EP3957010A1

EP3957010A1 - A method, a wireless power tool and computer program for analysing a wireless signal environment for a wireless power tool

Info

Publication number: EP3957010A1
Application number: EP20712291.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dan Mathias HULTÉN
Original assignee: Atlas Copco Industrial Technique AB
Current assignee: Atlas Copco Industrial Technique AB
Priority date: 2019-04-16
Filing date: 2020-03-16
Publication date: 2022-02-23
Also published as: WO2020212044A1; WO2020212044A8

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a wireless power tool (100) operative to analyze a wireless signal environment for the wireless power tool (100). The wireless power tool (100) is operative to receive and/or transmit a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool (100). The wireless power tool (100) is further operative determine a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal. And to transmit the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value.

Description

A METHOD, A WIRELESS POWER TOOL AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR ANALYSING A WIRELESS SIGNAL ENVIRONMENT FOR A WIRELESS POWER

TOOL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method, a wireless power tool, and a computer program for analyzing a wireless signal environment for wireless power tool.

BACKGROUND

[0001] Assembling of today are often complex. An assembling process may include assembling more or less complex objects where the components are assembled together. It is often high requirements on the manufacturing steps performed so that the manufacturing steps are performed correctly.

[0002] In assembling processes, wireless power tools are often used. It is important that the wireless power tools have a reliable wireless connection to a wireless network. This in order for the wireless power tool to get operating instructions from the wireless network. But also so that the wireless power tool can report process result to the wireless network .

[0003] Drawbacks with prior art solutions are that that the wireless connection to/from the wireless power tool sometimes is not sufficient for the wireless power tool to functions properly . [0004] There is therefore a need for an improved solution for improving the wireless connection between the wireless power tool and the wireless network. Which solution can solve or at least mitigate at least one of the above mentioned problems.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the invention to address at least some of the problems outlined above, e.g. to ensure that the wireless connection between the wireless power tool and the wireless network is sufficient for the wireless power tool to operate correctly.

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect the disclosure relates a method for analyzing a wireless signal environment for a wireless power tool. The method comprising the steps of receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool. Determining a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal. And transmitting the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value.

[0008] In accordance with a second aspect the disclosure relates to a wireless power tool operative to analyze a wireless signal environment for the wireless power tool, the wireless power tool is operative to receive and/or transmit a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool. The wireless power tool is further operative determine a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal. And to transmit the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The solution will now be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig 2 is block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the wireless power tool 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00010] Briefly described, the present disclosure relates to a solution for analysing a wireless signal environment for a wireless power tool.

[00011] As mentioned above wireless power tools are often used in assembling processes. It is important that the wireless power tools have a reliable wireless connection to a wireless network. This in order for the wireless power tool to get operating instructions from the wireless network. But also so that the wireless power tool can report process result to the wireless network.

[00012] One example is where individual workpieces are tightened together with among others screw joints. When assembling workpieces together with screw joints it is important that the screw joints are tightened to the correct result value. The result value can for instance be torque and/or angle. The result value often vary depending on which object that is being processed. It is therefore important that the wireless power tool is set in the correct operating mode depending on which object that is being processed. It is also important to associate result values of the processing steps performed by the wireless power tool with the object on which the processing steps were performed. For a wireless power tool the result values are transmitted via the wireless network .

[00013] Therefore in a factory where wireless power tools are used there is at least one wireless network. The wireless network often consists of several wireless access points positioned on different positions in the factory. The

wireless access point are positioned such that a good

wireless network coverage should be achieved where the wireless power tools are used.

[00014] However in a factory it is often hard to get sufficient wireless network coverage at all locations. One reasons that the wireless network coverage will not be sufficient at all locations can be different obstacles in the factory. For instance in a vehicle factory, the vehicles that are produced will affect the wireless network coverage. The vehicles in a vehicle factory move along a productions line and will therefore dynamically affect the wireless network coverage in the factory. Therefore the wireless network coverage can at one time be good at a position, but at a later time point, when a vehicle has moved, become worse.

[00015] One prior art solution to this problem is to use a wireless network scanner tool. The wireless network scanner tool is often a software that is run on e.g. lap top. The wireless network scanner tool can measure the signal strength and other parameters that affects the wireless network coverage. When the wireless network scanner tool is used in connection with a lap top or mobile phone the lap top or mobile phone is moved around in the factory. The wireless network coverage can then be measured at different locations. A wireless network scanner tool can also help to identify channel conflicts, overlapping and network configuration issues that may be affecting the connectivity and performance of wireless networks.

[00016] One problem associated with different wireless network scanner tools used on different portable computer devices is that the antenna of the portable computer device to large extent affect the result of the measurements. Thus it is not sure that a wireless power tool will function correctly in a factory which has shown to have sufficient wireless network coverage using a wireless network scanner tool on a portable computer device.

[00017] Thus there is need for an improved solution which solution can solve or at least mitigate the problem with prior art solutions.

[00018] The inventor has realized that the above problem can be solved with the solutions according to the present disclosure, which is a solution for analyzing a wireless signal environment for a wireless power tool.

[00019] Fig. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a method for analyzing a wireless signal environment for a wireless power tool. The method comprising a first step S100 of receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool. In a next step S200 a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal is determined. Thereafter, in step S300, the wireless signal quality value is transmitted and/or visually represented.

[00020] An advantage with exemplary embodiments of the solution is that the wireless signal is received and/or transmitted using the antenna in the wireless power tool.

This is a clear advantage since the wireless signal quality value will describe the wireless signal environment that the wireless power tool will perceive. Thus the wireless signal quality value is much more relevant comparted to a wireless signal quality value from a wireless network scanner tool used on a portable computer device.

[00021] According to one exemplary embodiment, in step

S200, the wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal is determined in the wireless power tool 100. In this exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value can be presented on the wireless power tool 100 in different ways.

In one exemplary embodiment as a value of the wireless signal quality value on a display of the wireless power tool 100. Or as a visual representation on the wireless power tool 100. Where for instance different colors can represent different levels of the wireless signal quality value.

[00022] According to another exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value is transmitted from the

wireless power tool 100. The wireless signal quality value is then displayed on another device in the network. The wireless signal quality value can for instance be displayed on a device which wirelessly can connect to the wireless power tool 100.

[00023] The wireless signal quality value can be of many different types. The present disclosure is not limited to the examples of signal quality values given below. These examples should only constitute two examples of signal quality values that can be sued in present invention.

[00024] According to one exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value is RSSI, Received Signal Strength

Indicator. RSSI is a value representing the power in the received wireless radio signal.

[00025] RSSI is an indication of the power level being received by the receive radio in the wireless power tool after the antenna loss. Therefore, the higher the RSSI number, the stronger the signal. Thus, when an RSSI value is represented in a negative form (e.g. -100), the closer the value is to 0, the stronger the received signal has been.

[00026] According to one exemplary embodiment RSSI can be used internally in the wireless power tool to determine when the amount of radio energy in the wireless signal environment is below a certain threshold at which point the wireless power tool is clear to send, CTS . Once the wireless power tool is clear to send, a packet of information can be sent.

[00027] According to another exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value is, Signal-to-noise ratio, SNR. SNR can be used in the wireless power tool to compares the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. SNR is defined as the ratio of signal power to the noise power, often expressed in decibels. A ratio higher than 1:1 (greater than 0 dB) indicates more signal than noise.

[00028] According to another exemplary embodiment, in step S200, the wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal is determined on a device connected to the network side. For instance on a device connectable to the network to which the wireless access points are connected to.

[00029] In this exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value can be presented on different devices

connectable to the network. In one exemplary embodiment as a value of the wireless signal quality value on a display of a device connectable to the network.

[00030] According to another exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value is transmitted from the device where it is calculated to a portable device. The wireless signal quality value can then be displayed on the portable device connectable to the network.

[00031] According to another exemplary embodiment the method further comprising determining positions of the wireless power tool 100. The position can be determined with different technologies know to the person skilled in the art. Theses method are therefore not described further. In this embodiment the method further comprising associating the positions with wireless signal quality values. Thus an association between different signal quality values at different positions can be created. This can for instance be used to create a representation of different signal quality values at different positions in a factory.

[00032] In one exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value is continuously determined in the wireless power tool 100 or in a device connectable to the network to which the wireless power tool 100 is connected. The wireless signal quality values can according to one exemplary

embodiment be stored in the wireless power tool 100. Or continuously transmitted to a device in the network. [00033] As mentioned above according to one exemplary embodiment the wireless signal quality value is determined in the wireless power tool 100.

[00034] The present disclosure also relates to a wireless power tool 100 operative to analyze a wireless signal environment for the wireless power tool 100. The wireless power tool 100 is operative to receive and/or transmit a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool 100. The wireless power tool 100 is further operative to determine a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal. And transmit the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value.

[00035] In one exemplary embodiment a notification is sent to an operator of the wireless power tool 100 in case the wireless signal quality value is below a minimum wireless signal quality value.

[00036] According to another exemplary embodiment the wireless power tool 100 is further operative to determine a position of the wireless power tool 100. In yet another exemplary embodiment the wireless power tool 100 is further operative to associate the position with the wireless signal quality value. In one exemplary embodiment the wireless power tool 100 is further operative to continuously determine the wireless signal quality value.

Figure 2 is block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the wireless power tool 100. The wireless power tool 100 further comprise a processor 160 arranged to control the wireless power tool 100. The wireless power tool 100 also comprises a memory 260 containing instructions executable by the

processor 160. The processor 160 is a Central Processing Unit, CPU, microcontroller, Digital Signal Processor, DSP, or any other suitable type of processor capable of executing computer program code. The memory 260 is a Random Access Memory, RAM, a Read Only Memory, ROM, or a persistent

storage, e.g. a single or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, or solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

According to one aspect, the disclosure further relates to the above mentioned computer program, comprising computer readable code which, when run on the wireless power tool 100 causes the wireless power tool 100 to perform any of the aspects of the disclosure described herein.

When the above-mentioned computer program code is run in the processor 160 of the wireless power tool 100 it causes the wireless power tool 100 to be operative to receive and/or transmit a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool 100. And further determining a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal. Then transmit the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value.

According to one aspect of the disclosure the processor 160 comprises one or several of: a receive/transmit module 161 adapted to receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool 100; determining module 162 adapted to determining a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal; a transmit/display module 163 adapted to transmitting the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value.

The receive/transmit module 161, the determining module 162, the transmit/display module 163 are implemented in hardware or in software or in a combination thereof. The modules 161, 162 and 163 are according to one aspect implemented as a computer program stored in the memory 260 which run on the processor 160. The wireless power tool 100 is further

configured to implement all the aspects of the disclosure as described herein.

According to one exemplary embodiment the wireless power tool 100 is a wireless tightening tool 100. According to yet another exemplary embodiment the wireless power tool 100 is an electric torque wrench 100.

Aspects of the disclosure are described with reference to the drawings, e.g., block diagrams and/or flowcharts. It is understood that several entities in the drawings, e.g., blocks of the block diagrams, and also combinations of entities in the drawings, can be implemented by computer program instructions, which instructions can be stored in a computer-readable memory.

Claims

1. A method for analysing a wireless signal

environment for a wireless power tool (100), the method comprising the steps of:

(S100) receiving and/or transmitting a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool (100);

(S200) determining a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal; and

(S300) transmitting the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a notification is sent to an operator in case the wireless signal quality value is below a minimum wireless signal quality value.

3. The method according to claims 1 to 2, wherein the method further comprising determining a position of the wireless power tool (100) .

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the

method further comprising associating the position with wireless signal quality value. 5. The method according to any of the above claims wherein the wireless signal quality value is continuously determined.

6. The method according to any of the above claims wherein the wireless signal quality value is determined in the wireless power tool (100) .

7. A wireless power tool (100) operative to analyse a wireless signal environment for the wireless power tool (100), the wireless power tool (100) is operative to:

- receive and/or transmit a wireless signal using an antenna in the wireless power tool (100) ;

- determine a wireless signal quality value of the wireless signal; and

- transmit the wireless signal quality value and/or visually represent the wireless signal quality value.

8. The wireless power tool (100) according to claim 7, wherein a notification is sent to an operator of the wireless power tool (100) in case the wireless signal quality value is below a minimum wireless signal quality value. 9. The wireless power tool (100) according to claims 7 to 8, wherein the wireless power tool (100) is further operative to determine a position of the wireless power tool (100) .

10. The wireless power tool (100) according to claim 9, wherein the wireless power tool (100) is further operative to associate the position with the wireless signal quality value.

11. The wireless power tool (100) according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the wireless power tool (100) is further operative to continuously determine the wireless signal quality value.

12. A computer readable storage medium having stored there on a computer program which when run in the wireless power tool (100) causes the wireless power tool (100) to perform the method in any of claims 1 to 6.