Tool and system arranged to release a pre-opened pre-positioning (POPP) clamp

Abstract

Tools (3) and systems are provided which are arranged to release a pre-opened pre-positioning (POPP) clamp (6). The tools comprise: a handle (16); a shaft (4) attached to the handle and having a distal end portion (4a) adapted to engage the POPP clamp to release it; and a sensor arrangement (17) arranged to detect relative rotation between the shaft and the handle. Detecting the relative rotation enables an estimate to be made of when a user has twisted the tool in order to release the POPP clamp. This detection in turn can be used as a basis for a control arrangement connected to the tool to determine that the POPP clamp has been released, which will enable traceability in manufacturing processes involving installation of the POPP clamp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model generally relates to the field of tools arranged for releasing a pre-opening prepositioning (POPP) clamp. Background Technology

[0002] In many products, hoses (flexible tubes) are used to transport various types of fluids. Hose can be applied to their fittings using so-called pre-opened pre-positioned clamps (hereinafter referred to as POPP clamps). Before installation, the POPP clamp is pre-tensioned in the open position, where the clamp diameter is slightly wider than in the closed position. A protrusion at one end of the clamp band abuts a portion of the other end of the clamp band to hold the clamp in the open position under tension. When the protrusion is forced off from its abutment at the other end, the clamp is released and snaps into its closed position with a narrower diameter, thereby securing the hose to its fitting.

[0003] POPP clamps offer advantages in industrial manufacturing due to their rapid installation during assembly. Using a POPP clamp tool forces the protrusions to disengage from the adjacent end of the clamp band, and the clamp is released with just a single twisting motion of the tool.

[0004] In industrial manufacturing, traceability of manufacturing process steps is crucial for tracking whether all process steps have been performed correctly. Therefore, POPP clamping tools capable of detecting and recording the release (closure) of POPP clamps are provided. An example of such a tool is disclosed in GB2581406B. When the clamp snaps into its closed position, vibration propagates from the clamp to the tool. This vibration is detected by an accelerometer and gyroscope within the tool.

[0005] For example, if an operator drops a tool on the floor or hits it against a hard surface, there is a risk of falsely detecting a clamp release. The production management system may then falsely detect that the clamp has been released, even if it has not actually been released, thereby reducing the accuracy of manufacturing traceability. Utility Model Content

[0006] It would be advantageous to develop a POPP clamping tool that overcomes or at least mitigates the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, it is desirable to develop a POPP clamping tool that allows for traceability in the manufacturing process involving the installation of POPP clamps.

[0007] To better address one or more of these problems, a POPP clamping tool having the features defined in the independent claim is provided. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] Therefore, according to one aspect, a POPP clamping tool is provided. The POPP clamping tool includes a handle; a shaft attached to the handle and having a distal portion adapted to engage the POPP clamp for release; and a sensor device arranged to detect relative rotation between the shaft and the handle.

[0009] When the distal portion of the shaft engages with the POPP clamp (and is thus forced to a standstill) and the user twists the handle to release the clamp, a relative rotational movement occurs between the (at least) distal portion of the shaft and the handle in the longitudinal direction about the handle and the shaft. Therefore, detecting this relative rotation allows for estimation of when the user twists the tool to release the POPP clamp. This detection can then serve as the basis for controls attached to the tool to determine when the POPP clamp has been released, enabling traceability in the manufacturing process involving the installation of the POPP clamp. Because the handle actually needs to be twisted relative to the (at least) distal portion of the shaft to trigger detection by the sensor, dropping the tool on the floor or hitting it against a hard surface will not trigger detection by the sensor, thus reducing the risk of false detection of POPP clamp release.

[0010] The shaft, handle, and sensor device can be implemented in several different ways to achieve this detection of relative rotation between the shaft and handle, as will be described in more detail below.

[0011] For example, the proximal portion of the shaft can be attached to the handle (directly or indirectly) in a manner that allows for limited relative rotation (about the longitudinal direction of the shaft) between the shaft and the handle. Therefore, the shaft can be rotatably connected to the handle. Thus, the entire shaft can be allowed to rotate slightly relative to the handle.

[0012] According to the implementation scheme, the relative rotation can be limited to less than 10 degrees, preferably less than 7 degrees, for example less than 5 degrees. Therefore, when releasing the POPP clamp, the relative rotation between the handle and the shaft will not increase the range of torsional movements performed by the user too much, which may be beneficial from an ergonomic point of view.

[0013] According to the implementation scheme, the tool may further include a bearing, wherein the proximal portion of the shaft can be connected to the handle via the bearing, thereby enabling limited relative rotation. The bearing can be of any suitable type, such as a roller bearing or simply a sliding bearing.

[0014] According to the implementation scheme, the tool may further include a pair of limiting structures (one of which may be arranged, for example, in the handle, and the other at the proximal portion of the shaft), the pair of limiting structures being arranged to cooperate in limiting relative rotation. This is an example of how relative rotational movement between the shaft and the handle can be limited within a predetermined range.

[0015] According to the implementation scheme, the sensor device can be arranged to be operated by relative rotation between the proximal portion of the shaft and the handle. Therefore, the sensor device can be uniquely and effectively triggered by relative rotation between the handle and the shaft. This further improves the reliability of detecting torsional motion for the purpose of releasing the POPP clamp. For example, the sensor device may include a switch arranged to be operated by relative rotation.

[0016] For example, a sensor device may include at least one of the following components: an electromechanical switch, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a piezoelectric sensor. Other types of sensor devices can also be envisioned.

[0017] When using a piezoelectric sensor, the relative rotation between the proximal end of the shaft and the handle can be limited to near zero. The force generated by the user's torsional movements can push / pull the piezoelectric element of the sensor device, which allows the sensor device to detect movement.

[0018] As an alternative to rotatably attaching the proximal portion of the shaft to the handle to achieve relative rotation detected by the sensor device, the proximal portion of the shaft can instead be rigidly attached to the handle. The relative rotation detected by the sensor device can then occur between the distal portion of the shaft (which engages with the POPP clamp and is thus at least relatively stationary) and the handle, as a result of slight twisting and (temporary) torsional deformation of the shaft itself due to the torsional movement of the user's handle.

[0019] The sensor device may then include a strain gauge arranged to sense strain in the shaft caused by relative rotation between the proximal and distal portions of the shaft. Thus, the strain gauge can sense strain caused by torsion of the shaft. The strain gauge may, for example, be attached to the shaft.

[0020] According to the embodiment, the tool may further include an accelerometer arranged to sense the vibratory motion of the tool indicating the release of the POPP clamp. The advantage of this embodiment is that the tool can detect the indication of POPP clamp release in two separate ways: sensing the rotational (torsional) motion performed by the user to release the clamp, and sensing the vibratory motion generated by the latching action of the released clamp propagating to the tool. This additional detection reduces the risk of false detection of POPP clamp release.

[0021] According to the implementation scheme, the tool may further include a microphone arranged to acquire sounds indicating the release of the POPP clamp. The advantage of this implementation scheme is that the tool can detect indications of POPP clamp release in two separate ways: sensing the user's rotational (torsional) movement to release the clamp, and acquiring the sound generated by the clamp's release latch. This additional detection reduces the risk of false detection of POPP clamp release.

[0022] According to an embodiment, a system is provided. The system may include a tool as defined in the first aspect (or any of the embodiments defined above); and a control device. The control device may be configured to detect movement of the tool by analyzing data from sensor devices, the movement of the tool indicating that a user is moving the tool to release a POPP clamp, and the control device may be configured to determine that the POPP clamp has been released based on the detected movement. The determination result may be stored in a production management system to provide traceability of the production process involved with the tool.

[0023] According to the implementation scheme, the control device can be further configured to detect the vibratory motion and / or sound of the tool indicating the release of the POPP clamp by analyzing data from an accelerometer and / or microphone. The release of the POPP clamp can then be further determined based on the detected vibratory motion and / or sound. The reliability of the determination is greatly improved by basing the determination of POPP clamp release on the detection of a combination of the detection of torsional motion of the tool performed by the user and the detection of the snapping sound / vibration generated due to the POPP clamp snapping into its closed position.

[0024] According to the implementation scheme, the control device can be further configured to initiate monitoring to detect the vibrational motion and / or sound in response to detection of movement of the tool indicating that the user has moved the tool to release the POPP clamp. Typically, when the POPP clamp is correctly released, the torsional motion of the tool performed by the user precedes the snapping / vibration caused by the release of the POPP clamp. Therefore, the detection of this torsional motion can be used as a trigger to initiate monitoring of signals from the accelerometer and / or microphone. This saves computational power compared to continuously monitoring signals from the accelerometer and / or microphone.

[0025] It should be noted that the embodiments of this utility model involve all possible combinations of the features described in the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0026] These and other aspects will now be described in more detail in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of the embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 A system including tools and controls according to an embodiment and a POPP clamp is shown.

[0028] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross section of the tool is cut by line AA in the middle.

[0029] Figure 3 Tools according to the implementation scheme are shown.

[0030] All accompanying drawings are schematic, not necessarily drawn to scale, and generally only show the parts necessary to illustrate the embodiments, where other parts may be omitted. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Reference Figure 1 Tool 3 is described according to an embodiment. Tool 3 may be included in system 1. Tool 3 is adapted to release a pre-opened pre-positioned (POPP) clamp 6 from an object during industrial assembly. The POPP clamp 6 has an annular band pre-tensioned in the open position. Tool 3 can be operated to pull a loop 7 located at the end of the band, thereby releasing the POPP clamp 6 and snapping it into its closed position. A typical object to which the POPP clamp can be applied is a hose attached to its fitting.

[0032] System 1 may further include a control device 2 for tool 3. The control device 2 may be located separately from (and optionally remotely) tool 3, or it may be included within tool 3. The control device 2 may include memory and processing means. The control device 2 may be, for example, a computer. The control device 2 may be located in a single unit or distributed among several units (e.g., cloud-based).

[0033] Tool 3 may include a body 16 and a shaft 4. Shaft 4 may include, for example, a replaceable tool head. Shaft 4 may have a distal portion 4a adapted to engage the POPP clamp 6 for release. For example, a hook 5 may be arranged at the distal portion 4a of shaft 4. Hook 5 may be adapted to engage with a ring 7 of the POPP clamp, allowing a user to pull the ring 7 with tool 3 to release the POPP clamp 6. Body 16 may be designed to be held by a user, thus forming a handle 16.

[0034] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The cross section of tool 3 is obtained by cutting line AA in the middle.

[0035] Tool 3 may include a battery 9 for powering the electronics of tool 3.

[0036] Tool 3 may include a radio communication device 11. The radio communication device 11 may be configured to communicate with a remote device, such as control device 2.

[0037] Tool 3 may include a sensor device arranged to detect relative rotation between shaft 4 and handle 16 (body). This can be achieved in several different ways.

[0038] For example, such as Figure 2As shown, the proximal portion 4b of the shaft 4 is rotatably attached to the handle 16. For example, a bearing 12 may be arranged to support the proximal portion 4b of the shaft 4 in the handle 16. Preferably, a limiting structure (not shown) may be built into the tool 3 to limit the range of rotation of the shaft 4 relative to the handle 16. For example, this range of rotation may be less than 10 degrees, such as less than 7 degrees, such as less than 5 degrees.

[0039] The sensor device may, for example, include at least one switch 17 arranged to be operated by relative rotational movement between shaft 4 and handle 16. Switch 17 may be, for example, an electromechanical, optical, or magnetic switch. For instance, a feature (not shown) may be arranged on the proximal portion 4b of shaft 4, which is arranged to cooperate with another feature 17a arranged in handle 16 to operate switch 17. The nature of these features may vary depending on the type of switch. Figure 2 In the example, feature 17a in handle 16 is a pin arranged to be pushed away from axis 4 when pushed by a feature on axis 4. Feature 17a then operates, for example, electromechanical switch 17 to generate an activation signal.

[0040] Alternatively (or as a supplement), a piezoelectric sensor (not shown) can be used. In this case, the rotation angle can be limited to near zero.

[0041] Alternatively, the proximal portion 204b can be rigidly attached to the handle 216 of the tool 203, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Then, relative rotation occurs between the shaft 204 and the handle 216 at the distal end portion 204a of the shaft 204. Since the proximal end portion 204b is rigidly attached to the handle, when the user twists the handle 216, the shaft 204 itself will twist slightly, while the hook 205 of the distal end portion engages with the POPP clamp. In other words, when the tool 203 is operated, the shaft 204 will undergo slight (temporary) torsional deformation.

[0042] In this embodiment, the sensor device may include a strain gauge 217 arranged to sense the strain in the shaft 204 caused by the torsion of the shaft 204. The strain gauge 217 may be connected to a radio communication device 211 to transmit data to a control device.

[0043] The control device can be configured to monitor and analyze signals from sensor devices (e.g., switch 17 or strain gauge 217) to detect user movement of tool 3, indicating that the user operates tool 3 to release the POPP clamp. This movement can be a torsional motion about the longitudinal axis 13 of tool 3, such as... Figure 2 As shown by arrow 19 in the image.

[0044] The tool 3 may further include an accelerometer 10 arranged to sense movement of the tool 3. For example, the accelerometer may include a triaxial accelerometer. The accelerometer 10 is capable of recording vibrations of the tool 3 propagating from the POPP clamp 6 when the POPP clamp 6 is released. The control device 2 may be configured to monitor and analyze signals from the accelerometer 10 in order to detect such vibratory motion of the tool 3.

[0045] As an alternative or supplement, tool 3 may include microphone 20, which is arranged to acquire the sound characteristic of the POPP clamp being released. This may be referred to as a snapping sound. Control device 2 may be configured to monitor and analyze the signal from microphone 20 in order to detect this snapping sound.

[0046] According to the implementation scheme, the control device 2 can be configured to estimate the size of the POPP clamp released by the tool 3 based on the analysis of signals from the sensor device 10 and / or the microphone 20. Different POPP clamp sizes can produce slightly different vibration patterns and sounds when released. Furthermore, the control device 2 can be configured to trigger operator feedback based on the determined POPP clamp size.

[0047] The control device 2 can be further configured to determine whether the POPP clamp has been released by the tool 3 based on the detected relative rotation between the handle 16 and the shaft 4.

[0048] For example, the detected relative rotation can be used as a trigger to begin monitoring signals from accelerometer 10 and / or microphone 20. When the signals from accelerometer 10 and / or microphone 20 subsequently indicate the vibrational / audio characteristics of POPP clamp release, it is determined that the POPP clamp has been released.

[0049] Optionally, tool 3 may be equipped with a device that provides feedback (e.g., visual, auditory, or tactile) to the operator if it is determined that the POPP clamp has been released.

[0050] Optionally, system 1 may include means for determining the position of tool 3 relative to the object being processed. This position can be used as a further basis for determining whether POPP clamp 6 has been released.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will recognize that this invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, many modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0052] Furthermore, those skilled in the art, when practicing the claimed utility model, can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple. The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

Claims

1. A tool (3, 203) arranged for releasing a pre-opening pre-positioning (POPP) clamp (6), characterized in that, The tools include: Handles (16, 216); A shaft (4, 204), attached to the handle, and having a distal portion (4a, 204a) adapted to engage the POPP clamp for release; and Sensor devices (17, 217) are arranged to detect the relative rotation between the shaft and the handle.

2. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The proximal portion (4b, 204b) of the shaft is attached to the handle in a manner that allows for limited relative rotation between the shaft and the handle.

3. The tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The relative rotation is limited to less than 10 degrees.

4. The tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, It further includes a bearing (12), wherein the proximal portion (4b) of the shaft is connected to the handle (16) via the bearing, thereby enabling the limited relative rotation.

5. The tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, It further includes a pair of limiting structures arranged to cooperate in limiting the relative rotation.

6. The tool according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The sensor device is arranged to operate via the relative rotation between the proximal portion of the shaft and the handle.

7. The tool according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sensor device includes at least one of the following components: Electromechanical switches; Optical sensors; Magnetic sensor, and Piezoelectric sensor.

8. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The proximal portion (204b) of the shaft is rigidly attached to the handle (216).

9. The tool according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sensor device includes a strain gauge (217) arranged to sense strain in the shaft caused by relative rotation between the proximal and distal portions of the shaft.

10. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes an accelerometer (10) arranged to sense the vibratory motion of a tool representing the release of the POPP clamp.

11. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a microphone (20) arranged to acquire sound indicating the release of the POPP clamp.

12. A system (1), characterized in that, include: The tool (3) according to any one of the preceding claims; and Control device (2), configured as follows: The movement of the tool is detected by analyzing data from a sensor device, the movement of which indicates that the user is moving the tool to release the POPP clamp (6); and The POPP clamp has been released based on the detected movement.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that, The control device is further configured to detect the vibratory motion and / or sound of a tool indicating the release of the POPP clamp by analyzing data from an accelerometer and / or microphone; Further determination of whether the POPP clamp has been released is based on the detected vibration and / or sound.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that, The control device is further configured to initiate monitoring to detect the vibrational motion and / or sound in response to detection of movement of the tool indicating that the user is moving the tool to release the POPP clamp.

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