Electronic Torque Wrench Grip Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic torque wrenches are unable to automatically detect and signal incorrect user grip positions, leading to potential misuse and inaccurate torque application.
Innovation Solution
The electronic torque wrench employs two flex sensor elements spaced along its longitudinal axis to calculate the point of manual force application and compares this position to predefined acceptable ranges, emitting an error signal if it falls outside these ranges, providing directional feedback for correct grip positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wrench provides only visual highlighting of the correct grip zone, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of detecting incorrect use is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wrench body is segmented into multiple measurement zones with separate sensor elements positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the system to detect flexing at multiple points, enabling calculation of the actual grip position and providing reliable detection of incorrect usage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces simple visual mechanical indicators with an electronic sensing system that uses flex sensors and computational algorithms. The system substitutes mechanical highlighting with electronic detection and calculation, using sensor data processing to determine grip position and provide automated feedback.
2Reliability
If the wrench adds error detection and signaling capabilities, then the reliability of torque application improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring flex sensor data, calculating the actual grip position, comparing it against the correct grip zone, and providing real-time error signals through visual or acoustic indicators. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable torque application by alerting users to incorrect grip positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrench performs self-diagnosis and self-correction guidance by automatically detecting incorrect grip positions and providing feedback signals to the user. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and guiding the user to correct usage without requiring external monitoring equipment.
3Measurement precision
If the wrench uses multiple sensor elements spaced along the longitudinal axis, then the measurement precision of grip position improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the wrench body are equipped with sensor elements having specific local characteristics. The sensors are positioned at strategically selected locations along the longitudinal axis where they can most effectively detect flexing patterns corresponding to correct and incorrect grip positions, optimizing measurement precision for each local measurement zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point measurement to distributed multi-point measurement along the longitudinal axis of the wrench. By adding the spatial dimension of multiple measurement points, the system achieves precise determination of grip position through comparative analysis of flexing patterns across different locations.
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
The solution enables the wrench to automatically detect and correct incorrect grip positions, ensuring accurate torque application and user guidance for proper handling, enhancing operational reliability and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for detecting a torque applied with the wrench to the coupling and comprising two flex sensor elements which are arranged spaced apart along the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic torque wrench (10) comprises a body with an axial extension along a longitudinal axis (11), a front end provided with a coupling (14) intended to engage the wrench on a joint to be tightened by manual rotation around a rotation axis (15) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis (11), and a handle (13) along the body for operating the wrench. A sensor (16) is intended to detect a torque applied with the wrench to the coupling (14) and comprises two flex sensor elements (16a and 16b) which are arranged spaced apart along the longitudinal axis (11). An electronic control circuit (17) is connected to the sensor (16) for receiving signals from it and is intended to implement a method which comprises the steps: calculating, depending on flexing values detected by the two sensor elements (16a and 16b), the point P along the longitudinal axis (11) which is used for applying the manual force of rotation of the wrench about the rotation axis (15); comparing the position of the point P with admissible predefined positions along the longitudinal axis (11); and emitting an error signal if the position of the point P does not correspond to these admissible positions.