Screw Tightening Alignment Control Under Final-Tightening Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw tightening methods face challenges in achieving high precision due to misalignment caused by frictional forces during the final tightening process, as they cannot correct misalignment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A screw tightening apparatus equipped with a distance measuring device, screw tightening part, and moving mechanism, controlled by a hardware processor, which temporarily adjusts the position of the second member relative to the first member to maintain alignment within a target range by loosening and re-tightening the screw as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If members are aligned after temporary tightening, then alignment precision is improved, but frictional force during final tightening causes misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a distance measuring device to continuously monitor the relative position between members during the screw tightening process. The hardware processor receives measurement values and determines whether the relative position remains within a target range. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the tightening process to maintain alignment precision despite frictional forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the measured relative position information to automatically control the screw tightening process without external intervention. The hardware processor autonomously determines when to tighten, loosen, or adjust the screw based on whether the relative position is within the target range, enabling the system to self-correct alignment issues during tightening.
2Strength
If screw is tightened continuously to final state, then fastening strength is improved, but misalignment occurs due to frictional force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic tightening-loosening-adjustment cycle instead of continuous tightening. The screw is tightened to increase fastening strength, then loosened when misalignment is detected, followed by position adjustment and re-tightening. This periodic action allows the system to achieve both high fastening strength and alignment precision through multiple iterative cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The tightening process is made dynamic and adaptive rather than static and fixed. The hardware processor continuously monitors the relative position and dynamically adjusts the tightening parameters, deciding when to tighten, loosen, or hold based on real-time measurement feedback. This dynamic control enables the system to maintain alignment precision while achieving final fastening strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If position adjustment is performed during tightening process, then alignment precision is improved, but tightening time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous monitoring of the relative position throughout the entire tightening process using the distance measuring device. Rather than performing separate alignment and tightening operations, the system continuously measures and adjusts the position during tightening, eliminating idle time and ensuring alignment precision is maintained throughout the fastening process without significant time loss.
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
Enables precise alignment and final tightening of two objects by continuously measuring and adjusting the relative position between the members, ensuring high precision in the screw tightening process.
Implementation Method 1
a distance measuring device that measures a relative position between the first member and the second member in a vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second screw hole
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a screw tightening apparatus that fastens, with a screw, two objects to be fastened including a first member provided with a first screw hole and a second member provided with a second screw hole for screwing, and the screw tightening apparatus includes: a distance measuring device that measures a relative position between the first member and the second member in a vertical direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second screw hole; a screw tightening part that holds the screw inserted into the first screw hole and screws the screw into the second screw hole for screwing; a moving mechanism that moves the screw tightening part along the vertical direction; and a hardware processor that controls the screw tightening part and the moving mechanism according to a measured value of the distance measuring device.