System for providing quantitative process control of finesse polishing

• US 7,922,561 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2008
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hermann, Justin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): RACHUBA, MAURINA T
• Application Number:
  US12/018,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20090186556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 451/5, 451/8, 451/41
• US Class Current: 451/5
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/005 Auxiliary devices used in connection with portable grinding machines, e.g. holders
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 49/00 Measuring or gauging equipment for controlling the feed movement of the grinding tool or work; Arrangements of indicating or measuring equipment, e.g. for indicating the start of the grinding operation B24B33/06, B24B37/005 take precedence; if applicable to other machine tools, B23Q15/00 - B23Q17/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 49/16 taking regard of the load

Abstract

A system for providing quantitative process control of a finesse polishing based upon feedback to the operator as to whether he/she is meeting the one or more predetermined key control characteristics (KCCs). One or more sensors provide data to a controller, wherein the controller provides the operator feedback regarding his/her operational compliance with respect to the KCCs, and disables operation in the event of operator noncompliance, with the intention to promote proper operator procedure and prevent operator error when polishing a flawed painted surface.

Claims

1. A system for providing quantitative process control of a power hand tool, comprising:

a hand tool having predetermined operational characteristics when operating;

a controller;

at least one sensor sensing at least one operational characteristic of the predetermined operational characteristics which is subject to operator control during operation of the tool, said at least one sensor being connected to said controller to thereby provide said controller with data related to the sensed at least one operational characteristic;

a controlled switch connected with said tool and said controller such that said controller selectively enables and disables said controlled switch, wherein said controlled switch enables power to said tool when said controlled switch is enabled, and wherein said controlled switch disables power to said tool when said controlled switch is disabled; and

a feedback indicator connected with said controller, wherein said controller compares the sensed at least one operational characteristic to at least one respectively corresponding predetermined operational characteristic of the predetermined operational characteristics and thereupon registers at said feedback indicator selected information regarding the comparison comprising at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator, said at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator being configured to inform an operator of the tool of the operator'"'"'s compliance with the at least one respectively corresponding predetermined operational characteristic of the predetermined operational characteristic;

wherein said controller selectively enables and disables said controlled switch responsive to said at least one sensor sensing the at least one operational characteristic;

wherein said at least one operational characteristic comprises applied force of said tool with respect to a surface;

wherein said controller enables and disables said controlled switch responsive to said controller determining either one of the applied force being below a redetermined minimum a lied force and the applied force being above a predetermined maximum applied force; and

wherein;

said controller provides a first said at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator at said feedback indicator responsive to the applied force being between the maximum and minimum applied forces;

said controller provides a second said at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator at said feedback indicator responsive to the applied force being above the maximum applied force;

said controller provides a third said at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator at said feedback indicator responsive to the applied force being below the minimum applied force; and

said controller provides a fourth said at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator at said feedback indicator responsive to said controller disabling said controlled switch.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said tool comprises a polishing tool;

and wherein the at least one operational characteristic comprises at least one key control characteristic of the operation of the tool.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor senses rotational speed of said tool;

wherein said controller converts the rotational speed into the applied force according to a predetermined relationship therebetween.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an operator reset device connected to said controller, wherein when said controller disables said controlled switch, a manual reset of said operator reset device is required before said controller will thereafter enable said controlled switch.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said at least one operational characteristic comprises polishing time;

wherein said controller further selectively enables and disables said controlled switch responsive to said polishing tool being operated in compliance with said polishing time.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said at least one sensor senses rotational speed of said tool;

wherein said controller converts the rotational speed into the applied force according to a predetermined relationship therebetween.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising an operator reset device connected to said controller, wherein when said controller disables said controlled switch, a manual reset of said operator reset device is required before said controller will thereafter enable said controlled switch.