Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25D—PERCUSSIVE TOOLS
  • B25D9/00—Portable percussive tools with fluid-pressure drive, i.e. driven directly by fluids, e.g. having several percussive tool bits operated simultaneously
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23B—TURNING; BORING
  • B23B45/00—Hand-held or like portable drilling machines, e.g. drill guns; Equipment therefor
  • B23B45/04—Hand-held or like portable drilling machines, e.g. drill guns; Equipment therefor driven by fluid-pressure or pneumatic power
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
  • B25B23/00—Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers
  • B25B23/14—Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers
  • B25B23/145—Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers specially adapted for fluid operated wrenches or screwdrivers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25F—COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B25F5/00—Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
  • G01F1/05—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects
  • G01F1/06—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects using rotating vanes with tangential admission
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
  • G01F15/06—Indicating or recording devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01H—MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
  • G01H1/00—Measuring characteristics of vibrations in solids by using direct conduction to the detector
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01K1/00—Details of thermometers not specially adapted for particular types of thermometer
  • G01K1/02—Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
  • G01L1/00—Measuring force or stress, in general
  • G01L1/02—Measuring force or stress, in general by hydraulic or pneumatic means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
  • B25B21/00—Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to systems and devices for tool management, and more particularly relates systems and devices for data collection for pneumatic tools.
• An object of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the problems outlined above. It is possible to achieve these objects and others by using systems and devices as defined in the attached independent claims.
• a system for pneumatic tool management comprising a pneumatic tool, a receiver adapted to receive operational data from a measuring device, and a database operationally connected to the receiver, for storing operational data.
• the system further comprises a measuring device adapted to collect operational data relating to the operational tool, and wherein the measuring device is further adapted to transmit the operational data, preferably wirelessly.
• the system further comprises a power source and a generator connected to the power source, the generator adapted to charge the power source.
• the system further comprises an impeller connected to the generator, for driving the generator by means of the pressurized air passing by the impeller, wherein the impeller is adapted for measuring air flow.
• the operational data is related to at least one of: air pressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use. According to an optional embodiment, the operational data is related to at least one of air pressure or air flow.
• the system further comprises an operator ID card, operatively connected to the measuring device, for identifying an operator of the measuring device.
• an operator ID card By having an operator ID card it becomes possible to also collect data for specific operators, such as the amount of sound and vibrations an operator has been subjected to. By collecting such data, an operator's tasks may be divided in a better way that ensures that an operator is not subjected to too much of negative aspects.
• the measuring device is
• a device for collecting operational data for pneumatic tools is connectable at a first end to a pneumatic 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 and second ends, and a first sensor adapted for measuring and collecting operational data relating to at least one of air pressure and air flow.
• the device further comprises a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit the collected data.
• the device further comprises a power source and a generator connected to the power source, the generator adapted to charge the power source.
• the device further comprises an impeller connected to the generator, for driving the generator by means of the pressurized air passing by the impeller, wherein the impeller is adapted for measuring air flow.
• the device is typically a portable device.
• a device as described above makes it possible to collect operational data for pneumatic tools, in a way that is possible to implement in both existing and new systems.
• the device is modular and may as such be incorporated into existing systems as well as new ones. Furthermore, incorporating the device does not require any alterations to existing systems, since it is adapted to be positioned between a tool and an air supply, and as such it is also a cheap solution to the problem of not having operational data for pneumatic tools.
• the device is further adapted for measuring and collecting data relating to at least one of: air pressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use. In some embodiments, this is achieved through having a second sensor adapted for measuring at least one of the listed variables.
• a second sensor adapted for measuring at least one of the listed variables.
• the device may be adapted to measure multiple different parameters with a single sensor, and it may also be adapted to use multiple sensors to measure a single parameter.
• the first sensor is disposed internally of the housing and the second sensor is disposed externally of the housing.
• the device further comprises an operator ID card, operatively connected to the transmitter, for identifying an operator of the device.
• an operator ID card By having an operator ID card it becomes possible to match certain data with specific operators, such as the amount of sound and vibrations an operator has been subjected to.
• FIG. 1 shows an overview of a system according to the present disclosure.
• FIGs. 2a and 2b show a device according to the present disclosure and its attachment to a tool.
• Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a device according to the present disclosure.
• Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a device in relation to its connection to a tool.
• the solution relates to systems and devices for tool management, more particularly for management of pneumatic tools.
• a system and a device is provided to enable measurement, collection and utilization of data related to operational parameters of tools.
• the systems and devices described herein are typically used for pneumatic tools, and operational parameters typically include at least information relating to pressurized air being supplied to the tools.
• the terms user and operator are used interchangeably throughout the document.
• the systems and devices of this disclosure may also be adapted to measure variables that affect a user of the tools, more so than the tools themselves. These variables include the amount and extent of the sound and vibrations that arise when using the tools, which in turn may affect a user, especially during extended and repeated use. Similar
• Fig. 1 shows an overview of a system 1 according to the present disclosure.
• the system comprises a tool 10, a measuring device 20, and a transmitter 30.
• the system may also comprise a database 40 and computer means 50.
• the system also comprises an operator ID card 60 which may be used by an operator 70.
• the purpose of the system 1 is to measure operational data related to the tool 10, by use of the measuring device 20.
• the system is also equipped with a transmitter 30.
• the transmitter 30 is disposed within the measuring device 20, and in some embodiments the transmitter 30 is separate from the measuring device 20.
• the database 40 is intended to store data from the measuring device 20 if necessary.
• the computer means 50 may in some embodiments be used to visualize the data from the measuring device 20 to a user of the system.
• the operator ID cards 60 are intended to keep track of different operators 70, and comprise suitable functionality to achieve such tracking.
• 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 a supply of pressurized air to function, and in some embodiments the tool is a power tool that requires a power supply.
• the measuring device 20 is a device adapted for measuring operational data related to a tool 10, and adapted for collecting such data.
• the operational data includes at least one of air pressure and, air flow.
• the device may be further adapted to measure and collect data relating to at least 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 such operational parameters.
• the device 20 may comprise several sensors.
• each sensor is adapted to measure one
• each sensor may measure multiple parameters, and in other embodiments several sensor co-interact to measure one parameter.
• the device 20 may comprise internal sensors, and/or it may comprise external sensors. The types of sensors used vary depending on the variable they are intended to measure. For example, a sensor adapted for measuring air flow through the device 20 would likely be disposed internally in order to measure the flow, velocity and/or amount of air passing through the sensor. A sensor adapted for measuring the temperature for the environment in which the tool is used, would likely be disposed externally. In some embodiments, the measuring device 20 may be incorporated into the tool 10, and thus the tool 10 and device 20 may be seen as a single unit.
• the system may further comprise a transmitter 30.
• the transmitter 30 is adapted to transmit the operational data that has been measured and collected by the device 20.
• the transmitter is typically adapted to transmit the data wirelessly.
• the transmitter 30 is in some embodiments incorporated into the measuring device 20.
• the type of technology employed by the transmitter could be any type of technology usable for transferring data, and it may be either wired or wireless. Examples of which types of communication the transmitter is adapted to communication with include near field communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and any other type of technology adapted to transfer data.
• the system may further comprise a database 40 for storing operational data, which may be any type of database suitable for storing such data.
• the system may also comprise computer means 50, typically operatively connected with at least the database 40.
• the computer means 50 comprises processing means and optionally a memory, and it may be any type of computer such as a stationary computer, portable computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.
• the system may further comprise an operator ID card 60.
• the card 60 is associated with at least one operator 70 of the system 1 .
• operator-specific data such as the amount of sound and vibration an operator has been subjected to during a certain period of time. Such measurements may be beneficial for e.g. ensuring that operators are not subjected to too much of factors that may affect them negatively.
• the system may also comprise a receiver for receiving 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.
• the system may also comprise means for visualizing the operational data to a user, and may further comprise means for processing the data.
• These means may typically be in the form of software, for instance implemented in the computer means 50.
• Such software may be used to visualize 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 raw data.
• the software may be configured to calculate estimations of e.g. the vibration level and sound level of a tool, based from measurements of other operational data.
• the software may further be used to calculate e.g. maintenance needs for the tools that are far more accurate than estimations based solely on average use.
• FIGs. 2a and 2b both show a view of a device tool 100, a device 1 10 according to the present disclosure, a connector 120 and a feeding line 130, typically a pressurized air supply.
• Fig. 2a shows an exploded view of the different parts
• Fig. 2b shows a view of an operational position in which the device 1 10 is attached to the tool 100 on one end, and to the feeding line 130 on the other end.
• a connector 120 may optionally be used for fitting the device 1 10 to the feeding line 130 and/or to the tool 100, depending on the types of connectors available. In some embodiments, the connector 120 may be incorporated into the device 120 as well.
• the intended use of the device 1 10 is to measure and collect operational data relating to parameters related to the tool 100.
• a typical embodiment will now be described as an example, in which the tool 100 is a pneumatic tool and the feeding line 130 is a pressurized air supply intended to provide air to the tool 100.
• the device 1 10 according to this disclosure is adapted to measure and collect operational data related to at least one of: air pressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use.
• the device 1 10 may be adapted to measure at least parameters related to the air passing from the pressurized air supply 130 to the tool 100, i.e. the air passing through the device 1 10.
• Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the parts of a device 200, which are housed in a housing 210 defining a flow channel 220 through 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.
• the device 200 may comprise external sensors 230 and it may comprise internal sensors 240.
• the device only comprises one sensor 230, 240 and in some embodiments the device comprises multiple sensors 230, 240.
• the device 200 is also adapted to transmit operational data, for instance by incorporating a transmitter.
• the functionality of transmitting may be enabled by a printed circuit board 260, having on it the necessary circuitry to enable such transmission. It should be understood that what is shown as Fig. 3 is an example, and that other implementations of transmitting functionality may also be incorporated into the device.
• the device may also comprise a power source 270, in the figure shown as a battery.
• the device may further comprise a generator (not shown) and an impeller 250 for charging the generator.
• the impeller 250 is rotated by the air passing through it and this rotation is used to drive and/or charge the generator and/or power source 270.
• 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 of the device 410.
• the present disclosure With a system and device according to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to monitor tools and collect data relating to operational parameters that affects a tool, preferably a pneumatic tool.
• the present disclosure also enables measuring and collecting data relating to parameters that may affect an operator of a tool.
• the present disclosure enables these features while still being a cost effective solution that is possible to implement in existing systems as well as when purchasing a new system.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=59057344

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (3)

Citations (7)

• 2015
  • 2015-12-18 SE SE1551678A patent/SE540635C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2016
  • 2016-12-19 WO PCT/SE2016/051286 patent/WO2017105339A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (7)

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