WO2017105339A1

WO2017105339A1 - Pneumatic tool management system

Info

Publication number: WO2017105339A1
Application number: PCT/SE2016/051286
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan LAVÉN
Original assignee: Lincube Group Ab
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2016-12-19
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Also published as: SE540635C2; SE1551678A1

Abstract

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

Description

PNEUMATIC TOOL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Technical field

[0001 ] 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.

Background art

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

[0003] Due to the lack of available data, service and maintenance of these tools are not done in an optimal way. Instead, a typical way is to do service and maintenance is in regular intervals, wherein the intervals are based on

assumptions based on average use, rather than actual data. This entails that the usage of the tools sometimes exceeds the optimal time for use, and other times the tools are not used nearly as long as would be possible, before maintenance is done.

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

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

[0006] 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.

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided a system for pneumatic tool management. The system comprises 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. By

implementing a system as described above, it becomes possible to measure and collect operational data from pneumatic tools. This, in turn, enables better maintenance of tools since it is possible to use actual data rather than

assumptions, e.g. when determining when it is time to service a tool. Furthermore, by having a power source, generator and an impeller which drives the generator by use of the air passing through, the system becomes more flexible and energy efficient due to being able to use at least part of the energy in the pressurized air.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment, 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.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment, the system further comprises an operator ID card, operatively connected to the measuring device, for identifying an operator of the measuring device. 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.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment, the measuring device is

connectable at a first end to a pneumatic tool, and is connectible at a second end to a pressurized air supply.

[001 1 ] According to an aspect, there is provided a device for collecting operational data for pneumatic tools. The device 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment, 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. By measuring variables such as e.g. temperature, sound and vibrations, it becomes possible to collect data regarding variables that also affects a user of the device, which data may be used to ensure that a user is not subjected to too much of negative aspects. In some embodiments, 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.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment, the first sensor is disposed internally of the housing and the second sensor is disposed externally of the housing.

[0015]

[0016] According to an optional embodiment, the device further comprises an operator ID card, operatively connected to the transmitter, for identifying an operator of the device. 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.

[0017] The above systems and devices may be configured and implemented according to additional different optional embodiments. Further possible features and benefits of this solution will become apparent from the description below.

Brief description of drawings

[0018] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 shows an overview of a system according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figs. 2a and 2b show a device according to the present disclosure and its attachment to a tool.

[0021 ] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a device according to the present disclosure. [0022] Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a device in relation to its connection to a tool.

Description of embodiments

[0023] In the following, a detailed description of the different embodiments of the solution is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. All examples herein should be seen as part of the general description and are therefore possible to combine in any way in general terms. Individual features of the various embodiments and methods may be combined or exchanged unless such combination or exchange is clearly contradictory to the overall function of the implementation.

[0024] Briefly described, 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.

[0025] The systems and devices described herein are typically suitable for use with pneumatic tools, i.e. tools which require pressurized air for operating. Such tools are very common today, but the currently used systems and methods have very poor, if not nonexistent, ways to measure usage, and as such they

consequently lack the capabilities to also measure or estimate related parameters, such as wear and tear.

[0026] Tools that are commonly available today lack the capacity to measure and collect data relating to operational parameters related to the tools.

Furthermore, discarding old equipment and investing in new one is very costly and something that is preferably avoided. Modifying existing tools, e.g. opening them up and installing a new part is costly in addition to being difficult, if even possible, and is also time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a solution that provides a cost efficient way to measure operational data related to tools, that does not require modification of existing tools and that also does not require new tools to be bought.

[0027] Since there are no good ways available for current systems to measure, collect and present operational data, maintenance is typically based on an averaged usage rather than actual use. This entails that sometimes tools will be serviced unnecessarily, while other times tools will be used for a lot longer than the optimal time between maintenance rounds. This is one of the problems solved by the present disclosure. Another problem is that existing systems that are already in place, are difficult and expensive to alter, and buying new equipment is even more expensive. Therefore there is a need for a cost effective solution that enables monitoring tools and collecting operational data, without the need of buying new equipment or without the need to modify existing equipment. The present solution also solves this problem by providing a device that is compatible with existing systems and does not require any modification of tools already in place. The device will be described further in detail after the system has been described.

[0028] In addition to the amount of time used and the amount of pressurized air that has been used for a tool, other useful variables may also be measured. These variables include temperature conditions, air flow, and air velocity, and it should be understood that similar parameters that may be useful for determining when a tool needs maintenance may also be measured.

[0029] In addition to measuring and collecting data relating to variables used for determining when tools are in need of maintenance, 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

parameters that may be useful for determining the impact tool usage has on a user may also be measured. The solution will now be described more in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0030] 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. In some implementations, the system also comprises an operator ID card 60 which may be used by an operator 70.

[0031 ] The purpose of the system 1 is to measure operational data related to the tool 10, by use of the measuring device 20. In order for the system to have the ability to communicate the data to other entities, the system is also equipped with a transmitter 30. In some embodiments 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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. Depending on the intended use, 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. In embodiments in which the device 20 is adapted for measuring several different parameters, the device 20 may comprise several sensors. In some embodiments, each sensor is adapted to measure one

parameter, in some embodiments each sensor may measure multiple parameters, and in other embodiments several sensor co-interact to measure one parameter. [0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] In some embodiments, 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 . By having a card 60 for each operator 70, it becomes possible to track not only tool-specific data but also 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.

[0038] In some embodiments, 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.

[0039] In some embodiments, 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. Furthermore, the software may be configured to calculate estimations of e.g. the vibration level and sound level of a tool, based from measurements of 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.

[0040] Looking now at Figs. 2a and 2b, the intended use of a device according to the present disclosure will be described. 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, and 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.

[0041 ] The intended use of the device 1 10 is to measure and collect operational data relating to parameters related to the tool 100. [0042] 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. In the example above, 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.

[0043] Looking now at Fig. 3, the composition of the measuring device 200 will now be described in more detail. 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. As shown in the figure, the device 200 may comprise external sensors 230 and it may comprise internal sensors 240. In some embodiments the device only comprises one sensor 230, 240 and in some embodiments the device comprises multiple sensors 230, 240.

[0044] The device 200 is also adapted to transmit operational data, for instance by incorporating a transmitter. In Fig. 3, 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.

[0045] 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. In a typical example wherein the device 200 is adapted to measure and collect data relating to at least pressurized air passing through the device 200, 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. By having a battery 270 and a way of charging the battery 270, it is possible to achieve a portable device that does not require external power, and further which makes use of the force from air passing through in order to generate power.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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. Furthermore, 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.

[0048] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept. It will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more".

Claims

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

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

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

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

5. A device (200) for collecting operational data for pneumatic tools, the device being (200) connectable at a first end to a pneumatic tool, and at a second end being connectable to a pressurized air supply, the device comprising: a housing (210) defining a flow channel (210) between the first and second ends; a first sensor (230, 240) adapted for measuring and collecting operational data relating to at least one of air pressure and air flow; a transmitter (260) adapted to wirelessly transmit the collected data; a power source (270); a generator, connected to the power source (270) and adapted to charge the power source (270); and an impeller (250), 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.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the device is further comprises a second sensor (230, 240), the second sensor (230, 240) being adapted for measuring and collecting data relating to at least one of: air pressure, temperature, air flow, air velocity, vibration, sound, time of use.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first sensor (240) is disposed internally of the housing, and the second sensor (230) is disposed externally of the housing.

8. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising an operator ID card, operatively connected to the transmitter, for identifying an operator of the device.