Positioning Device with Inclined Channel Safety Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning and actuation devices for hand-held setting tools struggle with safely preventing actuation at orientations other than vertical, requiring high pressing forces and varying limiting angles, and are prone to premature release when subjected to dynamic pressures.

Innovation Solution

A safety device with three separate, inclined channels and pin-shaped blocking members that provide a longer movement path with reduced force expenditure, ensuring rotational symmetry and consistent blocking across orientations, preventing premature release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a single channel with a ball blocking member is used, then the device can prevent actuation at vertical orientation, but the movement path is too short requiring very high pressing force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing forceVSAvoidmovement path

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single channel is divided into three separate inclined channels arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal axis. Each channel contains a blocking member that can move independently. This segmentation allows the holder to move along an extended path while the blocking members provide distributed resistance, reducing the peak force required at any single point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking members are arranged in three dimensions around the longitudinal axis, with each channel inclined at a different angle. This spatial arrangement creates a longer effective movement path for the holder while maintaining safety blocking functionality, transforming the problem from a one-dimensional short stroke to a multi-dimensional extended path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a ball blocking member is used in a diagonal channel, then actuation can be prevented at vertical orientation, but the device cannot prevent actuation at other orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety blockingVSAvoidorientation coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The three inclined channels are symmetrically arranged to provide universal blocking coverage across all orientations. Each channel is inclined at a specific angle (20° to 50°) to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, creating overlapping blocking zones that collectively cover all possible orientations of the setting tool, making the safety device universally effective regardless of tool orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

While the overall arrangement is symmetric, each individual channel is asymmetrically inclined relative to the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric inclination at specific angles (20° to 50°) allows each blocking member to engage at different orientations, and the combination of asymmetric channels provides comprehensive angular coverage that a single symmetric channel cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If the channel is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, then the structure is simple, but the blocking effectiveness varies with orientation changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel structureVSAvoidblocking consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The channels are designed with dynamic inclination angles (20° to 50°) rather than being fixed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This dynamic angular arrangement allows the blocking members to effectively engage across a range of orientations as the tool moves, maintaining consistent blocking reliability while accommodating the dynamic changes in tool orientation during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables safe actuation at various orientations with reduced force requirements and consistent blocking performance, preventing accidental activation and allowing actuation in both vertical and tilted positions.

Implementation Method 1

a safety device for preventing actuation of the actuation switch of the setting tool at an orientation of the setting tool other than a predetermined orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS7913888B2Positioning device with actuating switching means for a hand-held setting tool

Publication Date: 2011.03.29 HILTI AG

AI summary

A positioning device for a hand-held setting tool (10) includes an actuation element (24), a switching link (30) for connecting an actuation element (24) to the actuation switch (13) of the setting tool (10) for actuating the same, and a safety device (50) for preventing actuation of the actuation switch (13) at an orientation other than a predetermined orientation of the setting tool (10) and including at least three blocking members (55a, 55b, 55c) displaceable in at least three separate channels (56), respectively, and receivable in a recess (51) formed in a switching member (34), that forms part of the switching link (30) a longitudinal axis with the at least three channels (56) intersecting, in some regions, an axial projection of the switching member (34) in the form of a secant and opened toward the switching member (34) in respective overlapping regions (59).