Driver Rebound Plate Deflecting Fastener Driver
Solution Overview
Problem
In fastening tools, the driver often retains excess kinetic energy after driving a fastener, causing it to rebound into the drive path and potentially misfire or jam by driving multiple fasteners simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A fastening tool with a driver rebound plate and a dampening member is used to deflect the driver out of the drive axis during the return stroke, preventing it from rebounding into the drive path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driver is allowed to return along the drive path after driving a fastener, then the driver can be reset to the home position for the next drive cycle, but the driver may retain excess kinetic energy and rebound into the drive path causing multiple fasteners to be driven simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
A rebound plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the driver and the drive path. The rebound plate intercepts the driver during its return stroke and deflects it away from the drive path, preventing the driver from contacting additional fasteners while still allowing the drive cycle to proceed at normal speed
Solution Approach 2:
The rebound plate redirects the driver's motion from a one-dimensional path along the drive axis to a two-dimensional trajectory that includes lateral deflection. This dimensional change allows the driver to return to the home position without traveling along the original drive path, eliminating the risk of misfiring while maintaining operational efficiency
2Loss of energy
If bumpers are provided to absorb the driver's kinetic energy during the return stroke, then the driver's residual momentum can be absorbed, but the driver may still bounce off the bumpers with enough speed to skip over the stop member and rebound into the drive path
Solution Approach 1:
The rebound plate serves as an intermediary that intercepts the driver before it can rebound off the bumpers and skip over the stop member. By positioning the rebound plate in the driver's return path, the system prevents the harmful rebound effect while maintaining the energy absorption function of the bumpers
Solution Approach 2:
The rebound plate is positioned to intercept the driver during its return stroke, performing a preliminary deflection action before the driver can accumulate enough energy to skip over the stop member. This preliminary intervention prevents the harmful rebound from occurring in the first place
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 effectively prevents the driver from rebounding into the drive path, reducing the likelihood of misfires, jams, and damage to the tool, thereby improving operational reliability and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
An elastically deformable member is operatively connected to the support member in the rearward end of the housing and bearing against a rearward end surface of the housing
Implementation Method 2
A dampening member is disposed between the elastically deformable member and the rearward end surface of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A driver rebound plate to prevent a fastener driver from rebounding into the drive path and striking additional fasteners at the end of a drive cycle. The driver rebound plate is formed from an elongated body having a mounting portion at a first end and a bearing portion at a second end. A retaining portion is disposed between the mounting portion and the bearing portion and is adjacent to the mounting portion. An impact portion designed to receive the impact of a driver during a return stroke is disposed between the retaining portion and the bearing portion. The impact portion is bent at an oblique angle with respect to the drive axis.