Tacker Safety Slide With Ignition Spring For Switch Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power tackers face issues with fragile or deformed plastic extensions that fail to activate safety switches reliably, especially when stapling thin objects, and lack index portions for precise positioning, leading to incomplete stapling and potential damage to safety switches.

Innovation Solution

A safety device with an ignition spring connected to the rod tip for precise safety switch activation, a U-shaped safety slide with index portions and a notch for secure cable stapling, and a combination of recovery and ignition springs to absorb impact and prevent damage to safety switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a plastic extension is used to activate the safety switch, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the plastic becomes fragile or deformed after a period of time, failing to precisely activate the safety switch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to metal for the extension member, transforming it from a fragile plastic component to a durable metal component that can precisely and reliably activate the safety switch without deforming over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the disposable-like plastic extension with a durable metal extension that has an extended service life, eliminating the need for frequent replacement due to fragility or deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the object to be stapled is thin, then the stapling application is versatile, but the displacement of movement of the rod cannot move the extension a sufficient distance to effectively activate the contact plate of the safety switch

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a resilient extension member that can dynamically adapt its deflection distance based on the thickness of the stapled object, allowing sufficient travel distance to activate the safety switch even when stapling thin objects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the extension from rigid plastic to resilient metal, enabling it to flex and provide sufficient movement distance to reliably activate the safety switch across various object thicknesses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the rod returns quickly after stapling, then the operation speed is high, but the extension may hit the contact plate of the safety switch and even damage the safety switch

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovespeedVSAvoidharmful factors
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by using the resilient extension member to absorb the impact energy when the rod returns quickly, preventing the extension from hitting and damaging the safety switch contact plate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful impact from the quick-returning rod into a beneficial resilient deflection of the extension member, where the elasticity of the metal extension absorbs the shock and protects the safety switch

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Device complexity

If no index portion is provided on the rod, then the device complexity is low, but the user cannot notice that the stapling position is not at the desired position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual indexing features (index portions) on the rod that provide positional information to the user, enabling precise identification of the stapling position through visual detection rather than complex measurement systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color 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

Ensures reliable stapling of thin objects, prevents safety switch damage, and allows users to verify staple positioning, enhancing the overall performance and safety of the tacker.

Implementation Method 1

A recovery spring 82 is connected to mediate portion of the rod 81 and positioned in a space 73 in the body 70 so as to provide a resilient recovery force to allow the rod to move back to its initial position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

An ignition spring 40 is mounted to the plastic tip 23 of the seat 22. A safety switch 50 is located in the body 10 and has a contact plate 51 extending therefrom. The contact plate 51 is pushed by the ignition spring 40 to send a stapling signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The present invention provides the recovery spring 25 and the ignition spring 40, the two springs 25, 40 absorb impact so that the rod 20 does not hit the safety switch 50 hardly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3243605B1Safety device for tackers
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC
  • EP3243605B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3243605B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3243605B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A safety device for tackers includes a safety slide (30) slidably connected to the outlet (11) of the tacker and the safety slide (30) has a stop (35) protruding from the inside thereof. A rod (20) has one end which contacts the stop (35) and the other end of the rod (20) has a plastic tip (23) connected thereto. An ignition spring (40) is connected between the plastic tip (23) and a safety switch (50). A recovery spring (25) is connected to another position of the rod (20) to position the rod (20). The safety slide (30) is slidably connected to grooves of the tacker. When the safety slide (30) contacts against an object to be stapled, the rod (20) is pushed by the stop (35) and activates the ignition spring (40) to activate the safety switch (50) so as to reduce the impact of the rod (20) and the safety switch (50).