Tongue Insertion Hand Tool With Guided Puncher Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for inserting a tongue into an insertion groove in panels are not flexible enough for short series production and lack efficiency in assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A handheld device with a power unit, guiding mechanism, and positioning elements to facilitate precise insertion of a tongue into an elongated insertion groove, featuring a displaceable puncher and a magazine for tongue storage, allowing for flexible operation and attachment to an assembling table.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional continuous production process with milling tools is used, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but flexibility for short series production deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility for short series production
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the tongue insertion process into distinct functional components: a power unit for actuation, a guiding device for precise movement control, and positioning elements for accurate placement. This modular segmentation enables the system to maintain high productivity while adapting to different production volumes and tongue configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The puncher is designed as a displaceable component that can be dynamically positioned and actuated. The guiding device enables controlled movement of the puncher along a defined path, allowing the system to adapt its operation to different tongue lengths and insertion requirements, thus providing flexibility for short series production while maintaining efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If a handheld device with positioning elements is used, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the puncher's movement, defines the insertion path, positions the tongue accurately, and constrains the motion to prevent misalignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms, thereby maintaining positioning precision while limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding device acts as an intermediary between the power unit and the tongue, translating the actuation force into precise linear motion. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system by providing a straightforward mechanical guidance mechanism rather than requiring complex control systems or multiple adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3558609B1Device for inserting a tongue into an insertion groove in a panel
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 VÄLINGE INNOVATION AB
  • EP3558609B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3558609B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3558609B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A handheld device 80 is disclosed for inserting a tongue (30) into an insertion groove (20) in a panel. The device includes a first part (10) including a power unit 16 which is configured for driving a puncher (14). The handheld device includes a second part (2), which is connected to the first part 10. The second part includes the displaceable puncher (14) and a guiding device 13 which is configured to guide the displaceable puncher (14) and the tongue (30). Anouter edge (60) of the second part 2includes a first positioning element (54) and a second positioning element (55). The first positioning element (54) and the second positioning element (55) are configured to be positioned at least partly in the insertion groove (20) during an (10) insertion of the tongue into the insertion groove. The displaceable puncher (14) is configured to displace the tongue (30) from the handheld device to an inserted position in the insertion groove (20).