Torque wrench device

Abstract

To provide a torque wrench device that allows for easy setting of the lower and upper limits of torque notification. [Solution] A torque wrench device comprising a torque wrench body, a torque wrench head, a microcontroller, and a torque notification selection circuit. The torque notification selection circuit is configured to transmit a torque notification selection signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to receive the torque notification selection signal and provide a torque notification lower limit and a torque notification upper limit. The torque notification upper limit is greater than the torque notification lower limit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wrench device, and particularly to a torque wrench device.

Background Art

[0002] The torque wrench device in the related art is used to tighten a torque target. The torque wrench device in the related art can set a torque notification lower limit value and a torque notification upper limit value. When the torque applied to the torque target by the torque wrench device in the related art is greater than the torque notification lower limit value and less than the torque notification upper limit value, the torque wrench device in the related art can emit a notification light or a notification sound to notify the user, which is very convenient.

[0003] Although the torque wrench device in the related art is very convenient, the setting of the torque notification lower limit value and the torque notification upper limit value is not easy, which is a very regrettable point.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a torque wrench device.

[0005] To achieve the above object of the present invention, the torque wrench device of the present invention includes the following. A torque wrench body. A torque wrench head removably connected to the torque wrench body. A microcontroller installed in the torque wrench body. And a torque notification selection circuit electrically connected to the microcontroller. Here, the torque notification selection circuit is configured to transmit a torque notification selection signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to receive the torque notification selection signal and provide a torque notification lower limit value and a torque notification upper limit value. The torque notification upper limit value is greater than the torque notification lower limit value.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a specific embodiment 1 of the torque wrench device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of a specific embodiment 2 of the torque wrench device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a torque wrench head. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of a specific embodiment 3 of the torque wrench device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a torque wrench head. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a block diagram of a specific embodiment 1 of the torque wrench device 10 according to the present invention. The torque wrench device 10 according to the present invention includes a torque wrench body 102, a torque wrench head 104, a microcontroller 106, and a torque notification selection circuit 108. The torque wrench head 104 is detachably connected to the torque wrench body 102. The microcontroller 106 is installed inside the torque wrench body 102. The torque notification selection circuit 108 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 106. The torque notification selection circuit 108 is configured to transmit a torque notification selection signal S0 to the microcontroller 106. The microcontroller 106 is configured to receive the torque notification selection signal S0 and provide a torque notification lower limit L0 and a torque notification upper limit U0. The torque notification upper limit U0 is greater than the torque notification lower limit L0.

[0008] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a block diagram of a specific embodiment 2 of the torque wrench device 10 according to the present invention. Of the components shown in Figure 2, those that are the same as those shown in Figure 1 will not be explained again here for brevity. Please also refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the torque wrench head 104 in Figure 2. The torque wrench device 10 is applied to a torque target object 20 (e.g., a nut or bolt) (i.e., used to tighten it).

[0009] The torque wrench device 10 further includes a torque notification circuit 112, a torque sensor 110, a buzzer 130, a clear button 120, and a power switch 114. The torque notification selection circuit 108 includes a first torque notification selection button 136, a second torque notification selection button 138, a third torque notification selection button 140, and a fourth torque notification selection button 142. The torque notification circuit 112 includes a green light-emitting diode 124, a yellow light-emitting diode 126, and a red light-emitting diode 128.

[0010] The first torque notification selection button 136, the second torque notification selection button 138, the third torque notification selection button 140, the fourth torque notification selection button 142, the clear button 120, and the power switch 114 are electrically connected to the microcontroller 106. The torque notification circuit 112 (i.e., the green light-emitting diode 124, the yellow light-emitting diode 126, and the red light-emitting diode 128), the torque sensor 110, and the buzzer 130 are electrically connected to the microcontroller 106 and installed inside the torque wrench body 102. The torque sensor 110 may be a strain gauge, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0011] The torque wrench device 10 includes a plurality of torque wrench heads 104. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the torque wrench device 10 includes four torque wrench heads 104, but the torque wrench body 102 is connected to only one torque wrench head 104 at a time, and the remaining three torque wrench heads 104 are stored in a toolbox (not shown in Figures 2 and 3). A user (not shown in Figures 2 and 3) can connect any one of the four torque wrench heads 104 to the torque wrench body 102 according to their needs.

[0012] Each of these torque wrench heads 104 has an identification color 1041 (e.g., a color mark is engraved on the torque wrench head 104). The multiple identification colors 1041 on each of these torque wrench heads 104 are all different. For example, in Figure 2, the identification colors 1041 on each of these torque wrench heads 104 are yellow, black, red, and white, from top to bottom. Each of these torque wrench heads 104 is further engraved with a wrench opening dimension 1042. The multiple wrench opening dimensions 1042 on each of these torque wrench heads 104 are all different. The wrench opening dimensions 1042 correspond to the identification color 1041. For example, in Figure 2, the wrench opening dimensions 1042 engraved on each of these torque wrench heads 104 are 17, 22, 26, and 29, from top to bottom (meaning 17mm, 22mm, 26mm, and 29mm, respectively).

[0013] The first torque notification selection button 136 has a first button color 1361. The second torque notification selection button 138 has a second button color 1381. The third torque notification selection button 140 has a third button color 1401. The fourth torque notification selection button 142 has a fourth button color 1421. The first button color 1361, the second button color 1381, the third button color 1401, and the fourth button color 1421 are all different. For example, in Figure 2, the first button color 1361, the second button color 1381, the third button color 1401, and the fourth button color 1421 are yellow, black, red, and white, respectively.

[0014] One embodiment of how to use the torque wrench device 10 in the present invention is as follows.

[0015] First, all of these torque wrench heads 104 are stored in the toolbox and are not connected to the torque wrench body 102. The user visually inspects the object to be torqued 20 and selects the appropriate torque wrench head 104. For example, if the length of the opposite side of the object to be torqued 20 is approximately 17 mm, the user confirms that the wrench opening dimension 1042 engraved on the first torque wrench head 104 from the top in Figure 2 is 17 (meaning 17 mm), and then connects the first torque wrench head 104 from the top in Figure 2 to the torque wrench body 102. As mentioned above, the identification color 1041 of the first torque wrench head 104 from the top in Figure 2 is yellow.

[0016] Next, the user presses the first torque notification selection button 136, which has the first button color 1361, i.e., yellow. In other words, the identification color 1041 (yellow) of the torque wrench head 104 connected to the torque wrench body 102 matches the first button color 1361 (yellow) of the first torque notification selection button 136, so the first torque notification selection button 136 is pressed. When the first torque notification selection button 136 is pressed, the first torque notification selection button 136 is configured to transmit the first torque notification selection signal S1 to the microcontroller 106.

[0017] Subsequently, the microcontroller 106 is configured to receive the first torque notification selection signal S1. At this time, if the clear button 120 is not pressed, the microcontroller 106 is configured to provide a first torque notification lower limit L1 and a first torque notification upper limit U1 corresponding to the first torque notification selection signal S1, and the first torque notification upper limit U1 is greater than the first torque notification lower limit L1. Subsequently, the user uses the torque wrench device 10 to tighten the object to be torqued 20.

[0018] During the tightening process, the torque sensor 110 is configured to detect the torque 116 applied by the torque wrench device 10 to the object 20 and generate a torque detection signal 118. The torque detection signal 118 includes a torque detection value 1180. After the torque sensor 110 generates the torque detection signal 118, the torque sensor 110 is configured to transmit the torque detection signal 118 to the microcontroller 106. After the microcontroller 106 receives the first torque notification selection signal S1 and the torque detection signal 118, the microcontroller 106 is configured to compare the torque detection value 1180 with the first torque notification lower limit value L1, and the microcontroller 106 is configured to compare the torque detection value 1180 with the first torque notification upper limit value U1.

[0019] When the torque detection value 1180 is greater than the first torque notification lower limit L1 and less than the first torque notification upper limit U1, the microcontroller 106 is configured to drive the green light-emitting diode 124 to emit green light 1121, and the microcontroller 106 is configured to drive the buzzer 130 to emit sound 132. This allows the user to recognize that the torque detection value 1180 is greater than the first torque notification lower limit L1 and less than the first torque notification upper limit U1 (i.e., the torque 116 for tightening the torque target object 20 is appropriate). At this time, the user can stop applying force.

[0020] If the torque detection value 1180 is less than or equal to the first torque notification lower limit L1, the microcontroller 106 is configured to drive the yellow light-emitting diode 126 to emit yellow light 1122. This allows the user to recognize that the torque detection value 1180 is less than or equal to the first torque notification lower limit L1 (i.e., the torque 116 for tightening the torque target object 20 is insufficient). If the torque detection value 1180 is greater than or equal to the first torque notification upper limit U1, the microcontroller 106 is configured to drive the red light-emitting diode 128 to emit red light 1123. This allows the user to recognize that the torque detection value 1180 is greater than or equal to the first torque notification upper limit U1 (i.e., the torque 116 for tightening the torque target object 20 is too strong).

[0021] Similarly, if the length of the opposite side of the torque target object 20 is approximately 22 mm, the user connects the second torque wrench head 104 from the top in Figure 2 (marked with 22) to the torque wrench body 102. As previously mentioned, the identification color 1041 of the second torque wrench head 104 from the top in Figure 2 is black. The user then presses the second torque notification selection button 138, which has the second button color 1381, i.e., black, thereby configuring the second torque notification selection button 138 to transmit a second torque notification selection signal S2 to the microcontroller 106, and the microcontroller 106 is configured to receive the second torque notification selection signal S2 and provide a second torque notification lower limit L2 and a second torque notification upper limit U2, wherein the second torque notification upper limit U2 is greater than the second torque notification lower limit L2.

[0022] If the length of the opposite side of the torque target object 20 is approximately 26 mm, the user connects the third torque wrench head 104 from the top in Figure 2 (marked with 26) to the torque wrench body 102. As mentioned above, the identification color 1041 of the third torque wrench head 104 from the top in Figure 2 is red. Next, the user presses the third torque notification selection button 140, which has the third button color 1401, i.e., red, thereby configuring the third torque notification selection button 140 to transmit a third torque notification selection signal S3 to the microcontroller 106, and the microcontroller 106 is configured to receive the third torque notification selection signal S3 and provide a third torque notification lower limit value L3 and a third torque notification upper limit value U3, wherein the third torque notification upper limit value U3 is greater than the third torque notification lower limit value L3.

[0023] When the opposite side length of the torque target object 20 is approximately 29 mm, the user connects the fourth torque wrench head 104 (with 29 engraved) from the top in FIG. 2 to the torque wrench body 102. As described above, the identification color 1041 of the fourth torque wrench head 104 from the top in FIG. 2 is white. Subsequently, the user presses the fourth torque notification selection button 142 having the fourth button color 1421, that is, white, whereby the fourth torque notification selection button 142 is configured to transmit a fourth torque notification selection signal S4 to the microcontroller 106, and the microcontroller 106 is configured to receive the fourth torque notification selection signal S4 and provide a fourth torque notification lower limit value L4 and a fourth torque notification upper limit value U4, and the fourth torque notification upper limit value U4 is greater than the fourth torque notification lower limit value L4.

[0024] The first torque notification lower limit value L1, the second torque notification lower limit value L2, the third torque notification lower limit value L3, and the fourth torque notification lower limit value L4 are different from each other, for example, 13 Nm, 37 Nm, 50 Nm, 60 Nm. The first torque notification upper limit value U1, the second torque notification upper limit value U2, the third torque notification upper limit value U3, and the fourth torque notification upper limit value U4 are different from each other, for example, 23 Nm, 47 Nm, 60 Nm, 70 Nm.

[0025] Also, when the first torque notification selection button 136 is pressed and the clear button 120 is not pressed, the microcontroller 106 is configured to maintain the first torque notification lower limit value L1 and the first torque notification upper limit value U1 as fixed values each time the first torque notification selection signal S1 is received. In other words, when the first torque notification selection button 136 is pressed and the clear button 120 is not pressed, the first torque notification lower limit value L1 and the first torque notification upper limit value U1 do not change no matter how many times the first torque notification selection button 136 is pressed.

[0026] In the above description, the microcontroller 106 incorporates recommended (optimal) torque notification lower limit and torque notification upper limit values ​​corresponding to the wrench opening dimension 1042. For example, in the case of the torque wrench head 104 inscribed with "17" as the wrench opening dimension 1042, the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1 provided by the microcontroller 106 are 13 Nm and 23 Nm, respectively. However, the user can change these values, and the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1 will be explained below as examples.

[0027] First, the user presses the first torque notification selection button 136, which is configured to transmit the first torque notification selection signal S1 to the microcontroller 106. Subsequently, if the user presses the clear button 120 and the press time of the clear button 120 is less than a predetermined time (short press, e.g., less than 0.5 seconds), the clear button 120 is configured to transmit a clear signal 122 to the microcontroller 106. After the microcontroller 106 receives the first torque notification selection signal S1 and the clear signal 122, the microcontroller 106 is configured to adjust the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1.

[0028] Furthermore, the step of configuring the microcontroller 106 to adjust the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1 includes the following: The microcontroller 106 is first configured to clear the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1; then the microcontroller 106 is configured to set (e.g., increase) the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1 based on the number of times the microcontroller 106 has received the first torque notification selection signal S1 (i.e., the number of times the first torque notification selection button 136 has been pressed); and finally, when the microcontroller 106 detects that the press time of the clear button 120 is longer than the predetermined time (i.e., the clear button 120 is long-pressed), the microcontroller 106 is configured to finish adjusting the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1 and to store the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1. During the adjustment process, the user can reset the settings by pressing (short-pressing) the clear button 120 again.

[0029] After the first torque notification lower limit L1 and the first torque notification upper limit U1 have been adjusted, the user can use the torque wrench device 10, which has the adjusted first torque notification lower limit L1 and first torque notification upper limit U1, to tighten the object to be torqued 20.

[0030] Furthermore, the torque wrench device 10 further includes a display 134, which is electrically connected to the microcontroller 106, and the microcontroller 106 is configured to drive the display 134 to display the torque detection value 1180, the first torque notification lower limit value L1, and the first torque notification upper limit value U1 (or the second torque notification lower limit value L2 and the second torque notification upper limit value U2, or the third torque notification lower limit value L3 and the third torque notification upper limit value U3, or the fourth torque notification lower limit value L4 and the fourth torque notification upper limit value U4). As a result, the user can understand the torque detection value 1180, the first torque notification lower limit value L1, and the first torque notification upper limit value U1 (or the second torque notification lower limit value L2 and the second torque notification upper limit value U2, or the third torque notification lower limit value L3 and the third torque notification upper limit value U3, or the fourth torque notification lower limit value L4 and the fourth torque notification upper limit value U4).

[0031] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a block diagram of a specific embodiment 3 of the torque wrench device 10 according to the present invention. Of the components shown in Figure 4, those that are the same as those shown in Figure 2 will not be explained again here for brevity. Please also refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the torque wrench head 104 in Figure 4. The difference from Figure 2 is that in Figure 4 there is only one torque wrench head 104, and the torque wrench head 104 in Figure 4 is a monkey wrench head. The torque wrench head 104 has multiple identification colors 1041. Each of these identification colors 1041 is different.

[0032] The opening 1043 of the torque wrench head 104 is adjusted to show that the corresponding identification color 1041 matches the first button color 1361 of the first torque notification selection button 136, and then the first torque notification selection button 136 is pressed. In other words, the user first adjusts the opening 1043 of the torque wrench head 104 so that the lower jaw 1044 of the torque wrench head 104 shows the corresponding identification color 1041 (e.g., yellow). Then the user presses the first torque notification selection button 136 which has the first button color 1361, i.e., yellow.

[0033] The advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the lower and upper limits of the torque notification of a torque wrench can be easily set. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 10: Torque wrench device 20: Torque target object 102: Torque wrench body 104: Torque wrench head 106: Microcontroller 108: Torque notification selection circuit 110: Torque sensor 112: Torque notification circuit 114: Power switch 116: Torque 118: Torque detection signal 120: Clear button 122: Clear signal 124: Green light-emitting diode 126: Yellow LED 128: Red light-emitting diode 130: Buzzer 132: Audio 134: Display 136: First Torque Notification Selection Button 138: Second Torque Notification Selection Button 140: Third Torque Notification Selection Button 142: Fourth Torque Notification Selection Button 1041: Identification Color 1042: Wrench opening dimensions 1043: Opening 1044: Lower jaw 1121: Green light 1122: Yellow light 1123: Red light 1180: Torque detection value 1361: First button collar 1381: Second button collar 1401: Third button collar 1421: Fourth button color L0: Torque notification lower limit L1: First torque notification lower limit L2: Second torque notification lower limit L3: Third torque notification lower limit L4: Lower limit of the fourth torque notification value S0: Torque notification selection signal S1: First torque notification selection signal S2: Second torque notification selection signal S3: Third torque notification selection signal S4: Fourth torque notification selection signal U0: Torque notification upper limit U1: First torque notification upper limit U2: Upper limit of second torque notification U3: Upper limit of third torque notification U4: Upper limit of the fourth torque notification value

Claims

1. Torque wrench device, Torque wrench body and A torque wrench head is detachably connected to the torque wrench body, A microcontroller installed inside the torque wrench body, The microcontroller includes a torque notification selection circuit that is electrically connected to the microcontroller, A torque wrench device wherein the torque notification selection circuit is configured to transmit a torque notification selection signal to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller is configured to receive the torque notification selection signal and provide a torque notification lower limit and a torque notification upper limit, and the torque notification upper limit is greater than the torque notification lower limit.

2. The torque notification selection circuit, A first torque notification selection button is electrically connected to the microcontroller, The microcontroller includes a second torque notification selection button that is electrically connected to the microcontroller, When the first torque notification selection button is pressed, the first torque notification selection button is configured to transmit a first torque notification selection signal to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller is configured to receive the first torque notification selection signal and provide a first torque notification lower limit and a first torque notification upper limit, and the first torque notification upper limit is greater than the first torque notification lower limit. When the second torque notification selection button is pressed, the second torque notification selection button is configured to transmit a second torque notification selection signal to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller is configured to receive the second torque notification selection signal and provide a second torque notification lower limit and a second torque notification upper limit, and the second torque notification upper limit is greater than the second torque notification lower limit. The torque wrench device according to claim 1, wherein the first torque notification lower limit and the second torque notification lower limit are different, and the first torque notification upper limit and the second torque notification upper limit are different.

3. Applied to the object being torqued, A torque sensor electrically connected to the microcontroller and installed inside the torque wrench body, A torque notification circuit electrically connected to the microcontroller and installed inside the torque wrench body, The system further includes a clear button electrically connected to the microcontroller, Torque wrench device according to claim 2, wherein when the first torque notification selection button is pressed and the clear button is not pressed, the first torque notification selection button is configured to transmit the first torque notification selection signal to the microcontroller; the torque sensor is configured to detect the torque applied to the object to be torqued by the torque wrench device and generate a torque detection signal; the torque detection signal includes a torque detection value; after the torque sensor generates the torque detection signal, the torque sensor is configured to transmit the torque detection signal to the microcontroller; after the microcontroller receives the first torque notification selection signal and the torque detection signal, the microcontroller is configured to compare the torque detection value with the first torque notification lower limit; and the microcontroller is configured to compare the torque detection value with the first torque notification upper limit; and if the torque detection value is greater than the first torque notification lower limit and less than the first torque notification upper limit, the microcontroller is configured to drive the torque notification circuit to emit green light.

4. The torque wrench device according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of torque wrench heads, each of which has an identification color, the plurality of identification colors on these torque wrench heads are all different, the first torque notification selection button has a first button color, the second torque notification selection button has a second button color, the first button color of the first torque notification selection button and the second button color of the second torque notification selection button are all different, and the first torque notification selection button is pressed because the identification color of the torque wrench head connected to the torque wrench body matches the first button color of the first torque notification selection button.

5. The torque wrench device according to claim 4, wherein when the first torque notification selection button is pressed and the press time of the clear button is less than a predetermined time, the first torque notification selection button is configured to transmit the first torque notification selection signal to the microcontroller, the clear button is configured to transmit a clear signal to the microcontroller, and after the microcontroller receives the first torque notification selection signal and the clear signal, the microcontroller is configured to adjust the first torque notification lower limit and the first torque notification upper limit.

6. The torque notification circuit, It includes a green light-emitting diode that is electrically connected to the microcontroller and installed inside the torque wrench body, The torque wrench device according to claim 5, wherein the microcontroller is configured to drive the green light-emitting diode to emit green light when the torque detection value is greater than the first torque notification lower limit and less than the first torque notification upper limit.

7. The torque notification circuit, A yellow light-emitting diode is electrically connected to the microcontroller and installed inside the torque wrench body, The system further includes a red light-emitting diode that is electrically connected to the microcontroller and installed inside the torque wrench body, The torque wrench device according to claim 6, wherein the microcontroller is configured to drive the yellow light-emitting diode to emit yellow light when the torque detection value is less than or equal to the first torque notification lower limit, and the microcontroller is configured to drive the red light-emitting diode to emit red light when the torque detection value is greater than or equal to the first torque notification upper limit.

8. The system further includes a buzzer that is electrically connected to the microcontroller and installed inside the torque wrench body, The torque wrench device according to claim 7, wherein the microcontroller is configured to drive the buzzer to emit sound when the torque detection value is greater than the first torque notification lower limit and less than the first torque notification upper limit.

9. The torque wrench device according to claim 8, wherein each of these torque wrench heads has a wrench opening dimension engraved on it, and each of the multiple wrench opening dimensions on these torque wrench heads is different, and the wrench opening dimensions correspond to the identification color.

10. The torque wrench device according to claim 3, wherein the torque wrench head is a monkey wrench head, the torque wrench head has a plurality of identification colors, each of which is different, the first torque notification selection button has a first button color, the second torque notification selection button has a second button color, the first button color of the first torque notification selection button and the second button color of the second torque notification selection button are each different, the opening of the torque wrench head is adjusted to indicate that the corresponding identification color matches the first button color of the first torque notification selection button, and subsequently the first torque notification selection button is pressed.

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