Electronic system for connecting torque wrench charging cradles

Abstract

Electronic system for connecting torque wrench charging cradles, comprising a plurality of charging cradles (B1-Bn), each suitable for housing in a special housing (G) an electronic or mechatronic type torque wrench (D), connected to each other in series by a serial cable (C) capable of transferring electrical energy and data between one cradle and the other. The system further comprises a charging station (3), connected via a power cable (CA) to the first (B1) or the last (Bn) charging cradle in the series.

Description

[0001] Electronic system for connecting torque wrench charging cradles.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic system for connecting torque wrench charging cradles.

[0003] The present invention applies to torque wrenches provided with an electronic part, typically powered by rechargeable batteries placed inside the wrench, for example inserted into the handle of the wrench itself.

[0004] A charging cradle for such wrenches allows the wrench to be housed inside it and, through an electrical connection (by electrical pins, wireless, for example the Qi standard, or any other connection allowing the transfer of electrical energy from the cradle to the wrench), enables charging of the wrench batteries. Through such an electrical connection, data can also be exchanged between the cradle and the wrench.

[0005] Such data exchanged from the wrench to the cradle can be, for example, wrench identification data, wrench configuration, data related to the performed tightening, data related to the wrench health and maintenance status, etc...

[0006] Such data exchanged from the cradle to the wrench can also be instructions related to modifications to wrench configuration parameters and tightening parameters, updates to the wrench software and / or firmware, etc...

[0007] Typically, a charging cradle comprises a container body inside which there are electronic cards for charging and electronic cards for managing communication (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.) to and from electronic processing units external to the charging cradles, and also for communication with similar charging cradles. To this end, such body usually comprises at least one connecting socket for a charging cable towards an electrical power source for data exchange, and possibly USB sockets, Ethernet sockets, etc...

[0008] On such body, a display screen related to the charging status, and / or a plurality of display devices (for example, LEDs) can also be available.

[0009] A housing for a torque wrench, shaped so as to allow the wrench itself to be positioned lying down inside it is provided on such body.

[0010] Electrical contacts are provided inside the housing which allow the electrical connection between the cradle and the wrench.

[0011] A workstation, for example inside a factory in the automotive sector, can provide the presence of a plurality of torque wrenches of different size and tightening capacity, each provided with its own charging cradle, which is also used as a stable housing for the wrench. Each cradle is also used to exchange data with its own wrench and then transfer such data to an external central unit.

[0012] In this regard, the Applicant addressed the issue of how to efficiently manage data exchange between wrenches and an external unit for a plurality of wrenches belonging to the same workstation, and also how to manage charging of all the wrenches so as to keep a high availability of charged wrenches ready for use. The issue is considered for wrenches used both in fixed workstations, or permanently positioned on the production line and with access to wired networks, and in mobile workstations, where the workstation moves with the operator across different areas of the line, using portable power supplies, for example battery- powered, and wireless communications.

[0013] An aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic system for connecting torque wrench charging cradles having the features of claim 1.

[0014] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings, provided by way of explanatory and non-limiting example, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic view of the system according to a first configuration of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the system according to a second configuration of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the system according to a third configuration of the present invention;

[0018] Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c are perspective views of the system components, and respectively in Figure 4a a support with a rechargeable battery, in Figure 4b a master charging cradle with wireless data connection, preferably provided with an external antenna, and in Figure 4c a master charging cradle with wired data connection;

[0019] Figures 5 a and 5b each illustrate a workstation equipped with the system of the present invention.

[0020] The system of the present invention comprises a plurality of charging cradles Bl -Bn, each suitable for housing in a special housing G an electronic or mechatronic type torque wrench D, connected to each other in series by a serial cable C, capable of transferring electrical energy and data between one cradle and the other, for example of the “Canbus” type.

[0021] The generic charging cradle Bi comprises a container body inside which there are electronic cards for charging, optionally electronic cards for managing wireless communication Bluetooth, NFC, etc...

[0022] Such body comprises at least one connection socket (not shown) for such serial cable C. A display screen related to the charging status and / or a plurality of display devices (for example LEDs).

[0023] Such body is substantially U-shaped to form a longitudinal housing G suitable for accommodating a torque wrench D lying down inside it.

[0024] Inside such housing, there are electrical coupling means between the cradle and the wrench, for example made of a plurality of electrical connection pins.

[0025] A torque wrench D suitable for being inserted into the charging cradle according to the present invention comprises an elongated shaped body having a handle 11 at one end, a metal tubular arm 12 at the opposite end, and a block 13 fitted on such arm, inside which there are control electronic circuits and an electronic processing unit, in an intermediate position.

[0026] Such block can be equipped with control buttons, electrical connection sockets (for example USB, Ethernet, etc.), possibly a display screen, display devices (for example LEDs) to indicate the wrench operating status, tightening progression, error signals, battery charge status, etc...

[0027] At the free end of such arm 12 there is a tool head 14 equipped with a seat 15 in which a plurality of inserts 16 can be alternatively inserted. For example, each insert is suitable for engaging the wrench with a corresponding type and / or size of mechanical organ or element (screw, nut, etc.) the tool is intended to act on.

[0028] Although inserts of similar size are shown for simplicity, elongated inserts or inserts with special shaped arm can also be provided, as known in the field.

[0029] Preferably, the wrench comprises sensor means (for example, made of strain gauges arranged in the arm) for detecting tightening conditions, such as for example sensors of the torque exerted on the mechanical organ, and also a sensor (for example, gyroscopic sensor) for detecting the tightening angle.

[0030] The system further comprises a charging station 3 connected via a power cable CA, for example of the Canbus type, to the first (Bl) or the last (Bn) charging cradle of the series.

[0031] Such charging station comprises a power supply A connected to the electrical network, or comprises a support SB on which a removable and rechargeable battery BT is placed. Such battery can be charged via a dedicated power supply (not shown), or such support can be connected in turn to the electrical network by a power supply A. Such system comprises at least one master type cradle BM, which can be connected via Canbus cable to the first (Bl) or the last (Bn) charging cradle of the series. Such master cradle comprises at least one communication interface for an electronic processing unit U external to the system.

[0032] Preferably, such master cradle comprises a communication port for a network cable L (see Fig. 4b), to which such external processing unit U and possibly at least one modem / router R suitable for generating a wireless network are connected. Such processing unit U can, for example, contain a database for collecting tightening data. A controller PF for programming and controlling tightening sequences and related results in-line can be connected to such wired or wireless network, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0033] In the case of communication via a wired network, power can also pass through the communication port to the cradles BM, Bl-Bn, for example using a Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable, which allows both cables and energy transfer through a single Ethernet connection cable. In such configuration, the presence of the power supply A is not required, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0034] Preferably, such master cradle BM comprises a wireless communication interface IW, as in Fig. 4c, capable of connecting to a wireless network infrastructure, for example as the network generated by such modem / router R in Fig. 3.

[0035] Such master charging cradle BM comprises an internal microprocessor unit and is able to electronically control all the cradles of the series Bl-Bn, and through it, such cradles can be put in communication with the external unit U.

[0036] Furthermore, such master cradle comprises a charging management program for all other cradles of the series. For example, such program may implement a strategy of "charging priority" of the wrenches powered by the series or chain. In particular, in order to keep the number of wrenches highly available, the lowest charged wrenches are recharged first.

[0037] This management optimizes the power available by the power supply A, or the charge quantity of the battery BT when the cradles are powered from the rechargeable battery BT rather than the network.

[0038] Furthermore, this strategy preserves the life of the batteries inside each wrench, by also optimizing the charging cycle.

[0039] Figures 5 a and 5b illustrate workstations S equipped with the system of the present invention. The workstation SF of Figure 5a is a fixed station, therefore the shown configuration is that comprising a network power supply A as the charging station.

[0040] The workstation SM of Figure 5b is a mobile station (indeed, wheels at the base of the frames are visible), therefore the shown configuration is that comprising the support SB on which the removable and rechargeable battery BT is placed as the charging station.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Electronic system for connecting charging cradles of torque wrenches comprising• a plurality of charging cradles (Bl -Bn), each suitable for housing in a special housing (G) an electronic or mechatronic type torque wrench (D), connected to each other in series by a serial cable (C) capable of transferring electrical energy and data between one cradle and the other,• a charging station (3) connected via a power cable (CA) to the first (Bl) or the last (Bn) charging cradle of the series.

2. Electronic system according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one master type cradle (BM) connected via serial cable to the first (Bl) or the last (Bn) charging cradle of the series, such master cradle comprising at least one communication interface for an electronic processing unit (U) external to the system.

3. Electronic system according to claim 1, wherein such charging station comprises a power supply (A) connected to the electrical network or comprises a support (SB) on which a removable and rechargeable battery (BT) is placed.

4. Electronic system according to claim 2, wherein such master cradle comprises a communication port for a network cable (L) to which such external unit (U) and possibly a controller (PF) can be connected.

5. Electronic system according to claim 4, wherein the power to the cradles (BT, Bl -Bn) passes through such communication port using a Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable that allows the transfer of cables and energy via a single connection cable.

6. Electronic system according to claim 4, wherein such master cradle (BM) comprises a wireless communication interface capable of connecting to a wireless network infrastructure.

7. Electronic system according to claim 2, wherein such mastercharging cradle (BM) comprises an internal microprocessor unit and is able to electronically control all the cradles of the series (Bl- Bn) and through it such cradles can be put in communication with the external unit (U).

8. Electronic system according to claim 2, wherein such master charging cradle (BM) comprises an internal microprocessor unit and is able to electronically control all the cradles of the series (Bl- Bn) and through it such cradles can be put in communication with the external unit (U).

9. Electronic system according to claim 2, wherein such master cradle (BM) comprises an electrical charging management program for all the other cradles (Bl -Bn) of the series.

10. Fixed (SF) or mobile (SM) workstation equipped with the electronic system for the connection between torque wrench charging cradles according to the previous claims.

11. Electronic system according to claim 1, wherein the serial cable (C) and preferably the power cable (CA) are a “Canbus” type cable.

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