Asymmetric Support Collars for Fastener Orientation and Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastener-driving tools face issues with incorrect orientation insertion and jamming due to symmetric support collars, and lack of resilient compressibility after fasteners are driven into a workpiece.

Innovation Solution

Asymmetric support collars with varying numbers and positions of recesses on opposite sides of the fasteners, providing unique profiles that guide fasteners correctly and offer additional compressibility when attached to the workpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If symmetric support collars are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but incorrect orientation insertion and jamming occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport collar manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfastener insertion reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support collar is designed with asymmetric profiles including a first profile on one side of the fastener and a second profile on the opposite side, where the profiles differ in shape, size, or features. This asymmetry prevents incorrect orientation insertion by ensuring the collar can only be inserted in the correct orientation, thereby eliminating jamming issues while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integral formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If standard support collars are used, then fastener driving is straightforward, but gaps form between fastener heads and workpieces over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener driving easeVSAvoidfastener attachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support collar incorporates resilient compressible material and is designed with asymmetric profiles that allow it to compress and conform to the workpiece surface. This parameter change in material properties and geometric configuration enables the collar to maintain continuous contact and pressure between the fastener head and workpiece, preventing gap formation over time while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If support collars lack resilient compressibility, then structural integrity is maintained, but secure attachment and gap prevention are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport collar structural integrityVSAvoidfastener attachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support collar is formed from resilient compressible material that combines structural integrity with elastic properties. This composite material approach allows the collar to maintain its shape and strength while simultaneously providing compression and conformability to ensure secure attachment and prevent gaps between fasteners and workpieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2295821B1Fastener assembly

Publication Date: 2019.05.22 BLACK & DECKER CORP

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AI summary

A fastener assembly (17) comprises an elongate fastener (19), and a support collar (25) mounted on the fastener, the support collar shaped such that it has profiles on opposite sides of the fastener that are asymmetric with respect to each other. The asymmetry may be an asymmetry in the number, shape, position or size of recesses on two opposite sides of the fastener. A plurality of fastener assemblies may be provided as a fastener strip (15), in which each support collar is joined to one or two neighbouring support collars in a strip.