Anchor Position-Sensing System for Early Failure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anchor systems in anchor holes fail to effectively detect shifts or movements of the anchor within the millimeter range, which can indicate impending failure of the anchorage before it occurs.

Innovation Solution

An electrical, ohmic, or capacitive position-sensing system is integrated into the anchor hole, where a stable element is arranged to detect movement of the anchor, allowing for early recognition of potential anchoring failure through contact changes or capacitance measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a stable position-sensing element is integrated into the anchor hole to detect anchor movement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchor movement detection precisionVSAvoidposition-sensing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stable position-sensing element as an intermediary component arranged in the anchor hole. This element acts as a mediator between the anchor and the detection system, enabling precise measurement of anchor movement without requiring complex integrated sensors. The stable element provides a reference position that simplifies the overall measurement system while maintaining high detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If chemical anchoring with hardened mass is used to secure the position-sensing element, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability may be compromised due to potential movement of the element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidposition-sensing element stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first inserting the stable position-sensing element into the anchor hole before injecting the hardened mass. This sequence ensures the element is properly positioned and secured before the chemical anchoring process begins, preventing any potential movement during hardening. The preliminary placement of the element guarantees both ease of installation and reliable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the position-sensing element is arranged close to the end of the anchor, then measurement precision is improved, but the anchor may move before the sensing element detects it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by arranging multiple position-sensing elements at different positions along the anchor hole, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the detection system. This multi-position arrangement ensures that movement at any stage of anchor installation is captured, eliminating the time delay issue while maintaining high measurement precision through distributed sensing.

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

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

Enables the detection of anchor movement and potential failure within permissible tolerances, ensuring timely intervention and maintaining the anchor's position within the hole, thereby preventing structural instability.

Implementation Method 1

the anchor has an electrical contact and the position-sensing element has an electrical counter-contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical contact: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the anchor has a part of a capacitor and the position-sensing element has another part of a capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3601815B1Arrangement of an anchor in an anchoring hole, and fastening system
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 FISCHERWERKE ARTUR FISCHER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3601815B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3601815B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3601815B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a threaded rod as an anchor (1) for anchoring with for example a synthetic resin mortar in an anchoring hole (2) in an anchoring ground (3) composed for example of rock, concrete or masonry. To be able to detect a displacement of the anchor (1) in the direction of a hole mouth and thus a possible failure of the anchoring at an early point in time, the invention proposes a cap as a position encoder holder (4) with an electrical counterpart contact (8), which is mounted onto the anchor (1). If the anchor (1) is displaced, the counterpart contact (8) loses contact with the anchor (1), whereby the displacement can be detected.