Torque Wrench Socket Positioning Using GNSS and Geomagnetic Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tightening machines lack sufficient accuracy in detecting the position and direction of the socket portion, leading to potential malfunctions and inefficiencies in bolt or nut tightening operations.
Innovation Solution
A tightening machine equipped with a geomagnetic sensor and multiple mobile and fixed receiving portions that utilize GNSS signals to calculate a three-dimensional socket position with high accuracy, integrating with a control unit for precise positioning and torque management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single mobile receiving portion is used for positioning, then the device structure is simple, but the detection accuracy of socket position is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portion is divided into multiple segments: a mobile receiving portion attached to the tightening machine and a fixed receiving portion positioned at a known location. This segmentation allows the system to calculate socket position through relative positioning between multiple receivers, significantly improving detection accuracy while keeping each individual receiver simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed receiving portion acts as an intermediary reference point that mediates between the mobile receiving portion and the final position calculation. By using the fixed receiver as a stable reference, the system can accurately determine socket position without requiring the mobile receiver to maintain absolute positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If geomagnetic sensor is added to detect socket portion direction, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The geomagnetic sensor is merged with the existing mobile receiving portion, combining position detection and direction detection functions into a single integrated sensor system. This reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate systems, while providing both three-dimensional position and orientation data.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile receiving portion is designed to serve multiple functions: receiving positioning signals for location determination and housing the geomagnetic sensor for direction detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while improving measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If correction calculation using both mobile and fixed receiving portions is implemented, then the position detection accuracy is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical positioning system is replaced with a computational approach. The control portion performs correction calculations using signal processing algorithms that compute socket position based on measurements from both mobile and fixed receiving portions. This substitutes complex hardware mechanisms with software-based correction, managing system complexity through information processing rather than mechanical 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 accurate recording and association of bolt or nut positions with their tightening torque values, preventing double tightening and enhancing operational efficiency through visual and auditory feedback.
Implementation Method 1
a mobile receiving portion that receives a positioning signal from positioning means
Implementation Method 2
a geomagnetic sensor that detects a direction of the socket portion with the mobile receiving portion as a starting point
Implementation Method 3
a control portion that receives a positioning signal received by the mobile receiving portion and a positioning signal received by a fixed receiving portion at a fixed position away from the tightening machine, corrects a three-dimensional position of the mobile receiving portion based on the positioning signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A tightening machine of the present invention includes: a mobile receiving portion 20 that receives a positioning signal (GNSS signal) from positioning means (GNSS satellite Sa); a geomagnetic sensor 30 that detects a direction of a socket portion 41 with the mobile receiving portion 20 as a starting point; and a control portion that receives the positioning signal received by the mobile receiving portion 20 and a positioning signal received by a fixed receiving portion 22 at a fixed position away from a torque wrench 110 serving as the tightening machine, corrects a three-dimensional position of the mobile receiving portion 20 based on the positioning signals, and calculates a three-dimensional socket position of the socket portion 41 of the torque wrench 110 serving as the tightening machine based on a result of the correction and the direction of the socket portion 41 detected by the geomagnetic sensor 30.