Concrete Screw Deformation Indicator for Safe Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete screws face challenges in reusability and safety due to undetected mechanical property degradation, which can lead to reduced load-bearing capacity and potential safety hazards when reused after high torque application, as they only indicate wear and not material deformation.
Innovation Solution
A concrete screw design featuring deformation indicators on the shaft, which can be easily visible and manufactured without affecting the screw's mechanical properties, allowing for quick visual inspection of plastic deformation and ensuring safe reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concrete screws are reused after high torque application, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to undetected material degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating deformation indicators on the screw shaft that show the original manufacturing geometry. These indicators allow users to detect plastic deformation before reuse, enabling them to identify degraded screws and avoid using them, thus maintaining reliability while enabling safe reuse of undamaged screws
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation indicators provide visual feedback about the screw's structural integrity. By showing whether the shaft has undergone plastic deformation, the indicators give immediate information about whether the screw has been subjected to excessive torque, allowing users to make informed decisions about reuse safety
2Reliability
If deformation indicators are added to the screw shaft, then reliability is improved through detectable material deformation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing deformation indicators only on specific portions of the screw shaft rather than throughout the entire structure. The indicators are localized features that provide detection capability where needed (on the shaft) without adding complexity to other critical components like the threading or head
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation indicators utilize visual appearance changes to indicate deformation state. The indicators may change color, orientation, or visibility when the shaft undergoes plastic deformation, providing a simple visual detection mechanism that does not require complex electronic or mechanical systems
3Ease of operation
If wear indicators are provided on the thread, then ease of operation is improved for visual inspection, but measurement precision deteriorates as they cannot detect shaft deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the detection function into two distinct parts: wear indicators on the thread for detecting thread degradation, and deformation indicators on the shaft for detecting shaft plastic deformation. This segmentation allows each indicator type to specialize in detecting its specific degradation mode, improving overall measurement precision while maintaining ease of visual inspection
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a concrete screw (1) comprising; a head portion (3) comprising a head member (5) adapted to fit to a mounting tool, a first shaft (7), substantially uniformly rod shaped having an essentially uniform first diameter (d1), a second shaft (9), substantially uniformly rod shaped having an essentially uniform second diameter (d2). The concrete screw (1) further comprises a front section (11) comprising an outer surface (13) and a front end (15), and threads (17) having an essentially uniform third outer diameter (d3), wherein the threads (17) are arranged on the second shaft (9) and the front section (11). The first shaft (7) comprises at least one deformation indicator (19), arranged on the periphery of the first shaft (7).