screwing or drilling device including a flexible screen

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable screwing or drilling device comprising a body equipped with a data display screen and a handle for gripping by an operator. According to the invention, said screen is flexible and extends around said body. Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: A screwing or drilling device comprising a flexible screen 1. Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of portable tools such as screwdrivers or drills. 2. Prior art

[0002] Portable tools, such as screwdrivers or drills, are generally equipped with a display screen to allow information to be communicated to an operator using the tool.

[0003] Taking this information into account may lead the operator to take certain actions. In particular, if the result obtained after a screwing or drilling operation is unfavorable, then the operator may interrupt or modify the screwing or drilling process. Furthermore, the screen may display information prompting the operator to perform a given task.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary that the operator be able to see the screen in order to access the information it broadcasts.

[0005] Portable screwdrivers are commonly equipped with a display screen for information intended for an operator.

[0006] A screwdriver can be used by an operator, on the same workstation or on different workstations, according to different orientations to allow him to work on carrying out different screwing operations.

[0007] The operator may thus be required to orient their tool in different directions within one or more workstations, without being able to change their own position to follow the tool's orientation. However, the screen is fixed relative to the body of the screwdriver. Therefore, the screen's orientation can change relative to the operator. Consequently, the operator has highly variable access to the screen, requiring them to perform additional movements to access the information displayed, which can slow down their productivity and is potentially tiring when repeated.

[0008] Sometimes, the information displayed on the screen is not visible to the operator, so that it is not possible for the operator to take it into account, which can have a negative impact in terms of the quality of the execution of screwing operations and even in terms of safety.

[0009] There is therefore a need to improve an operator's access to the information displayed on the screens of portable tools. 3. Objectives of the invention

[0010] The invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these different problems.

[0011] In particular, according to at least one embodiment, an objective of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment, a technique enabling an operator to optimize access to information disseminated by a screen of a portable tool.

[0012] In particular, the invention aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which makes visible the information disseminated by the screen of a portable tool for different relative orientations of the operator with respect to the screen.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a technique which is simple to implement, and / or reliable and / or economical. 4. Presentation of the invention

[0014] For this purpose, the invention proposes a portable screwing or drilling device comprising a body equipped with a data display screen and a handle intended to be gripped by an operator.

[0015] According to the invention, such a screen is a flexible screen that extends around said body.

[0016] Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, access by an operator to the information disseminated by a screen is facilitated because the flexibility of the latter allows it to wrap around the body of the tool.

[0017] A tool according to the invention is intended to be handled in a workstation where there is an object (engine, gearbox, dashboard etc.) on which one or more components requiring the making of several screws must be assembled.

[0018] Within the framework of the invention we assume that these screwings are grouped in a space between two parallel planes in which the tool will be moved to perform the different screwings.

[0019] These screwings may have non-parallel axes or widely separated locations requiring the operator to change the orientation of the tool, however keeping its body substantially parallel to said planes.

[0020] By change of orientation we mean a rotation of the tool along an axis normal to said planes or along the axis of the body of the tool.

[0021] The term work surface is used in the rest of the description to designate this type of space.

[0022] A work plan requires a particular orientation of the display to allow comfortable reading by the user, for example, substantially parallel to said plans defining said space and with text oriented in a way that is readable for the operator.

[0023] A workstation may have several work planes and therefore require several different display orientation settings.

[0024] According to one possible feature, a device according to the invention is intended to be moved in at least one work plane located in a three-axis reference frame of a workstation, said device comprising: - means for adjusting an initial orientation, in said reference frame of said workstation, of said data on said screen, when said body occupies an original orientation in said work plane, - means for recording said initial orientation set by means of said setting means, - means of maintaining constant of said initial orientation of said data in said reference of said workstation, this regardless of the orientation of said body in said work plan.

[0025] According to one possible feature, said screen is a touch screen and said means for adjusting said initial orientation of said data in said workstation reference frame include: - means for detecting the movement of at least one finger of said operator on the surface of said screen, and - of the first means of control configured to modify the orientation of said data displayed by said screen according to said movement of said at least one finger on the surface of said screen.

[0026] According to one possible characteristic, said retaining means comprise: - detection means capable of detecting a change in the orientation of said body in said work plane; - second control means configured to maintain constant said initial orientation of said data in said reference frame of said workstation, according to said change of orientation of said body in said reference frame of said workstation.

[0027] According to one possible characteristic: - said detection means include at least one inertial measurement unit equipped with a three-axis gyroscope, - said detection means are capable of detecting a change in orientation of said three-axis reference frame of said gyroscope in said reference frame of said workstation when said body is moved in said work plane; - said second control means are configured to maintain constant said initial orientation of said data in said reference frame of said workstation, depending on said change in orientation of said three-axis reference frame of said gyroscope in said reference frame of said workstation when said body is moved in said work plane.

[0028] According to one possible characteristic, the data displayed on the screen belongs to the group comprising: - the words; - the codes; - the logos; - the images.

[0029] According to one possible feature, said adjustment means are configured to allow said data displayed on said screen to be given any orientation, with respect to the edges of said screen, in particular not parallel to the edges of said screen.

[0030] According to one possible feature, said screen extends around a longitudinal axis of said body.

[0031] According to one possible feature, said screen is rolled up 360° around said longitudinal axis.

[0032] The invention also covers a method for managing the display of data on a screen of a screwing or drilling device according to any of the above variants intended to be moved in at least one work plane located in a workstation frame, said method comprising at least: - a step of setting an initial orientation, in said reference frame of said workstation, of said data on said screen, when said body occupies an original orientation in said work plane, - a step of recording said initial orientation set, - at least one step of maintaining the said initial orientation of said data in said reference of said workstation, regardless of the orientation of said body in said work plan.

[0033] According to one possible feature, said maintenance step comprises: - a step of detecting a change in the orientation of said body in said work plane; - a step of maintaining the said initial orientation of the said data in the said reference frame of the said workstation, according to the said change of orientation of the said body in the said work plan.

[0034] According to one possible feature, said detection means comprise at least one inertial measurement unit equipped with a three-axis gyroscope, said method comprising: - a step of detecting a change in orientation of said three-axis reference frame of said gyroscope in said reference frame of said workstation when said body is moved in said work plane; - a step of maintaining the said initial orientation of the said data in the said reference frame of the said workstation, according to the said change of orientation of the said three-axis reference frame in the said reference frame of the said workstation when the said body is moved in the said work plane. 5. Description of the figures

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0036] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] illustrates three orientations of a tool in a work plane;

[0037] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates an initial orientation of a tool in a work plane;

[0038] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates a rotation along the X axis of the tool of [Fig.2];

[0039] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates a rotation along the normal N of the tool of [Fig.2];

[0040] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 1] illustrates a rotation about the X-axis and the normal N of the tool of the [Fig.2];

[0041] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates a flowchart of an example of a process according to the invention.

[0042] 6. Description of particular embodiments 6.1. Device Architecture

[0043] An example of a portable tool according to the invention is shown in relation to Figures 1 to 5. This could, for example, be a screwdriver or a drill, although this is not a limiting case.

[0044] Such a tool comprises a body 10 equipped with a handle 11 intended to be grasped by an operator. In the illustrated example, the axis of the handle extends along the longitudinal axis of the body. In a variant, the axis of the handle could form an angle with respect to that of the tool body to form a "pistol grip" type tool.

[0045] The tool includes, at one of its ends, a terminal member 12 connected to a transmission and a motor capable of driving the terminal member in rotation and / or translation along the longitudinal axis of the body or along an axis orthogonal to it.

[0046] The tool includes a screen 13. This screen is flexible and stretches around the tool body. More specifically, in this embodiment, the screen extends around a longitudinal axis of the body and is wound 360° around this longitudinal axis, at the periphery of the tool body. The screen thus essentially forms a cylinder around the tool body.

[0047] The screen allows data to be displayed. The data displayed on the screen preferentially belongs to the group comprising: - the words; - the codes; - the logos; - the images;

[0048] The tool can be used in a workstation to perform various operations on work points located on the same work plane. This work plane is located in a fixed three-axis orthonormal frame of reference relative to the workstation. Each work point can, for example, include a screw or a nut to be tightened as part of the corresponding screwing operation.

[0049] The orientation of the information (or data) displayed on the screen can be adjusted. It is therefore possible to place the information displayed by the screen at any location on the screen surface.

[0050] For this purpose, the tool includes adjustment means 14 which are preferably configured to allow the data displayed on the screen to be given any orientation, with respect to the edges of the screen, in particular not parallel to the edges of the screen.

[0051] More specifically, these adjustment means allow an operator to assign an initial orientation, within the workstation's frame of reference, to the data on the screen, when the body occupies an original orientation on the work plane. Thus, when an operator positions the tool on a work point located on the work plane, they can adjust the orientation of the information displayed on the screen so that it can be read.

[0052] In this embodiment, the screen is touch-sensitive and the means 14 for adjusting the initial orientation of the data in the workstation's reference frame include: - means 140 for detecting movements of at least one finger of an operator on the surface of the screen, and - the first means of control 141 configured to change the orientation of the data displayed by the screen according to the movement of at least one finger on the surface of the screen.

[0053] Technologies for adjusting the position and / or orientation of information on the surface of a screen displaying this information are known per se and are not described in more detail here.

[0054] The tool includes means 15 for recording the initial orientation of the data set by means of the adjustment means. These recording means, which conventionally include a memory, are activatable by the operator. Thus, When an operator has adjusted the orientation of the information displayed on the screen by sliding at least one finger across its surface, the operator can press a button or select an icon on the screen to trigger the recording of the initial position of the information.

[0055] The tool further includes means 16 for maintaining the initial orientation of the data in the workstation's reference frame, regardless of the body's orientation in the work plane. This constant display orientation is designated by reference numeral 17 in [Fig. 1], which illustrates a constant orientation for the tool's three orientations.

[0056] These means of restraint 16 include: - detection means 160 capable of detecting a change in the orientation of the body in the work plane; - second control means 161 configured to maintain constant the initial orientation of the data in the workstation reference frame, depending on the change in orientation of the body in the work plane.

[0057] Preferably, the detection means 160 include at least one inertial unit 1600.

[0058] This inertial measurement unit includes a three-axis gyroscope. It may further include a three-axis accelerometer and / or a three-axis magnetometer.

[0059] The detection means, capable of detecting a change in the orientation of the body in the work plane, are in this case capable of detecting a change in the orientation of the three-axis reference frame of the inertial unit in the reference frame of the work station when the body is moved in the work plane.

[0060] The second control means, also called display control means, are configured to maintain constant the initial orientation of the data in the workstation reference frame, depending on the change in orientation of the three-axis reference frame of the inertial measurement unit in the workstation reference frame when the body is moved in the work plane.

[0061] The first and second control means conventionally comprise at least one random memory, one read-only memory, a processor and are programmed to allow the execution of a process according to the invention.

[0062] The functions of the various means described above will be explained by the following description of a method for managing the display of data on the screen.

[0063] 6.2. Method for managing the display of data on a screen

[0064] A method for managing the display of data on the screen of a screwing or drilling device such as the one just described will now be described in turn in relation to the figures.

[0065] Figure 1 illustrates a work plane XpYp located in a three-axis orthonormal frame XpYpZp of a workstation. In the example described here, the tool can take three different orientations in this work plane to tighten three clamping points located in this work plane.

[0066] The relative position of the tool with respect to the operator differs when the tool is placed at these different clamping points. Thus, without correction of the display of information shown on the screen, this information would not be consistently readable by the operator. The ideal orientation of this information, in the different positions of the tool in the work plane, is that shown in the center of [Fig. 1] under reference numeral 17, this orientation corresponding to the ideal reading orientation for an operator.

[0067] The method according to the invention aims, as will now be described, to maintain the information disseminated by the screen in an orientation chosen by the operator regardless of the orientation of the tool in the work plane.

[0068] The screen is wrapped around the body of the tool more particularly between the motor and the handle, the screen forming a cylinder of diameter D and length L.

[0069] For ease of description, we consider that the XYZ frame of the inertial unit has its origin O located in the median plane of the screen, that is to say in the plane located halfway between the two edges of the screen.

[0070] It is assumed that, in use, the operator only has visual access to one side of the cylinder. In other words, he sees a projected half-cylinder equivalent to a rectangle of dimensions D x L.

[0071] The message that we wish to communicate to the operator preferably fits on a disk whose diameter is equivalent to the smallest of the dimensions D and L.

[0072] This message is defined by its normal N perpendicular to the disk and passing through its center, and by a radius R defining an orientation of the message around its normal N. This orientation defines the reading direction of this message.

[0073] The message is displayed in its true size on the flexible screen, so it appears rolled up on the body of the tool. However, for the sake of simplicity, in the following description, we consider the display disc unrolled, that is to say, flat and tangent to the flexible screen.

[0074] The orientation of the message on the screen is therefore defined as follows: - the center of the display disk is located on a generatrix G of the screen halfway between the two edges of the screen; - the generatrix G of the screen defines with the axis Xp an inclined plane at an angle α with the axis Yp; - the radius R of the disk, before winding onto the cylinder of the screen, presents an angle [3 with respect to the generatrix G.

[0075] In a first step, the operator positions his tool on a first screwing point located in the XpYp work plane.

[0076] In a second step, the operator adjusts the orientation of the information displayed on the screen using the touchscreen. They move the disk bearing the message so that the message faces them. The normal N of the message is then substantially perpendicular to the plane. They then adjust the orientation of the radius R so that the message appears legibly. The XYZ coordinate system of the inertial measurement unit then has an initial orientation XeYeZe in the XpYpZp coordinate system of the workstation.

[0077] Figure 2 illustrates this initial orientation.

[0078] This initial XeYeZe orientation is validated by the operator and recorded by actuation of a command provided for this purpose.

[0079] At this moment, - the values ​​of a and [3 are recorded as initial orientation values ​​ae and [3e and are stored in the tool's memory; - at the time of recording T0, the position of the XYZ frame constitutes the so-called external frame named XeYeZe whose orientation of axes remains fixed with respect to the frame attached to the workstation XpYpZp and the origin identical to the XYZ frame of the inertial unit.

[0080] From time T0, the tool's control means will implement the operations below, at their processor's operating frequency, in order to maintain a constant orientation of the data display in the XpYpZp coordinate system of the workstation. In other words, they will operate in such a way that the initial XeYeZe orientation of the information displayed on the screen remains constant in the XpYpZp coordinate system of the workstation.

[0081] In parallel, the operator performs the screwing operations in the XpYp work plane.

[0082] The tool being moved substantially parallel to the work plane XpYp, its body can rotate around the normal of the message displayed by the screen (axis N, preferably perpendicular to the work plane considered XpYp) or around its longitudinal axis X.

[0083] Fig. 3 illustrates a rotation of the tool body around the X axis, Fig. 4 a rotation of the tool body around the normal N and Fig. 5 a rotation of the tool body around these two axes.

[0084] During this movement of the tool, the control means detect the change in orientation of the tool body in the XpYpZp reference frame.

[0085] More specifically, the inertial unit emits signals representative of the displacement of the tool body in the work plane, i.e. change of orientation of the XYZ frame of the unit in the XpYpZp frame of the work station.

[0086] From these signals from the inertial unit, the control means of the tool calculate the Euler angles of the XeYeZe frame with respect to the XYZ frame of the inertial unit.

[0087] The gyroscope signals can be supplemented by signals from the accelerometer (taking gravity into account) or the magnetometer (taking the Earth's magnetic flux into account), to correct any possible drift of the gyroscope.

[0088] The control means then calculate angle setpoints ac and [3c in XYZ such that the values ​​of a and [3, defining the orientation of the display of the data in the XYZ frame of the inertial unit, are equal to ae and [3e in the XeYeZe frame.

[0089] The control means then control the orientation of the information displayed on the screen in such a way that the value of the angles a and [3 are equal to ac and [3c in the XYZ frame of the inertial measurement unit.

[0090] In this way, the initial orientation of the data in the XpYpZp reference frame of the workstation is kept constant, regardless of the orientation of the body in the XpYp work plane.

[0091] The operator can thus give the tool different orientations in the work plane to carry out successive operations at different work points while maintaining very good visibility of the information displayed by the screen.

[0092] When the series of work operations to be performed is completed, the operator puts down the tool, the amplitude of the signals emitted by the inertial unit becomes less than a predetermined low threshold, then the display control means are stopped.

[0093] The orientation of the XeYeZe reference frame after removal of the tool and before stopping the display control is stored in memory so that the orientation control can resume when the screwing operations have resumed, so that the accuracy of this control is not affected by the drift of the gyroscope during the rest period of the tool.

[0094] In one variant, the tool control means allow the operator to make several adjustments and record the initial orientation of the data display, and the operator can switch, during screwing operations, from one setting to another depending on the need generated by the change of work plane.

[0095] The way in which the signals from the inertial measurement unit, the calculations of the change of reference frame or the control of the display of information visible on the screen is not described in more detail, the techniques implemented for this purpose belonging to the field of the state of the art.

Claims

1.

2.

3. Demands A portable screwing or drilling device comprising a body (10) equipped with a data display screen (13) and a handle (11) intended to be gripped by an operator, said screen (13) being a flexible screen extending around said body (10), characterized in that said device is intended to be moved within at least one work plane located in a three-axis reference frame of a workstation, said device comprising: - means for adjusting an initial orientation, in said reference frame of said workstation, of said data on said screen (13), when said body (10) occupies an original orientation in said work plane, - means for recording (15) said initial orientation set by means of said setting means (14), - means of maintaining constant (16) of said initial orientation of said data in said reference of said workstation, regardless of the orientation of said body (10) in said work plane. Device according to claim 1 wherein said screen (13) is a touch screen and said means for adjusting said initial orientation of said data in said reference frame of said workstation comprise: - means for detecting movements (140) of at least one finger of said operator on the surface of said screen (13), and - of the first control means (141) configured to modify the orientation of said data displayed by said screen (13) according to said movement of said at least one finger on the surface of said screen (13). Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said retaining means (16) comprise: - detection means (160) capable of detecting a change in orientation of said body (10) in said work plane; - second control means (161) configured to maintain constant said initial orientation of said data in said reference frame of said workstation, in function of said change of orientation of said body (10) in said reference frame of said workstation.

4. Device according to claim 3 wherein: - said detection means (160) comprise at least one inertial measurement unit (1600) equipped with a three-axis reference frame gyroscope, - said detection means (160) are capable of detecting a change in orientation of said three-axis reference frame of said gyroscope in said reference frame of said workstation when said body (10) is moved in said work plane; - said second control means (161) are configured to maintain constant said initial orientation of said data in said reference frame of said workstation, as a function of said change in orientation of said three-axis reference frame of said gyroscope in said reference frame of said workstation when said body (10) is moved in said work plane.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in which said data displayed on said screen (13) belong to the group comprising: - words; - codes; - logos; - images.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which said adjustment means (14) are configured to allow said data displayed on said screen (13) to be given any orientation, with respect to the edges of said screen (13), in particular not parallel to the edges of said screen (13).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in which said screen(13) extends around a longitudinal axis of said body (10).

8. Device according to claim 7 in which said screen is rolled up 360° around said longitudinal axis.

9. Method for managing the display of data on a screen (13) of a screwing or drilling device according to any of the

10.

11. Claims 1 to 8 intended to be moved within at least one work plane located in a workstation reference frame, said method comprising at least: - a step of setting an initial orientation, in said reference frame of said workstation, of said data on said screen (13), when said body (10) occupies an original orientation in said work plane, - a step of recording said initial orientation set, - at least one step of maintaining the said initial orientation of the said data in the said reference of the said workstation, regardless of the orientation of the said body (10) in the said work plan. The method according to claim 9, wherein said holding step comprises: - a step of detecting a change in orientation of said body (10) in said work plane; - a step of maintaining the said initial orientation of the said data in the said reference of the said workstation, according to the said change of orientation of the said body (10) in the said work plan. The method according to claim 10, said detection means (160) comprising at least one inertial measurement unit (1600) equipped with a three-axis reference frame gyroscope, said method comprising: - a step of detecting a change in orientation of said three-axis reference frame of said gyroscope in said reference frame of said workstation when said body (10) is moved in said work plane; - a step of maintaining the said initial orientation of the said data in the said reference frame of the said workstation, according to the said change of orientation of the said three-axis reference frame in the said reference frame of the said workstation when the said body (10) is moved in the said work plane.

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