Additive-Manufactured Threaded Hole With Integrated Screw Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for incorporating screw-locking functions into components, such as those made of plastic, are complex, time-consuming, and require multiple steps, often necessitating reworking and specialized tools, which can lead to contamination and additional assembly effort.

Innovation Solution

An additively manufactured component with a hole or projection that integrates a fastening area with an internal or external thread and a radially, axially, or curvilinearly displaceable locking area, allowing for a secure, force-fit locking mechanism without the need for post-processing, using materials like metal or plastic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wire thread insert is inserted into a component after manufacture, then a screw-locking function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew-locking functionVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking area is integrated directly into the component body during additive manufacturing, merging the function of a separate wire thread insert with the component structure itself. This eliminates the need for post-manufacturing insertion steps while maintaining the screw-locking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking area is pre-formed during the additive manufacturing process itself, rather than being added later. The displaceable structure is built-in from the start, allowing the screw-locking function to be ready before any assembly operations begin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a wire thread insert is inserted into a component after manufacture, then a screw-locking function is achieved, but assembly time and effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew-locking functionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a wire thread insert is inserted into a component after manufacture, then a screw-locking function is achieved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew-locking functionVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a displaceable locking area is integrated into the component, then screw-locking reliability is improved, but component weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew-locking functionVSAvoidcomponent weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The displaceable locking area is implemented as a localized feature within the component body, affecting only the specific region where screw locking is needed. The rest of the component maintains its original optimized structure and weight characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties or structural parameters in the locking area are modified to enable displacability (e.g., different density, elasticity, or geometric configuration), while the overall component parameters remain optimized for weight efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

5Reliability

If a displaceable locking area is integrated into the component, then screw-locking reliability is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew-locking functionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a secure, integrated screw-locking function that prevents unintentional loosening, reduces assembly effort, and avoids contamination, while allowing for precise adjustment of clamping force and minimizing component weight and installation space.

Implementation Method 1

a locking area for force-fit locking of a fastening screw in the hole, in particular by clamping, wherein the locking area is radially displaceable outwards, axially displaceable or curvilinear with respect to the central longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4538550B1Component produced by additive manufacturing, component composite with the component, method for producing the component and connection method for producing the component composite

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 BOLLHOFF VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

An additively manufactured component (10; 60; 110; 160; 210; 260; 310; 360; 410) has a hole (14) that provides an inner wall in a component body (12) of the additively manufactured component (10; 60; 110; 160; 210; 260; 310; 360; 410). The inner wall comprises a fastening area (16) with an internal thread that defines a central longitudinal axis (18) of the hole (14), and a locking area (20) for force-fit securing of a fastening screw (5) in the hole (14), in particular by clamping, so that the locking area (20) provides a screw locking function. The securing area (20) is radially displaceable outwards, is axially displaceable or runs curvilinearly with respect to the central longitudinal axis (18).