Pneumatic Actuator Striker Head for Engraving Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior pneumatic impact engraving tools used by jewelers lack sufficient striking force at slow speeds due to their fast oscillation rate and light strikers, limiting control and effectiveness in engraving fine workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic piston actuator with a shorter, larger diameter rear base and a longer, smaller diameter striker pin, featuring an enlarged striker head that concentrates striking force over a small area, allowing for increased force per pulse and adjustable graver assembly for customizable impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the piston is designed with a larger diameter rear base and reduced diameter striker pin to fit within the pneumatic chamber, then the piston can be contained within the chamber, but the striking force is insufficient at slow speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is divided into two distinct segments: a rear base portion that fits within the pneumatic chamber and a striker pin portion that extends outward. This segmentation allows the piston to maintain a compact form factor while providing an extended striker pin that can deliver sufficient striking force without being constrained by the chamber dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston design transitions from a two-dimensional circular cross-section to a three-dimensional structure with varying diameters along its length. The rear base has a larger diameter to fit the chamber, while the striker pin has a smaller diameter to extend outward, creating a tapered profile that optimizes both containment and striking capability.
2Speed
If the striker pin is made lighter to reduce mass, then the oscillation rate increases, but the striking force per pulse decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The striker pin is designed with optimized mass and dimensional parameters to achieve the desired balance between oscillation rate and striking force. By carefully selecting the mass of the striker pin and adjusting its dimensions, the system can operate at appropriate pulse rates while delivering sufficient force for engraving applications.
3Ease of operation
If the graver assembly is fixed in position, then the tool structure is simplified, but the user cannot control the impact timing and position
Solution Approach 1:
The graver assembly is designed to be adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the user to dynamically position the graver at different locations along the piston stroke. This dynamic adjustability provides control over impact timing and position while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through straightforward adjustment mechanisms.
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 actuator provides enhanced control and increased striking force at slower pulse rates, improving the engraving process for jewelry and other fine workpieces by concentrating force and allowing for adjustable graver positioning.
Implementation Method 1
Air pressure is supplied from a separate controller through a flexible supply line. The piston is driven intermittently by air pressure against a return spring to strike the anvil and transmit impact force to the graver in pulses.
Implementation Method 2
The piston is driven intermittently by air pressure against a return spring to strike the anvil and transmit impact force to the graver in pulses.
Implementation Method 3
The outer end of the striker pin supports an enlarged striker head having a diameter and mass greater than the diameter and mass of at least the striker pin portion of the piston inside the pneumatic chamber. The striker pin has an outer end extending through the forward end of the pneumatic cylinder body, terminating outside the pneumatic chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic actuator for use in pneumatic impact tools of the type used to engrave jewelry, and an impact tool adapted for the pneumatic actuator. The actuator includes a cylinder body with a pneumatic chamber housing a piston assembly reciprocating in response to pulses of pressurized air. The piston assembly includes a piston base and a striker pin in the pneumatic chamber, an outer end of the striker pin extending through and residing outside a forward end of the chamber. The outer end of the striker pin has an enlarged striker head of greater mass than the striker pin and/or the piston base in the chamber. A pneumatic impact tool is also disclosed, and includes a forward stylus section having a guide bore for the striker head and holding a graver assembly in spaced relationship to the striker head.