SMART CONFIGURATION SELECTOR

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0001] The following relates generally to assembly tools, and more particularly relates to an improved assembly tool provided to facilitate user-customizable automatic tool configuration selection based on sensed tool orientation.

State of the Art

[0002] It can be quite common for fasteners (such as bolts and nuts) located on the same face/side of a product (like an automobile frame) to require the same target torque to properly secure each of the fasteners on that face/side of the product. Moreover, fasteners located on the same face/side of a product oftentimes orient at the same fastening angle. However, additional fasteners on the same product, but located on a different face/side of the product, may fasten with differing requisite target torques and/or angles. For example, when assembling a vehicle, fasteners driven from the top of the vehicle chassis may require l8Nm torque and fasten along a vertical axis, but fasteners driven from the front of the chassis may require l2Nm of torque and fasten along a horizonal axis. Hence, to fasten all the fasteners on the various sides of a product, a fastening tool operator often must manually select a proper fastening configuration corresponding to a certain face/side of the product. This manual selection may slow tool utilization, thereby decreasing productivity. Then, if fasteners are to be fastened to a different face/side of the product, the operator must, again, manually adjust the tool to a different torque setting and fastening angle. Moreover, repetitive manual selection is often more prone to human error. Therefore, a need exists for a tool configuration selection system and methodology which allows an operator to customize automatic fastening configuration based on the tool orientation and torque requirements corresponding to fasteners located on a particular face/side of a product.

SUMMARY

[0003] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool comprising: a sensor array for detecting tool orientation; a user interface for selecting tool configuration based on tool orientation detected by the sensor array; and an electronic control unit, including: a sensor and signal conditioning module, operable to communicate sensor data detected by the sensor array; a criteria evaluation and processing module operable in accordance with governing protocol setting forth predetermined parameters of assembly tool functionality based on orientation of the assembly tool; and a user interface module, operable with the user interface to select a configuration of the assembly tool based on the detected assembly tool orientation.

[0004] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of configuring an assembly tool, the method comprising: providing an assembly tool including a tool orientation detection smart configuration system; selecting a tool configuration, by input from a user through a user interface of the tool orientation detection smart configuration system, wherein the configuration corresponds to at least one fastener on a face of a product; establishing predetermined parameters associated with tool orientation when the tool is poised to fasten the at least one fastener on the face of the product according to the selected tool configuration; sensing tool orientation by a sensor array, and generating corresponding sensor data; processing the sensor data by a criteria evaluation and processing module; determining tool orientation from the processed sensor data; and configuring the tool in accordance with the determined tool orientation and in compliance with the selected tool configuration established by the predetermined parameters. [0005] Still another aspect of the present disclosure provides a tool orientation detection smart configuration system comprising: an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit including: a sensor and signal conditioning module; a criteria evaluation and processing module; a user interface module; and executable software, wherein the software includes governing protocol directing controlling activities corresponding to sensor data processing, execution according to predetermined parameters, and user-customized configuration selection; a sensor array configured to send detected sensor data to the electronic control unit for processing; and a user interface, communicatively operable with the electronic control unit, wherein the user interface is configured to receive user input pertaining to a selected configuration for set operation of the assembly tool when poised in a particular orientation.

[0006] The foregoing and other features, advantages, and construction of the present disclosure will be more readily apparent and fully appreciated from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of embodiments of assembly tools oriented around a product having fasteners located on various faces, wherein the assembly tools comprise user-customizable automatic tool configuration selection based on sensed tool orientation;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a sensor and signal conditioning module of an embodiment of an electronic control unit of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system embodiment; [0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a criteria evaluation and processing module of an embodiment of an electronic control unit of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a user interface module of an embodiment of an electronic control unit of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of software components of an embodiment of an electronic control unit of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of embodiments of a sensor array and a user interface operable with embodiments of an electronic control unit of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration system embodiment; and

[0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration system incorporated as part of and/or operable with embodiments of assembly tools comprising user-customizable automatic tool configuration selection based on sensed tool orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0015] A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures listed above. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of embodiments of assembly tools lOa - lOe oriented around a product 20 embodiment having embodied fasteners 34a - 34e located on some of the various embodied faces 22a - 22h of the product 20 embodiment, wherein the assembly tools, such as depicted assembly tools lOa - lOe, operably comprise user-customizable automatic tool configuration selection functionality based on sensed tool orientation. For convenience, a typical three-axis orientation 5 is merely symbolically depicted to help provide orientation perspective. Notably, as depicted, assembly tools lOb and lOd are oriented respectively toward (not directly visible) fasteners 34b and 34d (identified by dashed lead lines) located respectively on (also not directly visible) faces 22b and 22d (also identified by dashed lead lines). Each assembly tool embodiment lOa - lOe is respectively oriented toward a corresponding fastener 34a - 34e located respectively on certain corresponding faces 22a - 22e of the product 20. A user of any of the assembly tool embodiments lOa - lOe may be able to customize his/her own selected configuration for tool operation, based on a sensed orientation of the corresponding tool lOa-lOe. For instance, a tool operator may designate a l4Nm target torque when an embodied assembly tool, such as assembly tool lOe, is oriented so as to be approximately perpendicularly faced toward a corresponding fastener 34e located on corresponding face 22e of the product 10. When the embodied assembly tool lOe senses and detects that its orientation meets, or otherwise falls within a directional range of a predetermined orientation, the assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system 100 of the assembly tool lOe will automatically change the configuration of the assembly tool lOe, to the desired target torque of l4Nm associated with the corresponding orientation angle. As such user may be able to perform fastening operations on all sides of a product 20 at different target torques without manually changing any configuration. In other words, the assembly tool lOe orientation and torque output configuration may be automated, which may speed up the process of changing configuration(s) to fasten several different fasteners, such as the several fasteners 34a - 34e of the product 10, and thus increase productivity. Such an automated approach may also eliminate operator error resulting from potentially selecting an incorrect assembly tool lOe configuration.

[0017] Embodiments of orientation detection smart configuration assembly tools, such as assembly tools lOa - lOe, may include various features to help facilitate effectuation of assembly tool orientation detection and smart configuration selection. With further reference to the drawings, FIG 2 depicts a schematic view of an embodiment of a sensor and signal conditioning module 110 of an embodiment of an electronic control unit 150 of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system 100 embodiment (as depicted in FIG. 7). A sensor and signal conditioning module 110 may operate, inter alia , to communicate with and control various sensors of a sensor array 160 (see FIGs. 6-7) of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system 100 of an orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool 10. Moreover, embodiments of a sensor and signal conditioning module 110 may operate according to governing protocol set forth by software 140 and pertaining to processed sensor data 142 (see FIG. 7).

[0018] Turning further to the drawings, FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of an embodiment of a criteria evaluation and processing module 120 of an embodiment of an electronic control unit 150 of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system 100 embodiment. A criteria evaluation and processing module 120 may operate to execute governing protocol associated with software 140 to, inter alia, process sensor data 142 and execute software 140 protocol when predetermine parameters 144 are detected, to effectuate a selected configuration 146, associated with an assembly tool orientation sensed by the sensor array 160 and determined by the criteria evaluation and processing module 120. A user interface module 120, as schematically depicted in FIG. 4, may allow a user/operator, to set a desired fastening strategy configuration for the assembly tool, such as assembly tool lOe, corresponding to a certain orientation, such as approximately perpendicular to the face 22e of product 10, upon which a corresponding fastener 34e is desired to be fastened. For instance, a user/operator could hold the assembly tool, such as assembly tool lOe, in the approximate desired orientation for fastening, and then the criteria evaluation and processing module may process a sensed current zenith angle determined by the sensor and signal conditioning module 110 and require, via operable control by the user interface module 150, the user/operator to input, via the user interface 170 (see FIGs. 6-7) a tolerance range, or other like characteristic, as a selected configuration 146 for set operation of the assembly tool, such as assembly tool lOe.

[0019] Turning yet again to the drawings, FIG. 5 depicts a schematic view of an embodiment of software components 140 of an embodiment of an electronic control unit 150 of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration selection system 100 embodiment. Significant sensor data 142 may be sensed and communicated by the sensor array 160 (see FIGs. 6-7) to the sensor and signal conditioning module 110 and processed by the criteria evaluation and processing module 120, in accordance with governing protocol associated with software 140. The software 140 may, at the very least, provide logical directive(s) regarding acquired sensor data 142, effectuate action(s) pertaining to predetermined parameters 144, and/or execute directive(s) for selected configurations 146 based upon user/operator input and sensed tool orientation.

[0020] Embodiments of an orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool, such as assembly tools lOa-lOe, may detect external conditions, such as tool orientation, and may interface with tool users/operators, to help produce smart and efficient assembly tool configuration. FIG. 6 depicts a schematic view of embodiments of a sensor array 160 and a user interface 170 operable with embodiments of an electronic control unit 150 of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration system 100 embodiment. A sensor array 160 may include various sensors, such as an orientation sensor, a magnetometer, a gyroscope sensor, a light sensor, an accelerometer, or a combination thereof. The sensors of the sensor array 160 may be mounted on a printed circuit board, which printed circuit board may be located in the assembly tool in such a way that when a user/operator rotates, or otherwise moves, the tool, at least one of the sensors will detect the movement. For example, when the tool is rotated, a sensor may correspondingly rotate along a similar axis. The sensors of the sensor array 160, as controlled by the sensor and signal conditioning module, may constantly monitor the orientation of the assembly tool and send corresponding sensor data 140 to the processing module 120, to be processed according to governing protocol of applicable software 140. Embodiments of a user interface may facilitate interaction between the assembly tool and a user/operator. For instance, a user interface may include a touch screen, a speaker and microphone, light indicators, audio indicators, vibration mechanisms, input buttons and knobs, and combinations of all and/or the like, to facilitate effective interface between a user/operator and the orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool, such as assembly tools lOa-lOe. A user may, for example, utilize the user interface 170 to set a selected configuration 146 of a target torque to be l8Nm, when a zenith angle is detected to be 90°, within a tolerance of ±5°. In such a case, when sensors sense that the tool is between an 85° and 90° zenith angle, the sensor signal and conditioning module 110 may operate with the criteria evaluation and processing module 120 to automatically elect an active configuration for the tool to be l8Nm target torque. The processing module 120, as governed by the selected configuration 146 of the software 140 protocol, may maintain this selected configuration 146 until the sensor array 160 detects the condition of another tool orientation to be met.

[0021] An embodiment of an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration system 100 incorporated as part of and/or operable with embodiments of assembly tools, such as assembly tools lO-lOe, comprising user-customizable automatic tool configuration selection based on sensed tool orientation is schematically depicted in FIG. 7. As depicted, the assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration system 100 may include a sensor array 160 and a user interface 170 communicatively operable with an electronic control unit 150. The electronic control unit 150 may include software 140 setting forth governing protocol pertaining to actions associated with sensor data 142, predetermined parameters 144 and/or selected configurations 146 of an assembly tool, such as assembly tools lOa-lOe. The software 140 may operate with various modules, such as a sensor and signal conditioning module 110, a criteria evaluation and processing module 120 and a user interface module 130, to effectively operate the control unit 150 of the assembly tool, such as assembly tools lOa-lOe, in conjunction with the sensor array 160 and the user interface 170. Such operation may yield user-customizable configurations automatically achievable through self-aware detection by the orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool, such as assembly tools lOa-lOe. Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that a single assembly tool may be configured to operate with configurations commensurate with any of the orientations pertaining to assembly tools lOa-lOe.

[0022] The components and features defining embodiments of the above-described orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool 10, such as assembly tools lOa- lOe, comprising an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration system 100 incorporated as part of and/or operable with embodiments of the assembly tool 10 may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool 10 and corresponding assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration systems 100 of the type disclosed herein. For example, and not limited thereto, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses, such as fiberglass, silicate glass, naturally occurring glass, or any other amorphous solid material, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; ceramics or any other crystalline or partly crystalline material, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; wood or any other hard, fibrous structural tissue or material, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination.

[0023] Furthermore, the components defining the above-described orientation detection smart configuration assembly tool 10, such as assembly tools lOa-lOe, comprising an assembly tool orientation detection smart configuration system 100 incorporated as part of and/or operable with embodiments of the assembly tool 10 embodiment(s) may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, 3-D printing, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

[0024] While this disclosure has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as required by the following claims. The claims provide the scope of the coverage of the present disclosure and should not be limited to the specific examples provided herein.