Compact Fastening-Element Driver With Gas Spring and Roller Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving apparatuses for fastening elements have large dimensions in the driving direction due to the need for a piston to transmit mechanical energy, which is undesirable in certain applications.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a mechanical energy store with a movable energy transmission element and a gas spring system, where the energy transmission element's rear end is positioned behind the piston, and a roller train to dampen impact accelerations, reducing the overall space required and enhancing the apparatus's service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a piston is used to transmit mechanical energy from the energy store to the fastening element, then energy transmission is achieved, but the apparatus dimensions in the driving direction become large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical piston with a gas spring system. The gas spring (first gas spring) stores and transmits mechanical energy through pneumatic pressure, eliminating the need for a large mechanical piston. The gas spring is arranged in a cylindrical container with a smaller piston that moves along the cylinder axis, significantly reducing the apparatus dimensions while maintaining energy transmission capability to the fastening element
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the energy storage medium from solid mechanical spring to gas. By using gas under pressure in the cylindrical container, the system achieves compact energy storage and transmission. The gas spring can be compressed and expanded rapidly, providing the necessary power for driving fastening elements while occupying minimal space in the driving direction
2Productivity
If the energy transmission element moves rapidly to transmit energy quickly, then productivity is improved, but impact accelerations increase causing higher wear on seals and reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damping element (second gas spring) that is pre-positioned to cushion the impact accelerations generated during rapid energy transmission. The damping element is arranged in parallel to the first gas spring and activates during the high-speed operation to absorb shock and reduce wear on seals, thereby extending service life while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element acts as an intermediary between the rapidly moving energy transmission element and the seals. It absorbs the impact accelerations and transmits only the necessary force to the seals, protecting them from direct exposure to high wear conditions while allowing rapid energy transmission to continue
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 design reduces the apparatus's dimensions in the driving direction while increasing its service life by utilizing a gas spring system and roller train to manage energy transmission efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a gas arranged in the closed-off partial volume of the first cylindrical container forms a first gas spring
Implementation Method 2
the band damps the impact accelerations of the energy transmission element and/or of the apparatus in relation to the gas springs and the seals thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus driving fastening elements has an energy store, a transmission element movable along a setting axis in a driving direction between a starting position and a setting position for transmitting energy from the energy store to the fastening elements, the transmission element having a rear end in the driving direction, the energy store having a container and a piston, the container defining a cylinder axis and the piston being movable along the cylinder axis in the container, the piston closing off a partial volume of the container, and gas in the closed-off partial volume forming a gas spring, the apparatus having a force transmission device transmitting a spring force of the gas spring to the rear end of the transmission element, the rear end of the transmission element being arranged behind the piston in the driving direction when the transmission element is in the starting position.