Elastic Anti-Rotation Dowel for Low-Force Anchor Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional anchors are cumbersome to handle and can damage the anchor or substrate during installation, particularly due to the risk of the anti-twist device breaking or the substrate splintering when hammered into a drilled hole.

Innovation Solution

A dowel with an elastically mounted anti-rotation lock and a second component forming expansion webs, allowing for user-friendly insertion into a substrate without tools and providing effective anti-rotation protection through a mechanism that moves inward during insertion and outward when a fastening element is inserted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional anchor with a rigid anti-twist device is used, then reliable anti-rotation protection is provided, but the anchor is cumbersome to handle and may damage the substrate during installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation protectionVSAvoidhandling during installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation lock is designed to change its state dynamically: during insertion it moves inward to allow easy handling, and after insertion it moves outward to provide anti-rotation protection. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability of anti-rotation protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic mounting of the anti-rotation lock prepares it for automatic activation upon insertion. The lock is pre-positioned to move inward during insertion (preliminary action) so that no additional force is needed, and it automatically moves outward when the fastening element is inserted, providing anti-rotation protection without requiring user action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a rigid anti-twist device is used in conventional anchors, then anti-rotation protection is effective, but the device may break or cause substrate splintering when hammered into a drilled hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation protectionVSAvoiddamage to anchor and substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The position parameter of the anti-rotation lock is changed based on the installation stage: inward position during insertion to prevent damage, and outward position after insertion to provide protection. The elastic mounting enables this parameter change, resolving the contradiction between effective anti-rotation protection and prevention of damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic mounting acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs insertion forces and prevents the anti-rotation lock from breaking or causing substrate splintering during the hammering process. This beforehand cushioning allows the lock to survive the insertion process intact and then provide its protective function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables easy and low-force insertion of the dowel into a drilled hole, preventing substrate damage and ensuring reliable anti-rotation protection without damaging the anti-rotation device, thus enhancing user-friendliness and handling simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one outside projection of the anti-rotation lock moves inward in the radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the at least one outside projection of the anti-rotation lock can move outwards in the radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 3

The screw is secured against being pulled out by the frictional connection between the dowel and the surrounding material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3587836B1Dowel with flexibly mounted twisting device
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 ADOLF WURTH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3587836B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3587836B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3587836B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Dowel (100) comprising a first component (170) with an elastically mounted anti-rotation device (126), a second component (180) arranged on the first component (170), and an opening (104) for inserting a fastening element (106), wherein at least one of the components (170, 180) forms expansion webs (112, 114).