Electric Tool Data Transfer for Uninterrupted Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric tool systems experience decreased user-friendliness due to prolonged communication times during data transmission, leading to suspended screw fastening operations when large amounts of information are transmitted wirelessly, which can cause inefficiencies in assembly line operations.

Innovation Solution

The electric tool incorporates both wireless and wired communication modes, allowing operations data to be transmitted via wireless communication during fastening operations and stored data to be transmitted via wired communication, reducing interference and improving user-friendliness by minimizing suspension times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used to transmit operations data during fastening operations, then data transmission is enabled without physical connection, but communication time increases and operations must be suspended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidoperation suspension time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between wireless and wired communication modes based on operational requirements. During fastening operations, wireless mode is used for real-time data transmission, while wired mode is activated for bulk historical data transmission, optimizing both operational continuity and data management efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system is segmented into two distinct modes: wireless communication for transmitting current operation data during fastening tasks, and wired communication for transmitting stored historical operations data. This segmentation allows each mode to be optimized for its specific purpose, preventing operation suspensions during critical fastening tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If large amounts of operations data are transmitted wirelessly, then complete data transmission is achieved, but communication establishment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission completenessVSAvoidcommunication establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Operations data is preliminarily stored in the storage unit during fastening operations. This pre-stored data can then be efficiently transmitted via wired communication when needed, eliminating the need for time-consuming wireless transmission of large data sets and reducing communication establishment time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and separates current operation data (transmitted wirelessly during operations) from historical operations data (stored and transmittable via wired communication). This extraction allows large volumes of historical data to be managed separately, preventing communication delays during active fastening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication mode is used for data transmission, then portability and ease of use are improved, but transmission reliability decreases in unreliable environments

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the communication parameter (mode) based on environmental conditions. When wireless communication reliability is compromised, the system switches to wired communication mode, maintaining communication reliability while preserving the portability benefits of wireless operation when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4434679B1Electric tool and electric tool system
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP4434679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4434679B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4434679B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric tool and electric tool system with improved user-friendliness. An electric tool (2) includes a fastening unit (23), a control unit (21), a sensor unit (24), a communications unit (25), a storage unit (27), and a portable tool body. The sensor unit (24) measures at least fastening torque applied by the fastening unit (23). The communications unit (25) transmits operations data about a result of measurement made by the sensor unit (24). The communications unit (25) includes a wireless communications unit (251) and a wired communications unit (252). In a wireless communication mode, the wireless communications unit (251) transmits, by a wireless communication method, at least a part of the operations data, when a fastening operation has been done for either one round or multiple rounds. In a wired communication mode, while the communications unit (25) is operating in the wired communication mode, the wired communications unit (252) transmits, by a wired communication method, the operations data stored in the storage unit (27).