Hydraulic Blind Fastener Tool with Dual-Pressure Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-operated tools for installing blind fasteners are often bulky, require high hand strength, lead to operator fatigue, and have limited versatility and productivity, with complex designs that are difficult to service and troubleshoot.
Innovation Solution
A hand-operated hydraulically powered tool with a stationary housing and moveable piston rod, featuring a dual-pressure mode operation that shifts between low and high pressure to reduce hand effort and the number of pumps required, along with a manual relief mechanism and adjustable pressure settings for ergonomic comfort and efficient fastener installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional hand-operated riveters use long levers and small hydraulic pumps to achieve output force, then the tool can install blind fasteners, but the tool becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic pump system where fluid pressure generated by hand operation acts on a piston to create the pulling force needed to install blind fasteners. This hydraulic mechanism provides high force multiplication in a compact design, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical lever systems while maintaining the required output force for fastener installation.
2Force
If high hand strength is required to squeeze the lever to generate hydraulic pressure, then the tool can achieve high output force, but operator fatigue increases and hand injuries may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressure system that automatically adjusts hydraulic pressure based on the installation stage. During the initial stage, lower pressure is used for rapid piston retraction with minimal hand effort. As the fastener installation progresses and higher force is needed, the system automatically increases pressure. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for consistently high hand strength, reducing operator fatigue while maintaining high output force when required.
3Force
If multiple pumps are required to complete fastener installation, then the tool can achieve necessary pressure, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pressure system that automatically transitions between low-pressure rapid retraction mode and high-pressure installation mode. During the initial stage, lower pressure enables faster piston movement with fewer pumps. As the fastener installation progresses and resistance increases, the system automatically increases pressure to complete the installation. This dynamic adaptation reduces the total number of pumps required while ensuring adequate force is available throughout the installation process, thereby improving productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the tool design is complex to achieve versatile fastener installation, then the tool can handle different fastener types, but ease of repair and troubleshooting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal pulling head design that can be configured for different fastener types through simple attachment changes rather than complex internal mechanisms. The hydraulic system uses a standardized piston and fluid pressure approach that works across all fastener types, eliminating the need for complex variable mechanisms. This universal design maintains versatility while simplifying the overall system, making repair and troubleshooting more straightforward compared to highly specialized multi-function tools.
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 high output load with low hand effort and reduced number of squeezes, improving productivity, versatility, and ease of service, while maintaining ergonomic comfort and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
pressurized fluid is sent to a piston pressure chamber causing the piston to retract in relation to the housing and adaptor
Implementation Method 2
hydraulically powered tool with a stationary housing and moveable piston rod, featuring a dual-pressure mode operation
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for setting blind fasteners is disclosed. A stem of a fastener is engaged by a pulling head and its sleeve is also engaged by the pulling head. In an initial stage, a pump piston compresses fluid in a hydraulic pump, affecting movement of a drawbar and piston in relation to a stationary adaptor connected to the tool, pulling the stem in relation to the sleeve at a fast rate per pump. As the pulling force increases, pressure in the pump triggers a logic system to shift the tool into a high pressure mode, decreasing the effort to complete fastener installation. The logic system resets after each squeeze of the lever, minimizing the number of pumps necessary to complete the installation while keeping effort at a comfortable level. An adjustable pressure relief valve allows the fluid to return to the reservoir chamber, returning the tool to its initial condition.