Pneumatic Tool Branching Air Duct Selector Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tools with integrated air dusters face issues such as nail driving failures due to low air pressure, oil contamination of the air duster, increased weight and production costs, and safety concerns when the air duster and actuation trigger lever are operated simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic tool with a branching air duct and a selector valve mechanism that allows for independent operation of the air duster and nail driving mechanism, incorporating a filter to prevent oil contamination and adjust air pressure, and a lock mechanism to enhance safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If compressed air for the air duster is taken out from the main chamber, then the air duster can be used, but the main chamber is at low pressure causing nail driving failures and the driving piston cannot return to initial position
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is divided into two separate paths: one path supplies compressed air to the main chamber for nail driving, and another path branches off to supply compressed air to the air duster. This segmentation allows both functions to operate independently without interfering with each other's air pressure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A selector valve mechanism acts as an intermediary to control the distribution of compressed air. The valve body with switching means selectively directs compressed air from the air supply source to either the main chamber or the air duster, ensuring that sufficient air pressure is maintained for nail driving while enabling air duster operation when needed.
2Ease of operation
If compressed air for the air duster is taken out from the main chamber, then the air duster can be used, but oil containing dirt in engine part is discharged together with compressed air from nozzle, causing finishing materials to become dirty
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into separate paths, with the air duster receiving compressed air directly from the air supply source through a dedicated branch duct, rather than from the main chamber that contains oil-contaminated air. This prevents oil and dirt from being discharged with the compressed air from the air duster nozzle.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a pressure reducing valve is installed in the air duct to reduce air pressure, then wood chips or shavings are not blown up excessively, but the number of components increases and weight and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a pressure reducing valve to modify the air pressure, the invention uses a simplified approach where the air duster nozzle is designed to naturally limit the blowing force. The air duct branches directly from the air supply source without additional pressure control components, achieving adequate dust removal without excessive wood chip scattering.
4Ease of operation
If the air duster operating part and trigger lever are positioned close to each other, then the pneumatic tool can be operated, but there is a danger of occurrence of accident when both are operated simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The selector valve mechanism acts as an intermediary safety device between the air supply source and the air duster. When the air duster operating part is activated, the selector valve switches to direct compressed air to the air duster while simultaneously cutting off the air supply to the main chamber, preventing simultaneous operation and potential accidents.
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
Ensures reliable nail driving performance, prevents oil contamination, reduces the risk of accidents, and eliminates the need for a pressure reducing valve, thereby enhancing the operational safety and efficiency of the pneumatic tool.
Implementation Method 1
a valve mechanism which is provided at the branching portion and which includes a selector valve capable of shifting to a first position where the selector valve opens an upstream side duct communicating with the air supply source to a downstream side duct communicating with the pneumatic tool and shuts the upstream side duct relative to the air duster branch duct
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a filter to prevent oil contamination
Data Source
AI summary
An air duster duct is formed to branch off at an intermediate portion along the length of an air duct which connects a compressed air supply source with a pneumatic tool. A valve mechanism having a selector valve and an operating device is provided at the branch portion. The sector valve can shift to a first position where the selector valve opens an upstream side duct which communicates with the air supply source to a downstream side duct which communicates with a nailing machine and shuts the upstream side duct relative to the air duster branch duct and a second position where the selector valve shuts the upstream side duct relative to the down stream side duct and opens the upstream side duct to the branch duct. The selector valve is operated from the outside by the operating device.