Portable Tool Control Using Image-Based Work Object Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work management systems cannot control tools on a work object basis before the work starts, making it difficult to adjust tool settings accurately for specific tasks.
Innovation Solution
A tool system with a portable tool and an identification unit that uses contactless methods to identify the current work object, allowing for pre-start control based on image processing and stored reference images, ensuring appropriate torque settings and work order adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If work information is acquired by a work manager separately from the tool after work is done, then the system can manage work data, but it cannot control the tool on a work object basis before the work starts
Solution Approach 1:
The identification unit identifies the work object before the work starts, allowing the control unit to set appropriate control parameters in advance. This preliminary identification and parameter setting enables the tool to be controlled on a work object basis before work begins, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and preparation time.
2Measurement precision
If GPS receiver is used to acquire location information, then the workplace location can be determined, but the system cannot identify specific work objects for precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS-based location identification with an image processing-based identification system. The imaging unit captures images of work objects, and the identification unit uses image processing to identify specific work objects. This substitution achieves higher identification precision while managing system complexity through software-based solutions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tool lacks pre-work identification capability, then the device structure remains simple, but accurate torque settings for specific tasks cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The identification unit identifies the work object before work begins, allowing the control unit to set appropriate torque parameters in advance based on the identified work object. This preliminary identification enables precise torque settings for specific tasks without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification unit provides feedback about the work object to the control unit, which then adjusts the torque parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate torque application for different work objects while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a tool system allowing a tool to be controlled on a work object basis before the work is started. A tool system (1) includes a portable tool (2), an identification unit (330), an image capturing unit, and an image storage unit. The tool (2) includes a driving unit (24) to operate with power supplied from a battery pack (201). The identification unit (330) identifies, by a contactless method, a current work object, to which the tool (2) is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects. The image capturing unit generates a captured image. The image storage unit stores a plurality of reference images associated with the plurality of work objects. The identification unit includes an image processing unit to perform image processing by comparing the captured image generated by the image capturing unit with a plurality of reference images and identify an actually shot work object as the current work object, the actually shot work object being a work object, shot in the captured image, out of the plurality of work objects.