Foot-Pedal Riveter Feed Assembly with Automatic Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot-operated riveters require additional time and movements to position each rivet, leading to increased fabrication time and costs due to their design, which necessitates extra space for linkage arm movement and requires operators to manually depress buttons for rivet placement.
Innovation Solution
A foot-operated riveter with an enclosed linkage assembly and a detachable feed assembly featuring a rivet stop, allowing for automatic feeding of rivets, enabling the device to be positioned closer to walls or workbenches and reducing the need for manual rivet placement, thus enhancing efficiency and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the riveter uses an open linkage assembly design, then the linkage arms can move freely to operate the riveting mechanism, but the machine requires additional space away from walls or workbenches and cannot be positioned in compact environments
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage arms are enclosed within a housing structure that contains them during operation. The housing acts as a container that allows the linkage arms to pivot and move internally while preventing them from extending outward beyond the housing boundaries, thus enabling compact positioning near walls or workbenches
2Device complexity
If the riveter requires manual button depression to position each rivet, then the mechanism remains simple in design, but the operator must make additional movements and spend extra time for each rivet installation
Solution Approach 1:
The feed mechanism is designed to automatically advance rivets into the positioning channel through spring-loaded fingers that push rivets forward as they are consumed. This self-feeding mechanism eliminates the need for manual button depression by each operator, allowing continuous automatic rivet supply while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
3Reliability
If the riveter uses a fixed feed assembly design, then the structure remains simple and reliable, but the machine can only handle one type of fastener and lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The feed assembly is designed as a detachable, modular component that can be removed and replaced with different feed assembly types. Each feed assembly is configured for specific fastener types (rivets, screws, bolts, etc.), allowing the machine to handle multiple fastener types while maintaining simple, reliable operation for each specific application
Data Source
AI summary
A feed assembly for a foot-pedal operated riveter and a method of using the same is disclosed. The feed assembly includes a rivet stop that has a tip that separates a lowermost fastener from a second from lowermost fastener when the riveter is in a non-operational position. This rivet stop prevents fasteners from sliding down a raceway on the feed assembly. When the riveter is moved into an operational position, the rivet stop moves out of the way and permits the second from lowermost fastener to slide into position for subsequent installation. The rivet stop thus enables automatic reloading of the riveter during operation.