Adjustable Nose Chamber Guide Member for Fastener Jamming

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fastener driving tools often experience jamming and inaccurate driving of short fasteners due to tumbling, which requires manual user intervention to adjust for different lengths and is prone to manufacturing tolerance issues.

Innovation Solution

An automatic, adjustable nose chamber guide member that transitions between positions to accommodate fasteners of varying lengths, reducing the gap between the fastener and the guide member through a consistent biasing action against the nosepiece inner wall, allowing for continuous size adjustment without strict tolerance requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed guide member is used in the nosepiece, then the structure is simple, but short fasteners tumble and jam due to inability to adapt to different lengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different fastener lengthsVSAvoidguide member structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on fastener length. The guide member can move between a first position for short fasteners and a second position for long fasteners, enabling the system to adapt to different conditions without requiring a completely different guide for each fastener type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member automatically adjusts its position based on the fastener length without requiring manual intervention. The system uses the fastener itself to drive the adjustment mechanism, where the fastener pushes against the guide member to move it to the appropriate position, making the adjustment self-service rather than requiring external control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a pivoting flap adjustment device is used, then fastener guidance can be adjusted, but manual user intervention is required and gaps cause tumbling and jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic adjustment capabilityVSAvoidfastener delivery accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member automatically adjusts its position based on the fastener length without requiring manual intervention. The system uses the fastener itself to drive the adjustment mechanism, where the fastener pushes against the guide member to move it to the appropriate position, making the adjustment self-service rather than requiring external control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the position of the guide member is determined by the fastener length. The fastener physically interacts with the guide member, providing feedback about its length, which then automatically positions the guide member at the correct location to prevent tumbling and jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If manual rotation of adjustment device is required, then user control is possible, but productivity is reduced and jamming occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener driving speedVSAvoidadjustment automation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member automatically adjusts its position based on the fastener length without requiring manual intervention. The system uses the fastener itself to drive the adjustment mechanism, where the fastener pushes against the guide member to move it to the appropriate position, making the adjustment self-service rather than requiring external control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide member is positioned in advance at the correct location based on fastener length before the fastening operation begins. The automatic adjustment mechanism ensures that the guide is already in the proper position when the fastener is inserted, eliminating delays that would occur with manual adjustment during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If pivoting flap adjustment device is used, then fastener guidance is possible, but manufacturing tolerances must be strict to prevent gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap tolerance between guide and fastenerVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on fastener length. This movement capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances, as the guide can shift to maintain proper contact with fasteners of varying lengths without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the position parameter of the guide member based on fastener length. By allowing the guide position to vary rather than being fixed, the system can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and fastener variations without requiring strict tolerance control during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 eliminates the need for manual user intervention and reduces jamming by automatically adjusting to different fastener lengths, ensuring smooth operation across a range of fastener sizes without manufacturing tolerance issues.

Implementation Method 1

a return spring disposed within the nosepiece and biasing the guide member against an inner wall of the nosepiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The guide member is operatively connected to the nosepiece and is configured for transitioning between a first position and a second position relative to the nosepiece in a direction transverse to an operational flow direction of the fasteners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3065913B1Fastener driving tool with an automatic nose chamber guide member

Publication Date: 2022.10.05 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

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AI summary

A fastener driving tool (12) with an improved nose chamber guide member (12) is provided for driving fasteners (14) of at least two different lengths. Multiple fasteners in a magazine are guided toward a driving bore (20) to be driven by a driver blade (22). A nosepiece (24) defines a passageway of the fasteners (14). The guide member (12) is operatively connected to the nosepiece (24) and is configured for transitioning between a first position and a second position relative to the nosepiece (24) in a direction (40) transverse to an operational flow direction of the fasteners (14). In the first position, the guide member (12) is disposed to align with the driving bore (20) for allowing driving of the fasteners (14) having a first length. In the second position, the guide member (12) is disposed out of alignment with respect to the driving bore (20) for allowing driving of the fasteners (14) having a second length, which is longer than the first length.