A device and a method for driving a fastener into a workpiece

Abstract

A device (110) for driving a fastener into a workpiece, comprising: - an air spring chamber (112); - a piston (114), wherein the piston (114) is arranged within the air spring chamber (112) in a manner that the piston (114) is moveable along a drive axis (116); - a pressurized volume (118), wherein the pressurized volume (118) comprises a first chamber compartment (120) and a second chamber compartment (122), wherein the pressurized volume (118) is at least partially formed by a pressure chamber (124) and the air spring chamber (112); - an air flow regulating element (126), o wherein the air flow regulating element (126) is configured to seal, in a closed position of the air flow regulating element (126), the first chamber compartment (120) of the pressurized volume (118) from the second chamber compartment (122) of the pressurized volume (118); - a plunger (128) for the air flow regulating element (126); wherein the plunger (128) passes through a pass-through (130) in the pressure chamber (124) 124 into the pressurized volume (118), wherein the plunger (128) is configured for bringing the air flow regulating element (126) from the closed position of the air flow regulating element (126) in an open position of the air flow regulating element (126); a seal (132), wherein the seal (132) is configured to seal the pass-through (130), wherein the seal (132) is a bellow seal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for driving a fastener into a workpiece.Background art

[0002] Devices for driving a fastener into a workpiece, typically, have a problem with energy loss over lifetime, devices for driving a fastener into a workpiece including a pressurized volume especially so due to pressure loss. This may have numerous reasons: Typically, the seals employed to seal the pass-through of the plunger in the pressure chamber are not fit for the thermal and mechanical stress they are subject to. As a result, contaminating particles, such as dust, can get into the pressurized volume or even the further volume compromising the functionality of the further seal arranged at the driver.

[0003] Contaminating particles may get in the pressurized volume or the further volume by two ways. Firstly, a damaged tip of the driver may have burrs, which can scrape elastomeric and / or metallic material off the fasteners and the fastener strips. Said material may be pulled into the further volume. In combination with frequent nail jams, this effect may intensify. Secondly, contaminating particles may directly enter the further volume through the ventilation holes located near the piston stopper. Furthermore, moisture may condensate during rapid cooling either on the walls of the air spring chamber, the pressure chamber or on the contaminating particles that got in the respective volume. Therefore, the viscosity of the grease of the volumes changes, potentially facilitating leakage through the piston seal directly from the further volume into the pressurized volume, or vice versa. Lower viscosity grease may also lead to an increased wear on the elastomeric piston seal and therefore indirectly cause additional leakage.

[0004] JP2018051715A relates to a driving machine that can change driving energy of a driving piece. The driving machine includes: a cylinder chamber for storing a gas; a driving piece moving in a first direction with pressure from the cylinder chamber to drive a fastener; a pressure accumulating chamber for storing a gas to be fed to the cylinder chamber; a flow passage through which the gas passes when being fed to the cylinder chamber from the pressure accumulating chamber; and an adjustment mechanism capable of changing flow resistance of the gas in the flow passage.

[0005] US 2020 / 282534 A1 relates to an electric nail gun including a muzzle seat, a safety component being movable relative to the muzzle seat, and a cylinder unit connected to the muzzle seat and including a striking cylinder, at least one storage chamber that is adapted for storing pressurized air, and a sealing cap that is coupled to the striking cylinder and the at least one storage chamber. The electric nail gun further includes an air valve disposed in the cylinder unit and being co-movable with the safety component from a closed position to an open position to allow the pressurized air to flow into the striking cylinder, and a nail-striking unit driven movably by the pressurized air for striking a nail when the air valve is at the open position.

[0006] US 2023 / 088831 A1 relates to a power tool including an air spring cylinder. A piston is movably positioned within the cylinder and a driver blade and a rack are attached to the piston. The power tool includes a lifter gear including a lifter gear wheel portion, and a plurality of teeth extending radially from the lifter gear wheel portion and configured to engage the rack. A hub includes a first end operably connected to a motor output and a second end including a hub wheel portion. A first receptacle is provided in one of the lifter gear and the hub and a first bearing element extends from the other of the lifter gear and the hub into the first receptacle. A first elastomeric damper is positioned within the first receptacle between the first bearing element and a bearing element defined portion of the first receptacle.Problem to be solved

[0007] It may be therefore desirable, preferably in view of US 2023 / 088831 A1, to provide a device and a method for driving a fastener into a workpiece that at least partially overcome the problems of the state of the art.

[0008] In particular, it may be an object of the present invention to prevent wear of the components of the device to stabilize the pressure within the pressurized volume over the lifetime of the device. Thereby, also the energy applied to the fastener is stabilized.Summary

[0009] This problem is addressed by a device and a method for driving a fastener into a workpiece with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments which might be realized in an isolated fashion or in any arbitrary combinations are listed in the dependent claims as well as throughout the specification.

[0010] In a first aspect, a device for driving a fastener into a workpiece is disclosed. The fastener may be a nail. The device comprises: an air spring chamber, preferably wherein the air spring chamber is an air spring cylinder; a piston, wherein the piston is arranged within the air spring chamber in a manner that the piston is moveable along a drive axis; a pressurized volume, wherein the pressurized volume comprises a first chamber compartment and a second chamber compartment, wherein the pressurized volume is at least partially formed by a pressure chamber; an air flow regulating element, preferably wherein the air flow regulating element is a valve, ∘ wherein the air flow regulating element is configured to seal, in a closed position of the air flow regulating element, the first chamber compartment of the pressurized volume from the second chamber compartment of the pressurized volume; a plunger for the air flow regulating element; wherein the plunger passes through a pass-through in the pressure chamber into the pressurized volume, wherein the plunger is configured for bringing the air flow regulating element from the closed position of the air flow regulating element in an open position of the air flow regulating element; a seal, wherein the seal is configured to seal the pass-through in the pressure chamber, preferably wherein the seal is arranged at the pressure chamber in a manner that the seal surrounds the plunger.

[0011] The term "air spring chamber" may refer to chamber configured for supporting a piston. The piston may be moveable within the air spring chamber. The air spring chamber may be configured to guide the movement of the piston. The movement of the piston may be a translational movement. The movement may be along a drive axis. The movement may be in a preload direction and / or in a fastening direction. The fastening direction may be opposite to the preload direction.

[0012] The term "pressurized volume" may refer to volume formed by at least the pressure chamber. The pressurized volume may be further formed by the air spring chamber and / or the piston. A pressure within the pressurized volume that is minimized may be, typically, larger than 4 bar.

[0013] When the air flow regulating element is in a closed position, it separates the pressurized volume into a first chamber compartment and a second chamber compartment such that the first chamber compartment is sealed from the second chamber compartment in a manner that no air flow between the first chamber compartment and the second chamber compartment is possible. When the air flow regulating element is in the closed position, the air within the pressurized air within the second chamber compartment may apply a force onto the piston. The air within the second chamber compartment may be in contact with the piston. On the other hand, the pressurized air within the first chamber compartment may apply no force onto the piston. The air within the first chamber compartment may not be in contact with the piston. Typically, the first chamber compartment may be larger than the second chamber compartment by a factor of 5, preferable when the piston is in the ready position.

[0014] The term "plunger" may refer to a solid rod and / or a solid cylinder. The plunger may be supported by the pass-through. The plunger may be movably arranged within the pass-through. Thereby, the plunger may be translationally moveable. The movement of the plunger may bring the air flow regulating element from the closed position in the open position. Further, the movement of the plunger may bring the air flow regulating element from the open position in the closed position.

[0015] The device may further comprise a workpiece contact unit comprising a contact nose, wherein the workpiece contact unit is attached to the plunger. The workpiece contact unit may be configured to move the plunger for bringing the air flow regulating element from the closed position of the air flow regulating element in the open position of the air flow regulating element when the contact nose is pressed against the workpiece. When the contact nose is pressed against the workpiece, the contact nose may move, specifically translationally move. Said movement may cause the movement of the plunger required to bring the air flow regulating element in the open position.

[0016] For bringing the air flow regulating element from the closed position of the air flow regulating element in an open position of the air flow regulating element, the plunger may be moveable along a plunger axis.

[0017] The device may further comprise a preload driving system, wherein the preload driving system is configured for preloading the device by forcing the piston in a ready position. The preload driving system may further be configured to hold the piston in the ready position against the pressure caused by the air in the pressurized volume. In order to the drive the movement of the piston such that the driver that is attached to the piston is forced against the fastener in a manner that the fastener is forced into a workpiece, the air within the pressurized volume may be caused to expand abruptly.

[0018] Therefore, the air flow regulating element may be brought in the open position, such that an air flow between the first chamber compartment and the second chamber compartment is possible. Thereby, the first chamber compartment may no longer form a closed volume. Rather, the air within the first chamber compartment may drive the movement of the piston by flowing through the air flow regulating element into the second chamber compartment. When the air flow regulating element is in the open position, the preload driving system may be configured to release the force retaining the piston in the ready position. This causes the air within the pressurized volume to expand abruptly and, thereby, move the piston.

[0019] The movement of the piston may cause the driver to move in the fastening direction. Thereby, a further volume may decrease, which may, typically, allow gaseous exchange with the environment, typically air. The gaseous exchange may be allowed via at least one ventilation hole within the air spring chamber.

[0020] As a result of said movement, the driver may contact the fastener at a contact surface of the driver and, thereby, drive the fastener into the workpiece. The driver may be an integral part of the piston. A cross-section of the piston in a plane orthogonal to the drive axis may be of an arbitrary shape. Preferably, the cross-section of the piston in the plane orthogonal to the drive axis may be of a circular shape.

[0021] The air flow regulating element may be configured to enable, in the open position of the air flow regulating element, an air flow from the first chamber compartment into the second chamber compartment in order to drive the movement of the piston. Thereby, the fastener may be forced into the workpiece, preferably wherein said movement of the piston causes the pressurized volume to increase.

[0022] The term "seal" may refer to at least one element configured for preventing and / or limiting a transfer of at least one substance from a first location to at least one further location. The seal may be configured to prevent the intrusion of contaminating particles into the pressurized volume. Thereby, the pressurized volume may be shielded from the contaminating particles of the environment.

[0023] The seal is a bellow seal. The term "below seal" may refer to a specific seal comprising a bellow. The bellow may be configured to compensate a movement of the piston. The seal may be arranged at an outside wall of the pressure chamber. The seal may be attached to the outside wall of the pressure chamber. The seal may be further attached to the piston. Thereby, the seal may prevent a leakage into the pressurized volume.

[0024] Using a bellow seal may have the advantage that it stabilizes the pressure within the pressurized volume over the lifetime of the device. In addition, the energy applied to the fastener may be stabilized.

[0025] The device may further comprise: a driver that is attached to the piston, wherein the driver is forced against the fastener in a manner that the fastener is forced into the workpiece, preferably when a preloading of the device is released, wherein the driver passes through a further pass-through in the air spring chamber, a further seal, wherein the further seal is configured for sealing the further pass-through in the air spring chamber, preferably wherein the further seal is arranged at the driver in a manner that the further seals surrounds the driver.

[0026] The further seal may be configured to strip of contaminating particles from the piston, preferably in a manner that they do not penetrate into the air spring chamber. The further seal may be or may comprise a material of an elastomer.

[0027] Using a further seal may have the advantage that it the energy applied to the fastener is stabilized.

[0028] The pressure within the pressurized chamber may apply a preloading force onto the workpiece contact unit in order to bring the contact nose in a ready position.

[0029] Some devices known from the prior art may be tiring to use as the force required to compress the contact nose may be high. This force may have to be high since contaminating particles influence the functionality of the device, as described above, and safety margins have to be considered. Such safety margins may no longer be needed when the functionality of the mechanism providing a restoring force to the workpiece contact unit over lifetime is guaranteed.

[0030] To increase the force required to compress the contact nose, devices known from the prior art, typically, comprise a mechanical preloading spring. The device discussed herein may not comprise such a mechanical preloading spring to bring the contact nose in the ready position.

[0031] The air spring chamber may at least partially form a further volume, wherein the device further may comprises: at least one ventilation hole in the air spring chamber, wherein the at least one ventilation hole is configured to allow an air flow between the environment and the further volume.

[0032] The at least one ventilation holes may be configured in a manner that the air of the piston may escape during a movement of the piston, particularly to not create a counterpressure.

[0033] The device may further comprise a protective cover, wherein the protective cover forms a cavity together with the air spring chamber, wherein the at least one ventilation hole fluidically connects the cavity and the further volume, wherein the protective cover shields the further volume from contaminating particles of the environment.

[0034] The term "protective cover" may refer to a shielding structure that is arranged in front of the at least one ventilation hole. The protective cover may be arranged at the air spring chamber. The protective cover may be attached to the air spring chamber. The protective cover may, advantageously, influence the air flow into the further volume such that the leakage of contaminating particles into the further volume is prevented.

[0035] The device may further comprise a filtering structure, preferably a mesh, a foam and / or a filter, wherein the filtering structure is arranged within the cavity, wherein the filtering structure is configured to filter the contaminating particles in a manner that the further volume is further shielded from the contaminating particles of the environment.

[0036] The filtering structure may be an absorbing structure.

[0037] Consequently, the filtering structure, advantageously, may influence the air flow into the further volume such that the leakage of contaminating particles into the further volume is prevented.

[0038] In a further aspect, a method for forcing a fastener into a workpiece is disclosed, wherein the method comprises using a device as elsewhere described herein, wherein the device is used to force a fastener into a workpiece.

[0039] As used in the following, the terms "have", "comprise" or "include" or any arbitrary grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive way. Thus, these terms may both refer to a situation in which, besides the feature introduced by these terms, no further features are present in the entity described in this context and to a situation in which one or more further features are present. As an example, the expressions "A has B", "A comprises B" and "A includes B" may both refer to a situation in which, besides B, no other element is present in A (i.e. a situation in which A solely and exclusively consists of B) and to a situation in which, besides B, one or more further elements are present in entity A, such as element C, elements C and D or even further elements.

[0040] Further, it shall be noted that the terms "at least one", "one or more" or similar expressions indicating that a feature or element may be present once or more than once typically will be used only once when introducing the respective feature or element. In the following, in most cases, when referring to the respective feature or element, the expressions "at least one" or "one or more" will not be repeated, non-withstanding the fact that the respective feature or element may be present once or more than once.

[0041] Further, as used in the following, the terms "preferably", "more preferably", "particularly", "more particularly", "specifically", "more specifically" or similar terms are used in conjunction with optional features, without restricting alternative possibilities. Thus, features introduced by these terms are optional features and are not intended to restrict the scope of the claims in any way. The invention may, as the skilled person will recognize, be performed by using alternative features. Similarly, features introduced by "in an embodiment of the invention" or similar expressions are intended to be optional features, without any restriction regarding alternative embodiments of the invention, without any restrictions regarding the scope of the invention and without any restriction regarding the possibility of combining the features introduced in such way with other optional or non-optional features of the invention.

[0042] Summarizing and without excluding further possible embodiments, the following embodiments may be envisaged: Embodiment 1. A device for driving a fastener into a workpiece, preferably wherein the fastener is a nail, comprising: an air spring chamber, preferably wherein the air spring chamber is an air spring cylinder; a piston, wherein the piston is arranged within the air spring chamber in a manner that the piston is moveable along a drive axis; a pressurized volume, wherein the pressurized volume comprises a first chamber compartment and a second chamber compartment, wherein the pressurized volume is at least partially formed by a pressure chamber; an air flow regulating element, preferably wherein the air flow regulating element is a valve, ∘ wherein the air flow regulating element is configured to seal, in a closed position of the air flow regulating element, the first chamber compartment of the pressurized volume from the second chamber compartment of the pressurized volume; a plunger for the air flow regulating element; wherein the plunger passes through a pass-through in the pressure chamber into the pressurized volume, wherein the plunger is configured for bringing the air flow regulating element from the closed position of the air flow regulating element in an open position of the air flow regulating element; a seal, wherein the seal is configured to seal the pass-through, preferably wherein the seal is arranged at the pressure chamber in a manner that the seal surrounds the plunger, wherein the seal is a bellow seal. Embodiment 2. The device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the air flow regulating element is configured to enable, in the open position of the air flow regulating element, an air flow from the first chamber compartment into the second chamber compartment in order to drive the movement of the piston such that the fastener is forced into the workpiece, preferably wherein said movement of the piston causes the pressurized volume to increase. Embodiment 3. The device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the seal is arranged at an outside wall of the pressure chamber. Embodiment 4. The device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, further comprising: a driver that is attached to the piston, wherein the driver is forced against the fastener in a manner that the fastener is forced into the workpiece, preferably when a preloading of the device is released, wherein the driver passes through a further pass-through in the air spring chamber, a further seal, wherein the further seal is configured for sealing the further pass-through in the air spring chamber, preferably wherein the further seal is arranged at the driver in a manner that the further seals surrounds the driver. Embodiment 5. The device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, further comprising: a workpiece contact unit comprising a contact nose, wherein the workpiece contact unit is attached to the plunger; wherein the workpiece contact unit is configured to move the plunger for bringing the air flow regulating element from the closed position of the air flow regulating element in the open position of the air flow regulating element when the contact nose is pressed against the workpiece. Embodiment 6. The device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the pressure within the pressurized chamber applies a preloading force onto the workpiece contact unit in order to bring the contact nose in a ready position. Embodiment 7. The device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the device comprises no mechanical preloading spring to bring the contact nose in the ready position. Embodiment 8. The device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the air spring chamber at least partially forms a further volume, wherein the device further comprises: at least one ventilation hole in the air spring chamber, wherein the at least one ventilation hole is configured to allow an air flow between the environment and the further volume. Embodiment 9. The device according to the preceding Embodiment, further comprising: a protective cover, wherein the protective cover forms a cavity together with the air spring chamber, wherein the at least one ventilation hole fluidically connects the cavity and the further volume, wherein the protective cover shields the further volume from contaminating particles of the environment. Embodiment 10. The device according to the preceding Embodiment, further comprising: an filtering structure, preferably a mesh, a foam and / or a filter, wherein the filtering structure is arranged within the cavity, wherein the filtering structure is configured to filter the contaminating particles in a manner that the further volume is further shielded from the contaminating particles of the environment. Embodiment 11. The device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, further comprising: a preload driving system, wherein the preload driving system is configured for preloading the device by forcing the piston in a ready position. Embodiment 12. A method for forcing a fastener into a workpiece, wherein the method comprises using a device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the device is used to force a fastener into a workpiece. Short description of the Figures

[0043] Further optional features and embodiments will be disclosed in more detail in the subsequent description of embodiments, preferably in conjunction with the dependent claims. Therein, the respective optional features may be realized in an isolated fashion as well as in any arbitrary feasible combination, as the skilled person will realize. The scope of the invention is not restricted by the preferred embodiments. The embodiments are schematically depicted in the Figures. Therein, identical reference numbers in these Figures refer to identical or functionally comparable elements.

[0044] In the Figures: Figure 1shows an exemplary device 110 for driving a fastener into a workpiece; and Figure 2shows a further exemplary device 110 for driving a fastener into a workpiece.

[0045] In Figure 1, an exemplary device 110 for driving a fastener into a workpiece is shown. The fastener may be a nail. The device 110 comprises: an air spring chamber 112, preferably wherein the air spring chamber 112 is an air spring cylinder; a piston 114, wherein the piston 114 is arranged within the air spring chamber 112 in a manner that the piston 114 is moveable along a drive axis 116; a pressurized volume 118, wherein the pressurized volume 118 comprises a first chamber compartment 120 and a second chamber compartment 122, wherein the pressurized volume 118 is at least partially formed by a pressure chamber 124; an air flow regulating element 126, preferably wherein the air flow regulating element 126 is a valve, ∘ wherein the air flow regulating element 126 is configured to seal, in a closed position of the air flow regulating element 126, the first chamber compartment 120 of the pressurized volume 118 from the second chamber compartment 122 of the pressurized volume 118; a plunger 128 for the air flow regulating element 126; wherein the plunger passes through a pass-through 130 in the pressure chamber 124 into the pressurized volume 118, wherein the plunger 128 is configured for bringing the air flow regulating element 126 from the closed position of the air flow regulating element in an open position of the air flow regulating element 126; a seal 132, wherein the seal 132 is configured to seal the pass-through 130, preferably wherein the seal 132 is arranged at the pressure chamber 124 in a manner that the seal surrounds the plunger 128.

[0046] The air flow regulating element 126 may be configured to enable, in the open position of the air flow regulating element 126, an air flow from the first chamber compartment 120 into the second chamber compartment 122 in order to drive the movement of the piston 114. Thereby, the fastener may be forced into the workpiece, preferably wherein said movement of the piston 114 causes the pressurized volume 118 to increase.

[0047] The seal 132 is a bellow seal. The seal 132 may be arranged at an outside wall 134 of the pressure chamber 124.

[0048] The device 110 may further comprise: a driver 136 that is attached to the piston 114, wherein the driver 136 is forced against the fastener in a manner that the fastener is forced into the workpiece, preferably when a preloading of the device 110 is released, wherein the driver 136 passes through a further pass-through 138 in the air spring chamber 112, a further seal 140, wherein the further seal 140 is configured for sealing the further pass-through 138 in the air spring chamber 112, preferably wherein the further seal 140 is arranged at the driver 136 in a manner that the further seals 140 surrounds the driver 136.

[0049] The device may further comprise a preload driving system (not depicted), wherein the preload driving system is configured for preloading the device 110 by forcing the piston in a ready position.

[0050] The device 110 may further comprise a workpiece contact unit 142 comprising a contact nose 144, preferably wherein the workpiece contact unit 142 is attached to the plunger.

[0051] The workpiece contact unit 142 may be configured to move the plunger 128 for bringing the air flow regulating element 126 from the closed position of the air flow regulating element 126 in the open position of the air flow regulating element 126 when the contact nose 144 is pressed against the workpiece. The workpiece contact unit 142 may further comprise a transmission element 146 configured to transmit the movement of the contact nose 144 to the plunger 128.

[0052] When the contact nose 144 is pressed against the workpiece, the contact nose 144 may move from a ready position in a firing position. Said movement may be along a contact nose axis 148. In the ready position of the workpiece contact unit 142, the air flow regulating element 126 may be in the closed position. In the firing position of the workpiece contact unit 142, the air flow regulating element 126 may be in the open position.

[0053] The pressure within the pressurized chamber 118 may apply a preloading force onto the workpiece contact unit 142 in order to bring the contact nose in the ready position, preferably from the firing position. When the piston is moved along the drive axis 116 in a ready position, the pressurized volume 118 may decrease such that the pressure in the pressurized chamber 118 increases. Thereby, the preloading force onto the workpiece contact unit 142 may be generated. In this scenario, the device 110 may not comprise mechanical preloading spring 162 to bring the contact nose 144 in the ready position.

[0054] The device 110 may further comprise a stopper 154, specifically an elastic stopper, configured for stopping the piston 114, when the piston 114 is forced along the drive axis 116.

[0055] The air spring chamber 112 may at least partially form a further volume 150. As may be derived from the further exemplary device 110 shown in Figure 2, the device 110 further may comprise: at least one ventilation hole 152 in the air spring chamber 112, wherein the at least one ventilation hole 152 is configured to allow an air flow between the environment and the further volume 150.

[0056] The at least one ventilation hole 152 may be arranged in a manner that an air flow between the environment and the further volume 150 is possible independent of the position of the piston 114 and the driver 136.

[0057] The device 110 may further comprise a protective cover 156, wherein the protective cover 156 forms a cavity 158 together with the air spring chamber 112, wherein the at least one ventilation hole 152 fluidically connects the cavity 158 and the further volume 150, wherein the protective cover 156 shields the further volume 150 from contaminating particles of the environment.

[0058] The protective cover 156 may be arranged at an outer wall 160 of the air spring chamber 112. The protective cover may be different from the housing (not depicted) of the device 110.

[0059] The device 110 may further comprise an filtering structure 164, preferably a mesh, a foam and / or a filter, wherein the filtering structure 164 is arranged within the cavity 158, wherein the filtering structure 164 is configured to filter the contaminating particles in a manner that the further volume 150 is further shielded from the contaminating particles of the environment.

[0060] The filtering structure 160 may be an absorbing structure.

[0061] The exemplary device 110 that is depicted in Figure 2 comprises a mechanical preloading spring 162 to bring the contact nose 144 in the ready position.List of reference numbers

[0062] 110device for driving a fastener into a workpiece 112air spring chamber 114piston 116drive axis 118pressurized volume 120first chamber compartment 122second chamber compartment 124pressure chamber 126air flow regulating element 128plunger 130pass-through 132seal 134outside wall 136driver 138pass-through 140further seal 142workpiece contact unit 144contact nose 146transmission element 148contact nose axis 150further volume 152ventilation hole 154stopper 156protective cover 158cavity 160outer wall 162mechanical preloading spring 164filtering structure

Claims

1. A device (110) for driving a fastener into a workpiece, comprising: - an air spring chamber (112); - a piston (114), wherein the piston (114) is arranged within the air spring chamber (112) in a manner that the piston (114) is moveable along a drive axis (116); - a pressurized volume (118), wherein the pressurized volume (118) comprises a first chamber compartment (120) and a second chamber compartment (122), wherein the pressurized volume (118) is at least partially formed by a pressure chamber (124); - an air flow regulating element (126), ∘ wherein the air flow regulating element (126) is configured to seal , in a closed position of the air flow regulating element (126), the first chamber compartment (120) of the pressurized volume (118) from the second chamber compartment (122) of the pressurized volume (118); - a plunger (128) for the air flow regulating element (126); wherein the plunger (128) passes through a pass-through (130) in the pressure chamber (124) into the pressurized volume (118), wherein the plunger (128) is configured for bringing the air flow regulating element (126) from the closed position of the air flow regulating element (126) in an open position of the air flow regulating element (126); - a seal (132), wherein the seal (132) is configured to seal the pass-through (130), wherein the seal (132) is a bellow seal.

2. The device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the air flow regulating element (126) is configured to enable, in the open position of the air flow regulating element (126), an air flow from the first chamber compartment (120) into the second chamber compartment (122) in order to drive the movement of the piston (114) such that the fastener is forced into the workpiece.

3. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal (132) is arranged at an outside wall (134) of the pressure chamber (124).

4. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a driver (136) that is attached to the piston (114), wherein the driver (136) is forced against the fastener in a manner that the fastener is forced into the workpiece, wherein the driver (136) passes through a further pass-through (130) in the air spring chamber (112), - a further seal (140), wherein the further seal (140) is configured for sealing the further pass-through (138) in the air spring chamber (112).

5. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a workpiece contact unit (142) comprising a contact nose (144), wherein the workpiece contact unit (142) is attached to the plunger (128); wherein the workpiece contact unit (142) is configured to move the plunger (128) for bringing the air flow regulating element (126) from the closed position of the air flow regulating element (126) in the open position of the air flow regulating element (126) when the contact nose (144) is pressed against the workpiece.

6. The device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the pressure within the pressurized chamber applies a preloading force onto the workpiece contact unit (142) in order to bring the contact nose (144) in a ready position.

7. The device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the device (110) not comprises mechanical preloading spring to bring the contact nose (144) in the ready position.

8. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air spring chamber (112) at least partially forms a further volume (150), wherein the device (110) further comprises: - at least one ventilation hole (152) in the air spring chamber (112), wherein the at least one ventilation hole (152) is configured to allow an air flow between the environment and the further volume (150).

9. The device (110) according to the preceding claim, further comprising: - a protective cover (156), wherein the protective cover (156) forms a cavity (158) together with the air spring chamber (112), wherein the at least one ventilation hole (152) fluidically connects the cavity (158) and the further volume (150), wherein the protective cover (156) shields the further volume (150) from contaminating particles of the environment.

10. The device (110) according to the preceding claim, further comprising: - an filtering structure (164), wherein the filtering structure (164) is arranged within the cavity (158), wherein the filtering structure (164) is configured to filter the contaminating particles in a manner that the further volume (150) is further shielded from the contaminating particles of the environment.

11. The device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a preload driving system, wherein the preload driving system is configured for preloading the device (110) by forcing the piston (114) in a ready position.

12. A method for forcing a fastener into a workpiece, wherein the method comprises using a device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (110) is used to force a fastener into a workpiece.

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