Lockbolt Tool Nose Assembly Radial Puller Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lockbolt installation tools experience interference and wear due to the puller rubbing against the lockbolt during positioning, and the puller often protrudes unnecessarily, leading to potential misplacement of the lockbolt in the workpiece.
Innovation Solution
A nose assembly for a lockbolt installation tool featuring an elongate tubular holder and a coaxially slidable puller with a radially expandable head portion having integral teeth, allowing the puller to transition between open and closed conditions to securely grasp the pintail, reducing wear and minimizing exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the puller is designed to engage the lockbolt during positioning, then the lockbolt can be securely grasped, but the puller causes wear and interference by rubbing against the lockbolt
Solution Approach 1:
The puller head is designed to be radially expandable and contractable, transitioning between an expanded state for secure engagement and a contracted state for smooth passage. This dynamic adjustment allows the puller to grasp the lockbolt firmly when needed while minimizing contact and wear during positioning and retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller head changes its radial dimension (expands and contracts) to control the degree of engagement with the lockbolt. By varying this parameter, the puller can adapt between providing strong grasping force and reducing interference, thus resolving the contradiction between secure grasping and minimizing wear.
2Ease of operation
If the puller protrudes from the tool end, then it can easily engage the lockbolt, but it creates unnecessary exposure and risk of misplacement
Solution Approach 1:
The puller is designed to nest within the tool body when not in use, with the puller head retracting into the tool's interior cavity. This nesting arrangement minimizes exposure of the puller, reducing the risk of misplacement while maintaining ease of engagement when the puller is extended for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller can dynamically extend from and retract into the tool body, transitioning between an extended position for easy engagement and a retracted position for minimal exposure. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the puller head is radially expanded for open condition, then it can accept the pintail, but it increases the diameter and may cause interference
Solution Approach 1:
The puller head dynamically changes its radial dimension, expanding to accept the pintail and contracting to minimize interference during insertion and retraction. This dynamic size adjustment allows the puller to be adaptable when needed while minimizing harmful interference at other times.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller head changes its outer diameter parameter between expanded and contracted states. This parameter change enables the puller to adapt to the pintail when required while reducing interference with surrounding components during positioning and withdrawal.
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 nose assembly effectively reduces wear and tear on the tool, prevents lockbolt misplacement, and facilitates efficient swaging and removal of the collar by ensuring precise control over the puller's engagement with the lockbolt, enhancing the overall installation process.
Implementation Method 1
the head portion can be squeezed radially inwardly to transition the head portion between a normally open condition wherein the head portion is radially expanded such that the integral teeth are open to accept a pintail, and a closed condition wherein the head is forcibly radially contracted to close the teeth onto the grooves of the lockbolt pintail
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a nose assembly with integrated anvil and puller to assist in swaging a collar to a lockbolt type fastener. The nose assembly has a sidewall defining a hollow axially extending interior and an open terminal end, hollow axially extending interior having a first interior diameter, and an annular recess of a second interior diameter greater than the first interior diameter. A puller is slidably displaceable relative to the holder sidewall. The puller is configured with opposing sets of teeth for gripping a lockbolt pintail and to close grippingly on the lockbolt pintail when the puller is axially displaced relative to the holder sidewall sufficiently to draw a head portion of the puller at least partially out of the recess and into the first interior diameter length.