Gas Spring Fastener Driver Latch and Lifter for Compact Impact Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener drivers face power, size, and cost constraints, particularly those not utilizing compressed air or electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring-powered fastener driver utilizing a cylinder, moveable piston, driver blade, lifter, and latch assembly, which operates on a gas spring principle without an external air source, incorporating a planetary transmission with a one-way and torque-limiting clutch mechanism to efficiently drive fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If compressed air or electrical energy is used to power fastener drivers, then sufficient impact energy is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air compressor and electrical power source from the fastener driver system, replacing them with a standalone gas spring cartridge. This removes the complex air compression system or electrical motor while maintaining the necessary impact energy through the elastic potential energy stored in the gas spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring cartridge is designed as a self-contained unit that generates its own propelling force through compressed gas, eliminating the need for external air supply systems or electrical power sources. The cartridge automatically converts stored elastic energy into linear motion to drive the fastener.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but achieving sufficient impact energy becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The driver blade is nested within the gas spring cartridge housing, and the piston is nested within the driver blade structure. This nested arrangement allows the compact transmission of force from the gas spring to the fastener while minimizing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring cartridge utilizes dynamic compression and expansion of gas to generate high impact energy in a short stroke distance. The elastic properties of the compressed gas allow for rapid energy release, achieving high power output in a compact form factor.
3Power
If the driver blade is held against compressed gas biasing force, then fastener driving capability is maintained, but wear increases without proper engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly and lifter are designed to preliminarily engage with the driver blade before the fastening operation begins. The latch securely holds the driver blade in the engaged position against the compressed gas force, preventing premature disengagement and reducing wear during the power stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter acts as an intermediary component between the latch assembly and the driver blade teeth. It transfers the engagement force from the latch to the driver blade while distributing the load, reducing concentrated stress and wear on any single contact point.
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 design provides sufficient impact energy to drive fasteners into a workpiece while reducing wear and prolonging the driver's life, offering a compact and cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
a latched state in which the driver blade is held against a biasing force of compressed gas, and a released state in which the driver blade is permitted to be driven by the biasing force toward the BDC position
Data Source
AI summary
A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position. The driver blade defines a driving axis. The driver blade includes a body having a first side and an opposite, second side with the driving axis passing therebetween. A plurality of teeth extends from the first side of the body. A plurality of projections extends from the second side of the body. The body, the teeth, and the projections are bisected by a common plane. A lifter is operable to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, and is engageable with the teeth. A latch assembly is movable between a latched state, and a released state. The latch assembly is configured to engage with the projections.