Hand-held Fastener Tool Muzzle Component Filler

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held fastener drive-in tools are not suitable for mounting auxiliary constructional components like cable binders or formwork stops without actuating the safety mechanism prematurely, as the switching means activates before pressing against a workpiece.

Innovation Solution

A displaceable component feeler on the muzzle, actuated independently of the press-on feeler, prevents initial actuation of the drive-in process and allows initiation only when both feelers are in their switching positions, ensuring proper fitting of auxiliary components and detection of pressing against a workpiece, with a delay in actuation to prevent tampering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a press-on feeler with switching means is used to detect workpiece contact, then safety is improved by preventing accidental actuation, but the tool cannot accommodate auxiliary constructional components on the muzzle without premature actuation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidaccommodation of auxiliary components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is divided into two independent feelers: a press-on feeler for detecting workpiece contact and a component feeler for detecting auxiliary component presence. This segmentation allows each feeler to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between safety and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The component feeler acts as an intermediary element between the auxiliary constructional component and the control system. It detects the presence of the auxiliary component through mechanical interaction and transmits this information to the control unit, enabling the system to distinguish between auxiliary component presence and workpiece contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If auxiliary constructional components are mounted on the muzzle, then versatility is improved, but the switching means is actuated prematurely before pressing against a workpiece

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting of auxiliary componentsVSAvoidpremature actuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is divided into two independent feelers: a press-on feeler for detecting workpiece contact and a component feeler for detecting auxiliary component presence. This segmentation allows each feeler to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between safety and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The component feeler performs preliminary detection of auxiliary component presence before the actual drive-in process is initiated. By detecting the auxiliary component in advance and setting a corresponding flag in the control unit, the system prepares for the subsequent workpiece contact detection without premature actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single feeler is used for detection, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish between auxiliary component presence and workpiece contact is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection systemVSAvoiddetection discrimination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is divided into two independent feelers: a press-on feeler for detecting workpiece contact and a component feeler for detecting auxiliary component presence. This segmentation allows each feeler to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between safety and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each feeler is designed with specific local properties: the component feeler is positioned and dimensioned to interact with auxiliary components on the muzzle, while the press-on feeler is designed to respond only to workpiece contact. This local differentiation enables precise detection discrimination despite the added complexity of having two feelers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7861905B2Hand-held fastener driving tool

Publication Date: 2011.01.04 HILTI AG

AI summary

A hand-held drive-in tool (10) has a trigger switch (19) for triggering a drive-in process by drive unit (30) that drives a drive-in ram (13), a press-on feeler (18) which is arranged so as to be displaceable at a muzzle (16), which can detect that the drive-in tool pressed against a workpiece, and which prevents the actuation of a drive-in process in its initial position (41) and enables actuation of its drive-in process in its switching position (43), a component feeler (17) displaceably arranged at the muzzle (16) and capable of being actuated independently from the press-on feeler (18) and preventing actuation of a drive-in process in its initial position (42) and enabling the actuation of the drive-in process in its switching position (44), the component feeler (17) detecting fitting of an auxiliary constructional component (110) to the muzzle (16), with a drive-in process being initiated by the trigger switch (19) only when the component feeler (17) and the press-on feeler (18) are both in their respective switching positions (43, 44).