Power Tool Accessory Catching Fasteners During Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing falling fasteners during power tool operations are unreliable and lead to operator fatigue and increased costs due to the need for manual catching and repositioning.
Innovation Solution
An accessory that can be attached to power tools, featuring a catch portion extending coaxial with the tool's axis, with a reinforced and flexible design to securely catch falling fasteners, providing audible feedback and visibility for easy retrieval, and a removal hook for assisting in fastener removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator holds one hand near the fastener to catch it, then the fastener can be caught if it falls, but the operator experiences muscle fatigue and the method is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory attached to the power tool automatically catches falling fasteners without requiring the operator to manually intervene. The catch portion of the accessory serves the function of catching fasteners as they fall during operation, eliminating the need for the operator to hold their hand near the fastener or perform separate catching actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory acts as an intermediary device between the power tool and the falling fastener. It provides a mechanical structure (catch portion) that intercepts falling fasteners, transferring the catching function from the operator's hand to the accessory, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
2Loss of substance
If the operator catches and repositions the fastener manually, then the fastener can be recovered, but the operation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory enables continuous fastening operations by automatically recovering falling fasteners during the operation process. The catch portion intercepts fasteners as they fall, allowing the operator to immediately continue work without stopping to retrieve or reposition fasteners, thereby maintaining continuous productive action.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory performs the fastener recovery function automatically without requiring the operator to interrupt their work. The catch portion self-activates when a fastener falls, capturing it and making it available for reuse without manual intervention, thus preserving productivity while achieving fastener recovery.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If no protection is provided, then the operation is simple, but falling fasteners can injure the operator or damage equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory serves as a protective intermediary structure attached to the power tool. The catch portion creates a physical barrier that intercepts falling fasteners before they can reach the operator or damage equipment, thereby mitigating harmful factors while adding only moderate structural complexity through a relatively simple attachment device.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory for catching a fastener responsive to operation of a power tool having a working assembly for driving or removing the fastener may include a working end, a coupling end opposite the working end, and a catch portion disposed between the working end and the coupling end. The coupling end may be configured to be operably coupled to the power tool to be fixed rotationally and axially relative to an axis of the working assembly. The catch portion may extend substantially coaxial with the axis of the working assembly away from the coupling end to the working end. The working end may be configured to extend beyond a distal end of the working assembly.