Processing Tool Coupling Markers for Durable Tool Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current processing tools lack effective identification methods, leading to time-consuming and error-prone processes for determining tool suitability, with risks of incorrect information and tool loss, and existing RFID solutions are prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A processing tool design featuring a first identification marker positioned internally and a second marker externally, both being optical machine-readable codes, to protect the internal marker from environmental damage and facilitate easy reading, with the external marker serving as a backup in case of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If an RFID chip is mounted to the tool, then tool identification capability is improved, but the identification marker becomes fragile and prone to breaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool identification capabilityVSAvoididentification marker durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system is segmented into two separate markers: a first identification marker positioned at the coupling part and a second identification marker positioned at the tool body. This segmentation allows the system to distribute the identification function across multiple locations, reducing the risk of total information loss if one marker is damaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a backup identification marker system where the second identification marker serves as a backup in case the first identification marker becomes damaged or unreadable. This beforehand cushioning ensures that tool identification capability is maintained even when one marker fails, directly addressing the reliability issue with RFID chips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the identification marker is positioned externally on the tool, then reading accessibility is improved, but the marker becomes vulnerable to environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system is divided into two markers positioned at different locations: the first identification marker at the coupling part (more protected from environmental factors) and the second identification marker at the tool body (more accessible for reading). This segmentation allows each marker to serve different functional priorities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different locations on the tool are assigned different qualities based on their functional requirements. The coupling part location provides better protection from environmental damage, while the tool body location provides better accessibility for reading. Each identification marker is positioned to optimize for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If manual catalog lookup is used to identify tool properties, then information accuracy can be verified, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoididentification process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual catalog lookup process is replaced with an automated optical reading system. Optical reading devices can quickly scan and decode the machine-readable identification markers on the tool, automatically retrieving tool information without manual intervention. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming and error-prone manual typing process while maintaining information accuracy through automated data capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4116020A1A processing tool and a processing tool assembly

Publication Date: 2023.01.11 SECO TOOLS AB

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AI summary

The invention relates to a processing tool (100,200) comprising a tool body (110,210) and a first coupling part (130,230), wherein the first coupling part (130,230) being one of a female coupling part (230); and a male coupling part (130), wherein the first coupling part (130,230) is adapted to be coupled to a second coupling part (430), and wherein the first coupling part (130,230) comprises a first identification marker (140,240) comprising first identification information of the processing tool (100,200), and wherein the first identification marker (140,240) is positioned at the first coupling part (130,230) such that it is unexposed to the exterior of the processing tool (100,200) when the first coupling part (130,230) is coupled to the second coupling part (430); and wherein the tool body (110,210) comprises a second identification marker (150,250) comprising second identification information of the processing tool (100,200), which is arranged such that it is exposed to the exterior of the processing tool (100,200), when the first coupling part (130,230) is coupled to the second coupling part (430). The invention also relates to a processing tool assembly (300).