Portable Tool Control Using Contactless Work Object Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work management systems cannot control tools on a work object basis before work commences, as they require post-work acquisition of work information, making pre-work tool control challenging.

Innovation Solution

A tool system with a portable tool and identification unit that uses contactless identification to recognize the current work object, allowing for pre-work control by capturing images and processing them to determine the appropriate torque settings and procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 information, but it cannot control the tool on a work object basis before work starts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool control adaptabilityVSAvoidpre-work preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tool identifies the work object before work commences and acquires work object information in advance, enabling pre-work control settings to be configured. This preliminary identification and information acquisition allows the tool to be properly prepared and controlled before the actual work begins, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual post-work information acquisition process with an automated identification unit that uses optical or other non-contact sensors to automatically identify the work object and acquire its information before work starts. This substitution enables seamless integration of identification and control functions within the tool itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tool includes an identification unit for contactless identification of work objects, then pre-work control is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-work control capabilityVSAvoidtool structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification unit is designed to perform multiple functions: identifying the work object, acquiring work object information, and triggering appropriate control settings. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated unit within the tool, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining pre-work control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The identification unit acts as an intermediary between the work object and the tool's control system. It bridges the gap by automatically capturing work object information and transmitting it to the control unit, which then applies appropriate settings. This intermediary approach simplifies the interaction between components while enabling sophisticated pre-work control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11550289B2Tool system

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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 includes a portable tool and an identification unit. The tool includes a driving unit to operate with power supplied from a battery pack. The identification unit identifies, by a contactless method, a current work object, to which the tool is set in place, out of a plurality of work objects.