Fastener Driving Tool Combustion Control via Ionization Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastener driving tools suffer from inefficient combustion, leading to reduced tool efficiency, poor fastening quality, and inability to adapt to varying environmental conditions such as atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Innovation Solution

A fastener driving tool equipped with a combustion chamber that includes mechanisms to measure ionization current within the combustion chamber, allowing for detection of anomalies in combustion and enabling the tool to adapt fluid input based on environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If combustion is not optimized in existing fastener driving tools, then the tool structure remains simple, but combustion efficiency deteriorates leading to reduced tool efficiency and poor fastening quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidfastening quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring ionization current in the combustion chamber and using this information to adjust the air-fuel mixture ratio. The ionization current measurement provides real-time feedback on combustion quality, allowing the control system to optimize the mixture ratio dynamically, thereby improving combustion efficiency and ensuring consistent fastening quality across varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the combustion process by dynamically adjusting the air-fuel mixture ratio based on measured ionization current and environmental conditions. By modifying the mixture ratio parameter in response to real-time measurements and environmental variations, the system optimizes combustion efficiency while maintaining reliable fastening quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing fastener driving tools use fixed combustion parameters, then the device complexity remains low, but adaptability to varying environmental conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to environmental conditionsVSAvoidcombustion control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed combustion parameters to dynamic adjustment of the air-fuel mixture ratio. The system continuously measures ionization current and environmental conditions, then dynamically modifies the mixture ratio in real-time. This dynamic adaptation enables the tool to maintain optimal combustion performance across varying atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by measuring ionization current as an indicator of combustion quality and using this feedback to adjust the air-fuel mixture ratio. The control system receives continuous feedback from the ionization current measurement and environmental sensors, then automatically adjusts combustion parameters to maintain optimal performance despite environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If no ionization current measurement is implemented, then the device complexity remains low, but detection of combustion anomalies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion anomaly detectionVSAvoidmeasurement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or visual combustion monitoring methods with electrical measurement of ionization current. By substituting the measurement approach with electrical sensing, the system achieves precise detection of combustion anomalies such as misfires, incomplete combustion, and knocking events, while keeping the added complexity minimal compared to the benefits gained in measurement precision.

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

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

The tool achieves improved combustion efficiency, enhanced fastening quality, and adaptability to different environmental conditions by accurately monitoring and adjusting the combustion process.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanism to measure a ionization current within the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

an ignition device adapted to generate an electric arc within the combustion chamber in order to ignite within the combustion chamber a mixture of said first fluid and said second fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric arc: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 3

igniting the mixture by an internal ignition device provides a driving force, thereby propelling the piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4347191B1Fastener driving tool
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4347191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4347191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4347191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides for a fastener driving tool, comprising: a combustion chamber (110) having a first inlet port (120) for inputting a first fluid having at least one variable fluid characteristic, and a second inlet port (130) for inputting a second fluid; a piston (114) designed to drive a fastener into a work surface; an ignition device (1101) adapted to generate an electric arc within the combustion chamber (110) in order to ignite within the combustion chamber (110) a mixture of said first fluid and said second fluid, and a mechanism to measure an ionization current (1102) within the combustion chamber (110).