System for assisting selection of power tool

• US 7,346,422 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Yoshinori, Tsuchiya, Tsuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett; Ryan A.
• Application Number:
  US10/542,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20060142894A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,457 Days
• Field of Search: 700/168, 700/179
• US Class Current: 700/168
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/008 comprising computers
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/00 Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose machines B23P19/06
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/14 Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers couplings for transmitting rotation or clutches F16D; devices for measuring torque per se G01L
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

It is determined whether a power tool is suitable for a work description for which the power tool is used or not, and when it is not suitable for the work description, a suitable power tool is selected and presented to a user. The power tool has a memory, and data concerning a work record is stored in the memory. When the power tool is connected to an assist apparatus installed in a shop or the like, the data concerning the work record is read out from the memory, and the work description is estimated according to a program run in the assist apparatus. Then, it is judged whether the power tool is suitable for the estimated work description or not. When the power tool is not suitable for the work description, a power tool suitable for the work is selected from a previously stored database and presented to the user.

Claims

1. A system for assisting in selection of a power tool, which is connected to a memory provided in a power tool with a rechargeable battery for storing data concerning a model or specification of the power tool and data concerning a use record therein, reads out the data from the memory, judges whether or not the power tool is suitable for work description for which the power tool is used, by using the data read out, and selects and presents the power tool suitable for the work description when the power tool is not suitable for the work description, the system comprising:

a memory unit configured for storing data concerning a plurality of selectable models and specifications of power tools, a plurality of models and specifications of batteries configured for attachment to the power tool and a plurality of models and specifications of battery chargers for charging the battery;

a power tool suitability judger configured for judging whether or not the model or specification of the power tool is suitable for the work description using the data concerning the use record read out of the memory;

a power tool selector configured for selecting a model of the power tool with a specification suitable for the work description and a model of the battery and a battery charger suitable for the work description among the models of the power tools and the models of the battery and the battery charger stored in the memory unit when it is judged that the model or specification of the power tool is not suitable for the work description; and

a display configured for displaying results of judgment by the power tool suitability judger and the model of the power tool, the model of the battery pack and the model of the battery charger selected by the power tool selector.

2. The system for assisting in selection of a power tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data concerning the use record includes working time during a period from turn-on to turn-off of a switch of the power tool, resting time during a period from a turn-off to a next turn-on of the switch, a number of times that the switch is turned on, a maximum current value and an average current value of currents flowing to a motor during the working time.

3. The system for assisting in selection of a power tool in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a battery lifetime judger for judging lifetime of the battery when the memory of the power tool further stores record data concerning charge and discharge of the battery therein; and

wherein the display displays remaining lifetime and replacement time of the battery.

4. A recording medium that records a program for assisting in selection of a power tool which selects and presents a model of a power tool suitable for work description of the user, a model of a battery and a battery charger suitable for the work description by being read and run in a computer, the program comprising:

reading out data concerning a model or specification of the power tool and data concerning a use record from a memory provided in the power tool;

judging whether or not the model or specification of the power tool is suitable for the work description using the data concerning the use record read out from the memory;

selecting a model of the power tool with a specification suitable for the work description and a model of the battery and a battery charger suitable for the work description among the models of the power tools and models of the battery and the battery charger when it is judged that the model or specification of the power tool is not suitable for the work description; and

displaying a result of judgment and the selected model of the power tool, model of the battery and model of the battery charger.

5. The recording medium that records a program for assisting in selection of a power tool therein in accordance with claim 4, wherein the data concerning the use record includes working time during a period from turn-on to turn-off of a switch, resting time during a period from turn-off to a next turn-on of the switch, a number of times that the switch is turned on, a maximum current value and an average current value of currents flowing to a motor during the working time.

6. The recording medium that records a program for assisting in selection of a power tool therein in accordance with claim 4, wherein the program for assisting in selection of the power tool further comprises reading out a record data concerning charge and discharge of the battery from the memory, judging a lifetime of the battery and displaying a remaining lifetime or replacement time of the battery, when the memory of the power tool further stores record data concerning charge/discharge of the battery therein.

7. A computer readable recording medium that stores a program for assisting in selection of a power tool which selects and presents a model of a power tool suitable for work of a user, a model of a battery and a battery charger suitable for the work by being read and run in a computer, the program comprising:

reading out data concerning a model of a power tool actually used to perform work and data concerning a use record of the power tool actually used to perform the work from a memory provided in the power tool;

identifying the model and capabilities of the power tool actually used;

judging a category of a power tool suitable for performing the work using the data concerning the use record read out from the memory;

comparing the category of the power tool suitable for performing the work with the category to which the power tool actually used belongs;

indicating, on a display, that the power tool actually used is not suitable for the work, when the category to which the power tool actually used belongs does not correspond to the category of the power tool suitable for the work;

selecting an optimum model of the power tool suitable for the work;

comparing the model and capabilities of the power tool actually used with those of the selected optimum model of the power tool suitable for the work;

indicating, on the display, that the power tool actually used is suitable for performing the work, when the model and capabilities of the power tool actually used correspond to those of the selected optimum model of the power tool suitable for the work;

calculating electric energy used while performing the work continuously using the data concerning the use records;

selecting a model of a battery that can provide the electric energy necessary to perform the work continuously;

judging a charging performance of the battery charger and selecting a battery charger suitable to the selected battery, when quick charge is required; and

indicating, on the display, the optimum models of the selected power tool, battery and battery charger.

8. The computer readable recording medium that stores a program for assisting in selection of a power tool in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:

displaying a recommendation to replace the power tool actually used with a power tool suitable for the work or suggesting a way of using the power tool actually used so as to be suitable for the work, when the model and capabilities of the power tool actually used do not correspond to the model and capabilities of the selected optimum model of the power tool suitable for the work.