Fastener Tool Feeder Retention Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener driving tools face issues with nail jams and unsatisfactory nail drives due to improper timing relationships between the drive piston and feeder mechanism during the return cycle, leading to friction and interference with the driver blade, which can be exacerbated by dirt and debris.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electromechanical retention device that holds the feed piston in a retracted position until the drive piston has returned to its pre-firing position, using a gas conduit to overcome the return spring and an electromagnet to ensure the feed piston remains retracted until the driver blade is clear, thus preventing side loading and ensuring proper nail advancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the feed piston advances the fastener toward the nosepiece during the drive piston return cycle, then the fastener can be positioned for driving, but the fastener becomes biased against the driver blade causing friction and prolonged return time
Solution Approach 1:
The feed piston is retracted in advance during the drive piston downward stroke, positioning the fastener feeder mechanism ready for the next cycle. This preliminary retraction ensures that when the driver blade returns, the fastener is already positioned without being biased against the blade, eliminating friction delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic control mechanism that adjusts the feed piston timing based on the drive piston position. The feed piston is held in the retracted position until the drive piston reaches a predetermined position, then automatically advances the fastener. This dynamic coordination optimizes the timing relationship between the two pistons, preventing fastener biasing while maintaining high driving speed.
2Device complexity
If the feed piston retracts using gas pressure from the combustion cycle, then the feeder mechanism can be powered, but the gas conduit must be precisely positioned to establish correct timing relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the purely mechanical gas pressure-driven feed piston with an electromechanical system. An electromagnetic actuator controls the feed piston position, eliminating the need for precise gas conduit positioning. This substitution maintains feeder mechanism simplicity while significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements for the gas conduit.
3Reliability
If the driver blade returns to pre-firing position before the feed piston advances the fastener, then the fastener can be advanced without interference, but the return spring may cause premature fastener advancement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback control system that monitors the drive piston position and automatically controls the feed piston timing. When the drive piston reaches the predetermined position during its return stroke, the system activates the feed piston to advance the fastener. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable timing coordination without requiring complex mechanical timing adjustments.
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
This solution reduces nail malfunctions, improves piston return speed and reliability, increases operational life, and enhances energy efficiency while being lightweight and resistant to dirt and debris, maintaining user-applied force requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a gas conduit that receives a supply of compressed gas from the power source and transmits the compressed gas to the feed cylinder to overcome the return spring and retract the feed piston
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnet to hold the feed piston in the retracted position until the driver blade is clear
Data Source
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AI summary
A fastener driving tool (10) includes a power source (14) including a reciprocating driver blade (24), a tool nose (30) associated with the power source for receiving the driver blade for driving fasteners (26) fed into the nose, a magazine (32) constructed and arranged to house a supply of the fasteners, a magazine feeder mechanism (50) associated with the magazine for sequentially feeding fasteners into the nose, the feeder mechanism including a reciprocating feed piston (58), and an electromechanical retention device (110) that is operationally associated with the feeder mechanism (50) and configured for retaining the feed piston (58) in a retracted position until the driver blade is positioned to allow fastener advancement into the nose.