Hybrid Drive Setting Tool for High-Energy Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional setting tools lack the capability to efficiently provide a large amount of setting energy while being light and handy, as they are limited by either primary or secondary drive mechanisms, which restricts their operational modes and energy optimization.

Innovation Solution

A setting tool with a primary gas drive and a secondary electric motor drive, where the drives are connected via a common control unit, allowing for multiple operating modes including hybrid and electric drive modes, enabling optimized energy delivery based on current energy requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a conventional single drive mechanism (primary or secondary) is used, then the device structure is simple, but the setting energy output is limited and the device cannot be both light and high-performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting energyVSAvoiddrive mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a primary drive mechanism (e.g., spring-driven or gas-driven) and a secondary drive mechanism (e.g., electric motor or hydraulic drive) into a hybrid drive system. The primary drive provides initial acceleration and the secondary drive provides sustained force, together delivering high setting energy while keeping individual component sizes reduced, thus resolving the contradiction between power output and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hybrid drive system is designed to operate in multiple modes: the primary drive can operate alone for light-duty applications, the secondary drive can operate alone for precise controlled applications, or both can operate together for high-energy setting operations. This multi-functionality allows a single device to cover a wide range of setting energy requirements without requiring multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by moving object

If a hybrid drive system with multiple operating modes is implemented, then setting energy efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting energy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically selects between different operating modes (primary drive only, secondary drive only, or combined operation) based on real-time detection of fastening element type, substrate material, and required setting energy. This dynamic adaptability optimizes energy efficiency for each specific application while the control system manages complexity through automated mode selection rather than requiring manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system incorporates sensors that detect parameters such as piston position, drive force, and energy consumption, using this feedback to automatically adjust the operating mode and optimize energy delivery. The feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from each operation and improve energy efficiency over time while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 higher setting energy efficiency and reduced weight compared to conventional tools, offering flexible energy delivery options and enhanced performance in various applications.

Implementation Method 1

A defined amount of the expandable gas is preferably ignited in a combustion chamber by a suitable ignition device, such as a spark plug. The expandable gas then expands abruptly, accelerating the driving piston.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

The electric motor drive can also be used to move the drive piston in the direction of a combustion chamber in order to compress expandable gas in the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3230012B1Setting device and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 HILTI AG
  • EP3230012B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a placing tool (1) for fastening elements (6), comprising a driving piston (7) that can be driven by a primary drive (21), and comprising a secondary drive (22). In order to create a lightweight, handy placing tool, the primary drive (21) is combined with the secondary drive (22) in a hybrid drive system for the driving piston (7) in such a way that the driving piston (7) can be driven by both the primary drive (21) and the secondary drive (22).