Gas Spring Cylinder Assembly With Integrated Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener drivers face power, size, and cost constraints, and there is a need for a compact and efficient mechanism to drive fasteners without relying on external air pressure sources.
Innovation Solution
A gas spring-powered fastener driver is designed with a cylinder, a moveable piston, and a driver blade, featuring a fill valve for gas filling and a pressure relief mechanism, including a thin-wall portion that ruptures at a predetermined pressure to safely release excess pressure, allowing for compact construction and efficient operation without external air pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gas spring-powered mechanism is used to drive fasteners, then the device operates independently of external air pressure sources, but the device requires a compact pressurization system integrated within the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener driver is divided into separable components: a reusable housing containing the motor, magazine, and control mechanisms, and a replaceable cylinder assembly containing the gas spring and piston. This segmentation allows the pressurization function to be isolated in the cylinder assembly, which can be independently replaced or serviced without affecting the housing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder assembly is designed as a consumable component that can be depleted of gas and then replaced or refilled. The gas spring acts as a stored energy source that is consumed during operation, and the system recovers functionality by replacing the entire cylinder assembly rather than attempting to refill or repair the gas spring internally.
2Ease of repair
If the cylinder assembly is made removable for easy maintenance, then servicing and replacement become simpler, but the connection between the cylinder and housing must ensure pressure containment
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder assembly includes pre-installed quick-connect interfaces with integrated sealing mechanisms that ensure pressure containment is established before the assembly is fully inserted into the housing. The sealing elements are pre-positioned to engage with corresponding features in the housing, guaranteeing pressure containment upon attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder assembly is designed as a disposable or limited-life component that can be easily replaced when depleted or damaged. The removable design prioritizes ease of replacement over long-term durability, allowing users to discard depleted cylinder assemblies and install new ones without complex servicing procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If the fastener driver uses a gas spring instead of compressed air, then the device achieves compact portability, but the gas storage chamber requires precise pressure management
Solution Approach 1:
The fill valve, pressure relief valve, and rupture disc are integrated directly into the cylinder assembly rather than being separate components. This merging of pressure management functions into the cylinder itself eliminates the need for additional external pressure control mechanisms, maintaining compactness while ensuring proper pressure management through built-in safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve and rupture disc provide automatic pressure management without user intervention. When pressure exceeds safe limits, these components automatically release or rupture to prevent over-pressurization, allowing the system to self-regulate pressure without requiring complex control systems or user monitoring.
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 gas spring-powered fastener driver provides a compact, efficient, and cost-effective solution for driving fasteners, offering reliable operation and easy maintenance by utilizing internal gas storage and pressure management, reducing the need for external power sources and enhancing safety through pressure relief mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
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 moveable therewith from a retracted position to a driven position to drive a fastener into a workpiece
Implementation Method 2
The fastener driver may further comprise a pressure relief valve coupled to the cylinder and operable to release gas from the cylinder when the pressure exceeds a first predetermined pressure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A gas spring-powered fastener driver (10) includes a cylinder (34) , a moveable piston (36) positioned within the cylinder (34), and a driver blade (38) attached to the piston (36) and moveable therewith from a retracted position to a driven position to drive a fastener into a workpiece. A fill valve (188) is coupled to the cylinder (34) and operable to selectively fill the cylinder (34) with gas to a pressure.