Torque Wrench Self-Powering via Photovoltaic and Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tightening tools, such as torque wrenches, require batteries for power, leading to maintenance issues like battery exhaustion, contact failures, and equipment damage, and solar-powered tools may not efficiently capture light for power generation due to improper placement.
Innovation Solution
A torque wrench design that eliminates the need for batteries by using a photoelectric conversion element, electromagnetic induction, mechanical-electrical energy conversion, or thermoelectric conversion to generate power during tightening operations, and incorporates a solar cell with a convex arc-shaped cover or stop inhibiting members to ensure light exposure, reducing maintenance and improving power generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a battery is used as power supply for the tightening tool, then the tool can operate continuously, but maintenance issues arise including battery exhaustion, contact failures, and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the battery from the tightening tool system entirely. Instead of using a battery power supply, the tool employs a photovoltaic power generation unit that converts light energy directly into electrical energy, eliminating all battery-related components including battery contacts, charging jacks, and cables, thereby solving the reliability issues associated with battery maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The tightening tool achieves self-powering through a photovoltaic power generation unit attached to its outer peripheral surface. The tool generates its own electrical energy by converting ambient light into electricity, eliminating the need for external power sources or maintenance interventions, thus achieving self-service operation
2Use of energy by moving object
If a solar cell is attached to the tool, then the tool can generate power from light, but the light receiving surface may not face upward when the tool is placed on a workbench, reducing power generation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent attaches the photovoltaic power generation unit to the outer peripheral surface of the handle unit, which has a curved cylindrical shape. This curved surface ensures that regardless of how the tool is placed on a workbench, the photovoltaic unit maintains an optimal angle to receive ambient light from above, maximizing light energy conversion without requiring specific placement orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The photovoltaic power generation unit serves multiple functions: it generates electrical energy from light to power the electronic circuit, and its placement on the curved outer surface provides universal light reception capability regardless of tool orientation, making the power generation system adaptable to various placement scenarios
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 allows for maintenance-free operation, reduces the risk of battery-related failures, and ensures continuous power generation even with indoor lighting, enhancing the tool's reliability and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic power generation unit (17) attached on an outer peripheral surface of the handle unit (11), the photovoltaic power generation unit (17) converting light energy into electricity
Implementation Method 2
a power generation unit is of an electromagnetic induction type in which switching magnetic poles of the N pole and the S pole to be applied to a pair of poles of a yoke by pole switching means generates an electromotive force from an induction coil wound on the yoke
Implementation Method 3
a power generation unit is a mechanical-electrical energy conversion element for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, and an impact is applied to the mechanical-electrical energy conversion element with the use of a mechanical operation during the actuation of the torque limiter
Implementation Method 4
a power generation unit is a thermoelectric conversion element for converting a temperature difference into electrical energy
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(C)
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
AI summary
A tightening tool such as a torque wrench is provided in which electric power can be fed to an electronic circuit with eliminating the need for a battery and achieving daily maintenance-free. In the tightening tool, when a tightening torque has reached a set torque value and a torque limiter is actuated, an electronic circuit unit that has obtained a detection signal outputted from a torque limiter actuation detection unit outputs a tightening completion signal. The tightening tool has a power generation unit for feeding electric power to the electronic circuit unit at least during the actuation of the torque limiter. The power generation unit performs photovoltaic power generation, electromagnetic induction power generation, power generation by conversion from mechanical energy into electrical energy, or temperature difference power generation.