SE1551678A1

SE1551678A1 - Pneumatic tool management system

Info

Publication number: SE1551678A1
Application number: SE1551678A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Lavén Stefan
Original assignee: Lincube Group Ab
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2017-06-19
Also published as: WO2017105339A1; SE540635C2

Abstract

Disclosed is a system (1) for pneumatic tool management. The system comprises a pneumatic tool (10) and a receiver (30) adapted to receive operational data from a measuring device (20). The system further comprises a database (40) operationally connected to the receiver (30), for storing operational data. The system (1) further comprises a measuring device (20) adapted to collect operational data relating to the pneumatic tool (10) and wherein the measuring device (20) is further adapted to transmit the operational data.(Fig. 1)

Description

PNEUMATIC TOOL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to systems and devices for toolmanagement, and more particularly relates systems and devices for datacollection for pneumatic tools.

Background art

[0002] Today, pneumatically driven machines such as drills, riveting hammers,grinding machines, etc., do not have any way of tracking how much and for howlong the tools have been used. Thus, there is no actual operational data availablefor these machines, and as such it is not possible to know e.g. for how long, bywhom, and where these tools have been used.

[0003] Due to the lack of available data, service and maintenance of these toolsare not done in an optimal way. lnstead, a typical way is to do service andmaintenance is in regular intervals, wherein the intervals are based onassumptions based on average use, rather than actual data. This entails that theusage of the tools sometimes exceeds the optimal time for use, and other timesthe tools are not used nearly as long as would be possible, before maintenance isdone.

[0004] What is described above is a problem that is present for currentpneumatic tool systems. There are a large number of tools and machines that arealready in place at various factories and plants. These tools would be desirable toinclude in a tool management system, due to it being very costly and timeconsuming to change and/or replace the currently used machines and tools.

[0005] ln light of the above, there is a need for better systems and devices fortool management that are applicable to both existing and new systems, particularly for pneumatic tool management. 70574 Summary of invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least some of theproblems outlined above. lt is possible to achieve these objects and others byusing systems and devices as defined in the attached independent claims.

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided a system for pneumatic toolmanagement. The system comprises a pneumatic tool, a receiver adapted toreceive operational data from a measuring device, and a database operationallyconnected to the receiver, for storing operational data. The system furthercomprises a measuring device adapted to collect operational data relating to theoperational tool, and wherein the measuring device is further adapted to transmitthe operational data, preferably wirelessly. By implementing a system asdescribed above, it becomes possible to measure and collect operational datafrom pneumatic tools. This, in turn, enables better maintenance of tools since it ispossible to use actual data rather than assumptions, e.g. when determining when it is time to service a tool.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment, the operational data is related to atleast one of: air pressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, timeof use. According to an optional embodiment, the operational data is related to at least one of air pressure or air flow.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment, the system further comprises anoperator ID card, operatively connected to the measuring device, for identifying anoperator of the measuring device. By having an operator ID card it becomespossible to also collect data for specific operators, such as the amount of soundand vibrations an operator has been subjected to. By collecting such data, anoperator's tasks may be divided in a better way that ensures that an operator isnot subjected to too much of negative aspects.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment, the measuring device isconnectable at a first end to a pneumatic tool, and is connectible at a second end to a pressurized air supply. 70574

[0011] According to an optional embodiment, the measuring device furthercomprises a power source and a generator connected to the power source andadapted to charge the power source. The device further comprises an impeller,connected to the generator, for driving the generator by means of the pressurizedair passing by the impeller. ln optional embodiments, the impeller may also be used as a sensor for measuring air flow.

[0012] According to an aspect, there is provided a device for co||ectingoperational data for pneumatic tools. The device is connectable at a first end to apneumatic tool, and is connectable at a second end to a pressurized air supply.The device comprises a housing defining a flow channel between the first andsecond ends, and a first sensor adapted for measuring and co||ecting operationaldata relating to at least one of air pressure and air flow. The device furthercomprises a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit the collected data. The device is typically a portable device.

[0013] A device as described above makes it possible to collect operational datafor pneumatic tools, in a way that is possible to implement in both existing and newsystems. The device is modular and may as such be incorporated into existingsystems as well as new ones. Furthermore, incorporating the device does notrequire any alterations to existing systems, since it is adapted to be positionedbetween a tool and an air supply, and as such it is also a cheap solution to theproblem of not having operational data for pneumatic tools.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment, the device is further adapted formeasuring and co||ecting data relating to at least one of: air pressure, temperature,air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use. ln some embodiments, this isachieved through having a second sensor adapted for measuring at least one ofthe listed variables. By measuring variables such as e.g. temperature, sound andvibrations, it becomes possible to collect data regarding variables that also affectsa user of the device, which data may be used to ensure that a user is notsubjected to too much of negative aspects. ln some embodiments, the device may 70574 be adapted to measure multiple different parameters with a single sensor, and itmay also be adapted to use multiple sensors to measure a single parameter.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment, the first sensor is disposedinternally of the housing and the second sensor is disposed externally of thehousing.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment, the device further comprises apower source and a generator, connected to the power source and adapted tocharge the power source. The device further comprises an impeller, connected tothe generator, for driving the generator by means of the pressurized air passing bythe impeller. By having a power source, generator and impeller, the devicebecomes more energy efficient due to being able to use at least part of the energy in the pressurized air.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment, the device further comprises anoperator ID card, operatively connected to the transmitter, for identifying anoperator of the device. By having an operator ID card it becomes possible tomatch certain data with specific operators, such as the amount of sound andvibrations an operator has been subjected to.

[0018] The above systems and devices may be configured and implementedaccording to additional different optional embodiments. Further possible featuresand benefits of this solution will become apparent from the description below.

Brief description of drawinqs

[0019] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an overview of a system according to the presentdisclosure.

[0021] Figs. 2a and 2b show a device according to the present disclosure andits attachment to a tool. 70574

[0022] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a device according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a device in relation to its connection to a tool.

Description of embodiments

[0024] ln the following, a detailed description of the different embodiments of thesolution is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. All examplesherein should be seen as part of the general description and are therefore possibleto combine in any way in general terms. Individual features of the variousembodiments and methods may be combined or exchanged unless suchcombination or exchange is clearly contradictory to the overall function of the implementation.

[0025] Briefly described, the solution relates to systems and devices for toolmanagement, more particularly for management of pneumatic tools. A system anda device is provided to enable measurement, collection and utilization of datarelated to operational parameters of tools. The systems and devices describedherein are typically used for pneumatic tools, and operational parameters typicallyinclude at least information relating to pressurized air being supplied to the tools.The terms user and operator are used interchangeably throughout the document.

[0026] The systems and devices described herein are typically suitable for usewith pneumatic tools, i.e. tools which require pressurized air for operating. Suchtools are very common today, but the currently used systems and methods havevery poor, if not nonexistent, ways to measure usage, and as such theyconsequently lack the capabilities to also measure or estimate related parameters, such as wear and tear.

[0027] Tools that are commonly available today lack the capacity to measureand collect data relating to operational parameters related to the tools.Furthermore, discarding old equipment and investing in new one is very costly andsomething that is preferably avoided. Modifying existing tools, e.g. opening them 70574 up and installing a new part is costly in addition to being difficult, if even possible,and is also time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a solution that providesa cost efficient way to measure operational data related to tools, that does notrequire modification of existing tools and that also does not require new tools to bebought.

[0028] Since there are no good ways available for current systems to measure,collect and present operational data, maintenance is typically based on anaveraged usage rather than actual use. This entails that sometimes tools will beserviced unnecessarily, while other times tools will be used for a lot longer thanthe optimal time between maintenance rounds. This is one of the problems solvedby the present disclosure. Another problem is that existing systems that arealready in place, are difficult and expensive to alter, and buying new equipment iseven more expensive. Therefore there is a need for a cost effective solution thatenables monitoring tools and collecting operational data, without the need ofbuying new equipment or without the need to modify existing equipment. Thepresent solution also solves this problem by providing a device that is compatiblewith existing systems and does not require any modification of tools already inplace. The device will be described further in detail after the system has been descnbed.

[0029] ln addition to the amount of time used and the amount of pressurized airthat has been used for a tool, other useful variables may also be measured. Thesevariables include temperature conditions, air flow, and air velocity, and it should beunderstood that similar parameters that may be useful for determining when a tool needs maintenance may also be measured.

[0030] ln addition to measuring and collecting data relating to variables used fordetermining when tools are in need of maintenance, the systems and devices ofthis disclosure may also be adapted to measure variables that affect a user of thetools, more so than the tools themselves. These variables include the amount andextent of the sound and vibrations that arise when using the tools, which in turnmay affect a user, especially during extended and repeated use. Similar 70574 parameters that may be useful for determining the impact tool usage has on a usermay also be measured. The solution will now be described more in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows an overview of a system 1 according to the presentdisclosure. The system comprises a tool 10, a measuring device 20, and atransmitter 30. The system may also comprise a database 40 and computermeans 50. ln some implementations, the system also comprises an operator IDcard 60 which may be used by an operator 70.

[0032] The purpose of the system 1 is to measure operational data related tothe tool 10, by use of the measuring device 20. ln order for the system to have theability to communicate the data to other entities, the system is also equipped witha transmitter 30. ln some embodiments the transmitter 30 is disposed within themeasuring device 20, and in some embodiments the transmitter 30 is separatefrom the measuring device 20. The database 40 is intended to store data from themeasuring device 20 if necessary. The computer means 50 may in someembodiments be used to visualize the data from the measuring device 20 to a userof the system. The operator ID cards 60 are intended to keep track of different operators 70, and comprise suitable functionality to achieve such tracking.

[0033] The tool 10 is typically a pneumatic tool, such as a drill, riveting hammer,grinding machine or other type of similar tool. The tool 10 typically requires asupply of pressurized air to function, and in some embodiments the tool is a powertool that requires a power supply.

[0034] The measuring device 20 is a device adapted for measuring operationaldata related to a tool 10, and adapted for collecting such data. The operationaldata includes at least one of air pressure and, air flow. Depending on the intendeduse, the device may be further adapted to measure and collect data relating to atleast one of air pressure, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, and time of use.The device 20 comprises at least one sensor adapted for measuring suchoperational parameters. ln embodiments in which the device 20 is adapted for measuring several different parameters, the device 20 may comprise several 70574 sensors. ln some embodiments, each sensor is adapted to measure oneparameter, in some embodiments each sensor may measure multiple parameters, and in other embodiments several sensor co-interact to measure one parameter.

[0035] The device 20 may comprise internal sensors, and/or it may compriseexternal sensors. The types of sensors used vary depending on the variable theyare intended to measure. For example, a sensor adapted for measuring air flowthrough the device 20 would likely be disposed internally in order to measure theflow, velocity and/or amount of air passing through the sensor. A sensor adaptedfor measuring the temperature for the environment in which the tool is used, wouldlikely be disposed externally. ln some embodiments, the measuring device 20 maybe incorporated into the tool 10, and thus the tool 10 and device 20 may be seen as a single unit.

[0036] The system may further comprise a transmitter 30. The transmitter 30 isadapted to transmit the operational data that has been measured and collected bythe device 20. The transmitter is typically adapted to transmit the data wirelessly.The transmitter 30 is in some embodiments incorporated into the measuringdevice 20. The type of technology employed by the transmitter could be any typeof technology usable for transferring data, and it may be either wired or wireless.Examples of which types of communication the transmitter is adapted tocommunication with include near field communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and any other type of technology adapted to transfer data.

[0037] The system may further comprise a database 40 for storing operationaldata, which may be any type of database suitable for storing such data. Thesystem may also comprise computer means 50, typically operatively connectedwith at least the database 40. The computer means 50 comprises processingmeans and optionally a memory, and it may be any type of computer such as a stationary computer, portable computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.

[0038] ln some embodiments, the system may further comprise an operator IDcard 60. The card 60 is associated with at least one operator 70 of the system 1.By having a card 60 for each operator 70, it becomes possible to track not only 70574 tool-specific data but also operator-specific data, such as the amount of sound andvibration an operator has been subjected to during a certain period of time. Suchmeasurements may be beneficial for e.g. ensuring that operators are not subjectedto too much of factors that may affect them negatively.

[0039] ln some embodiments, the system may also comprise a receiver forreceiving data from the transmitter. The receiver may be implemented into the computer means and/or the database, or it may be implemented on its own.

[0040] ln some embodiments, the system may also comprise means forvisualizing the operational data to a user, and may further comprise means forprocessing the data. These means may typically be in the form of software, forinstance implemented in the computer means 50. Such software may be used tovisualize and present the collected data to an operator or user of the system,which enables more efficient usage than if the data was merely provided as rawdata. Furthermore, the software may be configured to calculate estimations of e.g.the vibration level and sound level of a tool, based from measurements of otheroperational data. The software may further be used to calculate e.g. maintenanceneeds for the tools that are far more accurate than estimations based solely on aVefage USS.

[0041] Looking now at Figs. 2a and 2b, the intended use of a device accordingto the present disclosure will be described. Figs. 2a and 2b both show a view of adevice tool 100, a device 110 according to the present disclosure, a connector 120and a feeding line 130, typically a pressurized air supply. Fig. 2a shows anexploded view of the different parts, and Fig. 2b shows a view of an operationalposition in which the device 110 is attached to the tool 100 on one end, and to thefeeding line 130 on the other end. A connector 120 may optionally be used forfitting the device 110 to the feeding line 130 and/or to the tool 100, depending onthe types of connectors available. ln some embodiments, the connector 120 maybe incorporated into the device 120 as well.

[0042] The intended use of the device 110 is to measure and collect operationaldata relating to parameters related to the tool 100. 70574

[0043] A typical embodiment will now be described as an example, in which thetool 100 is a pneumatic tool and the feeding line 130 is a pressurized air supplyintended to provide air to the tool 100. The device 110 according to this disclosureis adapted to measure and collect operational data related to at least one of: airpressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use. ln theexample above, the device 110 may be adapted to measure at least parametersrelated to the air passing from the pressurized air supply 130 to the tool 100, i.e.the air passing through the device 110.

[0044] Looking now at Fig. 3, the composition of the measuring device 200 willnow be described in more detail. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the parts of adevice 200, which are housed in a housing 210 defining a flow channel 220through the device 200. The device comprises at least one sensor 220, 230,adapted to measure and collect data relating to at least one of air pressure,temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use. As shown in thefigure, the device 200 may comprise external sensors 230 and it may compriseinternal sensors 240. ln some embodiments the device only comprises one sensor230, 240 and in some embodiments the device comprises multiple sensors 230,240.

[0045] The device 200 is also adapted to transmit operational data, for instanceby incorporating a transmitter. ln Fig. 3, the functionality of transmitting may beenabled by a printed circuit board 260, having on it the necessary circuitry toenable such transmission. lt should be understood that what is shown as Fig. 3 isan example, and that other implementations of transmitting functionality may alsobe incorporated into the device.

[0046] The device may also comprise a power source 270, in the figure shownas a battery. The device may further comprise a generator (not shown) and animpeller 250 for charging the generator. ln a typical example wherein the device200 is adapted to measure and collect data relating to at least pressurized airpassing through the device 200, the impeller 250 is rotated by the air passingthrough it and this rotation is used to drive and/or charge the generator and/or 705741 1 power source 270. By having a battery 270 and a way of charging the battery 270,it is possible to achieve a portable device that does not require external power,and further which makes use of the force from air passing through in order to generate power.

[0047] Fig. 4 is also provided to further clarify the composition of the device 410,in relation to its connection to a tool 400, while also showing the different parts ofthe device 410.

[0048] With a system and device according to the present disclosure, itbecomes possible to monitor tools and collect data relating to operationalparameters that affects a tool, preferably a pneumatic tool. The present disclosurealso enables measuring and collecting data relating to parameters that may affectan operator of a tool. Furthermore, the present disclosure enables these featureswhile still being a cost effective solution that is possible to implement in existing systems as well as when purchasing a new system.

[0049] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein butas merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of thedescribed concept. lt will be appreciated that the scope of the presently describedconcept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious tothose skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept isaccordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is notintended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more".

Claims

70574 12 Claims

1. A system (1) for pneumatic tool management, the system comprising:a pneumatic tool (10);a receiver (30) adapted to receive operational data from a measuring device (20); a database (40) operationally connected to the receiver (30), for storing operational data; characterized in that the system (1) further comprises a measuring device (20)adapted to collect operational data relating to the pneumatic tool (10) and furtherwherein the measuring device (20) is adapted to transmit the operational data.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the operational data is related to atleast one of: air pressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an operator ID card (60), operatively connected to the measuring device (20), for identifying an operator (70) of the measuring device (20).

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuringdevice (20) is connectable at a first end to the pneumatic tool (10), and at asecond end is connectable to a pressurized air supply.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the measuringdevice (20) further comprises: 8 pOWel' SOU FCG; a generator, connected to the power source and adapted to charge the power SOU FCG; an impeller, connected to the generator, for driving the generator by means of thepressurized air passing by the impeller. 7057413

6. A device (200) for collecting operational data for pneumatic tools, the devicebeing (200) connectable at a first end to a pneumatic tool, and at a second end being connectable to a pressurized air supply, the device comprising:a housing (210) defining a flow channel (210) between the first and second ends; a first sensor (230, 240) adapted for measuring and collecting operational data relating to at least one of air pressure and air flow; anda transmitter (260) adapted to wirelessly transmit the collected data.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device is further comprises asecond sensor (230, 240), the second sensor (230, 240) being adapted formeasuring and collecting data relating to at least one of: air pressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the first sensor (240) is disposedinternally of the housing, and the second sensor (230) is disposed externally of the housing.

9. The device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising:a power source (270); a generator, connected to the power source (270) and adapted to charge the power source (270); an impeller (250), connected to the generator, for driving the generator by means of the pressurized air passing by the impeller.

10. The device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising anoperator ID card, operatively connected to the transmitter, for identifying an operator of the device.