Fastener Magazine Toggle Closure for Faster Docking and Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices with magazines require complex mechanical actuators for docking and undocking, leading to time-consuming processes and high operational costs, and lack efficient maintenance and filling performance.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device system with a magazine arrangement featuring sensors attached to a base plate, spacers for easy hose removal, and a toggle mechanism for reduced friction, allowing for precise alignment and easy maintenance, and accommodating two types of fasteners without increasing length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical actuators are used for docking and undocking the magazine, then the fastening device can securely connect to the feed device, but the docking process becomes time-consuming and operationally complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocking reliabilityVSAvoiddocking time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical actuators and transmissions with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic coupling device creates a magnetic field that automatically attracts and secures the magazine to the feed device during docking, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuators while maintaining secure connection. This substitution significantly reduces docking time and operational complexity.

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

2Productivity

If complex mechanical transmissions are used for docking, then the fastening device can reliably fill the magazine, but the device complexity and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic coupling device replaces complex mechanical transmissions with a magnetic field-based system. The magnetic field automatically guides and secures the magazine during the docking process, enabling reliable filling operation without requiring complex mechanical actuators, thereby reducing device complexity and operational costs while maintaining filling efficiency.

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

3Measurement precision

If sensors are attached directly to the magazine, then fastener detection can be performed, but the sensor becomes difficult to maintain and replace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastener detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor maintenance ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor system from the magazine by placing the sensor on the base rather than attaching it directly to the magazine. The magnetic coupling device enables the magazine to be detached and reattached without affecting the sensor's position on the base. This segmentation allows the sensor to remain in a fixed, easily accessible location for maintenance and replacement while continuing to accurately detect fasteners in the magazine through the magnetic field.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the magazine hose is difficult to remove, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the maintenance time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidhose replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the magazine hose connection by incorporating a quick-release mechanism in the magnetic coupling device. This allows the magazine hose to be easily detached from the magazine when maintenance is required, while the magnetic coupling maintains secure structural connection during normal operation. The segmentation enables independent maintenance of the hose without affecting the overall structural integrity of the fastening device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4616974A1Fastening device, fastening device system and method for feeding fasteners
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 NEWFREY LLC
  • EP4616974A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4616974A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4616974A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5

AI summary

Method for feeding fasteners to a fastening tool (20), fastening device system (10) and fastening device (12) comprising a magazine arrangement (32) mounted on a fastening tool (20), the magazine arrangement (32) having a magazine (34) for accommodating at least one fastener (28a), a magazine plate (42) and a base plate (44), wherein the magazine plate (42) comprises a plate body (76) and a closure arrangement (78) with a closure slider (80) adapted to move between an open position, and a closed position and a toggle mechanism (84) adapted to move the closure slider (80) from the closed position to the open position.