Electric Bolt Setting Tool Spring Energy Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically operable bolt-firing tools lack a simple and cost-effective method to adjust and manage energy storage and release for varying fastening tasks, as solutions for fuel-operated tools are not readily transferable.

Innovation Solution

An electrically operable bolt-firing tool with a spring device that interacts with an intermediate storage energy adjustment system, allowing for manual and automatic adjustment of spring tension and deflection, using an electric drive and control devices to optimize energy storage and release based on fastening requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the spring device is fully tensioned before every setting operation to ensure sufficient energy, then the fastening quality is improved, but the battery consumption increases and service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening qualityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic energy adjustment by allowing the spring pre-tensioning force to be varied based on actual task requirements. The control device adjusts the spring pre-tensioning force according to different fastening scenarios, enabling the system to use minimal necessary energy while maintaining adequate fastening quality, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the spring device is fully tensioned to provide maximum energy, then the fastening power is sufficient, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening powerVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device serves multiple functions: it controls the electric drive, adjusts the spring pre-tensioning force, manages the driving-in process, and monitors energy consumption. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the patent avoids adding separate complex adjustment mechanisms while still achieving variable energy output to maintain sufficient fastening power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spring device is tensioned to high energy levels for difficult fastening tasks, then the adaptability to different substrates is improved, but the loss of energy through dissipation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to substratesVSAvoidenergy dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy parameter dynamically by adjusting the spring pre-tensioning force according to the specific fastening task and substrate conditions. Rather than always using maximum energy, the system adjusts the spring force parameter to match the minimum required level, thereby maintaining adaptability to different substrates while minimizing energy dissipation and improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables precise adjustment of energy storage and release, improving fastening quality by providing optimal energy for each task, reducing excess energy dissipation, and extending the device's service life and battery range.

Implementation Method 1

a spring device (10) which serves as an intermediate store in order to store energy from an electric drive (25) in the bolt-firing tool (1; 41; 51), which energy can be released suddenly during a setting process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring energy storage and release: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The electric drive serves, for example with the interposition of a belt drive, to tension the spring device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric motor conversion: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 3

The spring device can be tensioned via a threaded spindle and a spindle nut guided on the threaded spindle in a manner secured against torsion. In this case, for example, a rotary movement of the threaded spindle generated by the electric drive is converted into a linear movement or translational movement of the spindle nut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2465641B1Electrically operated bolt setting device
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 HILTI AG
  • EP2465641B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2465641B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2465641B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrically operated bolt setting tool (1) for setting fasteners (3), with a spring device (10) that serves as an intermediate storage device to store energy from an electric drive (25) in the bolt setting tool (1), which can be released abruptly during a setting process. To create an electrically operated bolt setting tool that is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture and/or operate or put into operation, the spring device (10) interacts with an intermediate storage energy adjustment device.