Pneumohydraulic Inserting Gun with Exchange Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inserting guns are inefficient and bulky, requiring improvements in speed and compactness for enhanced performance in engaging and disengaging deformable threaded inserts during the riveting process.
Innovation Solution
A pneumohydraulic inserting gun equipped with a threaded tie rod, pneumatic motor, oleodynamic system, and pneumatic amplifier group, which allows for rotational and axial movement of the tie rod to engage and deform the rivet, utilizing compressed air and viscous fluid to amplify thrust, and a hydropneumatic regulating valve to manage pressure and direction of the tie rod's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional inserting guns are used for engaging and disengaging deformable threaded inserts, then the basic riveting function is achieved, but the operation speed is slow and the device volume is large
Solution Approach 1:
The inserting gun is divided into functionally independent modules: a pneumatic motor unit for rotation, an oleodynamic system for linear thrust, and a pneumatic amplifier for force multiplication. Each module can be optimized separately, allowing compact arrangement while maintaining high-speed operation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic motors driven by compressed air to rotate the tie rod, and uses an oleodynamic system with pneumatic amplification to generate high thrust forces. This pneumatic-hydraulic combination enables rapid actuation with reduced mechanical complexity compared to traditional purely mechanical systems.
2Ease of operation
If elastic return elements are used in the inserting gun mechanism, then the tie rod can return to initial position, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using elastic elements to passively return the tie rod, the system actively controls the return motion through the pneumatic motor reversing rotation direction. The pneumatic system supplies air to drive the motor in reverse, eliminating the need for springs or elastic return mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical spring-based return mechanisms are replaced with a pneumatic-motor-driven active return system. The pneumatic motor, already present for forward motion, is reused in reverse to accomplish the return stroke, reducing component count while improving controllability.
3Productivity
If the inserting gun is designed for high-speed operation, then productivity increases, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic motor serves dual functions: driving the tie rod forward during engagement and driving it backward during disengagement. The oleodynamic system and pneumatic amplifier are reused for both thrust generation phases. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies manufacturing while enabling high-speed cyclic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes pneumatic parameters (pressure, flow rate) to control the speed and force of the tie rod during different phases of operation. By varying air pressure and flow characteristics, the system achieves high-speed operation without requiring complex mechanical gearing or variable speed mechanisms, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
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 solution results in a quicker and more compact inserting gun that significantly speeds up the riveting process, eliminates the need for elastic return elements, and efficiently engages and disengages the rivet, enhancing operational efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic amplifier group (5) suitable for performing a compression action on the thrust fluid F
Implementation Method 2
amplifying the thrust action thereof... commanded in rotation to the threaded tie rod (2) by the pneumatic motor (3) and movable along the working axis (X-X) by the oleodynamic system (4)
Implementation Method 3
movable along the working axis (X-X) by the oleodynamic system (4)
Implementation Method 4
commanded in rotation to the threaded tie rod (2) by the pneumatic motor (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
The invention consists of a pneumohydraulically driven inserting gun (1), comprising: i) a threaded tie rod (2) suitable to engage a rivet (500); ii) a motor (3) operatively connected to the threaded tie rod (2) to rotate it; iii) an oleodynamic system (4), in which a thrust fluid (F) flows, suitable to move the threaded tie rod (2) and the motor (3) to plastically deform the rivet (500); iv) a pneumatic amplifier group (5) suitable to perform a compression action on the thrust fluid (F), thus amplifying the action thereof; v) a pneumatic system (6), fed by a source of compressed air, fluidically connected to the motor (3) and to the pneumatic amplifier group (5); vi) a hydropneumatic regulating valve (7) fluidically connected to the oleodynamic system (4) and to the pneumatic system (6); vii) an exchange valve (8) fluidically connected between the pneumatic system (6) and the pneumatic amplifier group (5) to regulate the flow or discharge of air into/from the pneumatic chamber (50).