Electro-hydraulic Pistol Device for Riveting Without Compressed Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing riveting pistols that use compressed air are limited in their application as they require a compressed air source, making them unusable when air is not available.
Innovation Solution
An electro-hydraulic pistol device with electronic control that replaces pneumatic systems with electric micro-motors and a hydraulic system, allowing for similar operating logic without the need for compressed air, and offering compact and lightweight designs through external component placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a pneumatic system is used for riveting operations, then high compression force can be achieved, but the device requires a compressed air source which limits its portability and usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system with an electric-hydraulic system. Electric motors drive hydraulic pumps to generate the necessary compression force through hydraulic fluid pressure, eliminating the need for compressed air while maintaining the required force output for riveting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hydraulic system instead of pneumatic system. Hydraulic fluid is pressurized by electric motors and transmitted through hoses to actuate the riveting mechanism, providing the necessary force without requiring a compressed air source, thereby improving adaptability to different work environments
2Volume of moving object
If pneumatic components are housed within the body and grip, then the device structure is compact, but the device becomes heavier and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into modular components: the pistol body contains only essential control elements while the hydraulic power unit, battery pack, and other heavy components are separated into external modules connected via hoses and cables. This segmentation reduces the weight of the main handling unit while maintaining system functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a self-contained integrated design to a distributed modular architecture. By placing power sources and hydraulic reservoirs in external units connected through flexible hoses, the system gains spatial flexibility and reduces the concentration of mass in the pistol body, effectively managing weight distribution
3Adaptability or versatility
If an electro-hydraulic system is implemented, then operation without compressed air is enabled, but the device complexity increases due to additional electronic control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs microcontrollers and electronic control units that perform multiple functions: monitoring hydraulic pressure, controlling motor speed and direction, managing battery power distribution, and providing user interface control. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into integrated control modules, managing overall system complexity
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 operation without compressed air, maintaining functionality similar to pneumatic pistols while providing flexibility in design and power supply options, and achieving compactness and lightness.
Implementation Method 1
a first electric micro-motor (5), for commanding, by means of second transmission organs (52), an outward and return run of a piston (50), which compresses, during the outward run, the fluid F of the hydraulic system (4) in the cylinder (51)
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic system (4) comprising a cylinder (51), containing a fluid F and connected to a chamber (41), in which a cursor (40) slides, the cursor impressing an axial translation on the rod (2), in order to determine plastic deformation of a predetermined portion of the rivet (3)
Implementation Method 3
a second electric micro-motor (1), for rotating leftwise or rightwise, via first transmission organs (11), a threaded rod (2), respectively for engaging or disengaging the rod (2) in the threaded axial hole (3A) of one of the rivets (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The electro-hydraulic pistol device (100) comprises: a first electric micro-motor (1 ), for setting in right-wise or left-wise rotation a threaded rod (2), respectively for engaging or disengaging the rod (2) from a rivet (3); a hydraulic system (4) in which a fluid (F) pushes a cursor (40), associated to the rod (2) for impressing thereon an axial translation which causes plastic deformation of a predetermined portion of the rivet (3), such as to block the rivet (3) to a corresponding wall (P); a second electric micro-motor (5), for commanding a piston (50) destined to compress the fluid (F). An electrical circuit (6) is associated to the above organs, which electrical circuit (6) is managed by a control unit (60), to which are connected: a first micro-switch (61) activated by the rod (2) for activation of the first micro-motor (1) in a right-wise direction; a second micro-switch (62), destined to be activated by a trigger (63) after deactivation of the first micro-switch (61), for activating the second micro-motor (5), first in a direction, for compressing the fluid (F), and then in another direction, for reducing the pressure of the fluid (F), as well as for activating, in phase relation, the first micro-motor (1) in a left-wise rotation; supply means (7) for the circuit (6) and the micro-motors (1, 5). The left-wise rotation of the first micro-motor (1) and the rod (2) proceeds as long as the trigger (63) is kept pressed.