Single Motor Fastener Setter with Reversible Drive Gear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for setting fastening elements are cumbersome due to the need for separate drives for feeding and setting, making them difficult to handle, especially during conveyor-belt installations.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a single drive motor for both feeding and setting fastening elements, reducing weight and enhancing handling ease by integrating a feed drive and setting device with a motor control system that includes a sliding drive gear, worm shaft drive, and inductive sensors for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate drive motors are used for feeding and setting fastening elements, then the functionality and reliability are improved, but the weight and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the feed drive and setting device into a single integrated unit with one drive motor. The drive motor is coupled to both the feed mechanism (via feed gear and feed chain) and the setting mechanism (via setting gear and firing pin), eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing overall device weight while maintaining both feeding and setting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive motor performs multiple functions by sequentially driving different mechanisms. It first drives the feed chain to advance fastening elements to the installation position, then drives the firing pin to set the fastening element. This multi-functionality reduces component count and weight while preserving full operational capability.
2Reliability
If separate drive motors are used for feeding and setting fastening elements, then the functionality is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the feed drive and setting device into a single integrated unit with one drive motor. The drive motor is coupled to both the feed mechanism (via feed gear and feed chain) and the setting mechanism (via setting gear and firing pin), eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing overall device weight while maintaining both feeding and setting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive motor performs multiple functions by sequentially driving different mechanisms. It first drives the feed chain to advance fastening elements to the installation position, then drives the firing pin to set the fastening element. This multi-functionality reduces component count and weight while preserving full operational capability.
3Weight of moving object
If a single drive motor is used for both feeding and setting, then the weight and ease of operation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic transmission system where a single drive motor sequentially engages different mechanisms through controlled rotation. The motor rotates in first direction to feed fastening elements via feed gear and chain, then rotates in second direction to set elements via setting gear and firing pin. This dynamic switching manages complexity while maintaining simplicity of drive architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission system is segmented into distinct functional stages controlled by motor rotation direction. The feed mechanism and setting mechanism are separated as distinct functional blocks that share a common drive source, allowing independent optimization of each function while simplifying the overall drive architecture.
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 solution allows for easier handling and reduced weight, improving operational efficiency and ease of use, particularly during conveyor-belt installations by streamlining the feeding and setting process with a single motor drive system.
Implementation Method 1
inductive sensors for precise control
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for setting fastening elements (5) has a feed drive (21), by means of which the connecting elements (5) can be fed to an installation position, and a setting device which has a setting tool and by means of which a fastening element (5) arranged in the installation position can be ejected to come into engagement with a support part. Also present is a drive mechanism, which is provided with a drive motor that has a rotatable drive shaft (13) and is coupled via a transmission arrangement (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) to the feed drive (21) and the setting device (30), and with a control arrangement for setting the direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13). In one direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13), the transmission arrangement (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) couples the drive motor (12) to the feed drive (21), and in the other direction of rotation of the drive shaft (13), it couples the drive motor (12) to the setting device. The apparatus is therefore relatively easy to handle.