Tool system and tool system program

Abstract

To also improve a management property and traceability, while allowing setting of a target torque for both control equipment and a fastening tool in order to secure workability.SOLUTION: A tool system 100 includes a fastening tool 10, and control equipment 20 capable of communicating with the fastening tool 10. The fastening tool 10 and the control equipment 20 both comprise a target torque setting part C2, 22 for setting a target torque at fastening work time. The control equipment 20 additionally comprises a function lock part 24 which switches from a setting possible state allowing setting of a target torque in the fastening tool, to a setting disabled state where setting of a target torque is disabled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool system and a program for the tool system. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a conventional tool system includes a tightening tool such as a torque wrench and a control device capable of communicating with the tightening tool.

[0003] In such a tool system, for example, when tightening bolts of different sizes, it may be necessary to reset the target torque during the work, and if the control device has to be operated each time, workability is impaired.

[0004] Therefore, in order to improve usability, some tightening tools are configured so that the target torque can be changed not only by the control device but also by operating the tightening tool.

[0005] However, if the target torque can be changed on the tightening tool side in this way, there is a possibility that an inappropriate target torque may be set due to, for example, an erroneous operation by the user.

[0006] This may make it difficult for the manager operating the control device to manage the work of users who handle the fastening tools, which may result in problems such as inability to ensure sufficient traceability of the work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-49585 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main objective is to provide a tool system that allows target torque to be set in both the control device and the tightening tool, while ensuring improved manageability and traceability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In other words, the tool system of the present invention is a tool system comprising a tightening tool and a control device capable of communicating with the tightening tool, wherein both the tightening tool and the control device are provided with a target torque setting unit that sets a target torque during tightening work, and the control device is further provided with a function lock unit that switches the tightening tool from a settable state in which a target torque can be set to a non-settable state in which the target torque cannot be set.

[0010] With a tool system configured in this manner, usability is ensured by allowing the target torque to be set on both the tightening tool and the control device, and if necessary, the tightening tool can be switched from a settable state to an unsettable state via the function lock section of the control device, thereby prohibiting the user from setting or changing the target torque, thereby improving manageability and traceability.

[0011] It is preferable that the control device includes a display control unit that displays a symbol indicating that the tightening tool is in the setting disabled state when the tightening tool is in the setting disabled state. This allows you to know at a glance that the tightening tool is in an unconfigurable state.

[0012] As a more specific embodiment, the display control unit may hide the symbol when the tightening tool is in the setting-enabled state.

[0013] However, if the tightening tool has a head that can be replaced depending on the size of the bolt, for example, in order to accurately calculate the actual tightening torque acting on the bolt, it is necessary to take into account the effective length of the head. Therefore, it is preferable that both the tightening tool and the control device are provided with an effective length setting unit that sets the effective length of the head of the tightening tool, and that the function lock unit, in the setting disabled state, also disables the tightening tool from setting the effective length. This allows the tightening torque to be accurately calculated taking into account the effective length of the head, while also prohibiting the user from setting or changing the effective length if necessary, thereby ensuring manageability and traceability.

[0014] It is preferable to have a display control unit that switches between a setting screen for setting the target torque and a measurement screen that displays the tightening torque during tightening work, and that displays a plurality of selectable target torques on the measurement screen. In this way, multiple target torques are displayed on the measurement screen so that the target torque can be changed without returning from the measurement screen to the setting screen, thereby further improving work efficiency.

[0015] In addition, the program for a tool system according to the present invention is a program used in a tool system that includes a tightening tool and a control device capable of communicating with the tightening tool, and both the tightening tool and the control device are equipped with a target torque setting unit that sets a target torque during tightening work, and is characterized in that it causes the control device to function as a function lock unit that switches the tightening tool from a settable state in which a target torque can be set to a non-settable state in which the target torque cannot be set. Such a tool system program can also achieve the same effects as the tool system described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to set a target torque in both the control device and the tightening tool, thereby ensuring workability and improving manageability and traceability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a tool system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the tool system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the torque wrench of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen for a control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a measurement screen of the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing display contents for explaining the function of a function lock unit of the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a tool system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] <Tool system configuration> The tool system 100 of this embodiment is used for tightening objects such as screws and bolts, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a torque wrench 10 as a tightening tool and a control device 20 capable of communicating with the torque wrench 10.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the torque wrench 10 is a so-called digital type equipped with a torque sensor S that detects torque during tightening work, and more specifically, further equipped with a display D1, operation buttons B for various operations, and a controller C.

[0021] The display D1 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the casing, and displays, for example, the tightening torque acting on the object to be tightened.

[0022] Operation button B is provided on the outer surface of the casing, for example, near display D1, and is operated during setting work before tightening work, and specifically is used to set the target torque during tightening work.

[0023] The controller C is housed in a casing and includes a CPU, memory, etc. Based on the programs stored in the memory, the controller C performs at least the functions of a tool-side display control unit C1, a tool-side target torque setting unit C2, and a tightening torque calculation unit C3, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0024] The tool side display control unit C1 controls the display content of the display D1, and displays, for example, the tightening torque on the display D1 during tightening work, and displays, for example, the target torque on the display D1 during setting work.

[0025] The tool-side target torque setting unit C2 receives the torque value input using the above-mentioned operation button B, and sets the torque value as the target torque for the task.

[0026] As a specific method for inputting the target torque, for example, the target torque may be input by operating the plus button or minus button of operation button B to increase or decrease the target torque, or a target torque selected from a plurality of preset target torques may be input.

[0027] The tool-side target torque setting unit C2 of this embodiment also accepts and sets upper and lower limit values ​​according to the target torque. Specifically, like the target torque, the upper and lower limit values ​​may be set by inputting them via the operation buttons, or the upper and lower limit values ​​may be automatically set in conjunction with the set target torque.

[0028] The tightening torque calculation section C3 acquires the detection signal output from the torque sensor S described above, and calculates the tightening torque based on this detection signal.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the torque wrench 10 of this embodiment has an interchangeable head H that engages with the object to be tightened, and is specifically configured so that a plurality of types of heads H with different lengths can be appropriately replaced depending on the object to be tightened. Note that the interchangeable head H is not limited to that shown in Fig. 3, and may be a head used in a wrench head or a crowfoot type wrench.

[0030] In such a torque wrench 10 with an interchangeable head H, even if the magnitude of the detected torque indicated by the detection signal output from the torque sensor S is the same, if the length of the head H is different, the length from the point of force to the point of action (hereinafter referred to as the effective length) will be different, and the magnitude of the tightening torque will change.

[0031] The above-mentioned effective length will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, but in other words, it can be defined as the length from the manual force line on the grip of the torque wrench 10 to the center point of the insertion angle on the head H, as shown in Figure 3.

[0032] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the torque wrench of this embodiment further has a function as a tool-side effective length setting unit C4 that accepts and sets the effective length input using the above-mentioned operation button B.

[0033] In this configuration, the tightening torque calculation unit C3 calculates the tightening torque using the effective length set by the tool side effective length setting unit C4 and the detection signal from the torque sensor S described above.

[0034] As a specific method for inputting the effective length, for example, the effective length may be input by operating the plus button or minus button of the operation button B to increase or decrease the effective length, or a selected effective length may be input from a plurality of preset effective lengths. When a plurality of effective lengths are set in advance, an example of a mode is that effective length data indicating these effective lengths is stored in a tool-side effective length data storage unit (not shown) set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory.

[0035] In the above-described configuration, the tool-side display control unit C1 of this embodiment is configured to compare the target torque with the tightening torque and change the display mode of the display D1, such as the background color, depending on the difference between these values.

[0036] This allows the user to proceed with the tightening work while recognizing whether the tightening torque is within the upper and lower limit values.

[0037] Next, the control device 20 will be described. The control device 20 is a portable or stationary terminal device such as a tablet, smartphone, or laptop computer equipped with a display D2, a CPU, and memory, and performs at least the functions of a device-side display control unit 21 and a device-side target torque setting unit 22 based on a program stored in the memory, as shown in Figure 2.

[0038] The device-side display control unit 21 controls the display content of the display D2, and is configured to switch between a setting screen (see Figure 4) for setting the target torque and a measurement screen (see Figure 5) for displaying the tightening torque during tightening work.

[0039] On the setting screen, as shown in FIG. 4, the device-side display control unit 21 displays a selectable option S1 indicating multiple target torques, and also displays the target torque of the selected option and the upper and lower limit values ​​corresponding to this target torque.

[0040] The upper and lower limit values ​​may be input via an input means such as a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard separately from the target torque, or may be automatically set as the upper and lower limit values, for example, a predetermined percentage of the target torque, in conjunction with the set target torque.

[0041] On the other hand, on the measurement screen, as shown in FIG. 5, the device-side display control unit 21 displays the tightening torque during tightening work in real time (note that the tightening torque in FIG. 5 is 0.0 because the measurement screen in FIG. 5 is before the tightening work).

[0042] The display mode of this tightening torque is switchable between a full display that uses the entire display D2 as shown in the upper part of Figure 5, and a slim display that uses only a portion of the display D2 as shown in the lower part of Figure 5. Here, the user can switch between full view and slim view via a switching symbol S2 displayed on the screen.

[0043] Furthermore, the device display control unit 21 of this embodiment is configured to selectably display multiple target torques stored in advance on the measurement screen, as shown in the lower right of Fig. 5, where multiple target torques are selectably displayed along with the tightening torque in a slim display. Note that these selectably displayed target torques can also be hidden, as shown in the lower left of Fig. 5.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 20 of this embodiment further includes a function as a device-side effective length setting section 23 that receives and sets an effective length input by the user.

[0045] As a specific method for inputting the effective length, a selected one from a plurality of preset effective lengths may be input, or any value may be input as the effective length. When a plurality of effective lengths are preset, effective length data indicating these effective lengths may be stored in a device-side effective length data storage unit (not shown) set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory. When the torque wrench 10 is connected to the control device 20, the effective length data stored in the device-side effective length data storage unit (not shown) may be transmitted to the torque wrench 10 and stored in the above-mentioned tool-side effective length data storage unit (not shown).

[0046] The effective length set by the device-side effective length setting unit 23 is transmitted to the tightening torque calculation unit C3. The tightening torque calculation unit C3 then calculates the tightening torque using this effective length and the detection signal from the torque sensor S.

[0047] Here, the tool system 100 of this embodiment is configured so that the target torque can be set on both the tool side and the control device side, as described above.

[0048] In such a configuration, there is a risk that the user of the torque wrench may set an inappropriate target torque due to, for example, an operational error. As a result, it may become difficult for the manager operating the control device 20 to manage the work of the user who operates the torque wrench 10, which may result in a problem of being unable to ensure sufficient traceability of the work. The same problem applies to the effective length.

[0049] Therefore, the control device 20 of this embodiment further includes a function lock unit 24, as shown in FIG. 2, which switches from a settable state in which the target torque can be set via the torque wrench 10 to a non-settable state in which the setting is disabled.

[0050] More specifically, the device display control unit 21 of this embodiment displays a lock setting screen for switching the torque wrench 10 to either a selectable state or an unselectable state, as shown in FIG.

[0051] The control device 20 of this embodiment is configured so that a switching signal for setting the torque wrench 10 to a configurable state or an unconfigurable state can be input on this lock setting screen via a switching signal input unit P1 such as a touch panel, mouse, or keyboard.

[0052] When a switching signal is input via the switching signal input unit P1 and the torque wrench 10 is switched from a settable state to a non-settable state, the function lock unit 24 restricts the setting of the target torque by the tool-side target torque setting unit C2, making it impossible for the user to set the target torque. In this state, the device-side display control unit 21 displays a symbol P2 on the display D2, indicating that the selection is disabled.

[0053] In addition, in this setting disabled state, the function locking section 24 of this embodiment also restricts the setting of the effective length by the tool side effective length setting section C4, making it impossible for the user to set the effective length.

[0054] On the other hand, when a switching signal is input via the switching signal input unit P1 and the torque wrench 10 switches from the setting disabled state to the setting enabled state, the function lock unit 24 allows the tool side target torque setting unit C2 to set the target torque, allowing the user to select and change the target torque. In this state, the device side display control unit 21 does not display the above-mentioned symbol.

[0055] Furthermore, in this settable state, the function locking section 24 of this embodiment also allows the setting of the effective length by the tool-side effective length setting section C4, allowing the user to set the effective length.

[0056] <Effects of the tool system> According to the tool system 100 configured in this manner, the target torque can be set in both the torque wrench 10 and the control device 20, ensuring ease of use. If necessary, the torque wrench 10 can be switched from a settable state to an unsettable state via the function lock unit 24 of the control device 20, thereby prohibiting the user from setting or changing the target torque, thereby improving manageability and traceability.

[0057] Furthermore, when the torque wrench 10 is in a setting-disabled state, the device-side display control unit 21 displays a symbol P2 indicating this, so that it is possible to know at a glance that the torque wrench 10 is in a setting-disabled state.

[0058] Furthermore, both the torque wrench 10 and the control device 20 are equipped with a tool-side effective length setting unit C4 and a device-side effective length setting unit 23 that set the effective length of the head H of the torque wrench 10, so that the tightening torque can be accurately calculated taking into account the effective length of the head.

[0059] Furthermore, if necessary, the function lock unit 24 can prohibit the user from setting or changing the effective length, thereby ensuring manageability and traceability.

[0060] In addition, the device-side display control unit 21 displays multiple target torques on the measurement screen so that the user can select from them, allowing the user to change the target torque without returning from the measurement screen to the setting screen, further improving work efficiency.

[0061] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0062] For example, in the above embodiment, the torque wrench 10 is described as having a replaceable head H, but the torque wrench may not have a replaceable head H. In this case, the functions of the tool side effective length setting unit C4 and the device side effective length setting unit 23 are not necessary.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the torque wrench 10 is provided with the function of the tightening torque calculation section C3, but the control device 20 may also be provided with the tightening torque calculation section C3.

[0064] Furthermore, the tightening tool is not limited to a torque wrench, and various tightening tools such as a screwdriver may be used as long as the tightening tool allows a target torque to be set.

[0065] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100···Tool System 10 Torque wrench S···Torque Sensor D Display B Operation buttons H Head C Controller C1 Tool side display control section C2: Tool side target torque setting section C3: Tightening torque calculation section C4: Tool side effective length setting section 20 Control equipment 21 Device-side display control unit 22 Machine side target torque setting unit 23: Device-side effective length setting section 24 Function lock section

Claims

1. A tool system including a tightening tool and a control device capable of communicating with the tightening tool, Both the tightening tool and the control device include a target torque setting unit that sets a target torque during tightening work, The tool system further includes a function lock unit configured to switch the tightening tool from a settable state in which a target torque can be set to a settable state in which a target torque cannot be set.

2. The control device The tool system according to claim 1 , further comprising a display control unit that displays a symbol indicating that the tightening tool is in the setting disabled state when the tightening tool is in the setting disabled state.

3. The tool system according to claim 2 , wherein the display control unit does not display the symbol when the tightening tool is in the setting-enabled state.

4. Both the tightening tool and the control device include an effective length setting unit that sets an effective length of a head of the tightening tool, The tool system according to claim 1 , wherein the function locking section, in the setting disabled state, also disables setting of the effective length by the tightening tool.

5. A tool system described in any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the display control unit switches between a setting screen for setting a target torque and a measurement screen for displaying the tightening torque during tightening work, and displays a plurality of selectable target torques on the measurement screen.

6. A program used in a tool system including a tightening tool and a control device capable of communicating with the tightening tool, wherein both the tightening tool and the control device are provided with a target torque setting unit that sets a target torque during tightening work, The control device A program for a tool system that functions as a function locking section that switches the tightening tool from a settable state in which a target torque can be set to a non-settable state in which a target torque cannot be set.

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