Expansion Anchor Bolt Break-Off Removal for Safe Dismantling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anchor dismantling methods are complex, risky, and require sharp cutting tools, making them difficult to use safely and efficiently, especially when removing attachments like fire protection panels for maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Applying a high torque and tensile force to the anchor bolt until it breaks, allowing for simple and reliable dismantling without sharp tools, and minimizing load on the substrate or attachment, enabling easy re-anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional dismantling methods using cutting tools are used, then the anchor can be removed, but the process becomes complex, risky, and requires sharp cutting tools that are difficult to use safely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedismantling operationVSAvoiddismantling process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor bolt is designed with a predetermined breaking point that segments the bolt into two parts during dismantling. The breaking point is located at a specific position along the bolt shaft, allowing the bolt to fracture into a first part (remaining in the substrate) and a second part (removed with the attachment). This segmentation eliminates the need for complex cutting tools and simplifies the dismantling process to merely applying tensile force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor bolt is designed as a disposable component with a predetermined breaking point. During dismantling, the bolt is intentionally fractured at this predetermined point, rendering it unusable for reinstallation. This approach replaces expensive and complex cutting tools with a simple, single-use design that prioritizes safety and ease of operation over reusability of the anchor bolt itself.

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

2Productivity

If the anchor bolt is broken using traditional methods, then dismantling is achieved, but sharp cutting tools are required which pose safety risks and are difficult to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedismantling efficiencyVSAvoidsafety hazards from cutting tools
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful act of cutting with sharp tools into a beneficial controlled fracture process. By designing the anchor bolt with a predetermined breaking point, the dismantling process uses tensile force to cause a clean, controlled break without requiring dangerous cutting tools. The harm of needing sharp tools is transformed into the benefit of using simple, safe tensile loading that naturally fractures the bolt at the designed weak point.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor bolt is designed to dismantle itself through its inherent structural feature - the predetermined breaking point. When tensile force is applied during dismantling, the bolt automatically fractures at this predetermined location without requiring external cutting tools or complex operations. The bolt's own design enables its removal, making the system self-service and eliminating safety hazards associated with cutting tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the anchor is dismantled by removing the head with cutting tools, then the attachment can be removed, but the process is time-consuming and requires specialized equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedismantling simplicityVSAvoiddismantling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The predetermined breaking point is prepared in advance during the anchor bolt manufacturing process. This preliminary action creates a specific structural weakness at a defined location along the bolt shaft. During dismantling, this pre-prepared feature enables immediate and easy fracture when tensile force is applied, eliminating the need for time-consuming cutting operations or specialized equipment to remove the head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the time-consuming and complex head removal process by designing the bolt to fracture at a predetermined point. Instead of using cutting tools to remove the head, the bolt is designed to naturally separate into segments when tensile force is applied. This extracts the problematic head removal step and replaces it with a simple pulling action that automatically segments the bolt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If cutting tools are used to remove the anchor head, then dismantling is achieved, but the load on the substrate and attachment increases, making re-anchoring difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedismantling processVSAvoidsubstrate and attachment integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The predetermined breaking point creates a localized area of reduced strength at a specific position along the anchor bolt. This local quality change ensures that when tensile force is applied during dismantling, the fracture occurs at this predetermined location rather than at critical locations near the substrate or attachment. By concentrating the weakness locally at the breaking point, the integrity of the substrate and attachment is preserved, facilitating easier re-anchoring.

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 method allows for safe, efficient, and gentle dismantling of anchors with minimal effort, avoiding substrate damage and facilitating re-anchoring by breaking the anchor bolt within the substrate, thus simplifying the disassembly process.

Implementation Method 1

the expansion area radially displacing the expansion body when pulled in the anchor bolt and thereby anchoring the anchor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial displacement: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

a torque and at the same time a tensile force are applied to the anchor bolt of the anchor anchored in the hole and the anchor bolt is loaded until it breaks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFracture: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP3592994B1Expansion anchor and process to remove an expansion anchor
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 HILTI AG
  • EP3592994B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3592994B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3592994B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for disassembling an anchor which is anchored in a hole and has an anchor bolt, wherein in the disassembling method a torque is applied to the anchor bolt of the anchor anchored in the hole and in this case the anchor bolt is loaded until the anchor bolt breaks. The invention further relates to an anchor having a head, the anchor bolt of which has an engaging profile for application of a torque to the anchor bolt.