Concrete Screw Taper Zone for Efficient Thread Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete screws lack an efficient design for effectively cutting and forming threads in concrete, particularly in terms of axial length and thread helix configuration.

Innovation Solution

The concrete screw features a shaft with a threaded zone closer to the tip, an unthreaded zone adjacent to the threaded zone, and a tipward taper zone of variable axial length, which enhances the screw's ability to cut and form threads in concrete.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the threaded zone is located closer to the tip, then thread formation efficiency is improved, but the structural stability during installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread formation efficiencyVSAvoidstructural stability during installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into distinct functional zones: a threaded zone for cutting and forming threads in concrete, an unthreaded zone for providing structural stability and insertion, and a tipward taper zone for guiding and centering. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the shaft are given different properties: the threaded zone has cutting edges for material removal, the unthreaded zone has uniform diameter for stable insertion, and the tipward taper zone has a tapered geometry for guiding. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing stability where needed while maintaining thread formation efficiency where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the shaft has a tipward taper zone of variable axial length, then cutting efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tipward taper zone employs variable axial length with changing diameter along its length, creating an optimized geometry for cutting efficiency. The variable parameters (axial length, diameter progression) are designed to enhance material removal rates while the overall structure remains manufacturable through standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the unthreaded zone is located axially adjacent to the threaded zone, then structural support is improved, but thread cutting access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidthread cutting access
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is segmented into a threaded zone and an axially adjacent unthreaded zone, where the threaded zone provides cutting access and the unthreaded zone provides structural support. The axial adjacency ensures continuous structural integrity while allowing the threaded zone to perform its cutting function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unthreaded zone extends in the axial dimension adjacent to the threaded zone, providing structural support along the length of the screw without interfering with the radial cutting action of the threads. This dimensional arrangement resolves the conflict between support and access.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4560154A1Tipward taper zone of variable axial length
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 HILTI AG
  • EP4560154A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4560154A1 patent drawingFigure 5~9
  • EP4560154A1 patent drawingFigure 10~12

AI summary

Concrete screw comprising a shaft, which has a tip, a rear end and a longitudinal axis that extends through the tip and through the rear end, wherein the shaft has a threaded zone and an unthreaded zone that is located axially adjacent to the threaded zone, wherein the threaded zone is located closer to the tip than is the unthreaded zone, and a thread helix that is attached to the shaft in the threaded zone of the shaft, characterized in that the shaft has a tipward taper zone of variable axial length.