; converting the analog electrical signal into an equivalent digital electrical signal; and determining the applied torque based on the equivalent digital electrical signal.

[0064] Item 21. The method of Item 20, wherein the equivalent digital electrical signal includes digital data points, and determining the applied torque includes: determining a subset of the digital data points in a moving sample window; and calculating the applied torque based on a rolling average of the subset of digital data points in the moving sample window.

[0065] Item 22. The method of any one of Items 15 to 21, wherein the warning is output as an output signal, and the method further comprises converting the output signal into user-perceivable feedback via one or more transducers of the device.

[0066] Item 23. The method of Item 22, wherein the one or more transducers include an electromechanical transducer that converts the output signal into tactile feedback.

[0067] Item 24. The method of Item 23, wherein the electromechanical transducer comprises an eccentric rotating mass (ERM) actuator, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), or a piezoelectric actuator.

[0068] Item 25. The method of any one of Items 22 to 24, wherein the one or more transducers include an electroacoustic transducer that converts the output signal into auditory feedback.

[0069] Item 26. The method of Item 25, wherein the electroacoustic transducer comprises a speaker.

[0070] Item 27. The method of any one of Items 22 to 26, wherein the one or more transducers include one or more electro-optical transducers that convert the output signal into visual feedback, and the one or more electro-optical transducers include one or more light emitting diode (LED) indicators.

[0071] Clause 28. The method of any of clauses 15 to 27, wherein the method is performed for operation of a device to determine applied torque, and the estimated response time is determined based on actual response times of previous operations of the device.

[0072] Item 29. The method of any one of Items 15 to 28, wherein the method is performed for an operation of a device to determine an applied torque, and the method further comprises: determining an actual response time of the operation as the time between the output of a warning and the operator releasing the force; and determining an estimated response time for the next operation of the device based on the actual response time.

[0073] Benefiting from the teachings presented in the above description and the associated drawings, those skilled in the art of the present disclosure will think of many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also expected to be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense, not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A device operable to determine an applied torque, the device comprising: A processing circuit configured to at least: receiving an indication of a target torque; determining the applied torque; determining an indicated torque that is less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in the applied torque within an estimated operator response time; comparing the applied torque to the indicated torque to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; and, in response, outputting a warning to the operator to release the force generating the applied torque; as well as One or more transducers are operably coupled to the processing circuit, the warning output is an output signal, and the one or more transducers are configured to convert the output signal into feedback perceptible to a user.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The device is implemented as an electronic torque wrench, and the applied torque is the torque applied to the fastener by the electronic torque wrench.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The applied torque matches the indicated torque when the applied torque is within a threshold torque of the indicated torque.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing circuit is further configured to: determining a time rate of change of the applied torque; and The estimated torque overshoot is determined based on a time rate of change of the applied torque and an estimated response time.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The estimated torque overshoot is determined as the product of the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The device also includes: a strain gauge assembly configured to measure the applied torque and generate an analog electrical signal having a voltage that varies with the applied torque; and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog electrical signal into an equivalent digital electrical signal, and Wherein, the processing circuit is configured to determine the applied torque based on the equivalent digital electrical signal.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more transducers include an electromechanical transducer configured to convert the output signal into tactile feedback, or an electroacoustic transducer configured to convert the output signal into auditory feedback.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more transducers include one or more electro-optical transducers configured to convert the output signal into visual feedback, and the one or more electro-optical transducers include one or more light emitting diode (LED) indicators.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The device is operable to determine operation of the applied torque, and the estimated response time is determined based on actual response times of previous operations of the device.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The apparatus is operable to determine the operation of the applied torque, and the processing circuit is further configured to: determining an actual response time of the operation as the time between output of the warning and release of the force by the operator; as well as The estimated response time for a next operation of the device is determined based on the actual response time.

11. A method of operating a device to determine an applied torque, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a target torque; determining the applied torque; determining an indicated torque that is less than the target torque by an estimated torque overshoot, the estimated torque overshoot representing an increase in the applied torque within an estimated operator response time; comparing the applied torque to the indicated torque to determine when the applied torque matches the indicated torque; And in response, A warning is output to the operator to release the force generating the applied torque.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The device is implemented as an electronic torque wrench, and the applied torque is the torque applied to the fastener by the electronic torque wrench.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The applied torque matches the indicated torque when the applied torque is within a threshold torque of the indicated torque.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The method further comprises: determining a time rate of change of the applied torque; and The estimated torque overshoot is determined based on a time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The estimated torque overshoot is determined as the product of the time rate of change of the applied torque and the estimated response time.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Determining the applied torque includes: measuring the applied torque and generating an analog electrical signal whose voltage varies with the applied torque; converting the analog electrical signal into an equivalent digital electrical signal; and The applied torque is determined based on the equivalent digital electrical signal.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The warning is output as an output signal, and the method further comprises converting the output signal into feedback perceptible to a user via one or more transducers of the device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The one or more transducers include one or more electromechanical transducers that convert the output signal into tactile feedback, or electroacoustic transducers that convert the output signal into audible feedback.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The one or more transducers include one or more electro-optical transducers that convert the output signal into visual feedback, and the one or more electro-optical transducers include one or more light emitting diode (LED) indicators.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The method is performed for operation of the device to determine the applied torque, and the estimated response time is determined based on actual response times from previous operations of the device.

21. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The method is performed for the operation of the device to determine the applied torque, and the method further comprises: determining an actual response time of the operation as the time between output of the warning and the operator releasing the force; and The estimated response time for a next operation of the device is determined based on the actual response time.

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