Torque Wrench Dongle for Wireless Data Display and Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic torque wrenches are expensive and lack efficient data transmission and visualization capabilities for torque and angle measurements, limiting their functionality and usability.
Innovation Solution
A dongle for electronic torque wrenches that enables wireless data transmission to a computer and provides enhanced visual display and alert mechanisms for torque and angle values, utilizing a first communication interface for connection to the wrench and a second interface for wireless communication with a computer, along with processing circuitry to generate and present this information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic torque wrenches include built-in wireless communication and display capabilities, then functionality and usability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the torque wrench system into two separate functional components: the torque wrench itself and a dongle accessory. The dongle contains the wireless communication interface and display capabilities, while the wrench focuses on torque measurement and control. This segmentation allows the wrench to remain simple and cost-effective while the dongle provides enhanced functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dongle is designed as a universal accessory that can interface with electronic torque wrenches through a standard communication interface. It provides multiple functions including wireless data transmission to computers, local display of torque and angle values, and alert mechanisms, making it adaptable to various wrench models without requiring built-in complexity in each wrench.
2Ease of operation
If electronic torque wrenches include wireless data transmission capability, then data accessibility and usability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dongle acts as an intermediary device between the electronic torque wrench and the user's computer or display system. It receives data from the wrench via a simple communication interface and handles the complexity of wireless transmission, data processing, and display management externally, keeping the wrench itself simple while enabling advanced data accessibility.
3Loss of information
If electronic torque wrenches provide integrated display and communication features, then information visualization is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display and communication features from the torque wrench and places them in a separate dongle accessory. This allows manufacturers to produce simple, cost-effective wrenches while offering enhanced visualization capabilities through an optional add-on device that users can attach when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A dongle is provided for an electronic torque wrench configured to determine a torque value of an applied torque, and present information including the torque value. The dongle includes first and second communication interfaces, an electronic visual display and processing circuitry. The first communication interface includes a plug configured to fit a receptacle of the electronic torque wrench, and the second communication interface includes an antenna configured to enable data transmission from the dongle to a computer, wirelessly by radio communication. The processing circuitry is configured to read the information from the electronic torque wrench to the dongle via the first communication interface, and generate second information from the information. The processing circuitry is configured to transmit the second information from the dongle to the computer via the second communication interface. And the processing circuitry is configured to and cause the electronic visual display to present the second information.