Compliant Helical Screw Threads for Tool-Less Insert Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fasteners for assembling modular information handling systems require tools, are time-consuming, prone to breakage, and have insufficient engagement with threaded inserts.

Innovation Solution

A screw design featuring a helical thread that deforms and reforms to engage with a threaded insert without tools, using a compliant material like soft plastic or rubber, allowing tool-less installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fasteners are used for assembling modular information handling systems, then reliable mechanical engagement is achieved, but assembly time increases and tool requirements are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical engagementVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener is segmented into two distinct components: a screw with external threads and a separate threaded insert. This segmentation allows the screw to be pre-assembled with the information handling resource, while the threaded insert is separately installed in the carrier, enabling tool-less assembly while maintaining reliable engagement through the interaction of the two segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded insert is preliminarily installed in the carrier before the screw is attached to the information handling resource. This preliminary action enables the screw to be simply pressed or snapped into place without requiring threading tools, significantly reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable mechanical engagement through the pre-positioned threaded insert

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If conventional fasteners are used for assembling modular information handling systems, then secure fastening is achieved, but complexity of assembly process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screw is designed with a head configuration that enables self-service installation by allowing it to be directly pressed, snapped, or clipped into the threaded insert without requiring external threading tools. This self-service capability simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure fastening through the threaded engagement between the screw and insert

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If tool-less fasteners are used to reduce assembly time, then assembly speed increases, but manufacturing difficulty and breakage risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the fastening system into a standard screw and a separately manufactured threaded insert, the invention allows each component to be manufactured using conventional, well-established processes. This segmentation reduces manufacturing difficulty compared to creating a single complex tool-less fastener, while still enabling rapid assembly through the interaction of the two simpler components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If tool-less fasteners are used to simplify assembly, then ease of operation improves, but engagement reliability with threaded inserts decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidengagement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded insert acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the simple pressing/snapping action of tool-less assembly and the requirement for reliable threaded engagement. The insert provides the threaded interface that ensures secure fastening while allowing the screw to be installed without tools, thus maintaining both ease of operation and engagement reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates quick, tool-less assembly and secure engagement of components in information handling systems, reducing manufacturing challenges and breakage.

Implementation Method 1

The threaded cylindrical shaft may comprise a helical thread configured to sufficiently deform when a mechanical force drives the screw into a threaded insert due to mechanical interaction of the helical thread with a thread of the threaded insert and sufficiently engage with the thread of the threaded insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250237257A1Screw with tool-less installation features

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A screw may comprise a head and a threaded cylindrical shaft mechanically coupled to the head such that an axis of the threaded cylindrical shaft extends from the head. The threaded cylindrical shaft may comprise a helical thread configured to sufficiently deform when a mechanical force drives the screw into a threaded insert due to mechanical interaction of the helical thread with a thread of the threaded insert and sufficiently engage with the thread of the threaded insert.