Fastener-Installation System With Piercing Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing fasteners to secure cargo-liner panels to an airplane structure are time-consuming, ergonomically stressful, and result in foreign object debris, requiring multiple tools and manual handling of fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A fastener-installation system featuring a driver with a driver head having jaws that move from a closed to an expanded position to pierce and spread apart material, creating a path for the fastener, and a fastener feeder with a magazine that automatically loads fasteners, reducing the need for manual handling and multiple tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current manual fastener installation methods are used, then installers can secure cargo-liner panels to the airplane structure, but the installation process is time-consuming and requires multiple tools and manual handling of fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated tool: the driver assembly integrates the fastener holder, piercing mechanism, and driving function into one device. The driver assembly includes a holder for receiving the fastener, a piercing element for creating a path through foam tape, and a driving mechanism for securing the fastener, eliminating the need for separate punching tools, manual fastener handling, and separate driving tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver assembly serves multiple purposes in a single operation: it holds the fastener, pierces the foam tape to create a path, and drives the fastener into the structure. This multi-functional design allows one tool to perform what previously required multiple separate tools and manual steps.
2Productivity
If current manual fastener installation methods are used, then fasteners can be driven into the structure, but the installation process is time-consuming and requires installers to spend a substantial amount of time in the cargo compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assembly performs preliminary actions by first piercing the foam tape to create a path before driving the fastener. The piercing element creates the necessary pathway through the foam tape in advance, eliminating the need for separate punching operations and reducing the overall installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver assembly enables continuous operation by integrating the fastener holding, piercing, and driving functions into a single continuous action. The fastener is held in the driver assembly throughout the entire process, eliminating the need to pick up and handle fasteners manually between steps, thereby maintaining continuous productive action.
3Reliability
If current manual fastener installation methods are used, then fasteners can be secured to the airplane structure, but the process creates foreign object debris in the cargo compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assembly performs all necessary operations self-contained: it holds the fastener, pierces the foam tape, and drives the fastener into the structure without requiring manual intervention. The integrated design ensures that fasteners are handled only within the controlled environment of the driver assembly, preventing them from becoming foreign object debris in the cargo compartment.
4Ease of operation
If current manual fastener installation methods are used, then installers can secure cargo-liner panels, but the work places ergonomic stresses on the installer due to tight spaces and multiple reaches
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assembly merges multiple operations (fastener holding, piercing, driving) into a single tool that can be operated continuously without switching between different tools. This eliminates the need for multiple reaches and tool changes, reducing ergonomic stress on installers working in tight cargo compartment spaces.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A fastener-installation system is described that includes a driver to drive a fastener into a structure and a fastener feeder to load the fastener into a loaded position of the driver. The fastener feeder includes a fastener magazine to hold a plurality of fasteners. The fastener-installation system further includes a driver head having a plurality of jaws moveable between a closed position and an expanded position. In the closed position, the plurality of jaws form a piercing tip to pierce material of the structure. Further, the jaws spread apart the material of the structure when the jaws move from the closed position to the expanded position to create a path through the material through which the fastener is driven.