Faceted Pulling Head for Tight Space Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulling heads for blind rivets, blind bolts, and lock bolts are often too large for installation in tight spaces, particularly in areas with obstructions, and reducing their size compromises their strength.
Innovation Solution
A pulling head design with a jaw holder and anvil sleeve that are reciprocally slideable and rotatable, featuring a faceted external surface and a side opening that minimizes the edge distance, allowing the head to fit in tight spaces while maintaining tensile and compressive strength up to 10,000 pounds per square inch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the wall thickness of the cylindrical anvil sleeve and/or the cylindrical collet is decreased to provide a smaller outer diameter, then the pulling head can fit in tight spaces, but the strength of the anvil sleeve and collet is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil sleeve is divided into multiple segments that can be positioned at different radial distances from the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the pulling head to have a smaller effective outer diameter in tight spaces while maintaining structural strength through the distributed segment configuration. The segments can be arranged to provide both reduced edge distance and adequate strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil sleeve segments are made reciprocally rotatable relative to each other, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the pulling head's effective shape. This dynamic capability enables the segments to be positioned to minimize edge distance when needed while maintaining strength through optimal positioning. The rotatable joints allow the structure to adapt between compact and strength-optimized configurations.
2Volume of moving object
If the pulling head is designed with a smaller outer diameter to fit in confined areas, then it can access tight spaces, but the distance from the center to the outside edge is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil sleeve segments can be positioned asymmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis, allowing the pulling head to have an irregular effective shape that minimizes edge distance in specific directions. This asymmetric configuration enables the head to fit in tight spaces with obstructions on one side while maintaining adequate structural dimensions in other directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a fixed cylindrical geometry to a multi-dimensional configuration where segments can be positioned at various radial distances and angular positions. This dimensional flexibility allows optimization of edge distance in specific directions while maintaining overall structural integrity through the three-dimensional segment arrangement.
3Length of moving object
If the anvil sleeve is made reciprocally rotatable about the jaw holder, then the minimum edge distance is reduced to match the jaw holder edge distance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil sleeve is designed with reciprocally rotatable joints that allow it to rotate relative to the jaw holder. This dynamic capability enables the sleeve to be positioned to minimize edge distance by aligning its opening with the closest obstruction, while the rotatable mechanism itself remains relatively simple compared to the benefits gained in edge distance reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A pulling head for use during installation of blind rivets, blind bolts, and lock bolts. The pulling head includes a faceted jaw holder disposed about a jaw assembly. The tool also includes an anvil sleeve that is rotatable about the jaw holder and jaw assembly and has at least one side opening sized to expose at least one of the facets of the jaw holder. The opening provides a smaller radial distance between the center of the pulling head and its outside edge to allow installation of blind rivets, blind bolts, and lock bolts where there is insufficient space for a full-diameter pulling head.