Torque-Sensing Tightening Tool for Narrow-Space Fastener Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the miniaturization and integration of fluid control systems, existing tools face challenges in accurately detecting the tightening torque and position of fastening components due to narrow access spaces, increased manufacturing costs from mounting multiple sensors, and difficulties in capturing images of the bit tip within these spaces, leading to reduced operability and incomplete task management.
Innovation Solution
A tool equipped with a torque sensor that detects and records tightening torque, featuring a configuration with a first and second marker for image processing, and a task management system that captures images from multiple viewpoints to accurately determine the engagement position of the bit with the fastening component, allowing for precise torque data collection and position detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and a case are mounted onto the tool to enable automatic detection of tightening position, then the detection capability is improved, but the tool structure becomes complex and operability is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from a complex multi-sensor system and implements it using a single imaging device that captures images of identification marks. This eliminates the need for mounting multiple sensors and a case onto the tool, thereby maintaining detection capability while significantly reducing structural complexity and improving operability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical sensors mounted on the tool to detect position, the patent uses an imaging device to capture optical copies (images) of identification marks on the workpiece. This virtual copying approach provides accurate position detection without adding physical complexity to the tool structure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are mounted onto the tool to enable automatic detection, then the detection function is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for multiple expensive sensors and replaces them with a single imaging device and identification mark system. This extraction of the detection function to a simpler, more cost-effective implementation significantly reduces tool manufacturing costs while maintaining the automatic detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive identification marks (such as stickers or printed patterns) on the workpiece instead of expensive permanent sensors. These marks are simple, low-cost elements that provide the necessary detection information without requiring costly sensor hardware.
3Ease of operation
If imaging is used to detect tightening position, then non-contact detection is achieved, but it is difficult to capture images of the bit tip in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task by placing separate identification marks on different reference objects (workpiece and/or tool). The imaging device captures images of these distributed marks, and the control unit calculates position based on the relative positions of these segmented reference points, enabling accurate detection even when the bit tip itself is difficult to image in narrow spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces identification marks as intermediary elements that mediate between the imaging device and the tightening position. Instead of directly imaging the bit tip in narrow spaces, the system images the identification marks on accessible reference objects, and the control unit uses these mark positions to infer the bit tip position through coordinate transformation and calculation.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool is equipped with a torque sensor, suited for a tightening task of a fastening component of a device such as a fluid control system that requires a large number of fastening components for assembly and has a narrow space for access to the fastening components, and capable of automatically detecting a tightening torque. The tool includes a torque sensor capable of detecting a tightening torque for tightening a fastening component acting on a bit. The torque sensor initiates measurement of the tightening torque when the tightening torque detected exceeds a set threshold value, completes measurement when the tightening torque detected falls below the set threshold value and a set time elapses, and outputs torque-related data formed on the basis of measurement data from measurement initiation to measurement completion and including a measurement time. The torque-related data includes a peak value of the measurement data.