Anchor Bolt with Segmented Taper Member for Crack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anchor bolts can cause cracks in concrete walls due to the concentrated and vectorially opposite forces applied to the attachment bore, leading to a decrease in securing force.

Innovation Solution

The anchor bolt design features a taper member with inclined surfaces and abutment parts arranged in a triangular or pentagonal cross-section, distributing forces to prevent excessive expansion and cracking, with the abutment parts being pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the attachment bore to ensure secure fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If six abutment parts are arranged at the same height level on an equilateral hexagon taper member, then the anchor bolt can be firmly fixed in the attachment bore, but forces concentrate in a narrow longitudinal range causing cracks in concrete walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring forceVSAvoidcrack in concrete wall
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The six abutment parts are divided into two groups of three, arranged at different height levels along the taper member. This segmentation distributes the expansion forces along the longitudinal axis of the attachment bore, preventing concentration in a narrow range and avoiding cracks in the concrete wall while maintaining firm fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The abutment parts are arranged not only circumferentially (around the taper member) but also longitudinally (at different height levels). This adds a longitudinal dimension to the force distribution, spreading the expansion forces over a longer portion of the attachment bore and preventing localized stress concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If facing abutment parts push the inner peripheral surface in vectorially opposite directions, then the anchor bolt structure is simple, but excessive expansion occurs causing cracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabutment part arrangementVSAvoidcrack in concrete wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment parts are arranged asymmetrically along the longitudinal axis, with three abutment parts at a first height level and three at a second height level. This asymmetric longitudinal arrangement prevents vectorially opposite forces from acting at the same location, distributing the expansion forces more evenly and preventing excessive localized expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If the taper member cross section is an equilateral hexagon with six inclined surfaces, then the anchor bolt can be easily manufactured, but forces are concentrated causing cracks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetaper member fabricationVSAvoidcrack in concrete wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The six inclined surfaces on the taper member are segmented into two groups of three, corresponding to the two height levels of abutment parts. This segmentation allows the taper member to be manufactured with standard machining processes while distributing the expansion forces along the longitudinal axis, preventing crack formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design prevents cracks in concrete walls by distributing forces evenly, enhancing the securing force of the anchor bolt and ensuring stable fixation without excessive expansion of the attachment bore.

Implementation Method 1

outer peripheral surfaces of the abutment parts are pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the attachment bore so that the anchor bolt is fixed (secured) in the attachment bore

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3171040B1Anchor bolt
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 HOWA MACHINERY LTD
  • EP3171040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3171040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3171040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An anchor bolt (40) according to the present invention has a taper member (7) threadably engaged with the rod (4), and three or five abutment parts (12) fitted over the taper member (7). The taper member (7) has a cross section in a form of an equilateral triangle or pentagon, and three or five inclined surfaces (10) at respective sides of the triangle or pentagon. The inclined surfaces (10) are inclined closer to a central axis of the taper member (7) toward a base end of the anchor bolt (40). Each abutment part (12) has an inner surface (11) which is inclined closer to the central axis of the taper member (7) toward the base end and which abuts the inclined surface (10) of the taper member (7). In a state in which the taper member (7) and the abutment parts (12) are inserted into the attachment bore (2), when only the taper member (7) is moved toward an opening of the attachment bore (2), the outer peripheral surface (15) of the abutment parts (12) are pressed against the inner peripheral surface (2a) of the attachment bore (2) so that the abutment parts (12) are fixed in the attachment bore (2).