Blind Fastener Installation Tool With Locking Collar Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tooling and installation processes for blind fasteners are complex, difficult to manufacture, and challenging to integrate with robotics, particularly struggling with installation at varying angles and with sealant issues that can jam the internal drive mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A tool and method for installing blind fasteners that includes a retention member, a gripping member with a receiving cavity and radial openings, a contact element, and a locking collar that moves between engagement and disengagement positions to grip and rotate the core bolt relative to the sleeve, facilitating axial translation and rotation for secure installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current tooling and installation processes are used for blind fasteners, then the installation can be performed, but the tooling becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into distinct functional components: a body housing the drive mechanism, a nose piece that interfaces with the fastener, and a sealant application system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying manufacturing and assembly of the overall tool system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool integrates multiple functions into a single device: it applies sealant to the fastener, grips the fastener through radial openings, and drives the fastener through axial translation and rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tools for each operation, reducing tooling complexity.
2Reliability
If current tooling and installation processes are used for blind fasteners, then the installation can be performed, but the tooling becomes challenging to integrate with robotics
Solution Approach 1:
The tool features self-aligning radial openings that automatically grip the fastener when positioned, and a drive mechanism that self-actuates through the installation process. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex robotic control systems, making integration easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The nose piece is designed to move dynamically relative to the body during installation, allowing the tool to adapt to variations in fastener positioning and orientation. This dynamic design enables robotic systems to accommodate positioning tolerances without requiring extremely precise control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current tooling and installation processes are used for blind fasteners, then installation at varying angles can be attempted, but the process becomes difficult and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The tool allows the nose piece to pivot and adjust its angle relative to the body during the installation process. This dynamic angular adjustment capability enables reliable installation at varying angles while maintaining consistent gripping and driving forces on the fastener.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant application system pre-coats the fastener before installation, creating a controlled interface that prevents jamming even when installed at non-perpendicular angles. This preliminary action counteracts the potential harmful effect of misalignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for installing a blind fastener. The tool includes a retention member and a gripping member that defines a longitudinal axis and is moveable relative to the retention member along the longitudinal axis, the gripping member further defining a receiving cavity that is elongated along the longitudinal axis, an axial opening into the receiving cavity, and a radial opening into the receiving cavity. The tool also includes a contact element at least partially received in the radial opening and a locking collar moveable relative to the gripping member along the longitudinal axis between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the locking collar engages the contact element and urges at least a portion of the contact element into the receiving cavity. In the second position the locking collar is disengaged from the contact element.