Tool apparatus system and method of use
First Claim
1. A method for controlled tool operation, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a hand-held tool including;
a lug nut driver operatively associated with the tool; and
a lug nut driver controller operatively associated with the tool, the controller being adapted for sensing a magnitude of torque applied by the tool and being adapted to alert the operator of a torque error;
providing a control unit having a first connection communicating with a cradle and a second connection communicating with a shop management system, the cradle being dimensioned for docking the tool to enable communication between the tool and the control unit, providing a shop management system being in detachable communication with the tool, the shop management system controllably generating work orders relating to lug nut driving operations;
providing a display operatively associated with the tool and the controller;
retrieving information for at least one work order on the shop management system;
transmitting at least one work order to the control unit for storage in the control unit;
selecting a work order stored on the control unit and transmitting the work order to the tool;
performing a lug nut torque application related to the work order using the tool;
recording service information including data corresponding to the actual torque applied;
transmitting the service information including the data corresponding to the actual torque applied to the control unit; and
transmitting the service information including the data corresponding to the actual torque applied from the control unit to the shop management system.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, and a method of using a system, for controlled tool operation. The method includes providing a tool used in a force application such as a such torque application. The tool communicates with a controller which can communicate with the tool, and to a display in communication with the tool and the controller. The controller can be programmed with operational information about a tool operation. Information related to the operational information is displayed to a user during use. Service information including at least information about an amount of force applied during use is recorded and stored in the controller. Also disclosed is a computerized system for controlled tool operation which sends operational instructions to the tool before use and retrieves service information from the tool after use.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method for controlled tool operation, the method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a hand-held tool including; a lug nut driver operatively associated with the tool; and a lug nut driver controller operatively associated with the tool, the controller being adapted for sensing a magnitude of torque applied by the tool and being adapted to alert the operator of a torque error; providing a control unit having a first connection communicating with a cradle and a second connection communicating with a shop management system, the cradle being dimensioned for docking the tool to enable communication between the tool and the control unit, providing a shop management system being in detachable communication with the tool, the shop management system controllably generating work orders relating to lug nut driving operations; providing a display operatively associated with the tool and the controller; retrieving information for at least one work order on the shop management system; transmitting at least one work order to the control unit for storage in the control unit; selecting a work order stored on the control unit and transmitting the work order to the tool; performing a lug nut torque application related to the work order using the tool; recording service information including data corresponding to the actual torque applied; transmitting the service information including the data corresponding to the actual torque applied to the control unit; and transmitting the service information including the data corresponding to the actual torque applied from the control unit to the shop management system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification