FR2779375A1 - Device for controlled turning locking systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A bi-directional signal is transmitted by induction between the key body (1) and the lock body (4), when the key is turned to an unlocked position.

Description

- 1. -

DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to the field of industrial capital goods, more particularly those intended for tightening operations, in particular controlled tightening, and relates to a device for screwing to

controlled tightening.

  The latter, intended to validate tightening of nuts or screws in the assembly manufacturing processes, generally consist, on the one hand, of an electronic torque wrench body comprising in particular a grip handle and a functional end opposite to said handle and capable of receiving a tightening tool and, on the other hand, by a base for receiving the key body when not in use, provided in particular with means for supplying the key body, said base and said key body being also

  provided with means for transmitting informative signals between them.

  The key body includes a strain gauge, the output of which is connected to an analog-to-digital converter indicating the values in real time

  digital torques applied at the clamping tool.

  The maximum values applied during successive tightening operations are stored for later transmission to a central control and management system, the operation of the key body being controlled by a computer processing unit comprising in particular a

  programmable microprocessor, in particular of corresponding keys.

  In these known devices, the key body is connected to the base by means of a flexible cord which ensures bidirectional transmission of

  informative signals and the continuous supply of the key body.

  However, the presence of the material link formed by this connecting cord is extremely handicapping for the freedom of movement of the operator and constitutes an obstacle for any object moving or located between the key body and the base. This results, taking into account the pulls, cuts, pinches, crushing, breaks or the like to which they are exposed, a limited life of these connecting cords and the associated connectors and sockets, in particular in the manufacture of chain, and additional constraints

  organization of workstations due to induced limitations.

  Different wireless transmission solutions have been envisaged to overcome the connection cords, but none could be applied in practice due to the conditions and the environment of use and the -2- need to have a handy tool, resistant, simple to use and whose external shape remains substantially unchanged compared to current devices. The present invention aims in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for controlled tightening screwing, mainly consisting, on the one hand, of an electronic torque wrench body comprising in particular a grip handle and a functional end opposite to said handle and capable of receiving a tightening tool and, on the other hand, by a base for receiving the key body when not in use, provided in particular with means for supplying the key body, said base and said key body also being provided with means for transmitting informative signals to each other, characterized in that the bidirectional transmission of signals between the key body and the base is carried out by induction, when said key body is disposed on said base in a

stalled position of non-use.

  The invention will be better understood from the following description, which

  relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a controlled tightening device according to the invention, and , Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a tightening device according to the invention, in which the key body is placed in its position

  not in use on the base.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device for controlled tightening is mainly constituted, on the one hand, by an electronic dynamometric key body I comprising in particular a grip handle 2 and a functional end 21 opposite to said handle and capable of receiving a tightening tool 2 and, on the other hand, by a base 4 for receiving the key body 1 when not in use, provided in particular with means for supplying the key body 1, said base 4 and said body key 1 also being provided with means

  of transmission 6 and 7 of informative signals between them.

  According to the invention, the bidirectional transmission of signals between the key body 1 and the base 4 is carried out by induction, when said key body 1 is disposed on said base 4 in a locked position of non-use. -3 - According to a first characteristic of the invention making it possible to ensure reliable induction transmission and with minimum energy expenditure, the base 4 is provided with means 8 for positioning, wedging and retention capable of cooperating with complementary means or parts of the key body 1 and guaranteeing a determined proximal positioning of the coils 6 ′ and 7 ′ forming the antennas of the means of induction transmission 6 and 7 respectively of the key body 1 and of the base 4 and, where appropriate , corresponding transmission windows, when said key body I is disposed in the

  stalled position of non-use on the base 4.

  The means 8 can consist, for example, of lugs between which the key body I can be forcibly engaged and which wedge and hold the latter by pinching between them (fig. 2), in a groove capable of cooperating with a rib formed on the housing 1 ′ of the key body I and associated with a stop or an engagement means determining the locked position of non-use or else in a hollow handle in which the key body 1 can be partially fitted

with a blocking in stalled position.

  The antennas 6 ′ and 7 ′ are advantageously positioned as close as possible to portions of exterior surfaces which are brought into contact when the key body I is engaged in the means 8 and immobilized in the locked position of non-use, for example facing openings forming transmission windows and closed by wall portions allowing the transmission of electromagnetic waves, these wall portions being preferably brought into intimate contact during the positioning of the key body 1 in its locked position

on the base 4.

  Thus, the key body I is normally in one of the following two states: use by the operator to carry out tightened tightening

  or installation on the base 4 in the stalled position.

  During its use, the key body I memorizes, after validation by the operator, the maximum torques successively applied by means of the tightening tool 3. These torques are recorded by a strain gauge 17 and their values processed by an A / D converter 18 and a microprocessor to be finally stored in a memory associated with the latter. In the stalled position of non-use, the stored torque values can be transferred by induction transmission to the base 4 (for example by means of an electromagnetic signal at 139 KHz amplitude modulated / ISO standard IEC WG8RCCC), and from this last towards a central management system, for example via a serial link of the

RS232C type.

  It should be noted that the aforementioned mode of transmission by induction over a very short distance does not require any particular approval, does not disturb the electromagnetic environment and is not disturbed by the latter. In addition, it may also be carried out during the setting of the key body I in the non-use position, programming the microprocessor 19 thereof, loading a new program for managing the operation of the torque wrench, a new setting of the torque setpoint threshold values or similar configuration operations,

diagnostic or maintenance.

  Furthermore, to limit energy consumption as much as possible at the level of the key body I during the induction transmission and to effectively enhance the period of non-use, the key body I may comprise two pads 9 connected to an accumulator or a rechargeable battery. integrated 9 ′ coming into contact with two corresponding supply terminals 10 provided on the base 4, for example in the form of metal tongues, when said key body I

  is located in the locked position when not in use.

  Thus, the periods of non-use will be exploited to charge the accumulator 9 'of the key body 1 to its optimal level of charge for the

  consecutive periods of use.

  In order to avoid any deterioration of the supply of the key body 1, the latter can integrate a protection circuit of the accumulator or of the battery.

  rechargeable 9 'against short circuits and overvoltages.

  In order to be able to ensure normal use of the key body I in the event of a failure of the induction transmission and / or of the supply by the studs 9, it can advantageously be provided that the key body 1 and the base 4 are provided of multi-pin connectors 11, 11 ', covered with suitable removable 11 "protective caps, allowing the establishment of a wired connection for supplying the key body I and for bidirectional signal transmission

  between the latter and the base 4, parallel to the induction transmission.

  Thus, the means ensuring the transmission by induction and the power supply by contact could, for example, be installed in existing torque wrenches, currently operating with a wired link, making only minor modifications to the structure of the wrench -5- (such adaptation is especially possible for torque wrenches

  known under the name DAZ-E and manufactured by the company Saltus).

  As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the housing 1 'of the key body I comprises different function and programming keys 12, a digital display means 13, indicators 14 for indication of exceeding threshold values of applied torques and a two-color indicator 15 indicating the power supply mode and the level of loading of the key body 1 and the base 4 is provided with indicator lights 16 and 16 ′ respectively indicating the state of loading of the key body 1 , the operating state of the base 4 and the existence, as well as if necessary the direction, of a signal transmission

between the latter and the base 4.

  The various keys 12 present at the level of the key body 1 in particular allow the key to be switched on and off and, by combination, offers the possibility of fixing the minimum and maximum set values and of reading the values of the torques memorized at the level display means 13, by

  example of the liquid crystal type.

  To facilitate the positioning and handling of the key body 1, the configuration of the base 4 and the locations of the means 8 for positioning, wedging and retention are such that the grip handle 2 of the key body 1 projects laterally from the base 4 when said key body 1 is disposed in its

  locked position when not in use (see figure 2).

  The practical realization of the various electronic modules and circuits forming part of the key body 1 and of the base 4 is within reach of

  skilled in the art and is not further described in this specification.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of

protection of the invention.

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Claims (7)

  1. Device for tightening controlled tightening, mainly consisting, on the one hand, of an electronic torque wrench body comprising in particular a grip handle and a functional end opposite to said handle and capable of receiving a tightening tool and, on the other hand part, by a base for receiving the key body when not in use, provided in particular with means for supplying the key body, said base and said key body also being provided with means for transmitting informative signals therebetween, characterized in that the bidirectional transmission of signals between the key body (1) and the base (4) is carried out by induction, when said key body   (1) is disposed on said base (4) in a locked position of non-use.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (4) is provided with means (8) for positioning, wedging and retention capable of cooperating with complementary means or parts of the key body (1) and guaranteeing a determined proximal positioning of the coils (6 'and 7') forming the antennas of the means of induction transmission (6 and 7) respectively of the key body (1) and of the base (4) and, where appropriate, corresponding transmission windows, when said key body (1) is disposed in the locked position of not used on the base (4).   3. Device according to any one of claims I and 2,   characterized in that the key body (1) comprises two studs (9) connected to a built-in accumulator or rechargeable battery (e) (9 ') coming into contact with two corresponding supply terminals (10) provided on the base (4), for example in the form of metal tongues, when said key body (1) is located in   the stalled position of non-use.   4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the key body (1) incorporates a protection circuit for the accumulator or the battery   rechargeable (9 ') against short circuits and overvoltages.   5. Device according to any one of claims I to 4,   characterized in that the key body (1) and the base (4) are provided with multi-pin connectors (1l, Il '), covered with suitable removable protective caps (11 "), allowing the establishment of a connection wired power supply of the key body (1) and bidirectional transmission of signals between it and the base   (4), in parallel with the induction transmission. -7-   6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the box (1 ') of the key body (1) comprises different keys (12) for function and programming, a digital display means (13), indicator lights (14) for indicating that the limit has been exceeded applied torque threshold values and a two-color indicator (15) indicating the power supply mode and the level of loading of the key body (1) and in that the base (4) is provided with indicator lights (16 and 16 ' ) respectively indicating the loading state of the key body (1), the operating state of the base (4) and the existence, as well as if applicable   the direction, of a signal transmission between the latter and the base (4).   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the configuration of the base (4) and the locations of the means (8) for positioning, wedging and retention are such that the grip handle (2) of the key body (1) protrudes laterally from the '' base (4) when   said key body (1) is disposed in its locked position of non-use.