Portable and rechargeable electric torque wrench

[carnachpace]

To work in a confined work space, an operator 14 holds a portable or handheld assembly tool 16, which in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a portable and rechargeable electric torque wrench, although other assembly devices such as welding torches, impact drivers, rivet guns, glue guns, etc., can be used within the scope of the invention, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. When configured as a torque wrench as shown in FIG. 1, the tool 16 has a rotatable shaft 18 that is capable of delivering a predetermined torque (arrows T) to the fastener 32 when a force is exerted on a trigger 47 (see FIG. 2) by the operator 14, such as by activating an electric motor (not shown) inside of the tool 16. The tool 16 has a local positioning module (LPM) 48 adapted for collecting a set of raw data 11, which is ultimately used to precisely calculate or otherwise determine the position of the fastener 32 in its XYZ inertial frame of reference during its installation, as will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.

[jordanemu]

[FONT="]To work in a confined work space, an operator 14 holds a portable or handheld assembly tool 16, which in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a portable and rechargeable electric torque wrench, although other assembly devices such as welding torches, impact drivers, rivet guns, glue guns, etc., can be used within the scope of the invention, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. When configured as a torque wrench as shown in FIG. 1, the tool 16 has a rotatable shaft 18 that is capable of delivering a predetermined torque (arrows T) to the fastener 32 when a force is exerted on a trigger 47 (see FIG. 2) by the operator 14, such as by activating an electric motor (not shown) inside of the tool 16. The tool 16 has a local positioning module (LPM) 48 adapted for collecting a set of raw data 11, which is ultimately used to precisely calculate or otherwise determine the position of the fastener 32 in its XYZ inertial frame of reference during its installation, as will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.[/FONT]

Within the cell 10, a plurality of the fasteners 32 are installed into a work piece 12 in a predetermined sequence, as represented by a particular order of the fastener positions A-F, respectively. For example, a fastener 32 can be installed first at position A, followed by another fastener 32 at position B, followed by another fastener 32 at position C, etc. The sequence A, B, C, etc., is illustrative, and can be any combination of the available positions, e.g., C, B, A or B, A, C, etc., as determined by a predetermined sequence 34 (see FIG. 2) stored in or accessible by a server or a host machine, referred to hereinafter as the host 22 for simplicity. Also for simplicity, only six fastener positions (A-F) are shown in FIG. 1. However, it is understood that more or fewer fasteners 32 can be provided within the scope of the invention depending on the predetermined sequence 34 of FIG. 2, with each fastener 32 having a corresponding position.

[foyerscraper]

[FONT="]To work in a confined work space, an operator 14 holds a portable or handheld assembly tool 16, which in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a portable and rechargeable electric torque wrench, although other assembly devices such as welding torches, impact drivers, rivet guns, glue guns, etc., can be used within the scope of the invention, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. When configured as a torque wrench as shown in FIG. 1, the tool 16 has a rotatable shaft 18 that is capable of delivering a predetermined torque (arrows T) to the fastener 32 when a force is exerted on a trigger 47 (see FIG. 2) by the operator 14, such as by activating an electric motor (not shown) inside of the tool 16. The tool 16 has a local positioning module (LPM) 48 adapted for collecting a set of raw data 11, which is ultimately used to precisely calculate or otherwise determine the position of the fastener 32 in its XYZ inertial frame of reference during its installation, as will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.[/FONT]

The host 22 includes a control algorithm 100 suitable for executing the method of the invention, with the host 22 being in continuous wireless communication with the LPM 48 over a wireless pathway to receive the set of raw data 11, such as via Bluetooth wireless technology or other suitable wireless communications means, as the tool 16 moves within the cell 10. The host 22 is also in communication with a fastener control unit (FCU) 25 via a cable 70. The FCU 25 is operable for automatically updating the assembly settings of the tool 16, such as by automatically downloading or updating the torque and angle settings of the tool 16 when the tool 16 is configured as a torque wrench.

[donaldrsimonn]

[FONT="]To work in a confined work space, an operator 14 holds a portable or handheld assembly tool 16, which in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a portable and rechargeable electric torque wrench, although other assembly devices such as welding torches, impact drivers, rivet guns, glue guns, etc., can be used within the scope of the invention, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. When configured as a torque wrench as shown in FIG. 1, the tool 16 has a rotatable shaft 18 that is capable of delivering a predetermined torque (arrows T) to the fastener 32 when a force is exerted on a trigger 47 (see FIG. 2) by the operator 14, such as by activating an electric motor (not shown) inside of the tool 16. The tool 16 has a local positioning module (LPM) 48 adapted for collecting a set of raw data 11, which is ultimately used to precisely calculate or otherwise determine the position of the fastener 32 in its XYZ inertial frame of reference during its installation, as will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.[/FONT]

Likewise, the FCU 25 is operable for determining the torque and angle applied to any fastener 32 during its installation, and passing this data to the host 22 for validation, thus minimizing instances of cross threading or false torque measurements. The FCU 25 is adapted to transmit information, data, and/or signals (arrow 80) describing the torque and angle measurements to the host 22 via another cable 71 or other suitable communications pathway to thereby enable data collection and recording by the host 22. The host 22 is likewise adapted to transmit information, data, or signals (arrow 81) to the FCU 25 via the cable 71 or other suitable communications pathway to enable automatic and optimized control of the tool 16. Finally, a stationary base unit 20 having calibrated coordinates, i.e., a fixed or known position, is in communication with the FCU 25 via a cable 72. The base unit 20 is configured to receive the tool 16 upon completion of the predetermined sequence or run in order to properly recalibrate or zero the tool 16 as described below with reference to FIG. 3, and to thereby minimize any accumulative positional error.

[carnachpace]

[FONT="]To work in a confined work space, an operator 14 holds a portable or handheld assembly tool 16, which in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a portable and rechargeable electric torque wrench, although other assembly devices such as welding torches, impact drivers, rivet guns, glue guns, etc., can be used within the scope of the invention, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. When configured as a torque wrench as shown in FIG. 1, the tool 16 has a rotatable shaft 18 that is capable of delivering a predetermined torque (arrows T) to the fastener 32 when a force is exerted on a trigger 47 (see FIG. 2) by the operator 14, such as by activating an electric motor (not shown) inside of the tool 16. The tool 16 has a local positioning module (LPM) 48 adapted for collecting a set of raw data 11, which is ultimately used to precisely calculate or otherwise determine the position of the fastener 32 in its XYZ inertial frame of reference during its installation, as will be discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.[/FONT]

Accordingly, by using the apparatus and method of the invention as set forth above the position of a fastening tool is located, validated, and error-proofed as an operator is automatically prompted to the correct position. Data collection associated with the apparatus and method can be initiated via a touch-screen GUI such as the GUI 40 of FIG. 1 to determine the number and position of any installed fasteners, as well as associated torque and angle data, all of which can be displayed on the GUI 40 or another device to provide instant feedback. End run data can be automatically collected and stored for future reference, such as by indentifying particular installation steps, batches, and/or individual operators that routinely coincide with a higher than expected error rate. In this manner, quality assurance can be optimized, and/or targeted training can be enabled, each ensuring optimal process efficiency.

[jonsmaradona]

Electric torque wrenches have become an increasingly popular choice for auto mechanics and DIY enthusiasts because they offer a number of benefits over traditional wrenches. Rechargeable Electric Torque Wrench. These tools are typically smaller and lighter, which makes them easier to carry around and use in tight spaces. They also provide consistent torque levels, which is especially helpful for repairs that require tight turns or twists. Finally, electric wrenches typically have a longer lifespan than traditional wrenches, making them the preferred option for frequent use.