US 12,292,072 B2
Management system using a sensing washer for detecting attachment state of attachment object
Shinji Murata, Miyagi (JP); Ryu Arasawa, Tokyo (JP); and Jun Asami, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to Alps Alpine Co., Ltd., (JP)
Filed by Alps Alpine Co., Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Sep. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/942,523.
Application 17/942,523 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2021/014740, filed on Apr. 7, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-071697 (JP), filed on Apr. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0003247 A1, Jan. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. F16B 31/02 (2006.01); G01B 7/16 (2006.01); G01L 5/24 (2006.01)
CPC F16B 31/028 (2013.01) [G01B 7/16 (2013.01); G01L 5/243 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A management system for an attachment state of an attachment object, the management system comprising:
a sensing washer that is interposed between a bolt and a nut that attach the attachment object to a structural object, the sensing washer including:
a strain element that is ring-shaped, the bolt being configured to pass through a hole of the strain element, the nut being configured to directly contact the strain element;
a strain sensor fixed to the strain element, the strain sensor being configured to detect one of a stress value equivalent to stress being loaded to the strain element and a predetermined value from which the stress value equivalent to the stress is calculated, the predetermined value relating to the stress, the stress corresponding to a resistance value sensed by the strain sensor in accordance with deformation of the strain element;
a washer storage unit configured to store identification information of the sensing washer;
a washer control unit configured to transmit the identification information and one of the stress value and the predetermined value via a communication unit; and
a casing accommodating the strain element, the strain sensor, the washer storage unit, and the washer control unit, the casing being provided at a position that is laterally deviated and flaring from the nut; and
a management processing device configured to:
acquire the identification information and one of the stress value and the predetermined value from the sensing washer;
present relational information representing a relationship between a reference value stored in a device storage unit and one of the stress value and the predetermined value;
compare the reference value with one of the stress value and the predetermined value;
present suitability information of a nut fastening corresponding to the sensing washer having the identification information as the relational information when one of the stress value and the predetermined value is more than the reference value; and
present unsuitability information of the nut fastening corresponding to the sensing washer having the identification information as the relational information when one of the stress value and the predetermined value is equal to or less than the reference value, wherein
the washer storage unit and the washer control unit are placed in a region other than a region that is tightened by the nut.