Spring-Loaded Blocking Elements for Fastener Feed Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastener feed devices for power-operated driving tools require significant force to loosen the clamping mechanism and are prone to wear, and they often have a large number of components, making them complex and difficult to handle.

Innovation Solution

A fastener feed device with elastically acted upon blocking elements and a reduced number of components, where the blocking elements are U-shaped with guide bushes and pins, and spring elements support the guide bushes, allowing for automatic locking and manual release, and are designed to prevent unintentional detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a clamping ring with lever element and eccentric is used to secure the fastener feeder, then the fastener feeder can be firmly attached to the driving tool, but significant force is required to loosen the clamping mechanism and the clamping ring is susceptible to wear and aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidease of release
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical lever-eccentric clamping system with a spring-loaded blocking element system. The spring element (25) automatically provides clamping force through the blocking elements (21, 22) without requiring manual lever operation, eliminating the wear-prone eccentric mechanism while maintaining firm attachment and enabling easy release by simply overcoming the spring force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple components such as locking sleeve, clamping blocks, and spring fingers are used for the connecting device, then reliable locking is achieved, but the number of components increases making the device complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate locking components (locking sleeve, clamping blocks, spring fingers) into a unified spring-loaded blocking element system. The blocking elements (21, 22) with guide pins (27) and guide bushes (26) integrate the locking, guiding, and spring-loaded functions into fewer components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable locking through the interlocking blocking sections (23) with circumferential grooves (43).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the handling and assembly of the fastener feed device by reducing the number of components and requiring less force for operation, while ensuring secure attachment and detachment, thus enhancing usability and reducing wear.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one blocking element (21, 22) can be elastically acted upon by a spring element (25) in the direction of its locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the guide pin of each blocking element being displaceable in the guide bush of the other blocking element is led

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1731265B1Fastener feeding device for fastener driving power tools
Publication Date: 2011.12.14 HILTI AG
  • EP1731265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1731265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1731265B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The fixture supply system (10) has a coupling section (14) that has a receiver chamber (17) for a counter coupling section (41) of a driving apparatus (40). The coupling section has at least one locking section (23) with a locking element (21, 22) between an adjustment position (28), in which the locking section extends in the receiver chamber and is gripped in a depression (43) on the counter coupling section, and a free standing position (29) in which the locking section is disengaged from the receiver chamber. At least one of the locking elements may be elastically loaded in the direction of its adjustment position via a spring element (25), with an operating section (24) for manual transfer of the locking elements from the adjustment position to its free standing position.