Non-damaging connection techniques
First Claim
1. A connector driving system comprising:
- a motor;
a driver bit with a plurality of isolated electrical and/or magnetic contacts; and
a control system configured to control driving torque and speed and/or connector tightness in accordance with sensing proper seating of said driver bit with a connector head and configured to execute the following operations;
sense whether isolated electrical and/or magnetic contacts within the driving system become bridged and engage in communication with one another;
determine whether said communication bears at least one attribute associated with proper seating of the driving system with a connector head;
create driving torque, speed and connector tightness based on said communication; and
wherein said communication attribute is individually set, with respect to a particular connector head and driver bit interaction.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved techniques for avoiding and remediating connector-related stripping and other material damage are provided. In some aspects, specialized drive heads and systems are provided in conjunction with sensors for detecting proper distance characteristics and contact orientations (a.k.a., “seating”) with connectors, which, upon sensing improper seating, reduce, reverse-pulse or otherwise alter or remove power. The specialized driver heads may include reverse-grip members that pull the driver-head into the seated position. In other aspects, multiple-section connector sets are included, which may be self-tightening, and create detectable conditions of potential tightening energy being expended and/or loosening occurring, allowing an external sensor to sense such a condition and identify a connector that has loosened, slipped, or may be in need of recharging or tightening. A specialized connector head may selectively break away before stripping and thereby expose a stronger, secondary driver head. Associated driver refinements are also provided, which may further avoid damage.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A connector driving system comprising:
-
a motor; a driver bit with a plurality of isolated electrical and/or magnetic contacts; and a control system configured to control driving torque and speed and/or connector tightness in accordance with sensing proper seating of said driver bit with a connector head and configured to execute the following operations; sense whether isolated electrical and/or magnetic contacts within the driving system become bridged and engage in communication with one another; determine whether said communication bears at least one attribute associated with proper seating of the driving system with a connector head; create driving torque, speed and connector tightness based on said communication; and wherein said communication attribute is individually set, with respect to a particular connector head and driver bit interaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A connector driving system comprising:
-
a motor; a driver bit with a plurality of isolated electrical and/or magnetic contacts; and a control system configured to control driving torque and speed and/or connector tightness based on sensing proper seating of said driver bit with a connector head and configured to execute the following operations; sense whether some of said isolated electrical and/or magnetic contacts within the driving system become bridged and engage in communication with one another; determine whether said communication indicates a proper seating of the driving system with a connector head; create driving torque, speed and connector tightness based on said determination; wherein said contacts are engaged by at least one movable probe that is a part of the driver system; and wherein said communication is individually set, with respect to a particular connector head and driver bit interaction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A connector driving system comprising a physical contact sensor and a control system, wherein said control system performs operations to:
-
control driving power based on sensing change in seating of a driver bit against other objects; and prevent slippage and damage to or by the system by applying remedial power actions, including, but not limited to, a reverse-pulse of power; wherein said remedial power actions are executed if said change in seating is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
Specification