Driving Device Support Element Deflection for Fastener Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving devices for fasteners into substrates face issues with tilting and increased force requirements due to undefined support from strips, degrading driving quality and complicating the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support element and support spring that can deflect transversely to assist in separating fasteners from the strip, featuring a flat support surface oriented counter to the driving direction, and a recess for strip movement, reducing the force needed for separation and improving handling stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fastening element is separated from the strip by pushing it through the strip core, then the fastening element can be driven into the substrate, but the force required for separation increases and the strip core must be very soft or elastic
Solution Approach 1:
A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the strip core and the fastening element. This support element provides a defined support surface that bears against the fastening element during separation, mediating the interaction and reducing the force required to push the fastening element through the strip core while maintaining reliable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element changes the physical parameters of the support interface by providing a rigid or semi-rigid support surface with specific geometric characteristics. This alters the force distribution and reduces the separation force requirement compared to using a very soft or elastic strip core alone.
2Reliability
If the fastening element is separated from the strip, then the fastening element can be driven into the substrate, but the fastening element tends to tilt due to undefined support from the remaining strip
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as a stabilizing intermediary that maintains proper alignment of the fastening element during separation. The defined support surface prevents the fastening element from tilting by providing consistent geometric reference, ensuring stable positioning throughout the driving process.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is positioned in advance to provide preliminary stabilization of the fastening element before separation occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the fastening element maintains correct orientation and prevents tilting during the subsequent separation and driving operations.
3Ease of operation
If the strip core is made very soft or elastic to allow fastening element separation, then separation is possible, but the strip as a whole has very little dimensional stability making handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the strip core structure. Instead of making the entire strip core soft or elastic, only the specific support element contact region provides the necessary compliance, while the rest of the strip core maintains its dimensional stability and rigidity for easy handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip core has different local properties: the region interacting with the support element provides the necessary softness or elasticity for easy separation, while the rest of the strip core maintains high dimensional stability. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of easy separation and easy handling.
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
Enhances driving quality by reducing the force required for fastener separation and improving handling by providing stable support during the driving process, ensuring efficient and precise fastener insertion.
Implementation Method 1
a support spring, wherein the support element can be deflected transversely to the drive-in direction against a force of the support spring when a fastener is pushed away from the drive-in element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Device (100) for driving fastening elements (110) into an underlying surface, having a mount (120) for a fastening element (110), having a through-passage for a driving-in element, by means of which a fastening element in the mount is driven into the underlying surface in a driving-in direction (170), having a strip lead-through (180), which defines a strip plane and a transporting direction and is intended for a fastening-element bearing strip core (130), having a supporting element (210) for supporting the strip and/or a fastening element, and having a supporting spring, wherein the supporting element can be deflected transversely to the driving-in direction, counter to a force of the supporting spring, when a fastening element is moved in the driving-in direction by the driving-in element in order for the fastening element to be separated from the strip.