Battery-Powered Hose Clamp Tool with Proximity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for mounting hose clamps face issues with power supply safety and flexibility, lack precise control, and are limited to specific clamp types and sizes, making them inconvenient and risky for operators.
Innovation Solution
A tool with an electric motor, a working head that moves between open and closed configurations, and a transmission system using a worm screw and force sensing means, controlled by an electronic unit and proximity sensors, allowing for precise clamping and adaptability to different clamp sizes, with a battery-powered design and dual-button activation for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrical power is supplied via a power cable or pneumatic power via a pneumatic conduit, then the tool can operate, but the presence of cables or hoses constitutes a problem in terms of space and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply cables and pneumatic hoses from the system by implementing a battery-powered design. The battery is integrated into the tool body, eliminating external power connections and thereby removing the safety and space constraints imposed by cables and hoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pneumatic power transmission system with an electrical system powered by a battery. This substitution eliminates the need for pneumatic conduits and associated hardware, simplifying the tool's structure and improving safety.
2Reliability
If the tool is specifically made for a specific type or size of hose clamps, then it can perform the clamping function, but it cannot be used to mount hose clamps of different types or sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal working head design that can accommodate different types and sizes of hose clamps. The working head is configured with adjustable clamping elements and a modular structure that allows it to perform the clamping function across various clamp specifications, thereby achieving both reliability and versatility.
3Measurement precision
If the tool is designed for precise control of the clamping process, then safety and correctness are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensing means that detect the position of the working head during the clamping process and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of the clamping force and position, ensuring safety and correctness while maintaining manageable system complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool provides a safer, more precise, and customizable mounting process, enabling use with various clamp sizes and reducing operator risk through precise control and battery power, while allowing for remote monitoring and data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element and proximity sensing means, the proximity sensing means being adapted to generate a proximity signal when the relative distance between the magnetic element and the proximity sensing means is less than a predetermined distance of measure
Implementation Method 2
the tool further comprises force sensing means adapted to measure the force transmitted by the transmission shaft to the thrust element and to transmit the result of this measurement to the electronic control unit
Implementation Method 3
the transmission means comprising a worm screw and a transmission shaft, extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the worm screw is adapted to convert a rotary motion generated by the electric motor into a translational motion along said longitudinal axis of said transmission shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a
AI summary
The tool (10) for mounting hose clamps on a tube comprises: an electric motor (12) for generating a driving torque; a working head (16), mounted removably, and preferably rotatably, and adapted to move between an open configuration, in which it accommodates a hose clamp, and a closed configuration, in which it clamps said hose clamp on the tube; transmission means (32), for transmitting said driving torque from the electric motor (12) to said working head (16) to drive the movement of the working head (16) between the open configuration and the closed configuration; a magnetic element (18) and proximity sensing means (20), the proximity sensing means (20) being adapted to generate a proximity signal when the relative distance between the magnetic element (18) and the proximity sensing means (20) is less than a predetermined measuring distance; and an electronic control unit (22) configured to control the driving torque of the electric motor (12) as a function of said proximity signal generated by the proximity sensing means (20).