Insulator Attachment System With Alignment Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for attaching insulators to fence supports using staples require manual hammering due to difficulties in aligning a powered stapler with the insulator's holes.

Innovation Solution

A powered stapler kit with an insulator attachment system featuring alignment members and a securing mechanism that allows the insulator to rotate 360 degrees, enabling precise alignment and automatic staple driving through transverse passages in the insulator's mounting formations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a powered stapler is used to attach insulators to supports, then productivity and reduction of manual labor are improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to difficulty in aligning the stapler with the insulator holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment efficiencyVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An alignment member is introduced as an intermediary component between the powered stapler and the insulator. This alignment member includes alignment features that guide the stapler's staple delivery mechanism to precisely match the transverse passages in the insulator, enabling automated stapling without manual alignment while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment member is pre-configured with alignment features before use. The transverse passages in the insulator are designed with specific geometries that predetermined the alignment relationship with the stapler, so that when the insulator is mounted on the alignment member, the alignment is automatically established without requiring manual adjustment during the fastening operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual hammering of staples is used, then alignment precision is improved through direct control, but productivity deteriorates due to increased manual labor and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidattachment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-alignment through the interaction between the alignment member's alignment features and the insulator's transverse passages. When the insulator is mounted on the alignment member, the geometry of the passages and alignment features automatically guide the stapler into the correct position, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the insulator attachment system includes rotation capability, then ease of operation is improved for aligning passages with staple legs, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment easeVSAvoidattachment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment member incorporates a rotation capability that allows the insulator to be dynamically adjusted during the attachment process. This rotational movement enables the operator to easily align the transverse passages with the staple legs by rotating the insulator to the correct orientation, after which the alignment is locked for the fastening operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3352947B1Tool and tool attachment
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3352947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3352947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3352947B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tool for fastening an insulator to a support, the insulator comprising: an insulator body having a front and back; a formation for supporting a barrier; and at least one mounting formation having a front and a back by which the insulator is attached to a support, the back of the mounting formation in use being proximal to the support, at least one of the at least one mounting formation comprising: at least one passage extending transversely through the mounting formation from the front to the back of the mounting formation; and at least one alignment member, 15 the tool comprising: a driver blade for driving a staple; and at least one passage alignment member, in use the at least one passage alignment member aligning at least one passage of the insulator, with one leg of a staple.