Smart power tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10377021-B2
Application number	US-201715420371-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 31, 2017
Priority date	Dec 12, 2016
Publication date	Aug 13, 2019
Grant date	Aug 13, 2019

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a drive tool. The drive tool comprising a handle, a bit movably coupled to the handle through a mechanism. The drive tool further comprises a plurality imaging units provisioned on the handle to face a fastener and a fastening surface. The drive tool also comprises a control unit operatively coupled to the mechanism and the plurality of imaging units. The control unit is configured to receive data from each of the plurality of imaging units and operate the mechanism selectively to move the bit for adjusting axis of the fastener perpendicular to the fastening surface. The adjustment is done based on the data received from at least one of the plurality of imaging units. The automatic alignment of axis of the fastener with respect to the fastening surface improves the accuracy of operation and reduces the efforts of the operator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A screw driver, comprising:
a handle;
a bit movably coupled to the handle through a mechanism;
a plurality of imaging units provisioned on the handle, wherein the plurality of imaging units faces a screw and a screwing surface; and
a control unit operatively coupled to the mechanism and the plurality of imaging units, the control unit is configured to:
receive, data associated with distances between the screwing surface and at least two faces of head of the screw, from each of the plurality of imaging units;
identify a tilt in axis of the screw with respect to the screwing surface when the distances between the screwing surface and the at least two faces of the head of the screw are different; and
automatically operate, the mechanism selectively to move the bit laterally and longitudinally for aligning the screw perpendicular to the screwing surface to remove the tilt, based on the data received from at least one of the plurality of imaging units.

2. The screw driver as claimed in claim 1 comprises a contact sensor provisioned on the bit, the contact sensor is configured to detect contact of the bit with the screw.

3. The screw driver as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one extendable and retractable arm to hold the screw driver on the screwing surface.

4. The screw driver as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the control unit actuates the at least one extendable and retractable arm to extend up to the screwing surface, upon receiving a signal from a contact sensor.

5. The screw driver as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of imaging units is RGB-D camera.

6. The screw driver as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a first actuator and a second actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator are interfaced with the control unit.

7. The screw driver as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the control unit is configured to selectively operate the first actuator and the second actuator to move the bit in lateral and longitudinal directions based on the signal received from the plurality of imaging units.

8. The screw driver as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a third actuator coupled to the bit, the third actuator is interfaced with the control unit.

9. The screw driver as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the control unit is configured to rotate the third actuator to fasten the screw to the screwing surface upon aligning the screw perpendicular to the screwing surface.

10. The screw driver as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the control unit is configured to: deactivate, the third actuator, upon the distance between the head of the screw and the screwing surface reaching zero.

11. The screw driver as claimed in claim 1 comprises an accelerometer to detect change in acceleration of the bit during fastening.

12. The screw driver as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the accelerometer is communicatively coupled to the control unit, the control unit is further configured to deactivate, a third actuator, upon receiving a signal from the accelerometer.

13. The screw driver as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one power source to supply power to the control unit, a contact sensor, the plurality of imaging units, an accelerometer, a first actuator, a second actuator and a third actuator.

Assignees

• Wipro Ltd

Inventors

• Kumar Vijay
• Ninan Thomas Chittakattu

Classifications

• B25F5/00 Primary

  Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G05B2219/37114

  Precision screw · CPC title

• B25B21/002 Primary

  for special purposes · CPC title

• B25F5/021

  with guiding devices (guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078) · CPC title

• G05B19/186

  Generation of screw- or gearlike surfaces · CPC title