CA2023106A1 - Electronic torque wrench with tactile indication - Google Patents
Electronic torque wrench with tactile indicationInfo
- Publication number
- CA2023106A1 CA2023106A1 CA002023106A CA2023106A CA2023106A1 CA 2023106 A1 CA2023106 A1 CA 2023106A1 CA 002023106 A CA002023106 A CA 002023106A CA 2023106 A CA2023106 A CA 2023106A CA 2023106 A1 CA2023106 A1 CA 2023106A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- torque wrench
- torque
- motor
- handle portion
- output signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- B25B23/142—Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers specially adapted for hand operated wrenches or screwdrivers
- B25B23/1422—Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers specially adapted for hand operated wrenches or screwdrivers torque indicators or adjustable torque limiters
- B25B23/1425—Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers specially adapted for hand operated wrenches or screwdrivers torque indicators or adjustable torque limiters by electrical means
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure An electronic torque wrench has a hollow handle portion in which are disposed a DC motor mechanically coupled to the handle portion with a mass eccentrically mounted on its shaft a control circuit for the motor and a battery for powering the motor and the control circuit. A strain sensor on the wrench produces an output signal when the torque applied to a workpiece equals or exceeds a predetermined torque level for causing the control circuit to actuate the motor to vibrate the handle portion and provide a tactile indication to the user.
Description
3$
El.E:CTRONIC TORQ~ Wlll~NCII
WI~rll 'l'AC'r~LE INL)IC~TION
Backqrounci of the Invention Field oL ~he lnventlon The present invention relates t~ torque wrenchR3 of the type wllicll produce an indication of the torque level applied by the wrench to an associated worlcplece. In p~rticular, the present invention relates to electronlc torque wrenches of the type which produce an ou~put signal when Lhe torque applie(i equals or ~xceeds a precletermlned torque level.
Descrlpt10n of the Prior ~rt Electronic torque wrenches typically include an elongated deflection beam provkled at one encl with a head porl:ioll for cou~l;ng to an associated workpiece, SUCIl as a threaded fasterler or the like, and provided at the other end with an elongated handle. Strain gauges are mounted on the deLlectioll beam to measure tlle strain or deflection of the beam in response to forces applied to the handle hy the operator in applyinq torque to an associated workpiece.
~rypically~ the strain gauges are connected in an electronic circuit whicll ~rocluces an indication of the torque applied l:o the workpiece as a function of the measurements macle by Lhe strain gauges. Output signals may be produced, either clil-ec~ly inclicating the amount of torque applied, or indicating when the torque applied equals or exceeds a precletermilled torque level.
In prior art tor~ue wrenches, various types of indicatiolls have been utilized. Meters or gauges may give direct visual indications of the torque level applied, or may give a visual indication, such as by an illumination of a lalllp or tlle li~e when a ~redetermined torque level is exceecled. ]t is also Icnown to provide audi~le a]arm signals 2~,3 ~ ~
to ln-~.icate tllat tlle predetel-mir-e~ torque leve.L l~s been exceedecl.
Torque wrenclles are commonly used by mechanlcs, such 85 auto mecllanics, who are frequently working in conflrled spaces, such as ~eneath a motor vellicle. In such circumstallces, eitller because of the space limitatiolls of tlle work area or tlle avallable light level, or bol:h, lle may be ullal)le to see a visual lndlcatlon on tl-e wrench. For example, ~UCIl mechanlcs fre~uently use torque wrenches in situat.ions where the visual indicator on tlle wrencll is facillg away from the user ln use, ~o that i.t cannot be seen by him. ~lso, auto repair shops and the like, where torque wr.enclles are comn~ollly usecl, are typical.Ly noisy environments, witll vehicle engines running, power tools being operated and the like, so as to create a level of background noise which makes lt clifficult or impossible for the operator to clearly hear an audible indication Erom tl~e torque wrench.
Summary of the Invention It is a general object of the present invention to prov.ide an improved torgue wrench which avo;.ds the cli.fiac~vatltages o~ prior wrenches, while affording addi.t;;.onal structnral and operatillg advantages.
~ n impol-tant feature of the present inventi.orl .is the pl-ovi.sion o~ a torque wrench whicll provides an unalllbiguous indicatioll when the apE)lied torclue exceeds a predctermined tor~ue level, wllicll indication can clearly be sensed irrespective of the operating position of the user and the wrench and irrespective of the ambient noise arld light levels.
In conllecLioll wi~ I)e foregoincl fea~ure, i~ i.s anotller teatuL-e of ~lle invellLion ~o provide a torque wrel~cll of tl~e type set fortll, wllicl) affords a tactile indicat.i.oll ~o tlle user.
In connection with the foregoing feature, stl.ll another feature of the invention is the provislon of a torque wrench whicll effects a vibration of the wrench to provlde an .in~dication signal to the user.
In c~nllectlon wlth tlle foregolng fea~ure~, anothQr Cea~ure oE the inventlon i3 tlle provision of a torque wrench or ~l~e Lype set Eort:ll, in whicll tlle vibration is eC[ecl:ed by a motor rotating an unbalallced mass.
Still anotller Leature of the invention is the provision of a torque wrench of the type set forth, in whicll the in~lication means is entirely confined wlthin the torque wrencll llanclle.
Yet another provision of the invention is the provision o~ a torque wrencll of the type set forth in whicll the torque wrench i.s electronic and the indication Means is battery powere-i.
'I'llese and otller features of the invention are attained l-y prov.kling, in a ~orque wrencll llavillg sensing arpara~us foL- pL-oduci.ng an ~uLpllt signal wllen tlle torque transmitted ~o an associa~ed work~iece equals or exceeds a predeterlllined torque level, tl~e .improvement comprising: generatillg means ~or producing a tactile indi.cation, and control means respons.ive to the output signal for activating tlle gelleratillg means.
'l'he invelltion consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully de~scribed, i.llustrated in the accompanyinq drawings, and particnlarly pointecl out in Lhe appended clai.ms, it being uncle~sLoocl that vario~ls changes i.n the details may be made without cleparting from tl~e spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages o the F-resent irlve~ltion.
BrieL Description oE tlle Draw1nas For Lhe p~rpo~e of faclllLatlng an unclerstand1ng of tl~e lnvent.iorl, Lhere is 11lustraLed 1n tlle accompany1ng drawillgs a preferred embod1ment thereof, from an inspection of wll1ch, wllen corlsJ~erecl in connection with tlle roL10~1rlg ~lescrlp~10n, ~he 1nven~ion, its construct10n and operat10n, and many oE it.s advflntages should be readlly unclerstood and appreciated.
F~G. ]. .is a perspective view of a Lorgue wrench consLructecl in accordance with and embodying the Leal;ures oE
~he present invellLioll;
rIG. 2 is a ~op plan view Or the torque wrench oL FIG.
1, in partial horizontal section, i11ustral.ing the configuraLion oE the hand1e portion and the coml)onents disposecl therein;
FIG. 3 ls a view of the torque wrench of FIG. 1 in partia.l s.i.cle elevat.ion and partial vertical sect.ioll;
FIG. 4 is a partially schematic and partial..ly l~lock c.i.rcllit cliagralll of Lhe control c.ircuit for the torq~le wrench oE ~lG. I;
rlG. 5 .is an enlarged, perspective view o.C ~he mass whicll is mounted on Lhe motor oE the torque wrencll oL FIG.
1 ;
rIG. 6 is an en1arged, fragmenLary view 1n hc~rizontal section of the portion oL the llandle of the wrench oC ~IG. l contaillillg the vi~ratory motor;
2 ~ 2 ~
1'~(;. 7 is a view in verl;ical section take1l ~lon~J l:~e line 7-7 in I~IG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a series of waveforrn diagrams illust.ratinc,~
tl~e operation of tJle circuit of FJ(~. 4.
Vescrlption of the Preferred Embodiment;
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there ls lllustratecl an elec~:ronic torq~e wrench, generally designat,ed by the numeral 10, constructed in accordance with and embody.ing the features of the present invention. The torque wrencll 10 incl-ldes a flexure member in the form of an elongated cleflecti.on t eam ll, wllicll is 3ubstantially rectangular in transvet-se c ross section. The cle~lection beam 11. .includes an e.l.ongated shanlc 12 subsl:antially rectan~ulal- in LransveL-se cross section an<l having parallel front ancl rear surfaces 14 and 15 integral at tlle sicle edges t,hereof witll parallel side surfaces 16 and 17. While, for plll-poses of l.l.lustrat:ion, a simplified form of deflection beam has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that other shnpes could ~e uti.l.ize~,t. Tn particular, there could be utilized the shape o~ deflection beam illustrated in copellding U.S.
al-p~.ication serial no. 252,659, filed Octol~er 3, l~
ellt.itlecl '`Torque Wrench witll rleasurements Irl-lel?er)-lent: of llancl-llelcl Posil:ioll".
The deElectioll l~eam 11 is provicled at one entl thereof with a yoke 20, whicll comprises a pa.ir of clevis legs 21 unital y with the shank 12 and provided with coaxial bores 22 theretllrougll. 1~ pivot pin 23 extends through the bores 22 ancl thr.ougll a t:ongue 24 o'c a ratchet head 2r" the tongue 24 t~ei.l-g receivect l)etween the clevis legs 21 for plvotal movemellt of t.he ratchet head 25 w.ith respect to the cleEIection t~eam ll. The ratchet head 25 is of stallclard ~'~2~
CC?llstl-l~Ct i.ou l1~ving a ro~al:able drive l1lg 26 proj~c~:i.nCJ ~rom the fl--?nt sicle therec f ancl providecl with a directi.on control lever 2û on t:he rear si.cle thereof~ all in a well known manner. Wl1i.le a ratchet clrive is illustrated, the wrench lO
could a1.terna~ively be provided witl1 a hea(l hav;l1g a L.ixed s~3uare clri.ve.
Mounl:ed on the deflection beam ll is a strain qauge assel11bly 3(), whlcl1 includes a plurality of strain gauges 35 fi.xedly secured to the clefl.ection beam ll in a predetermined conr.i.~ureltion. In the illustrated embodlment, two oL the stra.i.n gauges 35 are shown moul1tecl at longltudi.nally sE-aced-apal^t 1ocat;.ons c n one of the side surfaces 16 ol~ the cleflectiol1 beam ll, ancl two are ~similarly mounl:ed on the opl~o~sit:e side surface 17. Ilowever, it will be appleciated that otller strain gauge assembly configurations coulcl be ul:ilized, wlth different numbers of strain naucJes and different positionil19 tllereof. For examl~le, thc strain gauge arrangement illustrated ln the aforementi.ol1e(1 co-pending U.S. application serial no. 252,659 coulcl be utlli7,ed .
'rhe torque wrench lO also has a handle isssembly 4(1, whi.cl1 .i.ncludes an elongated ho.1.low tube 41 s~ s~ant.i.ally l-ectangu.1.ar ln tran.sverse cro.ss section. The s1~anlc 12 of l:he ler.lect;.ol1 beal11 ll is recei.ved in one end c~f the tuhe 41 ancl ;.s p~eferaL)ly fixedly secured to a mount.i.r19 block or hol~ler 42, wl1icl1 may be formecl of plastic, and i.s f.ixedly secured by suital>le means to the tube 41. A flexil~le sleeve 43, forl11ed ot a sultable resilient material, such as rubber, is clispose~l at the one encl of the tube 41. The slecve 43 is genera.lly conical in shaE-e, l1avil1g a large end fixedly secured to the adjacent end of the tube 41 around the entire r~
peri.meter tl~ereof, and a reduced end wll.ich is di.sposed in engagement; wil 1~ ~he shallk 12 Or the def1ec~:ion l~eam 11 arouncl tl~e perlllleter thereof, for cooperal:ion Lherewitll to c l~se the aclJacent end of the tube 41. The tube 41 deE1nes a ho1low cavity 45 rearwarclly oL ~lle mountln~ k ~12 and is provided wi th a removable end cap 47 for c1Osing I.l)e rear encl of the tube cavlty 45.
I~i.sposed withln the cavity 45 ls a tactlle 1ndlcatlon generator 50 in accordance witll the present i.nventlon.
neferrlng now also to l~IGS. S-7, t~le irldication generator 50 .i nc.ltlcles a genera11y cup-sl~aped ho1der 51, fol-lned oE a suitab1e materia1 such as plastlc, and fixedly secured by suital:~le means to tlle inner surEace of the tube ~11. Tlle ~lolt3er 51 comprises a body 52 having a circularly cy1indL.ica1 bore 53 formed in one end thereof to deEine an encl wall 54. Received in the open encl of tlle bore 53 i.s an electric motor 55 provided witll a shaft 56 wl~ich projects i.nto the bore 53 toward the end wall 54. Preferab1y the motor 55 is fixed to the ho1der 51 by suitable means. llle motor 55 is a DC motor and may be an 15-vo1t motor oE the ~ype so].d l:-y Mnbuclll Motor Co., Ltd. under Model no. 2~05.
ri.xedly secured to the shaEt 5G is a mass 57, whlcll may be torllled o[ rllbber, and is disposed eccentrical1y with respect: tc tl~e sllaf t 56. More particularly, referr; ng to FIGS. 5-7, tlle mass S7 may be generally trapezoidal in transverse cross section and be provided with an e1OIlgated bore 55 formed in one end thereoE adjacent to one side ~hereof tor receiving the sllaft 56. Thus, i.t will be appreciatecl that the mass 57 is unbalanced on tlle motor sllart 56 and will rotate with the sllaft 56 l:( sweep a cyl;.l)der of rol:atioll 59 within the cup 51. Because the mass h ~ ~J ~
57 is eccentrically mounte~ and unbalanced, as it rota~es it will ~end to vi.bra~e Lhe nlol or. 55, and thereby tll(~ l(ler 51 a~ e l:ube 41.
~ lso disposed in the cavi.ty 45 forwardly o~ the holder 51 is a circuit board 60, whlcll carries the electronic circultry of the torque wrench ]0. The electronic circuitry may include suitable vlsual readout means (not shown) for giving visual indications of actual torque measure and/or reEererlce torque levels i.n a knowll manner. Dispo~se~l in tlle cavity 45 rearwardly o~ the holder Sl is an appropriate battery 65, or a suitable battery pack. It will be appreciated that suitable electrical connecl.i.ons, not ;llustrated in ~IGS. 2 and 3, are formed among the battery fi5, ~he motor 55, the circu;.t board 60 and the straln gauge assembly 30.
Referring n~w to FIG. 4, there is illustratecl a control circuit 70 for tlle tactile indication generator 50, whic}l diagrammatically illustrates tl~e aforementioned circuit connections. The strain gauge assembly 30 outputs an analog signal proportional to the torque level applied by the wrencll 10, which signal is applied to one input of a sllitab]e comparator 72, the other input of wllicll receives a reEel-el~ce signal from a reEererlce-setting circui~ 73. The reerence setting circuit 73 may include a suitable manlJally-operable dial or tlle like (not shown) for nlanually setting a reference level corresponding to a predetermined torque level. The output of the comparator 72 is ap~lied to a suitable oscillator 74, whicll produces an oscillatory signal. ~ suitable audible indicator such as a horn, speaker, buzzer or the lilce (not shown) may be coupled to the oscillator 79, if desired. Visual indication mean.s (not 3 ~ ~ ~
shown), such as an LED readout, lamp or tlle like may also be provided. Thus, the strain gauge assembly 30, the comparator 72, the reference set~Jing clrcuit 73 ancl the oscillator 74 form a sensing clrcuit which can provide an AC
output signal whell the applled torque exceeds the reference level. This ~ensing clrcuit is, of course, also powered by the battery 65 in a known manner.
Tl~e signal from the osci]lat:or 74 is applied, via the conduc~or ~5, to one termlnal o~ a capacltor Cl, whlch ~orms a part of a fllter circuit 76. More specifical~y, the filter circuit 76 adclitlonally includeR a resistor nl which is connec~ed between the ol:her terminal of tlle capac3tor Cl and ground, and tlle series combination of a resistor R2 and a capacitor C2 which is connected in parallel witll the resistor nl. The purpose of the ~ilter circuit 76 is to minimize false ~riggering from transients or noise.
lhe junction between 1:he resistor n2 and the capacitc)r C2 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of an op-amp used as a comparator 77, the inverting terminal of which is connected to the junction between resistors n3 and n4, which are connected in series between the V-~ slpply and groulld, and form a level or thresllold adjusting network 78.
The output of the comparator 77 is connectecl l:o the clock ;nput terminals CLK of two integrated-c;rcuit l)-type flip-flop circuits 80 and 8l. Tl-e set terminals S of the fl3p-10p circui~s 80 ancl 81 are coupled to grourld, as is the reset terminal n O'c the circuit 81. The D tenninal of the circuit 80 is connected to tlle V+ supply, which may be provided by a suitable power supply circuit (not shown) couplecl to the battery 65, which power supply circuit may be of l:he lype illustrated in the aforementioned co-pending d 3 ~ ~ i3 U S application serial no. 252 ~59 The Q output ~erminal of t11e circuit 81 is connected ~o the reset termll~al oE the circuit 80 The Q inverse output of the circuit 80 is conrlectecl to the trigger lnput termlnals TnI of two integrated circuit timers 82 and ~3 whlch are respectively coup]ed through suitable capacitors C5 and C6 to ground. The reset tertninals ~ of the circuits ~ and B3 are connected to the v+ supply. The threshold terminal T~l and the DC termirlal o~
the circuit 82 are connected to the ~unction between a capacltor C3 and a potentiometer R5 whlcll are connected ln series betweerl the v~ supply and groulId and form an ~C
timil~g circuit for controlling the period of the timer 82.
Similarly the DC ancl Tl~ terminals of the timer B3 are connected to tlle junction between a capacitor C~ and a potentiometer R6 which are connected in series between tlle V~ supply and ground to control the period of the timer ~3.
The output terminal OUT of the timer 83 is conllected through a resistor n8 to the ~ supply and is also connected to the D terminal of the flip-flop circuit 81 The output terminal OUT of tl)e timer 82 is connected throuc3h a resistor R7 to the V~- supply and is also connected tllrou(3h an optional switch SW to the gate input terminal G o~ a power MOSFET electronic switch 85. The motor 55 and tlle ba~tery are connected in series between the source ancl drain terminals S and D of the switch 85. A diode Dl is co~ ected across the terminals of the motor 55 to protect 1:1~e switch 85 from negative induced voltage spikes when the motor 55 is turned off. It will be appreciated that other control circuits could be used to obtaln substantially the same results as the control circuit 70.
~'f~
~ eferring now also to ~IG. B, tle operation oE the colltr~l circuit 70 will be explained in deLail. The waveforms labele~ A througtl ~ in ~IG. B illustrat~ the signals present at the correspondingly labeled poillts in tlle control circuit 70 of ~IG. 4. In use, the opexator couples the ratcllet head 25 to tlle workpiece, grasps Ille halldle assembly 40 and applies torque to the wor]piece. This causes stress in the deflection beam 11, resul~ing in a corresyondlng cleflection or stra~n. This ~train ~s ~ensed by the 3train gauge assembly 30, which outputs an analog ~ignal to the comparator 72. When the torque applied to tlle workpiece exceeds the predetermined torque level corresponding to the reference level set in the reference-setting circuit 73, the comparator 72 will produce an output signal to actuate the oscillator 7~. The osc.illator 74 produces a signal 90, illustrated in waveform ~, whicll i5 applied through the filter circuit 76 to the comparator 77, to which is also applied a reference level voltage 90a from the threshold adjusting network 78. The comparator 77 produces at its output a square wave signal 91, ;llustrated i.n waveform B, Wll.iCtl goes ~rom low to high at each pos;.tive-going transition of the waveform 90 througll the refeJellce level 90a, ancl c~oes from higll to low at each negal.ivc going transitioll tllrough that reference level. Tl~e waveform 91 provi~es a clock input signal to the flip-flop circuits B0 ancl Bl t;o enable those circuits.
The Q output of the flip-flop circuit 81 i.6 nOrlllally low, holding the flip-flop circuit 80 reset. Thus, when the clock signal 9] appears to enable the flip-flop ci.rcllits B0 and Bl, the Q inverse output of the circuit B0 will momentar.i.Ly go low at time tl, as illustrated at 92 of ~3~
waveform ~, to provicle a trigger pulse to tlle ~imers ~2 and 8~. Wlleo tlle timer circuit 82 is triggered, its output will go l~igll, as at 93 o~ waveLorm D, and will remain hic3ll for a ~lnle perlo~l ~et:ermlne~ hy tlle ~C tilnlng clrcul~ oE capacl~or C3 an~ potentlometer RS. Tllls hlgh level ~utput: from the tilller 82 is applled to the gate termlnal of the switch 85 to render lt condllctive and energize the motor 55, callsing lts output shaft to rotate. This rotation will, in turn, rotate ~he ma~s 57 to vibrate the halldle assembly 40. Tl~e mot:or 55 will remain energ.ized until the timer 82 times out at time t., indicated at 96 of waveform D.
Wllell the timer 83 is triggered, its output will go high, as at 9~1 of waveLorm E, ancl remain lligll Eor tlle time period deter~ )ed by tlle ~C timirlg circuit of capacitor C4 and poten~iometer n6, wllicll time period will be set to be longer than that of the timer 82. The hig)l output from the tlmer 83 is applied to the D lnput terminal of the fllp-flop circult 81, causing its Q output to go high, as at 95 of wave f ornl ~ .
Wllell tlle timer 83 times out, its output will go ].ow at ti.me t~, as i.ndicated. at 97 in waveform E, causi.ng the Q
output of the flip-flop circuit 81 to go low, as al: 98 of wavetol-m r, to ag~a;n ]-eset the fl.ip-flop circu;.t 80. lf the enabl;.ng clock signal 91~is still present, the Q inverse out~ut terminal oE the flip-flop ci.rcuit 80 will agaill go momentarily low at time t", as indicated at 99 in waveform C, to retrigger the timers 82 and 83 and repeat the cycle Thlls, it will be appreciated that, as long as the enab.ling clock signal 91 is present, i.e., as long as the applied ~orque level exceeds the predetermilled reEerence torqlle level, the motor 55 will be alternately cycled on and of~ to provide a pulsatiog or intermittent vibration of tl~e handle assembly 40, which provides a tactile inclical:lon to the user that the predeterminecl reference torque level has been reached. If the user then reduces the force applied to the torque wrencll 10, the applied torque will drop below the reference level, the fllp-flop circults 30 and Bl will be dlsabled and the pu1satlng vlbration of the motor 55 will cease.
ln a constructional model of the present lnvention, the wel~l~t of the mass 57 ls abou~ 2.5 gram3, the fll~-flop circuits ~0 and ~1 are 4013B buffered CMOS D-type flip-flops, and the timers B2 and ~3 are 555 timers. The horn signal waveform A may have a frequency of about 2,500 llz, while the time periods of the timer circuits ~2 ancl a3 may, respectively, be approximately .2 seconds and .7 seconds.
Wllile a pulsating operation of the motor 55 has been illustrated, a continuous operation could also be used to produce a continuous vibration as long as the reference torque level is exceeded.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provicled an improved electronic torque wrencl- whi.cll aLfords an unamblguous tactile indication when the applied torque exceeds a predetermined reference torque level.
El.E:CTRONIC TORQ~ Wlll~NCII
WI~rll 'l'AC'r~LE INL)IC~TION
Backqrounci of the Invention Field oL ~he lnventlon The present invention relates t~ torque wrenchR3 of the type wllicll produce an indication of the torque level applied by the wrench to an associated worlcplece. In p~rticular, the present invention relates to electronlc torque wrenches of the type which produce an ou~put signal when Lhe torque applie(i equals or ~xceeds a precletermlned torque level.
Descrlpt10n of the Prior ~rt Electronic torque wrenches typically include an elongated deflection beam provkled at one encl with a head porl:ioll for cou~l;ng to an associated workpiece, SUCIl as a threaded fasterler or the like, and provided at the other end with an elongated handle. Strain gauges are mounted on the deLlectioll beam to measure tlle strain or deflection of the beam in response to forces applied to the handle hy the operator in applyinq torque to an associated workpiece.
~rypically~ the strain gauges are connected in an electronic circuit whicll ~rocluces an indication of the torque applied l:o the workpiece as a function of the measurements macle by Lhe strain gauges. Output signals may be produced, either clil-ec~ly inclicating the amount of torque applied, or indicating when the torque applied equals or exceeds a precletermilled torque level.
In prior art tor~ue wrenches, various types of indicatiolls have been utilized. Meters or gauges may give direct visual indications of the torque level applied, or may give a visual indication, such as by an illumination of a lalllp or tlle li~e when a ~redetermined torque level is exceecled. ]t is also Icnown to provide audi~le a]arm signals 2~,3 ~ ~
to ln-~.icate tllat tlle predetel-mir-e~ torque leve.L l~s been exceedecl.
Torque wrenclles are commonly used by mechanlcs, such 85 auto mecllanics, who are frequently working in conflrled spaces, such as ~eneath a motor vellicle. In such circumstallces, eitller because of the space limitatiolls of tlle work area or tlle avallable light level, or bol:h, lle may be ullal)le to see a visual lndlcatlon on tl-e wrench. For example, ~UCIl mechanlcs fre~uently use torque wrenches in situat.ions where the visual indicator on tlle wrencll is facillg away from the user ln use, ~o that i.t cannot be seen by him. ~lso, auto repair shops and the like, where torque wr.enclles are comn~ollly usecl, are typical.Ly noisy environments, witll vehicle engines running, power tools being operated and the like, so as to create a level of background noise which makes lt clifficult or impossible for the operator to clearly hear an audible indication Erom tl~e torque wrench.
Summary of the Invention It is a general object of the present invention to prov.ide an improved torgue wrench which avo;.ds the cli.fiac~vatltages o~ prior wrenches, while affording addi.t;;.onal structnral and operatillg advantages.
~ n impol-tant feature of the present inventi.orl .is the pl-ovi.sion o~ a torque wrench whicll provides an unalllbiguous indicatioll when the apE)lied torclue exceeds a predctermined tor~ue level, wllicll indication can clearly be sensed irrespective of the operating position of the user and the wrench and irrespective of the ambient noise arld light levels.
In conllecLioll wi~ I)e foregoincl fea~ure, i~ i.s anotller teatuL-e of ~lle invellLion ~o provide a torque wrel~cll of tl~e type set fortll, wllicl) affords a tactile indicat.i.oll ~o tlle user.
In connection with the foregoing feature, stl.ll another feature of the invention is the provislon of a torque wrench whicll effects a vibration of the wrench to provlde an .in~dication signal to the user.
In c~nllectlon wlth tlle foregolng fea~ure~, anothQr Cea~ure oE the inventlon i3 tlle provision of a torque wrench or ~l~e Lype set Eort:ll, in whicll tlle vibration is eC[ecl:ed by a motor rotating an unbalallced mass.
Still anotller Leature of the invention is the provision of a torque wrench of the type set forth, in whicll the in~lication means is entirely confined wlthin the torque wrencll llanclle.
Yet another provision of the invention is the provision o~ a torque wrencll of the type set forth in whicll the torque wrench i.s electronic and the indication Means is battery powere-i.
'I'llese and otller features of the invention are attained l-y prov.kling, in a ~orque wrencll llavillg sensing arpara~us foL- pL-oduci.ng an ~uLpllt signal wllen tlle torque transmitted ~o an associa~ed work~iece equals or exceeds a predeterlllined torque level, tl~e .improvement comprising: generatillg means ~or producing a tactile indi.cation, and control means respons.ive to the output signal for activating tlle gelleratillg means.
'l'he invelltion consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully de~scribed, i.llustrated in the accompanyinq drawings, and particnlarly pointecl out in Lhe appended clai.ms, it being uncle~sLoocl that vario~ls changes i.n the details may be made without cleparting from tl~e spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages o the F-resent irlve~ltion.
BrieL Description oE tlle Draw1nas For Lhe p~rpo~e of faclllLatlng an unclerstand1ng of tl~e lnvent.iorl, Lhere is 11lustraLed 1n tlle accompany1ng drawillgs a preferred embod1ment thereof, from an inspection of wll1ch, wllen corlsJ~erecl in connection with tlle roL10~1rlg ~lescrlp~10n, ~he 1nven~ion, its construct10n and operat10n, and many oE it.s advflntages should be readlly unclerstood and appreciated.
F~G. ]. .is a perspective view of a Lorgue wrench consLructecl in accordance with and embodying the Leal;ures oE
~he present invellLioll;
rIG. 2 is a ~op plan view Or the torque wrench oL FIG.
1, in partial horizontal section, i11ustral.ing the configuraLion oE the hand1e portion and the coml)onents disposecl therein;
FIG. 3 ls a view of the torque wrench of FIG. 1 in partia.l s.i.cle elevat.ion and partial vertical sect.ioll;
FIG. 4 is a partially schematic and partial..ly l~lock c.i.rcllit cliagralll of Lhe control c.ircuit for the torq~le wrench oE ~lG. I;
rlG. 5 .is an enlarged, perspective view o.C ~he mass whicll is mounted on Lhe motor oE the torque wrencll oL FIG.
1 ;
rIG. 6 is an en1arged, fragmenLary view 1n hc~rizontal section of the portion oL the llandle of the wrench oC ~IG. l contaillillg the vi~ratory motor;
2 ~ 2 ~
1'~(;. 7 is a view in verl;ical section take1l ~lon~J l:~e line 7-7 in I~IG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a series of waveforrn diagrams illust.ratinc,~
tl~e operation of tJle circuit of FJ(~. 4.
Vescrlption of the Preferred Embodiment;
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there ls lllustratecl an elec~:ronic torq~e wrench, generally designat,ed by the numeral 10, constructed in accordance with and embody.ing the features of the present invention. The torque wrencll 10 incl-ldes a flexure member in the form of an elongated cleflecti.on t eam ll, wllicll is 3ubstantially rectangular in transvet-se c ross section. The cle~lection beam 11. .includes an e.l.ongated shanlc 12 subsl:antially rectan~ulal- in LransveL-se cross section an<l having parallel front ancl rear surfaces 14 and 15 integral at tlle sicle edges t,hereof witll parallel side surfaces 16 and 17. While, for plll-poses of l.l.lustrat:ion, a simplified form of deflection beam has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that other shnpes could ~e uti.l.ize~,t. Tn particular, there could be utilized the shape o~ deflection beam illustrated in copellding U.S.
al-p~.ication serial no. 252,659, filed Octol~er 3, l~
ellt.itlecl '`Torque Wrench witll rleasurements Irl-lel?er)-lent: of llancl-llelcl Posil:ioll".
The deElectioll l~eam 11 is provicled at one entl thereof with a yoke 20, whicll comprises a pa.ir of clevis legs 21 unital y with the shank 12 and provided with coaxial bores 22 theretllrougll. 1~ pivot pin 23 extends through the bores 22 ancl thr.ougll a t:ongue 24 o'c a ratchet head 2r" the tongue 24 t~ei.l-g receivect l)etween the clevis legs 21 for plvotal movemellt of t.he ratchet head 25 w.ith respect to the cleEIection t~eam ll. The ratchet head 25 is of stallclard ~'~2~
CC?llstl-l~Ct i.ou l1~ving a ro~al:able drive l1lg 26 proj~c~:i.nCJ ~rom the fl--?nt sicle therec f ancl providecl with a directi.on control lever 2û on t:he rear si.cle thereof~ all in a well known manner. Wl1i.le a ratchet clrive is illustrated, the wrench lO
could a1.terna~ively be provided witl1 a hea(l hav;l1g a L.ixed s~3uare clri.ve.
Mounl:ed on the deflection beam ll is a strain qauge assel11bly 3(), whlcl1 includes a plurality of strain gauges 35 fi.xedly secured to the clefl.ection beam ll in a predetermined conr.i.~ureltion. In the illustrated embodlment, two oL the stra.i.n gauges 35 are shown moul1tecl at longltudi.nally sE-aced-apal^t 1ocat;.ons c n one of the side surfaces 16 ol~ the cleflectiol1 beam ll, ancl two are ~similarly mounl:ed on the opl~o~sit:e side surface 17. Ilowever, it will be appleciated that otller strain gauge assembly configurations coulcl be ul:ilized, wlth different numbers of strain naucJes and different positionil19 tllereof. For examl~le, thc strain gauge arrangement illustrated ln the aforementi.ol1e(1 co-pending U.S. application serial no. 252,659 coulcl be utlli7,ed .
'rhe torque wrench lO also has a handle isssembly 4(1, whi.cl1 .i.ncludes an elongated ho.1.low tube 41 s~ s~ant.i.ally l-ectangu.1.ar ln tran.sverse cro.ss section. The s1~anlc 12 of l:he ler.lect;.ol1 beal11 ll is recei.ved in one end c~f the tuhe 41 ancl ;.s p~eferaL)ly fixedly secured to a mount.i.r19 block or hol~ler 42, wl1icl1 may be formecl of plastic, and i.s f.ixedly secured by suital>le means to the tube 41. A flexil~le sleeve 43, forl11ed ot a sultable resilient material, such as rubber, is clispose~l at the one encl of the tube 41. The slecve 43 is genera.lly conical in shaE-e, l1avil1g a large end fixedly secured to the adjacent end of the tube 41 around the entire r~
peri.meter tl~ereof, and a reduced end wll.ich is di.sposed in engagement; wil 1~ ~he shallk 12 Or the def1ec~:ion l~eam 11 arouncl tl~e perlllleter thereof, for cooperal:ion Lherewitll to c l~se the aclJacent end of the tube 41. The tube 41 deE1nes a ho1low cavity 45 rearwarclly oL ~lle mountln~ k ~12 and is provided wi th a removable end cap 47 for c1Osing I.l)e rear encl of the tube cavlty 45.
I~i.sposed withln the cavity 45 ls a tactlle 1ndlcatlon generator 50 in accordance witll the present i.nventlon.
neferrlng now also to l~IGS. S-7, t~le irldication generator 50 .i nc.ltlcles a genera11y cup-sl~aped ho1der 51, fol-lned oE a suitab1e materia1 such as plastlc, and fixedly secured by suital:~le means to tlle inner surEace of the tube ~11. Tlle ~lolt3er 51 comprises a body 52 having a circularly cy1indL.ica1 bore 53 formed in one end thereof to deEine an encl wall 54. Received in the open encl of tlle bore 53 i.s an electric motor 55 provided witll a shaft 56 wl~ich projects i.nto the bore 53 toward the end wall 54. Preferab1y the motor 55 is fixed to the ho1der 51 by suitable means. llle motor 55 is a DC motor and may be an 15-vo1t motor oE the ~ype so].d l:-y Mnbuclll Motor Co., Ltd. under Model no. 2~05.
ri.xedly secured to the shaEt 5G is a mass 57, whlcll may be torllled o[ rllbber, and is disposed eccentrical1y with respect: tc tl~e sllaf t 56. More particularly, referr; ng to FIGS. 5-7, tlle mass S7 may be generally trapezoidal in transverse cross section and be provided with an e1OIlgated bore 55 formed in one end thereoE adjacent to one side ~hereof tor receiving the sllaft 56. Thus, i.t will be appreciatecl that the mass 57 is unbalanced on tlle motor sllart 56 and will rotate with the sllaft 56 l:( sweep a cyl;.l)der of rol:atioll 59 within the cup 51. Because the mass h ~ ~J ~
57 is eccentrically mounte~ and unbalanced, as it rota~es it will ~end to vi.bra~e Lhe nlol or. 55, and thereby tll(~ l(ler 51 a~ e l:ube 41.
~ lso disposed in the cavi.ty 45 forwardly o~ the holder 51 is a circuit board 60, whlcll carries the electronic circultry of the torque wrench ]0. The electronic circuitry may include suitable vlsual readout means (not shown) for giving visual indications of actual torque measure and/or reEererlce torque levels i.n a knowll manner. Dispo~se~l in tlle cavity 45 rearwardly o~ the holder Sl is an appropriate battery 65, or a suitable battery pack. It will be appreciated that suitable electrical connecl.i.ons, not ;llustrated in ~IGS. 2 and 3, are formed among the battery fi5, ~he motor 55, the circu;.t board 60 and the straln gauge assembly 30.
Referring n~w to FIG. 4, there is illustratecl a control circuit 70 for tlle tactile indication generator 50, whic}l diagrammatically illustrates tl~e aforementioned circuit connections. The strain gauge assembly 30 outputs an analog signal proportional to the torque level applied by the wrencll 10, which signal is applied to one input of a sllitab]e comparator 72, the other input of wllicll receives a reEel-el~ce signal from a reEererlce-setting circui~ 73. The reerence setting circuit 73 may include a suitable manlJally-operable dial or tlle like (not shown) for nlanually setting a reference level corresponding to a predetermined torque level. The output of the comparator 72 is ap~lied to a suitable oscillator 74, whicll produces an oscillatory signal. ~ suitable audible indicator such as a horn, speaker, buzzer or the lilce (not shown) may be coupled to the oscillator 79, if desired. Visual indication mean.s (not 3 ~ ~ ~
shown), such as an LED readout, lamp or tlle like may also be provided. Thus, the strain gauge assembly 30, the comparator 72, the reference set~Jing clrcuit 73 ancl the oscillator 74 form a sensing clrcuit which can provide an AC
output signal whell the applled torque exceeds the reference level. This ~ensing clrcuit is, of course, also powered by the battery 65 in a known manner.
Tl~e signal from the osci]lat:or 74 is applied, via the conduc~or ~5, to one termlnal o~ a capacltor Cl, whlch ~orms a part of a fllter circuit 76. More specifical~y, the filter circuit 76 adclitlonally includeR a resistor nl which is connec~ed between the ol:her terminal of tlle capac3tor Cl and ground, and tlle series combination of a resistor R2 and a capacitor C2 which is connected in parallel witll the resistor nl. The purpose of the ~ilter circuit 76 is to minimize false ~riggering from transients or noise.
lhe junction between 1:he resistor n2 and the capacitc)r C2 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of an op-amp used as a comparator 77, the inverting terminal of which is connected to the junction between resistors n3 and n4, which are connected in series between the V-~ slpply and groulld, and form a level or thresllold adjusting network 78.
The output of the comparator 77 is connectecl l:o the clock ;nput terminals CLK of two integrated-c;rcuit l)-type flip-flop circuits 80 and 8l. Tl-e set terminals S of the fl3p-10p circui~s 80 ancl 81 are coupled to grourld, as is the reset terminal n O'c the circuit 81. The D tenninal of the circuit 80 is connected to tlle V+ supply, which may be provided by a suitable power supply circuit (not shown) couplecl to the battery 65, which power supply circuit may be of l:he lype illustrated in the aforementioned co-pending d 3 ~ ~ i3 U S application serial no. 252 ~59 The Q output ~erminal of t11e circuit 81 is connected ~o the reset termll~al oE the circuit 80 The Q inverse output of the circuit 80 is conrlectecl to the trigger lnput termlnals TnI of two integrated circuit timers 82 and ~3 whlch are respectively coup]ed through suitable capacitors C5 and C6 to ground. The reset tertninals ~ of the circuits ~ and B3 are connected to the v+ supply. The threshold terminal T~l and the DC termirlal o~
the circuit 82 are connected to the ~unction between a capacltor C3 and a potentiometer R5 whlcll are connected ln series betweerl the v~ supply and groulId and form an ~C
timil~g circuit for controlling the period of the timer 82.
Similarly the DC ancl Tl~ terminals of the timer B3 are connected to tlle junction between a capacitor C~ and a potentiometer R6 which are connected in series between tlle V~ supply and ground to control the period of the timer ~3.
The output terminal OUT of the timer 83 is conllected through a resistor n8 to the ~ supply and is also connected to the D terminal of the flip-flop circuit 81 The output terminal OUT of tl)e timer 82 is connected throuc3h a resistor R7 to the V~- supply and is also connected tllrou(3h an optional switch SW to the gate input terminal G o~ a power MOSFET electronic switch 85. The motor 55 and tlle ba~tery are connected in series between the source ancl drain terminals S and D of the switch 85. A diode Dl is co~ ected across the terminals of the motor 55 to protect 1:1~e switch 85 from negative induced voltage spikes when the motor 55 is turned off. It will be appreciated that other control circuits could be used to obtaln substantially the same results as the control circuit 70.
~'f~
~ eferring now also to ~IG. B, tle operation oE the colltr~l circuit 70 will be explained in deLail. The waveforms labele~ A througtl ~ in ~IG. B illustrat~ the signals present at the correspondingly labeled poillts in tlle control circuit 70 of ~IG. 4. In use, the opexator couples the ratcllet head 25 to tlle workpiece, grasps Ille halldle assembly 40 and applies torque to the wor]piece. This causes stress in the deflection beam 11, resul~ing in a corresyondlng cleflection or stra~n. This ~train ~s ~ensed by the 3train gauge assembly 30, which outputs an analog ~ignal to the comparator 72. When the torque applied to tlle workpiece exceeds the predetermined torque level corresponding to the reference level set in the reference-setting circuit 73, the comparator 72 will produce an output signal to actuate the oscillator 7~. The osc.illator 74 produces a signal 90, illustrated in waveform ~, whicll i5 applied through the filter circuit 76 to the comparator 77, to which is also applied a reference level voltage 90a from the threshold adjusting network 78. The comparator 77 produces at its output a square wave signal 91, ;llustrated i.n waveform B, Wll.iCtl goes ~rom low to high at each pos;.tive-going transition of the waveform 90 througll the refeJellce level 90a, ancl c~oes from higll to low at each negal.ivc going transitioll tllrough that reference level. Tl~e waveform 91 provi~es a clock input signal to the flip-flop circuits B0 ancl Bl t;o enable those circuits.
The Q output of the flip-flop circuit 81 i.6 nOrlllally low, holding the flip-flop circuit 80 reset. Thus, when the clock signal 9] appears to enable the flip-flop ci.rcllits B0 and Bl, the Q inverse output of the circuit B0 will momentar.i.Ly go low at time tl, as illustrated at 92 of ~3~
waveform ~, to provicle a trigger pulse to tlle ~imers ~2 and 8~. Wlleo tlle timer circuit 82 is triggered, its output will go l~igll, as at 93 o~ waveLorm D, and will remain hic3ll for a ~lnle perlo~l ~et:ermlne~ hy tlle ~C tilnlng clrcul~ oE capacl~or C3 an~ potentlometer RS. Tllls hlgh level ~utput: from the tilller 82 is applled to the gate termlnal of the switch 85 to render lt condllctive and energize the motor 55, callsing lts output shaft to rotate. This rotation will, in turn, rotate ~he ma~s 57 to vibrate the halldle assembly 40. Tl~e mot:or 55 will remain energ.ized until the timer 82 times out at time t., indicated at 96 of waveform D.
Wllell the timer 83 is triggered, its output will go high, as at 9~1 of waveLorm E, ancl remain lligll Eor tlle time period deter~ )ed by tlle ~C timirlg circuit of capacitor C4 and poten~iometer n6, wllicll time period will be set to be longer than that of the timer 82. The hig)l output from the tlmer 83 is applied to the D lnput terminal of the fllp-flop circult 81, causing its Q output to go high, as at 95 of wave f ornl ~ .
Wllell tlle timer 83 times out, its output will go ].ow at ti.me t~, as i.ndicated. at 97 in waveform E, causi.ng the Q
output of the flip-flop circuit 81 to go low, as al: 98 of wavetol-m r, to ag~a;n ]-eset the fl.ip-flop circu;.t 80. lf the enabl;.ng clock signal 91~is still present, the Q inverse out~ut terminal oE the flip-flop ci.rcuit 80 will agaill go momentarily low at time t", as indicated at 99 in waveform C, to retrigger the timers 82 and 83 and repeat the cycle Thlls, it will be appreciated that, as long as the enab.ling clock signal 91 is present, i.e., as long as the applied ~orque level exceeds the predetermilled reEerence torqlle level, the motor 55 will be alternately cycled on and of~ to provide a pulsatiog or intermittent vibration of tl~e handle assembly 40, which provides a tactile inclical:lon to the user that the predeterminecl reference torque level has been reached. If the user then reduces the force applied to the torque wrencll 10, the applied torque will drop below the reference level, the fllp-flop circults 30 and Bl will be dlsabled and the pu1satlng vlbration of the motor 55 will cease.
ln a constructional model of the present lnvention, the wel~l~t of the mass 57 ls abou~ 2.5 gram3, the fll~-flop circuits ~0 and ~1 are 4013B buffered CMOS D-type flip-flops, and the timers B2 and ~3 are 555 timers. The horn signal waveform A may have a frequency of about 2,500 llz, while the time periods of the timer circuits ~2 ancl a3 may, respectively, be approximately .2 seconds and .7 seconds.
Wllile a pulsating operation of the motor 55 has been illustrated, a continuous operation could also be used to produce a continuous vibration as long as the reference torque level is exceeded.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provicled an improved electronic torque wrencl- whi.cll aLfords an unamblguous tactile indication when the applied torque exceeds a predetermined reference torque level.
Claims (20)
1. In a torque wrench having sensing apparatus for producing an output signal when the torque transmitted to an associated workpiece equals or exceeds a predetermined torque level, the improvement comprising: generating means for producing a repetitive cyclical tactile indication, and control means responsive to said output signal for activating said generating means.
2. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein said generating means includes vibratory means.
3. The torque wrench of claim 2, wherein said vibratory means is mechanically coupled to said wrench for effecting vibration thereof.
4. The torque wrench of claim 3, wherein said torque wrench includes a handle portion, said vibratory means being mechanically coupled to said handle portion for effecting vibration thereof.
5. The torque wrench of claim 4, wherein said handle portion defines a cavity therein, said vibratory means and said control means being disposed in said cavity.
6. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein said control means effects intermittent operation of said generating means for producing an intermittent tactile indication.
7. In an electronic torque wrench having a handle portion and an electronic sensor for producing an electrical output signal when the torque transmitted to an associated workpiece equals or exceeds a predetermined torque level, the improvement comprising: electric motor means mechanically coupled to said handle portion and having a rotatable output shaft, mass means eccentrically mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith to cause vibration of said motor means and said handle portion, and control circuit means responsive to said output signal for activating said motor means.
8. The torque wrench of claim 7, wherein the electronic sensor includes a strain gauge assembly producing a strain signal and a comparator for comparing said strain signal with a predetermined reference level.
9. The torque wrench of claim 7, wherein said motor means includes a DC motor.
10. The torque wrench of claim 7, wherein said output signal is an analog signal.
11. The torque wrench of claim 10, wherein said output signal is an AC signal.
12. The torque wrench of claim 7, wherein said control circuit means effects intermittent operation of said motor means
13. The torque wrench of claim 7, and further comprising battery means for providing power to the electronic sensor and to said motor means and to said control circuit means.
14. In an electronic torque wrench having a flexure beam and a hollow handle portion coupled to the beam and defining a cavity and an electronic sensor coupled to the beam and responsive to flexure thereof for producing an output signal when the torque transmitted to an associated workpiece equals or exceeds a predetermined torque level, the improvement comprising: electric motor means disposed in the cavity and mechanically coupled to the handle portion and having a rotatable output shaft, mass means eccentrically mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith to cause vibration of said motor means and said handle portion, control circuit means disposed in said cavity and responsive to said output signal for activating said motor means, and power supply means disposed in said cavity for providing power to the sensor and to said control circuit means and said electric motor means.
15. The torque wrench of claim 14, wherein said motor means includes a DC motor.
16. The torque wrench of claim 14, wherein said power supply means includes a battery.
17. The torque wrench of claim 14, and further including holder means providing a mechanical coupling between said motor means and the handle portion.
18. The torque wrench of claim 14, wherein said control circuit means effects intermittent operation of said motor means.
19. The torque wrench of claim 18, wherein said control circuit means includes means for selectively varying the on and off periods of said motor means.
20. The torque wrench of claim 14, wherein said output signal is an AC signal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US421,407 | 1989-10-13 | ||
| US07/421,407 US4958541A (en) | 1989-10-13 | 1989-10-13 | Electronic torque wrench with tactile indication |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2023106A1 true CA2023106A1 (en) | 1991-04-14 |
Family
ID=23670386
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002023106A Abandoned CA2023106A1 (en) | 1989-10-13 | 1990-08-10 | Electronic torque wrench with tactile indication |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4958541A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2023106A1 (en) |
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| US7458297B1 (en) | 2007-11-23 | 2008-12-02 | Hsuan-Sen Shiao | Electronic torque wrench having a trip unit |
| DE102007059965A1 (en) | 2007-12-11 | 2009-06-18 | Hsuan-Sen Shiao | Electronic torque wrench, has central processor for controlling control element for pressure discharge of hydraulic fluid when applied torque measured by strain sensor is larger than preset reference torque value |
| DE102008004102A1 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2009-07-23 | Hsuan-Sen Shiao | Electronic torque wrench, has CPU electrically connected with sensor and release unit for controlling and moving driven element into release position when applied torque measured by sensor is larger than preset torque value |
| US7685889B2 (en) * | 2008-01-14 | 2010-03-30 | Chih-Ching Hsieh | Multi-function digital tool |
| US8201464B2 (en) * | 2008-09-02 | 2012-06-19 | Easco Hand Tools Inc | Electronic torque wrench with a manual input device |
| ITMI20090225A1 (en) * | 2009-02-19 | 2010-08-20 | Studio A I P S R L | SCREWDRIVER FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS, IN PARTICULAR FOR ENDOSSEA IMPLANTOLOGY |
| US8844381B2 (en) | 2009-04-03 | 2014-09-30 | Apex Brands, Inc. | Electronic torque wrench with dual tension beam |
| DE102009045945A1 (en) * | 2009-10-23 | 2011-04-28 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Electric machine tool with ultrasonic excitation |
| EP2513941B1 (en) * | 2009-12-16 | 2016-05-25 | Husqvarna AB | Electric hand tool with activation indication device |
| US8714057B2 (en) * | 2010-01-04 | 2014-05-06 | Apex Brands, Inc. | Ratcheting device for an electronic torque wrench |
| TWI369279B (en) * | 2010-02-08 | 2012-08-01 | Kabo Tool Co | Wrench |
| CN102241006B (en) * | 2010-05-10 | 2013-09-25 | 谢智庆 | Vibration wrench |
| TWI426002B (en) * | 2010-07-30 | 2014-02-11 | Xiamen United Trade Electronic Co Ltd | Digital torque wrench structure and the way to grip the force |
| US8886492B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2014-11-11 | Brown Line Metal Works, Llc | Digital angle meter |
| US8918292B2 (en) | 2011-09-23 | 2014-12-23 | Brown Line Metalworks, Llc | Digital angle meter |
| TWM431047U (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2012-06-11 | Sunheng Technology Co Ltd | Electronic torque wrench |
| TWI504486B (en) * | 2012-12-19 | 2015-10-21 | Kabo Tool Co | Improved handle of the electronic torque wrench |
| US9523618B2 (en) * | 2013-05-07 | 2016-12-20 | Snap-On Incorporated | Method and system for instantaneously logging data in an electronic torque wrench |
| US10226826B2 (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2019-03-12 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Hydraulic power tool |
| US11453105B2 (en) | 2016-09-13 | 2022-09-27 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Powered ratcheting torque wrench |
| US10625405B2 (en) | 2016-09-13 | 2020-04-21 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Powered ratcheting torque wrench |
| US11011031B2 (en) * | 2017-10-26 | 2021-05-18 | Max Co., Ltd. | Tool and electric tool |
| US11465267B2 (en) | 2018-07-20 | 2022-10-11 | Snap-On Incorporated | Tool housing and method for making the same |
| US11253984B2 (en) * | 2019-01-24 | 2022-02-22 | Kabo Tool Company | Vibrating wrench |
| US11890728B2 (en) | 2021-05-19 | 2024-02-06 | Nextgen Aerospace Technologies, Llc | Concentrated longitudinal acoustical/ultrasonic energy fastener design and manipulation system |
| WO2024000557A1 (en) * | 2022-07-01 | 2024-01-04 | Apex Brands, Inc. | Electronic torque wrench with torque overshoot compensation |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3546933A (en) * | 1968-07-11 | 1970-12-15 | Bosko Grabovac | Force indicating device |
| US3970155A (en) * | 1974-01-14 | 1976-07-20 | Jo-Line Tools, Inc. | Electronic torque wrench |
| GB1535552A (en) * | 1976-01-14 | 1978-12-13 | Britool Ltd | Torque limit warning attachment for wrenches |
| US4244434A (en) * | 1978-12-04 | 1981-01-13 | Wilson John T R | Electronically indicating torque wrench |
| US4328709A (en) * | 1980-04-18 | 1982-05-11 | Schramm Wayne E | Electronic audio visual torque indicator adapter |
| US4314490A (en) * | 1980-06-30 | 1982-02-09 | Stone Gregory M | Torque wrench with alarm indicator |
| EP0133557B1 (en) * | 1983-08-09 | 1988-01-07 | Dr. Staiger, Mohilo + Co GmbH | Ratchet wrench for driving screws |
| US4558601A (en) * | 1984-01-06 | 1985-12-17 | J. S. Technology, Inc. | Digital indicating torque wrench |
-
1989
- 1989-10-13 US US07/421,407 patent/US4958541A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-08-10 CA CA002023106A patent/CA2023106A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4958541A (en) | 1990-09-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |