Smart power tool

• US 10,377,021 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wipro Limited
• Original Assignee: Wipro Limited
• Inventors: Kumar, Vijay, Ninan, Thomas Chittakattu
• Primary Examiner(s): Karim, Ziaul
• Application Number:
  US15/420,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20180161965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 700114
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/105 using sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/002 for special purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/021 with guiding devices guiding devices for hand tools on stands or supports B25H1/0078
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/0078 Guiding devices for hand tools
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/186 Generation of screw- or gearlike surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37114 Precision screw

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.

Claims

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.