Setting Tool Piston Attachment Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional setting tools for driving fasteners into substrates often result in spalling, reducing the holding power and aesthetics of the attachment points, particularly on surfaces like concrete, due to direct energy transfer from combustion chambers which can lead to inefficient energy utilization and inconsistent fastening quality.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held or semi-stationary setting tool with a working piston coupled to an attachment device via a spring, friction/clamping, or magnetic field source, allowing energy transfer from the piston to the attachment device to press against the substrate, thereby improving the driving-in process and reducing spalling by optimizing energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct energy transfer from combustion chamber is used, then fastening speed is improved, but spalling occurs and holding power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a working piston as an intermediary component between the combustion chamber and the attachment device. The piston receives energy from the combustion chamber and transfers it to the attachment device, enabling indirect energy transfer. This mediator allows control over energy distribution timing and magnitude, preventing direct impact that causes spalling while maintaining fastening speed and improving holding power through optimized energy transfer.
2Speed
If direct energy transfer from combustion chamber is used, then fastening speed is improved, but setting quality consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The working piston serves as a controllable intermediary that regulates energy transfer from the combustion chamber to the attachment device. By using the piston's movement and the spring mechanism, the system achieves more consistent and repeatable energy delivery, improving setting quality consistency while maintaining fastening speed through the controlled release of stored energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device is pre-compressed by the working piston during the power stroke, storing energy in advance. This preliminary action allows the spring to then deliver consistent force to the attachment device during the setting operation, ensuring repeatable quality results while maintaining high speed operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If spring device is introduced for energy transfer, then setting quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The working piston performs multiple functions: it receives energy from the combustion chamber, compresses the spring device to store energy, and then allows the spring to transfer controlled energy to the attachment device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved setting quality through controlled energy transfer.
4Manufacturing precision
If friction and clamping device is used for coupling, then energy transfer control is improved, but wear on contact materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pure friction-based mechanical coupling with a magnetic field-based coupling system. The magnetic field source creates magnetic attraction forces that couple the working piston to the attachment device without direct mechanical contact, thereby reducing wear on contact materials while maintaining precise control over energy transfer through magnetic force regulation.
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 approach enhances the reproducibility of high setting quality by efficiently transferring energy from the working piston to the attachment device, minimizing spalling and improving the holding power and appearance of fastening points, while allowing for adjustable force transmission and reduced wear on contact materials.
Implementation Method 1
the working piston is coupled to the attachment device via a spring device
Implementation Method 2
the spring device comprises at least one elastomer spring
Implementation Method 3
the friction and/or clamping device comprises, for example, at least one friction and/or clamping element on the guide device, which is in contact with the working piston under radial contact pressure
Implementation Method 4
the working piston is coupled to the attachment device via a magnetic field source
Implementation Method 5
The magnetic field source comprises, for example, at least one magnet, for example an electromagnet or a permanent magnet
Implementation Method 6
The hand-held or semi-stationary setting tool is operated with fuel gas, propellant powder, compressed air or electricity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hand-held or semi-stationary setting device (1) for driving fastening elements into a substrate (3) with the aid of a working piston (8), said device comprising a housing with an attachment device (14) at one discharge end (5). In order to simplify the operation of a hand-held or semi-stationary setting device, the working piston (8) is coupled to the attachment device (14) such that when driving a fastening element into the substrate (3), energy of the working piston (8) is absorbed and is transferred to the attachment device (14), in order to press the attachment device (14) against the substrate (3).