Electric Fastener Feed Tool With Curved Guide Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Compressed air-powered tools for feeding fasteners in manufacturing environments are noisy and hinder portability due to the need for a compressed air hose, which may not be infrastructurally supported in modern electric tool environments.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a receiving container, guide device, flexible pushing element, electric drive, and activation element that allows for the incremental movement of fasteners along a curved guide track, eliminating the need for a compressed air line by using an electric drive and ergonomic design for hand-held or robotic use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If compressed air-powered tools are used for feeding fasteners, then fastener feeding function is achieved, but noise is generated and portability is impaired due to air hose requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the compressed air-powered mechanical system with an electric drive system. The electric motor (18) directly drives the push element (16) through a drive mechanism, eliminating the need for compressed air hoses and associated noise, while improving portability for handheld or robotic use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the pneumatic system entirely by using an electric drive mechanism. The flexible push element is moved by mechanical actuation from the electric motor rather than by compressed air pressure, removing the source of noise and the requirement for air hose infrastructure
2Ease of operation
If compressed air hose connection is required, then fastener feeding is enabled, but handling is impaired and infrastructure dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the pneumatic delivery system with an electric drive system that can operate independently of compressed air infrastructure. The electric motor with its power source (battery or external power) enables the tool to function in environments without air hose infrastructure, significantly improving adaptability and handling
3Manufacturing precision
If individual fastener dispensing is implemented, then assembly precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastener supply into individual units that can be dispensed one at a time. The guide device (6) with its curved guide path and the push element mechanism divide the bulk fastener supply into controlled individual presentations at the discharge section, enabling precise assembly while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device features a curved guide path that elegantly manages the transition from the receiving container to the discharge section. This curved geometry allows individual fasteners to be guided smoothly along a defined path, ensuring precise dispensing while maintaining a compact and manageable tool structure
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A tool for repeatedly feeding individual fasteners from a supply of multiple fasteners comprises a receiving container, a guide device, a flexible linear push element, an electric drive, an activation element, and a feeding element with a dispensing section, wherein the guide device connects to the receiving container and extends from there into the feeding element and terminates at the dispensing section, wherein the guide device extends at least partially along a curved guide path, wherein the guide device has an opening cross-section that is largely constant along the guide path and is limited radially to the guide path by at least one guide element in order to guide a plurality of directly adjoining fasteners along the guide path, wherein the push element extends from the receiving container into the guide device.has an outer cross-section adapted to the opening cross-section and is designed to be guided and moved along the guide track in the guide device by the drive, wherein the drive is coupled to the activation element and, when the activation element is actuated, moves the push element in the direction of the discharge section.