Networked Torque Tool Control for Parallel Joint Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial bolting systems face errors due to incorrect setting of parameters, such as tool selection, calculation errors, and tool failures, leading to defective screw connections, which can result in operator injury, property damage, and production losses.
Innovation Solution
An operation parameter regulation unit for networked electrically powered torque tools, featuring a processing unit, data capturing unit, control unit, and storage unit, which automatically captures and regulates fastener connection process parameters to ensure accurate setting parameters, minimizing human error and enabling simultaneous tightening of industrial threaded fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operating personnel manually set the setting parameters, then the system requires human intervention and decision-making, but this leads to errors in parameter selection, calculation mistakes, and incorrect assignments
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines and sets the operation parameters without requiring manual intervention from operating personnel. The control unit receives process parameters, automatically calculates the required setting parameters, and configures the torque tools themselves, eliminating human error in parameter setting while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a control unit that continuously monitors the bolting process, compares actual operation parameters against target values, and automatically adjusts settings to maintain precision. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable parameter application while reducing the need for manual intervention
2Productivity
If multiple torque tools are used for simultaneous tightening, then productivity increases, but maintaining consistent operation parameters across all tools becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to manage multiple torque tools simultaneously through a unified interface, applying the same operation parameters across all connected tools. This universal control approach ensures that all tools in the networked system maintain consistent settings while enabling parallel bolting operations to increase productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors operation parameters from each torque tool individually and provides real-time feedback to the control unit, which then makes coordinated adjustments across all tools to maintain parameter consistency. This ensures that simultaneous tightening operations achieve uniform precision across multiple fasteners
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual calculation and determination of setting parameters is performed, then flexibility in handling different screw connections is maintained, but calculation errors and incorrect tool selection occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual calculation and determination of setting parameters with an automated electronic control unit that receives process parameters and automatically computes the required settings. This substitution of manual mechanical calculation with electronic processing maintains the ability to handle diverse screw connections while eliminating calculation errors and incorrect tool selection
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically adapts to different screw connection types by receiving process-specific parameters and self-configuring the appropriate operation parameters without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains versatility across different applications while ensuring reliable parameter determination through automated calculations
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an operation parameter regulation unit (50) for use with a bolting system having a plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11) for simultaneous tightening of industrial threaded fasteners (40), the operation parameter regulation unit (50) including: a processing unit (53); an output unit (51) connected and/or integrated with the processing unit (53); an input unit (52) connected and/or integrated with the processing unit (53); an activation unit (55) connected and/or integrated with the processing unit (53) for activating operation units of the plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11); and a control unit (54) for controlling operation parameters (41) of each of the plurality of networked electrically powered torque tools (10, 11) and/or drive portions of torque tools (10, 11) to maintain a difference between the operation parameters (41) within a predetermined value.