Electric Screwdriver Control Circuit for Automatic Process Sequencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric motor-driven screwdrivers require manual user intervention or external device control to change settings and execution orders for work processes, which is inefficient and complicated, especially when dealing with a large number of processes.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit with an information storage unit and computing unit that stores setting data for work processes, allowing automatic sequential changes in control conditions and execution orders, enabling the tool to operate without manual user intervention or external device control, with options for terminating, looping, or shifting to different execution orders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of work processes exceeds the memory capacity (8 processes), then manual user intervention or external device control is required, but this increases operation complexity and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of work processesVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single execution order into multiple execution orders (first, second, third, fourth execution orders), each stored as separate data in the memory. This allows the system to handle more work processes by switching between different execution order segments, resolving the limitation of fixed memory capacity while maintaining automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic switching between multiple execution orders based on work process completion. The control circuit automatically transitions from one execution order to another (e.g., from first to second execution order), enabling flexible adaptation to different production requirements without manual intervention or external device control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual user intervention is used to change settings for additional work processes, then the tool can handle more processes, but this reduces automation and increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of work processesVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores multiple execution orders (first, second, third, fourth execution orders) in advance in the memory circuit. When a work process completes, the control circuit automatically retrieves and executes the next predetermined execution order without requiring manual user intervention, thereby maintaining high automation level while handling increased number of work processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If external device control is used to change settings, then the tool can handle more work processes, but this increases device complexity and setting complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of work processesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions within the control circuit itself: storing multiple execution orders, automatically detecting work process completion, switching between execution orders, and controlling the actuator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for external device control, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability to handle numerous work processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3730249B1Tool, and control circuit and control method for tool
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 NITTO KOHKI CO LTD
  • EP3730249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730249B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3730249B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

[Technical Problem] To enable a series of work processes to be continuously executed in another execution order without a user's manual operation or control by an external device. [Solution to Problem] An electric motor-driven screwdriver 100 includes a control circuit 128 having a memory 132 stored with setting data and a computing unit 131 controlling the electric motor-driven screwdriver 100 based on the setting data. The computing unit 131 sets an execution order of work processes based on a predesignated piece of order setting data, and sets, based on a next operation setting value, a next operation to be performed after completion of the final work process. The next operation setting value is selectable from among a setting value for stopping the operation of the electric motor-driven screwdriver 100, a setting value for repeating a series of work processes, and a setting value for shifting to a series of work processes in an execution order determined based on another piece of order setting data.