Powered Fastener Driver With Offset Cylinders for Compact Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas spring-powered fastener drivers have a concentric arrangement of inner and outer cylinders, leading to a larger form factor and obstructed user visibility, and lack efficient use of space within the housing.
Innovation Solution
The fastener driver features a non-concentric arrangement where the inner cylinder and storage tank are laterally offset, allowing for a reduced overall width and improved user visibility, with a bulge portion occupying space behind the lifting assembly and a handle portion offset from the cylinder axis, minimizing the overall form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a concentric arrangement of inner and outer cylinders is used, then structural simplicity is achieved, but the overall width increases and user visibility is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the inner cylinder from the center of the outer storage tank, creating a non-concentric arrangement. This asymmetric positioning allows the driver blade to extend through the offset inner cylinder while the storage tank maintains its full capacity, thereby reducing the overall width of the device and improving user visibility without compromising structural integrity
2Device complexity
If a concentric arrangement of inner and outer cylinders is used, then structural simplicity is achieved, but user visibility is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric, non-concentric arrangement of the inner cylinder within the outer storage tank creates additional space on one side of the device. This space allows the driver blade and its components to be positioned in a way that does not obstruct the user's view of the work area, thereby improving visibility while maintaining structural simplicity
3Area of stationary object
If a non-concentric arrangement with lateral offset is used, then overall width is reduced and user visibility is improved, but space utilization within the housing becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a bulge portion on the storage tank that occupies the space behind the lifting assembly. This localized modification allows the non-concentric arrangement to achieve reduced overall width while the bulge portion efficiently utilizes the previously wasted space behind the lifting assembly, thereby maintaining effective space utilization within the housing
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
This design reduces the overall size of the fastener driver, enhances user visibility, and optimizes space utilization, enabling more compact and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spring assembly including an inner cylinder and a moveable piston positioned within the inner cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a storage tank of pressurized gas in fluid communication with the inner cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener driver may include an inner cylinder centrally defining an inner cylinder axis. A fastener driver may include a piston positioned within the inner cylinder. A fastener driver may include a driver blade coupled to the piston and movable therewith between a ready position and a driven position. A fastener driver may include a storage tank including a large portion centrally defining a large portion axis, the large portion surrounding at least a portion of the inner cylinder. A fastener driver may include a housing supporting the storage tank and including a handle portion, the handle portion defining a handle portion axis extending transverse to the inner cylinder axis, wherein the inner cylinder axis extends within a dividing plane that centrally and longitudinally divides the inner cylinder into a first half and a second half.