Pneumatic Tank Safety Lock for Pressurized Cover Disassembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable equipment for fastening operations, such as riveting machines, face safety concerns during maintenance or malfunction, particularly with the risk of accidental disassembly of the pneumatic tank due to pressurized gas, leading to potential accidents and improper disassembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a safety device, including an elastic ring and a T-shaped safety device, which prevents accidental removal of the bottom cover by locking the elastic ring in place and ensuring safe disassembly by venting the pressurized gas before disassembly, thus preventing overpressure and ensuring secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bottom cover is made easily removable for maintenance operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental disassembly due to pressurized gas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring the operator to manually depress the trigger to activate the venting mechanism before the bottom cover can be removed. This preliminary action ensures that pressurized gas is vented through the drain line before disassembly, eliminating the harmful pressure that would otherwise cause accidental disassembly or injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary safety mechanism consisting of the trigger assembly and venting system that mediates between the pressurized pneumatic tank and the bottom cover. This intermediary system controls the pressure release, allowing easy removal only when it is safe to do so.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental disassembly, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the operator's own action of depressing the trigger serves dual purposes: it activates the venting mechanism to release pressure and simultaneously enables the removal of the bottom cover. The system uses the operator's intentional action to control safety, rather than requiring separate complex interlocking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the venting function and the release function into a single trigger mechanism. Depressing the trigger simultaneously opens the vent valve to release pressurized gas and releases the bottom cover, combining multiple safety and operational functions into one simple action.
3Reliability
If manual disassembly is required for maintenance, then the safety control is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring the operator to manually depress the trigger to activate the venting mechanism before the bottom cover can be removed. This preliminary action ensures that pressurized gas is vented through the drain line before disassembly, eliminating the harmful pressure that would otherwise cause accidental disassembly or injury.
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 enables safe and foolproof disassembly of the pneumatic tank, minimizing the risk of accidents and ensuring easy and intuitive assembly and disassembly operations, while preventing improper disassembly and overpressure issues.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic ring (9) housed in a non-deformed configuration in the ring recess (8) to lock the bottom cover (7)
Implementation Method 2
suitable for placing the pressurized chamber (50) in fluid connection with the external environment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to portable equipment (1) suitable for operating on a fastening element, for example a tear-off rivet or a threaded insert or a lockbolt, comprising gripping members (2) suitable for engaging said fastening element, and actuation members suitable for actuating the gripping members (2). The portable equipment (1) comprises a pneumatic group (3) operatively connected to the actuation members to command the action thereof, comprising a tank (4) containing a pressurized gas. The tank (4) comprises an annular body (5) that is open at a bottom section (6) and has an axis (X-X), and a bottom cover (7) that closes the annular body (5), delimiting a pressurized chamber (50) therewith. The tank (4) comprises a ring recess (8), obtained in the bottom section (6), in which it houses an elastic ring (9) that locks the bottom cover (7), and a safety device (13) that prevents the elastic ring (9) from being removed from the ring recess (8).