Electronic applicator counter

• US 7,466,788 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Hoover, George Edward, Nicholas, Keith Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): LAM, TUAN THIEU
• Application Number:
  US11/091,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20060222141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 377/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/00 Design features of general application
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/026 Connecting or supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/102 by magnetic or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/04 using counting means or digital clocks

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to applicator counters and assemblies for counting, recording and transmitting cycles of machines, tools and the like. An applicator counter assembly for operative association with an applicator or the like is provided. The applicator counter assembly includes an applicator counter for counting, recording and transmitting cycles of the applicator. The applicator counter includes a magnetically responsive switch capable of being actuated in response to a magnetic force, whereby the applicator counter registers a count for each actuation of the switch.

Claims

1. An applicator counter for operation with an applicator, said applicator counter comprising:

a housing; and

a circuit board assembly operatively disposed within the housing, the circuit board assembly including;

a printed circuit board;

a microchip supported on the printed circuit board for processing and manipulating information;

an energy source supported on the printed circuit board for powering at least the microchip;

a magnetically responsive switch supported on the printed circuit board, the switch being actuated in response to a magnetic force, whereby the circuit board assembly registers a count for each actuation of the switch; and

a storage element supported on the printed circuit board for storing information, the storage element configured to store a total count of each actuation of the switch and a cycle count for a tool associated with the applicator.

2. The applicator counter according to claim 1, wherein the magnetically responsive switch is a reed switch.

3. The applicator counter according to claim 2, wherein the circuit board assembly includes at least a pair of reed switches positioned at opposing sides thereof.

4. The applicator counter according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board assembly further comprises a data transmitting controller supported on the printed circuit board for transmitting information to a remote location.

5. The applicator counter according to claim 1, wherein the cycle count for the tool associated with the applicator is less than the total count.

6. The applicator counter according to claim 1, wherein the storage element is configured to store at least one of permanent data and tooling data.

7. The applicator counter according to claim 4, wherein the data transmitting controller is a wireless controller.

8. The applicator counter according to claim 1, wherein the storage element is configured to store a plurality of cycle counts that each correspond to a different tool associated with the applicator, wherein a first of the plurality of cycle counts is less than the total count and a second of the plurality of cycle counts is equal to the total count.

9. An applicator counter assembly for operative association with an applicator, the applicator counter assembly comprising:

an applicator counter for counting, recording and transmitting cycles of the applicator, the applicator counter including a magnetically responsive switch configured to actuate in response to a magnetic force, whereby the applicator counter registers a count for each actuation of the switch; and

a counter mounting kit for mounting the applicator counter to the applicator, the counter mounting kit including;

a bracket configured to interconnect the applicator counter and the applicator;

a magnet operatively supportable on a working element of the applicator;

the magnet having a first position, corresponding to when the working element is in an idle condition, in which the magnet does not cause the magnetically responsive switch to actuate, and a second position, corresponding to when the working element is in an active condition, in which the magnet causes the magnetically responsive switch to actuate, wherein the applicator counter registers each count;

a guide selectively mountable to the bracket; and

a rod extending through the guide and configured to support the magnet thereon.

10. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the applicator counter includes:

a housing defining at least one window;

a display operatively disposed within the housing and visible through the window formed in the housing; and

a circuit board assembly operatively disposed within the housing and in electrical contact with the display, the circuit board assembly including;

a printed circuit board;

a microchip supported on the printed circuit board for processing and manipulating information;

an energy source supported on the printed circuit board for powering at least the display and the microchip; and

a storage element supported on the printed circuit board for storing information.

11. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 10, wherein the magnetically responsive switch is a reed switch.

12. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least a pair of reed switches are provided and are each supported at opposite ends of the printed circuit board.

13. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 10, wherein the circuit board assembly further comprises a data transmitting controller supported on the printed circuit board for transmitting information to a remote location.

14. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 13, wherein the data transmitting controller is a wireless controller.

15. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the rod is selectively connectable to the working element of the machine, wherein movement of the working element results in movement of the rod.

16. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the bracket is configured to enable adjustment of the location of the applicator counter.

17. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the guide is a clevis and the rod extends through arms of the clevis.

18. The applicator counter assembly according to claim 9, wherein when the working element of the machine is in an active condition, the magnet is positioned at a magnetically effective distance relative to the magnetically responsive switch.

19. An applicator counter for operation with an applicator, said applicator counter comprising:

a housing; and

a circuit board assembly operatively disposed within the housing, the circuit board assembly including;

a printed circuit board;

a microchip operatively connected to the printed circuit board for processing and manipulating information;

an energy source operatively connected to the printed circuit board for powering at least the microchip;

a storage element operatively connected to the printed circuit board for storing information, the storage element configured to store information about each of a plurality of different tools associated with the applicator; and

a switch operatively connected to the printed circuit board, the switch being actuated in response to a force, whereby the circuit board assembly registers a count for each actuation of the switch.

20. The applicator counter according to claim 19, wherein the information about each of the plurality of tools comprises at least one of a part number associated with at least one of the plurality of tools, a date associated with at least one of the plurality of tools, a cycle count for at least one of the plurality of tools, and maintenance data associated with at least one of the plurality of tools.

21. An applicator counter for operation with an applicator, said applicator counter comprising:

a housing; and

a circuit board assembly operatively disposed within the housing, the circuit board assembly including;

a printed circuit board;

a microchip supported on the printed circuit board for processing and manipulating information;

an energy source supported on the printed circuit board for powering at least the microchip;

a storage element supported on the printed circuit board for storing information, the storage element configured to store a total count of each actuation of the switch and a cycle count for a tool associated with the applicator; and

a pair of magnetically responsive switches positioned on opposing sides of the circuit board assembly, the switches being actuated in response to a magnetic force.