Concrete Screw Load Plate Alignment for Timber Wall Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for aligning structural components in timber construction, such as wall elements or wall panels, face challenges in adjusting height and securing components against various forces, including wind suction and shear, while accommodating assembly tolerances and uneven foundations.

Innovation Solution

A device using a concrete screw with a screw shaft and screw head, featuring a load plate and fastening means, allows for height adjustment and secure fixation of components by rotating the screw, with optional tilting capabilities and sealing to prevent moisture ingress, utilizing separate components for ease of manufacture and material selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a concrete screw with integrated load plate and fastening means is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different loading conditions and assembly variations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a concrete screw for anchoring, a load plate for load distribution and height adjustment, and fastening means for securing the structural component. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system adaptability to different loading conditions and assembly requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the load plate is rigidly fixed to the concrete screw, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accommodate assembly tolerances and uneven foundations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidassembly tolerance accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The load plate is designed to be rotatable relative to the concrete screw, enabling dynamic adjustment of the load plate's angular position. This dynamic capability allows the device to accommodate assembly tolerances and uneven foundations by adjusting the load plate's orientation during installation, ensuring proper alignment without requiring high manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for anchoring and fastening, then the adaptability to different loading conditions is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to loading conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The concrete screw assembly is designed as a multi-functional system where a single integrated structure performs multiple functions: anchoring to concrete, distributing loads through the load plate, providing height adjustment capability, and securing structural components with fastening means. This universal design reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability to various loading conditions including vertical loads, lateral forces, and uplift forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the concrete screw is designed with integrated fastening threads and support flange, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to optimize each component's material properties is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the concrete screw (for anchoring) from the load plate and fastening means (for load bearing and component securing). This segmentation enables independent material selection: the concrete screw can be optimized for concrete bonding properties, while the load plate and fastening means can be selected based on their specific mechanical requirements, improving both ease of manufacture and material optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4600507A1Device for aligning components and arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 ADOLF WURTH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4600507A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4600507A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4600507A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for aligning components, in particular wall elements or wall panels in timber construction, with a concrete screw, wherein the concrete screw has a screw shaft with a thread and a screw head with a drive formation, wherein a load plate is provided, wherein the load plate is connected to the concrete screw at least in the assembled state of the device and wherein the concrete screw is designed in the region of its screw head for attaching at least one fastening means, in particular a screw or a nut, for fixing a component resting on the load plate relative to the load plate.