Modular Drive Support Assembly for Handheld Screwdriver Torque Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The individual adjustment and calibration of screwing machines are difficult due to the complex electrical connections and signal processing requirements, which can lead to signal interference and mechanical stress on the deformation sensors.

Innovation Solution

The integration of the bus interface and deformation body into a drive support assembly as a modular component, allowing for on-site evaluation and adaptation of sensor signals, reducing the need for extensive electrical connections and minimizing signal interference through localized signal processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the bus interface and deformation body are integrated into a modular drive support assembly, then the ease of manufacture and installation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screwing machine is divided into modular components, with the drive support assembly being a self-contained module that includes the deformation body, deformation sensor, evaluation device, and bus interface. This modular segmentation allows the module to be pre-assembled, calibrated, and tested independently before installation in the final device, significantly improving ease of manufacture and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional components (deformation body, deformation sensor, evaluation device, bus interface) are merged into a single integrated drive support assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and connections needed, simplifying the overall system while enabling pre-calibration and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the evaluation device is integrated into the drive support assembly, then signal interference is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional integration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal interferenceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation device is extracted from the separate location (past the drive motor) and integrated directly into the drive support assembly at the source of the deformation sensors. This extraction from the interfering environment eliminates the need for long cable runs near the drive motor, reducing signal interference and electromagnetic noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated evaluation device acts as an intermediary between the deformation sensors and the bus interface, processing sensor signals locally before transmission. This local processing eliminates the need for long signal cables that would otherwise pass near the drive motor, reducing signal interference and improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If the drive support assembly is pre-calibrated as a module, then the calibration time and complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration timeVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drive support assembly is pre-calibrated during the manufacturing process before being installed in the final screwing machine. This preliminary calibration action ensures that the module is ready for immediate use upon installation, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site calibration and reducing overall system setup time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration process is replaced by integrating precision adjustment mechanisms directly into the drive support assembly manufacturing process. This allows calibration parameters to be set and locked during assembly, replacing the need for repeated mechanical adjustments and calibration procedures after installation.

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

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

This solution simplifies the installation and calibration of screwing machines, reduces signal interference, and minimizes mechanical stress on deformation sensors, enhancing the production and maintenance efficiency of screwing machines.

Implementation Method 1

a deformation body (40), in particular a torque tube, with a sensor arrangement with at least one deformation sensor (51, 52, 53) for detecting a deformation of the deformation body (40) when a screw is screwed in

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2865492B1Power screwdriver
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 ALFING MONTAGETECHNIK GMBH
  • EP2865492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2865492B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2865492B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a screwdriving machine (20), in particular a handheld screwdriving machine (20), with a tool holder (29) for receiving a screwdriving tool and with a drive for rotating the tool holder (29), wherein the drive comprises a drive motor (26), in particular an electric drive motor, the output (32) of which is rotaryally coupled to the tool holder (29) directly or via a gearbox (38) to generate a torque at the tool holder (29), wherein the drive (37) is housed in a housing (21) of the screwdriving machine (20) and is supported on the housing (21) via a deformation element (40), wherein the screwdriving machine (20) has at least one deformation sensor (51-53) for detecting a deformation of the deformation element (40) when a screw is screwed in, in which the drive motor (26) is supported on the deformation element (40) with a screwdriving torque.and wherein the screwdriving machine (20) has a bus interface (76) for transmitting bus messages, which are formed on the basis of an output signal (88) of the at least one deformation sensor (51-53) and represent the screwdriving torque. It is provided that an evaluation device (55) for the output signal (88) of the at least one deformation sensor (51-53) and a bus coupler (56) for generating and transmitting the bus messages are arranged directly on the deformation body (40) and form an integrated drive support assembly (90) with the deformation body (40).