Sensor-Guided Riveting Head Control to Prevent Finger Pinching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing riveting machines for leather goods face safety risks due to the need for strong pressure application, which can lead to improper riveting and potential user injuries, and lack automatic adjustment for diverse article types without affecting production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A riveter equipped with a crimping head, cylinders for controlled thrust forces, distance sensors to measure safety distances, and a control unit to ensure safe and precise riveting by applying a second thrust force only when the safety distance is less than a predetermined threshold, allowing for rapid and safe riveting of complex supports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If strong pressure is applied to crush the rivet, then the riveting is properly executed, but user injury risk increases due to finger pinching between the crimping head and the complex support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveriveting qualityVSAvoiduser injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distance sensor measures the safety distance before the crimping operation begins, and the control unit prevents the second thrust force from being applied if the safety distance is insufficient. This preliminary safety check eliminates the need for operators to manually position their fingers far from the danger zone, thereby preventing finger pinching while maintaining proper riveting quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The distance sensor continuously monitors the safety distance between the crimping head and the complex support, providing real-time feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts whether the second thrust force can be applied, ensuring that strong pressure is only applied when it is safe to do so, thus resolving the contradiction between riveting quality and user safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual manipulation of the complex support is performed to orient it correctly, then proper riveting angle and position are achieved, but production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveriveting angle and position accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the distance sensor and control unit to automatically determine and control the crimping parameters based on the measured safety distance. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operators to manually manipulate and reposition the complex support, allowing the machine to automatically adapt to different orientations and positions, thereby maintaining riveting precision while significantly improving production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If automatic adjustment of the riveter is implemented for diverse article types, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to diverse article typesVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves adaptability to diverse article types by dynamically changing the crimping parameters (thrust force application) based on the safety distance measured by the distance sensor. Instead of implementing complex mechanical adjustments for different article types, the control unit simply modifies the operational parameters - allowing the second thrust force to be applied only when the safety distance is sufficient - thereby providing versatile adaptation with minimal increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The riveter ensures safe and efficient riveting by preventing finger pinching and adapting to different types of rivets, ensuring reliable and rapid operation with redundant safety controls.

Implementation Method 1

The crushing of the rivets by the riveter is guaranteed by the application of hydraulic, electrical or pneumatic force, which allows the necessary pressure to be exerted effortlessly for the rivet to be properly attached

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic force: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

The riveter is a pneumatic riveter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic force: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

at least one distance sensor capable of measuring a safety distance separating the rivet and the complex support intended to be riveted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistance measurement: LIDAR

Implementation Method 4

a control unit configured to control the at least one movement actuator to allow the application of the second thrust force when the safety distance measured by said at least one distance sensor is less than a predetermined distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical control: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP4613140A1Riveting machine and method for fastening a rivet
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 ACM FRANCE
  • EP4613140A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613140A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613140A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a riveting machine (1) for riveting a rivet (R) onto a complex support, and comprising at least one jack (21, 23) configured to move a crimping head (10), at least one distance sensor (31, 33) capable of measuring a safety distance (d30); at least one displacement actuator (41, 43, 45) configured to actuate the movement of the crimping head (10); and a control unit (50) configured to control the at least one displacement actuator (41, 43, 45) to enable the application of the second thrust force when the safety distance (d30) measured by said at least one distance sensor (31, 33) is less than a predetermined distance. The invention also comprises a method for fixing a rivet (R) onto a complex support to be riveted.