Segmented Flywheel Coupling for Low-Wear Setting Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flywheel-powered setting tools experience high wear and variability in coupling efficiency due to the fit between the flywheel and the driving element, leading to unpredictable setting quality and reduced tool lifespan.

Innovation Solution

The flywheel is subdivided into multiple parts with complementary V-groove geometries that allow for axial displacement and spring-biased engagement with the driving element, ensuring constant friction pairing and reduced wear, thereby maintaining consistent power transmission throughout the tool's life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the flywheel is divided into multiple sections with V-grooves, then the coupling area increases and wear is reduced, but the system becomes over-constrained and not all groove flanks are engaged simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidconstraint condition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flywheel sections are designed to be axially displaceable relative to each other, transforming the static constrained system into a dynamic one. This allows the sections to self-adjust their positions to achieve optimal engagement of all groove flanks simultaneously, resolving the over-constraint problem while maintaining increased coupling area for reduced wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple V-grooves are used to increase coupling area, then wear per surface is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper engagement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidgroove alignment tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The axial displacement capability of the flywheel sections provides a mechanical compensation mechanism for manufacturing tolerances. Instead of requiring extremely precise groove alignment, the sections can move axially to self-align and ensure proper engagement of all V-groove flanks, significantly reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If the flywheel and driving element maintain a frictional connection, then power transmission is achieved, but wear and coupling efficiency variability occur over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmissionVSAvoidcoupling efficiency consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the flywheel into multiple sections with complementary V-grooves increases the total coupling area, distributing the frictional contact over more surfaces. This segmentation reduces wear per unit area and maintains more consistent coupling efficiency over time by ensuring better engagement across all contact surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic axial displacement of flywheel sections allows the frictional connection to self-adjust and maintain optimal engagement throughout operation, compensating for wear and manufacturing variations to ensure consistent power transmission and coupling efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 significantly reduces wear and maintains consistent coupling efficiency, extending the tool's lifespan and ensuring predictable setting quality by evenly distributing frictional forces across the coupling surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

the flywheel components (44, 45) each comprise at least one frictional geometry (47, 48), which can be frictionally connected to a complementary frictional geometry (51, 52) of the driving element (20) to create a frictional connection between the flywheel (13) and the driving element (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3541575B1Flywheel-driven setting tool
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 HILTI AG
  • EP3541575B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3541575B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3541575B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a flywheel-driven setting device comprising a flywheel (13) which can be drivingly connected to a driving element (20) in order for a setting element to be driven into a substrate by means of the driving element (20) during a setting process. In order to create a flywheel-driven setting device in which wear is minimal during operation, the flywheel (13) is subdivided into at least two flywheel parts (44, 45) which are movable relative to each other to a limited degree in the axial direction.