Induction Coil Piston Return in Closed-Cycle Fastener Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastener driving tools face issues with mechanical techniques for lifting the piston, which can lead to jamming if the driver does not end its driving stroke at the expected position, and these tools often vent pressurized gas to atmosphere, reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fastener driving tool with a closed system lifter uses an induction coil to magnetically lift the piston back to the ready position, utilizing pressurized gas for driving and reusing it without venting to atmosphere, and incorporates a mechanical latch to prevent jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical techniques are used to lift the piston, then the piston can be returned to ready position, but jamming occurs if the driver does not end its driving stroke at the expected position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical lifting techniques (springs, vacuum, flywheel, rack and pinion, rotatable lifter) with an electromagnetic field generated by an induction coil to lift the piston. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and potential jamming issues while providing reliable piston return to ready position.
2Device complexity
If pressurized gas is vented to atmosphere, then the system can be simplified, but gas is lost and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed system where pressurized gas is not vented to atmosphere but retained and reused for thousands of cycles. The gas is recovered and reused, eliminating waste while maintaining system functionality, thus improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.
3Reliability
If an induction coil is used to lift the piston, then jamming is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The induction coil is energized periodically only when needed to lift the piston back to ready position, rather than continuously. This periodic activation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable piston lifting functionality throughout the driving cycles.
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 induction coil-based lifting mechanism ensures reliable and efficient operation with reduced jamming, while the closed system conserves pressurized gas for multiple cycles, enhancing tool performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
An induction coil is energized to generate an electromagnetic field that will attract at least a metallic portion of the piston, forcing the piston to lift to the ready position
Implementation Method 2
The cylinder becomes filled with pressurized gas to quickly force a piston and driver through a driving stroke movement
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener driving tool that uses pressurized gas to drive a piston that causes a driver blade to force a fastener into a workpiece, and then uses an induction coil to “lift” the piston (as an armature) back toward the top, pre-drive position. The pressurized gas is not vented to atmosphere, but is instead re-used for multiple drive cycles. An optional induction coil can have multiple stages. A more preferred induction coil includes multiple stages, in which some of those coil stages extend beyond the end stroke of the piston, past a “ready” position for that piston.