Removable Rivet Tool Head With Sliding Lock for Fast Changeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rivet installation tools require complex and time-consuming jaw adjustments, necessitating specialist technician involvement, which is inefficient and limiting for non-specialist use.

Innovation Solution

A portable tool with an easily removable head, featuring a hollow body, jack, C-shaped head, and a fastening system with sliding drawers and a hydraulic system capable of delivering different pressures, allowing for quick and tool-free head replacement and rivet installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the jaw is made adjustable to fit different geometries, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejaw adaptabilityVSAvoidjaw adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head is divided into separable components (barrel, sabot, drawer) that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows the jaw to be adjusted by simply swapping the head component rather than adjusting it in place, maintaining adaptability while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drawer mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the jaw to move between constricted and spread positions. This dynamic feature enables the same head to adapt to different geometries without requiring multiple fixed-position heads, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the jaw change procedure is simplified for non-specialist use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejaw replacement easeVSAvoidjaw attachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is designed to be operated without special tools or specialist knowledge. The drawer mechanism with its simple constricted/spread positions allows any operator to securely attach and detach heads through intuitive manual operation, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability through the self-contained design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system incorporates a pre-designed secure locking mechanism that ensures reliable attachment before operation begins. The constricted position of the drawer provides inherent security, cushioning against potential failure modes while allowing simple operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If the head replacement time is reduced, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead replacement speedVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head components are pre-configured with complementary fastening features (groove and drawer mechanism) that enable quick connection. This preliminary design of the fastening interface allows rapid head replacement without requiring complex assembly procedures during operation, thus improving productivity while keeping the added complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 rapid and tool-free head replacement and rivet installation, simplifying the process and eliminating the need for specialist technicians, while the hydraulic system provides controlled pressure for effective rivet fixation.

Implementation Method 1

the brake takes the form of a ball mounted on a spring in the shoe where the spring forces the ball against the drawer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a hydraulic pressure generator which supplies hydraulic pressure to the portable tool under a first pressure and a second pressure greater than the first pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3599041B1Portable tool with a removable head
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP3599041B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3599041B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a portable tool (100) comprising a hollow body (102) delimiting two chambers and having a shoulder (113) and a shaft (112) extending from the shoulder (113), a cylinder comprising a piston sliding in the chambers and a rod (110) integral with the piston and housed in the shaft (112), a C-shaped head (114) having a first end (116) forming a shoe (124) pierced with a bore into which the shaft (112) is fitted and bearing against the shoulder (113), and having a second end (118) opposite the free end of the rod (110), and a fastening system (120) comprising a groove formed on the periphery of the shaft (112), two slides (126a-b) mounted to slide on the shoe (124) parallel to a plane of movement which is perpendicular to the axis of the barrel (112), where each drawer (126a-b) has a front (128) in the shape of an arc and is movable between a narrowed position in which the front (128) fits into the groove,and a spread-out position in which the front (128) is outside the groove. The head of such a tool can therefore be easily and quickly disassembled and replaced as needed, without the aid of tools or a specialist technician.