Blind Fastener Installation Tool With Mode Clutch for Flush Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blind fasteners face challenges in controlling the rotation of both the bolt and nut during installation, ensuring a flush finish, adapting to variations in grip length, and preventing tulip formation due to excessive torque, while maintaining strength and avoiding post-installation grinding.
Innovation Solution
A tool comprising a collet, socket assembly, drive body, and mode clutch is used to selectively engage and rotate the bolt and nut, with features like a mode clutch for controlled rotation and an outer sleeve for adjusting grip, ensuring flush installation and preventing tulip formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a typical core bolt is used with uncontrolled break-off point, then the fastener can be installed, but post-installation grinding is required to achieve flush finish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a break-off point control feature directly into the core bolt design, allowing the break-off point to be predetermined and controlled during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-installation grinding to achieve flush finish, as the bolt is designed to break at the correct location during installation.
2Manufacturing precision
If rotation of both bolt and nut is controlled, then flush finish can be achieved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation control function from a complex multi-component system and integrates it directly into the core bolt through a break-off point control feature. This simplifies the overall device by eliminating separate rotation control mechanisms while still achieving the desired flush finish through the controlled break-off of the bolt.
3Adaptability or versatility
If grip length variations are accommodated, then adaptability improves, but joint strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic sleeve deformation mechanism that adapts to varying grip lengths during installation. The sleeve is designed to deform and conform to the specific grip length encountered, allowing the fastener to accommodate different panel thicknesses while maintaining adequate clamping force and joint strength through the deformation-induced preload.
4Productivity
If excessive torque is applied, then fastener installation speed increases, but tulip formation occurs resulting in defective installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a torque control feature that provides feedback during the installation process. This feedback mechanism monitors the torque being applied and prevents excessive torque that would cause tulip formation, allowing installers to maintain high installation speeds while ensuring quality installations through real-time torque monitoring and control.
Data Source
AI summary
A blind fastener includes a bolt and a nut. The bolt includes a shaft, a bolt head, and a lug. The bolt head being disposed between the shaft and the lug and extending radially outward from the shaft. An end of the shaft opposite the bolt head defining external threads. The lug includes a first tool engagement portion, a first frangible portion, and a rim. The rim extends between the first tool engagement portion and the first frangible portion and extends radially inward of the first tool engagement portion. The nut includes a sleeve, a nut head, and a handling member. The sleeve defines a central bore configured to receive the shaft and defining internal threads configured to mate with the external threads. The nut head defining a recess configured to receive the bolt head. The handling member includes a second frangible portion and a second tool engagement portion.