Dual-Thread Screw with Serrated Middle Segment for Fast Wood Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screws experience high frictional resistance and waste chip accumulation, requiring significant operator force and time due to thread friction and incomplete chip removal during screwing into wooden articles.

Innovation Solution

A screw design featuring a tapered shank with dual threads, including a first thread with serrate cutting teeth and a second thread with spaced convolutions, along with oblique ribs and a chip-collected groove, to reduce friction and efficiently remove waste chips, allowing for smoother and faster insertion with less operator force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional screw with continuous threading is used, then the screw can be driven into the article, but high frictional resistance occurs and waste chips accumulate, requiring significant operator force and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrewing speedVSAvoidoperator force
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The screw thread is segmented into two distinct threads: a first thread with continuous convolutions for initial engagement and chip formation, and a second thread with spaced convolutions for reduced friction and smooth advancement. This segmentation allows each thread to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between screwing speed and operator force requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the screw shank are given different thread characteristics: the first thread portion has continuous convolutions suited for cutting and chip removal, while the second thread portion has spaced convolutions suited for low-friction advancement. This local differentiation enables the screw to overcome high frictional resistance without requiring excessive operator force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a conventional screw with continuous threading is used, then the screw can fasten the article, but waste chips impede movement and cause the article to chap under compression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding powerVSAvoidchip accumulation and chapping
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second thread is designed with spaced convolutions that extract and remove waste chips from the screw path during the fastening process. This prevents chip accumulation that would otherwise impede screw movement and cause chapping of the article, while maintaining reliable holding power through the first thread's continuous engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a prior art screw with intermediate thread is used, then self-tapping qualities are improved, but the thread structure is complex and may be subject to damage during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-tapping qualityVSAvoidthread structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex intermediate thread structure, the invention segments the threading into two distinct threads with clear functional differentiation. The first thread provides self-tapping action with continuous convolutions, while the second thread provides smooth advancement with spaced convolutions. This segmentation achieves self-tapping quality without the complexity and vulnerability of intermediate thread structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The dual-thread design and chip removal features enable faster screwing with reduced resistance and waste chip accumulation, enhancing driving speed and anchoring strength while minimizing operator effort.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of serrate cutting teeth is provided on each thread convolution of the middle thread portion of the first thread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

frictional resistance obviously exists between the screw thread of a conventional screw and an article in which the screw is contiguously driven

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3249244B1screw
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
  • EP3249244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3249244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3249244B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A screw (10) includes a shank (12), a first thread (26), and a second thread (40). The shank (12) includes a screw-in portion (14), a head portion (16), and a straight rod portion (18) between the screw-in portion (14) and the head portion (16). The first thread (26) surrounds the shank (12) spirally and includes an upper thread portion (28) formed around the straight rod portion (18), a lower thread portion (30) formed around the screw-in portion (14), and a middle thread portion (32) continuously connected between the upper and lower thread portions (28, 30). A plurality of serrate cutting teeth (38) is provided on the middle thread portion (32) of the first thread (26). The second thread (40) is helically formed around the screw-in portion (14) of the shank (12) and includes a plurality of thread convolutions (41) spaced from thread convolutions of the lower thread portion (30) of the first thread (26). The screw (10) can be quickly driven into articles to be joined without degradation of binding capacity between the screw (10) and the articles.