Fastener Insertion Force Correlation Between Rivet Gun and Press

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Solution Overview

Problem

The forces exerted by a rivet gun during fastener insertion can degrade components, while hydraulic presses used for testing do not accurately replicate these forces, leading to potential damage in manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using force sensors to correlate the forces exerted by a rivet gun with those of a hydraulic press, employing a control unit to analyze and predict the impact of rivet gun forces based on data from both tools, ensuring safe and effective fastener installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hydraulic press is used to test fasteners, then testing can be performed, but the forces exerted by the press do not accurately replicate rivet gun forces, leading to potential component damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of force replicationVSAvoidcomponent degradation from excessive force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses force sensors to measure actual forces during both press testing and rivet gun operations, feeding this data back to a control unit that correlates the two different force profiles. This feedback loop enables accurate translation of press test results to predict rivet gun forces, preventing component damage while maintaining testing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Force sensors act as intermediaries between the mechanical tools (press and rivet gun) and the control system. These sensors capture force data from both tools, enabling the control unit to correlate and translate forces between the two different insertion methods without direct mechanical connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If force sensors and control systems are added to correlate rivet gun and press forces, then accurate force prediction is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical force replication mechanisms with electronic sensing and computational correlation. Instead of mechanically adjusting the press to replicate rivet gun forces, force sensors and a control unit electronically correlate the force profiles, simplifying the overall system while improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4711094A1System and method for correlating forces exerted by different tools
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 THE BOEING CO
  • EP4711094A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711094A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4711094A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A system and a method include a component formed of a material. The component has one or more first holes. A test piece is formed of the material. The test piece has one or more second holes. A first tool is configured to insert one or more first fasteners into one or both of the first hole(s) or the second hole(s). A second tool is configured to insert one or more second fasteners into one or both of the first hole(s) or the second hole(s). One or more force sensors are coupled to one or both of the component or the test piece. The force sensor(s) are configured to detect (a) one or more first aspects of one or more first forces exerted during operation of the first tool to insert the first fastener(s) into one or both of the first hole(s) or the second hole(s), and (b) one or more second aspects of one or more second forces exerted during operation of the second tool to insert the second fastener(s) into one or both the first hole(s) or the second hole(s). A control unit is in communication with the force sensor(s), and is configured to correlate the first aspect(s) of the first force(s) with the second aspect(s) of the second force(s).