Blind Rivet Nut Setting with Sensor-Guided Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blind rivet setting technologies are inefficient and prone to inaccurate positioning, leading to defective mounting, whether manual or automatic, due to ineffective manual preparation steps and unreliable automatic screwing processes.
Innovation Solution
A setting device with a displaceable pulling mandrel and a spring-preloaded mouthpiece, monitored by sensors or switches, ensures accurate positioning and reliable crimping of blind rivet elements by detecting contact and controlling the setting process through a control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual positioning of the blind rivet element is performed, then the operator has flexibility in handling, but the positioning accuracy is poor resulting in defective mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated sensor-based detection system. Optical or capacitive sensors automatically detect the component opening's position and dimensions, eliminating manual positioning errors while maintaining operational flexibility through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The setting device performs self-positioning by using sensors to automatically detect and locate the component opening. The system independently determines the correct positioning without operator intervention, ensuring both accuracy and operational simplicity
2Productivity
If automatic screwing of the blind rivet nut on the pulling mandrel is implemented, then the preparation time is reduced, but the positioning accuracy remains unreliable leading to defective mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces automatic mechanical screwing with sensor-based detection and controlled positioning. Optical or capacitive sensors detect the component opening and guide the blind rivet element to the correct position, ensuring both speed and accuracy in the preparation phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to provide real-time feedback about the component opening's position and dimensions. This feedback loop enables the control unit to adjust the positioning and screwing parameters dynamically, ensuring accurate mounting while maintaining fast preparation times
3Device complexity
If a simple setting device without sensor monitoring is used, then the device complexity is low, but the positioning state detection is inaccurate resulting in defective mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with simple sensor-based detection systems. Optical or capacitive sensors provide accurate positioning state detection without requiring complex mechanical structures, achieving high precision with minimal device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces sensors as intermediary detection elements between the setting device and the component opening. These sensors act as mediators that provide accurate positioning information without adding mechanical complexity to the core setting mechanism
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a simple, efficient, and reliable installation process for blind rivet elements, improving handling in handheld devices and processing efficiency in automatic machines by ensuring precise positioning and consistent crimping.
Implementation Method 1
a spring preloaded in a direction facing away from the drive end, so that a positioning state of a blind rivet element within an opening of a component is detectable by means of the sensor or the switch capturing a linear displacement of the preloaded mouthpiece in the direction of the drive end
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a setting device (1) for a blind rivet element (N; B), comprising the following features: an axially displaceable pulling mandrel (10) and a mandrel drive to rotate the pulling mandrel (10), the pulling mandrel (10) has a work end (12; 12') and a drive end (16), wherein the work end (12; 12') includes an outer thread (14) to screw-on a blind rivet element configured like a blind rivet nut (N) or an inner thread (14') to screw-in a blind rivet element configured like a blind rivet bolt (B) and the drive end (16) has a coupling structure (18) with which a releasable torque-proof connection with the mandrel drive (20) can be established, a linear pulling drive (50) in an operative connection with the pulling mandrel (10; 10') with which a linear deformation displacement of the pulling mandrel (10; 10') in the direction of the drive end (16) is implementable deforming a blind rivet element (N; B), a hollow-cylindrical mouthpiece (30), which passes the pulling mandrel (10; 10'), which is guided on the pulling mandrel (10; 10') and/or in a housing (90) of the setting device (1), and a relative movement between the mouthpiece (30) and the housing (90) is detectable by means of a sensor (40) or a switch, which is linearly displaceable parallel to and independent of the pulling mandrel (10; 10'), and which is spring preloaded in a direction facing away from the drive end (16), so that a positioning state of a blind rivet element (N; B) within an opening of a component is detectable by means of the sensor (40) or the switch capturing a linear displacement of the preloaded mouthpiece (30) in the direction of the drive end (16) while the blind rivet element (N; B) arranged on/in the work end (12; 12') of the pulling mandrel (30) is pushed into the opening, and a control unit sending a control command at least to the linear pulling drive (50) initiating the starting condition of the setting device (1) in which the linear pulling drive (50) provides an inner clearance (Y) allowing a linear movement of the linear pulling drive (50) together with the mouthpiece (30) in a direction away from the drive end (16).