Driving Tool Mechanical Pusher Interlock for Idling Strike Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driving tools face issues with idling strikes when the magazine runs out of driving members, leading to potential damage to the workpiece and reduced lifespan of the damper, and existing solutions like electric sensors or high-precision mechanisms increase manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A driving tool with a pusher mechanism that moves to an activation restriction position when no driving members are left, preventing idling strikes through a simple mechanical design without requiring complex structures or high precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an electric sensor or high-precision idling strike prevention mechanism is provided, then the accuracy of detecting remaining driving members is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of remaining driving membersVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electric sensors or high-precision mechanisms with a purely mechanical idling strike prevention mechanism. The pusher's movement to the activation restriction position when no driving members remain mechanically triggers the prevention function through interlocking with the driver, eliminating the need for electronic detection systems or high-precision components while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the driver moves to the driving passage when no driving members remain, then the operational simplicity is maintained, but the workpiece is damaged due to idling strike

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddamage to workpiece

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having the pusher move to the activation restriction position in advance when no driving members remain. This preemptive mechanical positioning prevents the driver from moving to the driving passage by interlocking with the driver, thereby preventing idling strike and workpiece damage before the harmful action can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the piston hits the damper without driving a driving member, then the impact restriction function is maintained, but the use life of the damper is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact restriction functionVSAvoiduse life of damper

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prevents unnecessary piston impacts on the damper by having the idling strike prevention mechanism activate in advance when no driving members remain. The mechanical interlocking stops the driver's movement to the driving passage, thereby preventing the piston from hitting the damper without driving a driving member and preserving the damper's use life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple mechanical design is used for the idling strike prevention mechanism, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the precision of switching between on and off states may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidswitching precision between on and off states

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-service mechanical design where the pusher's movement to the activation restriction position automatically triggers the idling strike prevention function through direct mechanical interlocking with the driver. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for external sensors or complex control systems, achieving reliable switching between on and off states through purely mechanical means that are simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively prevents idling strikes without increasing manufacturing costs, ensuring reliable operation and reducing damage to the workpiece and damper, while maintaining a cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

a gas spring that moves the driver from a bottom dead center to a top dead center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS12459093B2Driving tool

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 MAKITA CORP

AI summary

A driving tool includes a driver moving along a driving passage and a lift mechanism for moving the driver. The driving tool includes a pusher and an idling strike prevention mechanism interlocking with a position of the pusher. The pusher pushes a driving member from a side opposite to a first end surface of a tool main body such that the driving member contacts a tip end of the driver at a standby position. When the driver moves from the standby position to a top dead center, the pusher supplies the driving member to the driving passage. After that, the driver moves downward to a driving position to drive the driving member. When no driving member is left, the idling strike prevention mechanism restricts activation of the driving tool in interlocking with the pusher such that the pusher moves to an activation restriction on a side of the driving passage.