Tightening Torque Inspection System

Abstract

To provide a portable clamping torque inspection system.SOLUTION: A clamping torque inspection system 10 has a torque meter 11, a controller 12, a label printer 13, a code reader 14, and a storage case 16. The torque meter 11 measures clamping torque of an electric screw driver. The controller 12 determines whether the measured clamping torque is a normal value on the basis of a reference value of clamping torque. The label printer 13, when the measured clamping torque is determined to be the normal value, prints a label including the reference value of the clamping torque and a code indicating a management number of the electric screw driver. The code reader 14 reads the code included in the label. The storage case 16 stores the torque meter 11, the controller 12, the label printer 13, and the code reader 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a tightening torque inspection system.

Background Art

[0002] Various screws are used in product assembly, and an electric driver is used to tighten the screws. While there is an appropriate tightening torque (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "appropriate torque") for each screw, an error from the appropriate torque occurs in the tightening torque of the electric driver (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "driver torque") with the use of the electric driver. Therefore, the driver torque is regularly inspected using a torque meter, and the driver torque is adjusted to the appropriate torque.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since product assembly using an electric driver is performed at various locations in the factory according to the assembly process, a huge number of electric drivers are used in the factory. If a large number of torque meters are fixedly installed in the factory to inspect the tightening torques of the huge number of electric drivers used at various locations in the factory, the installation cost of the torque meters will increase, and it will be difficult to easily respond to layout changes in the factory.

[0005] Therefore, in this disclosure, a portable tightening torque inspection system is proposed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tightening torque inspection system of this disclosure comprises a torque meter, a controller, a printer, a reader, and a case. The torque meter measures the tightening torque of an electric screwdriver. The controller determines whether the measured tightening torque is within the normal range based on a reference value for the tightening torque. When the measured tightening torque is determined to be within the normal range, the printer prints a label containing the reference value and a code indicating the management number of the electric screwdriver. The reader reads the code. The case houses the torque meter, the controller, the printer, and the reader. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, a portable tightening torque inspection system can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the tightening torque inspection system of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a usage configuration of the torque meter of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example configuration of the controller of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the torque reference value table of this disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of the tightening torque inspection system of this disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the operation of the tightening torque inspection system of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] [Examples] <Configuration of the tightening torque inspection system> Figure 1 shows an example configuration of the tightening torque inspection system of the present disclosure. In Figure 1, the tightening torque inspection system 10 includes a torque meter 11, a controller 12, a label printer 13, a code reader 14, a battery 15, and a storage case 16. The torque meter 11, the label printer 13, and the code reader 14 are connected to the controller 12 by wire or wireless means.

[0011] The torque meter 11 has a bit mounting portion 11a to which the driver bit BI attached to the electric screwdriver DR is attached, and measures the tightening torque of the electric screwdriver DR.

[0012] The controller 12 determines whether the driver torque measured by the torque meter 11 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "measured torque") is within the normal range based on a reference value for the driver torque (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "torque reference value"). The controller 12 has a touchscreen 12a, and a tablet terminal is an example of the controller 12.

[0013] When the controller 12 determines that the measured torque is within the normal range, the label printer 13 prints a label (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "management label") that includes the management number of the electric screwdriver DR (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "driver management number"), the torque reference value, a code indicating the driver management number (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "management number code"), and the next inspection deadline (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "next inspection deadline"). Examples of management number codes include QR codes (registered trademarks) and barcodes.

[0014] The code reader 14 reads the management number code.

[0015] The battery 15 drives the torque meter 11, the controller 12, the label printer 13, and the code reader 14. Note that the torque meter 11 may incorporate the battery that drives it, the controller 12 may incorporate the battery that drives it, the label printer 13 may incorporate the battery that drives it, and the code reader 14 may incorporate the battery that drives it.

[0016] The storage case 16 is formed from a case main body 16A and a case upper lid 16B, and houses the torque meter 11, the controller 12, the label printer 13, the code reader 14, and the battery 15. The torque meter 11, the label printer 13, and the battery 15 are installed in the case main body 16A. On the other hand, the touch screen 12a of the controller 12 is installed in the case upper lid 16B.

[0017] <Usage form of torque meter> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the usage form of the torque meter of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, after the driver bit BI of the electric driver DR is attached to the bit attachment portion 11a, when the switch SW of the electric driver DR is pressed and the driver bit BI rotates, the tightening torque of the electric driver DR is measured by the torque meter 11. The torque meter 11 outputs the measured torque to the controller 12.

[0018] <Configuration of controller> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the controller of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3, the controller 12 has a touch screen 12a, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12b, and a memory 12c. In the memory 12c, a torque reference value table TA as shown in FIG. 4 is stored. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the torque reference value table of the present disclosure. In the torque reference value table TA, a correspondence between a driver management number and a torque reference value [Nm] is set. The correspondence between the driver management number and the torque reference value in the torque reference value table TA is set by an input from an operator using the touch screen 12a. The torque reference value is set to the same value as the appropriate torque of the screw used by the electric driver DR.

[0019] <Operation of the tightening torque inspection system> FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing operation examples of the tightening torque inspection system of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows an example of a management label, and FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen display on the touch screen 12a. Hereinafter, the case where the date of the day is March 6, 2015 will be taken as an example for explanation. Also, hereinafter, the case where the regular inspection of the driver torque is performed every month will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0020] When the management number code MC described on the management label ML attached to the electric driver DR is read by the code reader 14, the CPU 12b refers to the torque reference value table TA based on the driver management number indicated by the management number code MC, and obtains the torque reference value corresponding to the driver management number indicated by the management number code MC from the torque reference value table TA. Here, it is assumed that the driver management number indicated by the management number code MC is "AR007". Therefore, the CPU 12b obtains a torque reference value of "0.49" from the torque reference value table TA.

[0021] Next, the torque meter 11 measures the tightening torque of the electric driver DR.

[0022] Next, the CPU 12b determines whether the measured tightening torque is within the normal range. For example, the CPU 12b sets the first threshold TH1 as the torque reference value plus 0.05 [Nm], and the second threshold TH2 as the torque reference value minus 0.05 [Nm]. In this case, the first threshold TH1 is set to 0.54 [Nm], and the second threshold TH2 is set to 0.44 [Nm]. The first threshold TH1 corresponds to the upper limit of the appropriate torque, and the second threshold TH2 corresponds to the lower limit of the appropriate torque. The CPU 12b determines that the measured torque is within the normal range when it is less than or equal to the first threshold TH1 and greater than or equal to the second threshold TH2. On the other hand, the CPU 12b determines that the measured torque is abnormal when it is greater than the first threshold TH1 or less than the second threshold TH2.

[0023] The label printer 13 prints the management label ML shown in Figure 5 when it determines that the measured torque is within the normal range. The management label ML includes the driver management number CN, "AR007", the torque reference value TR, "0.49", the next inspection deadline CD, "April 2015", and the management number code MC, which indicates the driver management number CN, "AR007". The operator replaces the management label ML attached to the electric screwdriver DR with the management label ML printed by the label printer 13. On the other hand, the label printer 13 does not print the management label ML when it determines that the measured torque is within the normal range.

[0024] Furthermore, the tightening torque of the electric screwdriver DR is measured three times consecutively, and the CPU 12b may determine the overall judgment result to be "OK" if all three measured torques are within the normal range, or "NG" if any of the three measured torques are within the normal range. In addition, the label printer 13 prints the management label ML when the overall judgment result is "OK," but does not have to print the management label ML when the overall judgment result is "NG."

[0025] Furthermore, when measuring the tightening torque of the electric screwdriver DR, the CPU 12b may display the driver management number indicated by the management number code MC, the torque reference value obtained from the torque reference value table TA, the first threshold TH1, the second threshold TH2, the current overall judgment result, and past overall judgment results on the touchscreen 12a, as shown in Figure 6.

[0026] The examples described above have been explained.

[0027] As described above, the tightening torque inspection system of this disclosure (the tightening torque inspection system 10 in the embodiment) comprises a torque meter (torque meter 11 in the embodiment), a controller (controller 12 in the embodiment), a printer (label printer 13 in the embodiment), a reader (code reader 14 in the embodiment), and a case (storage case 16 in the embodiment). The torque meter measures the tightening torque of the electric screwdriver. The controller determines whether the measured tightening torque is within the normal range based on a reference value for tightening torque. When the printer determines that the measured tightening torque is within the normal range, it prints a label containing the reference value for tightening torque and a code indicating the management number of the electric screwdriver. The reader reads the code contained in the label. The case houses the torque meter, the controller, the printer, and the reader.

[0028] In this way, a torque meter, controller, printer, and reader are integrated into a single case, creating a portable tightening torque inspection system. This eliminates the need to install numerous torque meters in the factory to inspect the tightening torque of the vast number of electric screwdrivers used in various locations within the factory, thereby reducing the cost of inspecting screwdriver torque and allowing for easy adaptation to changes in the factory layout.

[0029] Furthermore, the tightening torque inspection system of this disclosure further comprises a torque meter, a controller, a printer, and a battery (battery 15 in the embodiment) that powers the reader, and the case houses the torque meter, controller, printer, reader, and battery.

[0030] Because the battery is also housed in the case in this way, driver torque can be checked even in locations without a fixed power source.

[0031] Furthermore, the case is formed from a main body (case body 16A in the embodiment) and a top lid (case top lid 16B in the embodiment), the touchscreen (touchscreen 12a in the embodiment) is installed on the top lid of the case, and the torque meter and printer are installed on the main body of the case.

[0032] By mounting the touchscreen on the top lid of the case, the visibility of the screen displayed on the touchscreen can be improved, and by mounting the torque meter and printer on the main body of the case, the operability of the torque meter and printer can be improved.

[0033] Furthermore, the controller obtains a reference value based on the management number indicated by the code read by the reader, and determines whether the measured tightening torque is within the normal range based on the obtained reference value.

[0034] This eliminates the need for operators to input reference values ​​each time they check the tightening torque, allowing for more efficient checks of the driver torque. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10. Tightening Torque Inspection System 11 Torque meter 12 controllers 12a Touchscreen 13 Label printers 14 Code Reader 15 batteries 16 Storage Cases 16A Case Body 16B Case Top Lid

Claims

1. A torque meter for measuring the tightening torque of an electric screwdriver, A controller that determines whether the measured tightening torque is within the normal range based on the reference value of the tightening torque, A printer that prints a label including the reference value and a code indicating the management number of the electric screwdriver when the measured tightening torque is determined to be within the normal range, A reader that reads the aforementioned code, A case for housing the torque meter, the controller, the printer, and the reader, A tightening torque inspection system equipped with the following features.

2. The system further comprises the torque meter, the controller, the printer, and a battery that powers the reader, The case houses the torque meter, the controller, the printer, the reader, and the battery. The tightening torque inspection system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned case is formed from a main body and a top lid, The controller has a touch screen, The touchscreen is installed on the top cover, The torque meter and the printer are installed in the main unit. The tightening torque inspection system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned controller, Based on the management number indicated by the code read by the reader, the reference value is obtained. Based on the acquired reference value, it is determined whether the measured tightening torque is within the normal range. The tightening torque inspection system according to claim 1.

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