Trigger-Actuated Control Valve Assembly for Fastener-Driving Tool
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trigger-actuated control valve assemblies in fastener-driving tools require complex compound angle air passages that are difficult to machine and assemble, leading to increased inventory and assembly time, and often necessitate separate fastener components for housing sections.
Innovation Solution
A spring-biased, trigger-actuated control valve assembly with a bayonet-type connection between upper and lower valve spool or valve housing members, allowing for pre-assembly and integration of externally disposed air passages without complex angles, which can be cast within the fastener-driving tool housing, eliminating the need for machining and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex compound angle air passages are machined within the fastener-driving tool housing, then fluidic communication between the trigger-actuated control valve assembly and the upper air chamber is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and machining difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage system is divided into multiple sections: a first vertically oriented passageway section and a second angularly oriented section. This segmentation allows each section to be machined separately with simpler operations, avoiding the need to machine the entire complex compound angle passage in one difficult operation. The housing is also divided into multiple sections to facilitate assembly and manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The air passages are oriented at different angles and dimensions within the housing structure. The first passageway is vertically oriented while the second is angularly oriented, creating a three-dimensional pathway that achieves fluidic communication without requiring extremely complex machining angles in any single passage section.
2Ease of operation
If separate fastener components are used to secure housing sections together, then the trigger-actuated control valve assembly can be assembled, but inventory requirements and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing sections are designed with interlocking features that are integrally formed as part of the housing structure itself, eliminating the need for separate fastener components. The first and second housing sections are secured together through built-in mechanical interlocks, reducing inventory requirements and simplifying assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure provides its own means of securing sections together through integrally formed interlocking features. The housing sections are self-sufficient in providing their own fastening mechanism, eliminating the need for external fasteners and reducing assembly complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the control valve assembly is assembled within the tool housing, then proper positioning is achieved, but assembly complexity increases due to confined space and alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve assembly is divided into multiple components including a control valve body, valve member, spring, and trigger mechanism, which are assembled in a segmented manner within the housing. This allows each component to be positioned and secured independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves as an intermediary framework that provides mounting surfaces, alignment features, and structural support for the control valve assembly components. This intermediary structure facilitates proper positioning and reduces assembly complexity by providing pre-defined mounting locations and alignment references.
Data Source
AI summary
A new and improved trigger-actuated control valve assembly for use within a fastener-driving tool wherein upper and lower control valve housing members are adapted to be fixedly mated together by a bayonet-type connection defined by a pair of diametrically opposed lug members disposed upon the lower valve housing member and a ledge structure defined upon the upper valve housing member. In addition, the trigger-actuated control valve assembly is fluidically connected to the upper control air chamber of the fastener-driving tool by externally disposed air passages which do not comprise complex compound angles and are therefore able to be integrally cast within the fastener-driving tool housing along with a cavity for housing the new and improved trigger-actuated control valve assembly.