Gas Spring Microfastener Tool With Compact Parallel Lifter Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfastener tools require an external pressurized gas source, which is cumbersome and limits tool compactness due to perpendicular lifter motor orientation, necessitating a more efficient and compact design.
Innovation Solution
A fastener driving tool utilizing a gas spring principle with a working cylinder surrounded by two side storage chambers and a rotary-to-linear lifter mechanism, allowing for a parallel or angled lifter motor orientation, enabling a compact and reusable gas-powered driving system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an external pressurized gas source is used, then the tool can achieve sufficient driving force, but the tool becomes cumbersome and loses compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external pressurized gas source with the tool body by integrating a gas spring assembly directly into the housing. The gas spring assembly includes a piston, cylinder, and compressed gas reservoir that are combined into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate external gas supply equipment and hoses.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring assembly is nested within the tool housing, with the piston and cylinder components arranged in a compact configuration. The compressed gas reservoir is integrated within the same housing structure, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes space utilization and maintains tool compactness.
2Ease of operation
If a perpendicular lifter motor orientation is used, then the motor can effectively drive the lifter mechanism, but the tool profile is expanded and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement of the lifter motor and gear train, positioning components at optimized angles rather than symmetric perpendicular orientations. This asymmetric configuration reduces the tool profile in certain directions while maintaining effective motor-driven lifter operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter mechanism is arranged to operate in a different spatial dimension or plane, allowing the motor and gear train to be positioned in a configuration that minimizes the tool's overall profile. This dimensional reorganization enables effective lifting functionality while maintaining compactness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reusable gas spring system is implemented, then external gas sources are eliminated, but the internal gas storage chamber requires significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring assembly uses a flexible seal arrangement and thin-walled cylinder construction that maximizes the gas storage volume within the available space. The flexible sealing elements allow for efficient gas containment without requiring excessive structural material, optimizing the volume efficiency of the reusable gas spring 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 a compact design with a reusable gas supply, reducing the need for external gas sources and maintaining efficient driving performance for thousands of cycles.
Implementation Method 1
The compressed gas then forces the piston and driver towards an exit end of the tool with sufficient force to drive a small fastener (such as a pin) into a substrate
Implementation Method 2
the working cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force its piston through a driving stroke movement, while also driving a fastener into a workpiece. The piston is then moved back to its starting position by use of the rotary-to-linear lifter, which further compresses the gas above the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drives staples, nails, pins, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston further compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. In an illustrated embodiment, the tool exhibits an inverted U-shape tri-chamber design for the central cylinder, a left-side pressure chamber, and a right-side pressure chamber. In one illustrated embodiment, the lifter motor is configured to have its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the working cylinder, thereby making this tool more compact. Other embodiments show the angle to be between 0-90 degrees.