Dual-Motor Bolt Tension Tightening for Accurate Nut Fastening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tightening devices for bolt/nut fasteners require complex mechanisms for automation, leading to inefficiencies in achieving the target tightening force, resulting in oversized and heavier fastening objects due to variability in tightening force.

Innovation Solution

A tightening device with a drive socket, nut holder, tension rod, and dual motors, where the first motor rotates the tension rod and the second motor rotates the drive socket, with a sensor to detect tensile force, allowing precise automation of the tightening process by synchronizing the rotation of the nut and bolt to achieve the target tightening force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a torque method or turn-of-nut method is used to tighten the fastener, then the tightening process is simple, but the tightening force varies significantly (±20% to 50%) from the target value

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightening force precisionVSAvoidtightening device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical tightening methods (torque method, turn-of-nut method) with a tensile force-based tightening system. A tensioning device applies controlled tensile force to the bolt, directly tensioning the screw section to achieve precise target tightening force. This substitution of the tightening mechanism eliminates the variability inherent in torque-based methods while maintaining relative simplicity through direct force application and sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a sensor that detects the tensile force acting on the screw section in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the tightening device to monitor the applied force and adjust accordingly to achieve the target tightening force with high precision. The sensor provides continuous information about the tightening state, enabling closed-loop control that eliminates the ±20% to 50% variability of open-loop mechanical methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Force

If larger fasteners are used to provide sufficient tightening force, then the target tightening force can be achieved, but the space required and the weight of the fastening target object increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightening forceVSAvoidfastening target object weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces reliance on large fastener size to generate sufficient tightening force with a controlled tensile force application system. By using a tensioning device that directly applies the required force to the screw section, smaller fasteners can achieve the same tightening effect without needing excessive size margins. This eliminates the need to oversized fasteners while maintaining the required tightening force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter for controlling tightening from torque or rotation angle to direct tensile force measurement and control. By monitoring and controlling the tensile force on the screw section rather than relying on mechanical leverage through large fastener dimensions, the system achieves precise force application with appropriately sized fasteners, reducing the weight of the fastening target object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a planetary gear mechanism and clutch are used to transmit drive force, then the tightening control is precise, but the mechanism becomes complicated requiring automatic attachment and detachment of multiple members

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightening force precisionVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex planetary gear mechanism and clutch assembly from the tightening system. By using a direct tensile force application method with a tensioning device, the system achieves precise tightening control without requiring these complex transmission components. This extraction of unnecessary complexity simplifies the mechanism while maintaining or improving precision through direct force control and sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical transmission system (planetary gear mechanism and clutch) with a direct force application and sensing system. Instead of using complex mechanical components to control and transmit drive force, the system directly applies tensile force to the screw section and monitors it with a sensor, achieving precise control with a simpler mechanism that requires no automatic attachment and detachment of members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the fastener is tightened with excessive tightening force to ensure safety, then the safety margin is increased, but the space and weight of the fastening target object increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastener reliabilityVSAvoidfastening target object area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a sensor to detect the tensile force on the screw section and provides feedback control to achieve the target tightening force with high precision. This eliminates the need to apply excessive tightening force as a safety margin, because the system can reliably achieve and maintain the exact target force. The feedback mechanism ensures consistent, precise tightening that maintains safety without requiring oversized fasteners or excessive force application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces torque-based or rotation-based tightening methods with direct tensile force control, enabling precise achievement of target tightening force without variability. This substitution allows for reliable, consistent tightening that maintains safety margins through precision rather than through excessive force or oversized components, thereby reducing the space and weight requirements of the fastening target object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3785856B1Tightening device
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 TOHNICHI MFG
  • EP3785856B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785856B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP3785856B1 patent drawingFigure 3(D)~3(F)

AI summary

[Problem] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tightening device which can fasten a fastening element by a target tightening force with good accuracy and facilitates automation. [Solution] This tightening device is characterized by comprising: a drive socket which is cylindrical and holds a nut in the lower end opening thereof; a nut holder which is a bottomed cylinder that is disposed inside the drive socket, through the bottom of which a bolt is passed, and which regulates the movement of the nut held by the drive socket toward the tip end of a threaded part by means of said bottom; a tension rod which is disposed inside the nut holder and the lower end face of which has a threaded hole into which a portion of the threaded part that is further on the tip end side than the nut is screwed; a sensor for detecting tension force; a first motor for turning the tension rod around an axis that extends in the vertical direction; and a second motor for turning the drive socket around an axis that extends in the vertical direction.