Toggle-Opened Fastener Magazine for Low-Maintenance Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices with magazines require time-consuming and costly mechanical docking processes for refilling, which increases maintenance complexity and risks of failures due to the need for actuators and transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device system with a magazine arrangement that includes a toggle mechanism for automatic opening and closure, eliminating the need for additional actuators, and featuring dual magazines for increased flexibility and efficient fastener storage, along with a sensor and demounting arrangement for easy maintenance and alignment with a feed device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical docking processes are used to refill the magazine, then the fastening device can be replenished with fasteners, but the maintenance complexity increases and the risk of failures increases due to actuators and transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the docking mechanism entirely from the fastening device. Instead of having a mechanical docking system with actuators and transmissions, the magazine is designed with a gravity-fed outlet that allows fasteners to be replenished by simply tilting the magazine, eliminating the complex mechanical components that cause maintenance issues and failures
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine is designed to automatically feed fasteners through a gravity-based mechanism. The tilting motion naturally causes fasteners to flow from the storage chamber through the outlet without requiring any actuators, motors, or complex transmission systems, making the system self-servicing and eliminating failure-prone mechanical components
2Ease of operation
If mechanical actuators are used to open and close the magazine inlet gate, then the magazine can be sealed and opened for refilling, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine inlet gate is designed with a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically opens when the magazine is tilted for refilling and automatically closes when returned to the operational position. This eliminates the need for electrical actuators, sensors, or control systems while maintaining reliable sealing during operation
Solution Approach 2:
A spring mechanism provides the counterbalancing force needed to automatically open and close the inlet gate. The spring stores energy when the magazine is in the operational position and releases it to open the gate during refilling, then automatically resets to close the gate again, eliminating the need for powered actuators
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single magazine is used on the fastening tool, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility to store different fastener types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine system is divided into multiple independent magazine units that can be mounted on the fastening tool. Each magazine can store different fastener types, and they can be independently tilted and refilled. This modular approach provides versatility without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire magazine system
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine design uses universal mounting interfaces and standardized tilting mechanisms that work across different magazine configurations. This allows the same basic structure to serve multiple functions - storing different fastener types, being refilled in the same manner, and integrating with the same tool interface, thereby achieving versatility without proportional increases in complexity
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 system reduces maintenance time, enhances fastening performance, and allows for precise alignment and efficient feeding of fasteners, minimizing the need for mechanical actuators and reducing the risk of failures, while enabling the storage of multiple fastener types without increasing hose length.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member (82) elastically maintaining the closure slider (80) in the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
Method for feeding fasteners to a fastening tool (20), fastening device system (10) and fastening device (12) comprising a magazine arrangement (32) mounted on a fastening tool (20), the magazine arrangement (32) having a magazine (34) for accommodating at least one fastener (28a), a magazine plate (42) and a base plate (44), wherein the magazine plate (42) comprises a plate body (76) and a closure arrangement (78) with a closure slider (80) adapted to move between an open position, and a closed position and a toggle mechanism (84) adapted to move the closure slider (80) from the closed position to the open position.