Strain-Gauge Electronic Torque Wrench With Remote Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical torque wrenches have awkward mechanisms for setting target torque, while electronic torque wrenches are more expensive and prone to damage due to delicate user interface electronics.
Innovation Solution
An electronic torque wrench system that communicates with a separate computer or hardware via a communication interface, using a strain gauge assembly to measure torque and convert it to a digital signal for comparison with a target torque, providing feedback without a human input device or visual display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic torque wrenches include user interface electronics for target torque setting, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to delicate electronics prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote computer or hardware device as an intermediary to handle the delicate user interface electronics. The communication interface enables telecommunication with a separate computer that receives target torque input and transmits it to the torque wrench, isolating fragile electronics from direct user interaction and potential damage while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical or integrated electronic user interface with a digital communication system. The torque wrench uses a communication interface to receive target torque data electronically from a remote computer, eliminating the need for physical buttons, displays, or integrated electronics on the wrench itself, thereby improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If electronic torque wrenches include integrated user interface and display, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interface and display functions from the torque wrench itself and places them in a separate remote computer or hardware device. The torque wrench retains only the essential torque measurement and communication functions, significantly reducing its complexity while the external device provides comprehensive user interaction and monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the remote computer or hardware device multi-functional by having it serve as both the user interface for torque setting and the display for torque monitoring. This external device can handle multiple functions (input, output, data processing) that would otherwise require separate integrated components in the torque wrench, reducing overall system complexity.
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 and reliable torque application without the need for expensive electronics, reducing damage risk and simplifying the torque setting process.
Implementation Method 1
a strain gauge assembly configured to measure the applied torque, and produce an analog electrical signal that varies in voltage with the applied torque
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus such as an electronic torque wrench is provided that includes a communication interface, strain gauge assembly, analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and processing circuitry. The communication interface is configured to enable the apparatus to telecommunicate with a computer or computer hardware. The strain gauge assembly is configured to measure an applied torque, and produce an analog electrical signal that varies in voltage with the applied torque; and the analog-to-digital converter is configured to convert the analog electrical signal to an equivalent digital electrical signal. The processing circuitry is configured to receive an indication of a target torque from the computer or computer hardware via the communication interface, determine the applied torque from the equivalent digital electrical signal, perform a comparison of the target torque and the applied torque, and output an indication of the applied torque based on the comparison.