Elastic Wall Anchor Assembly for Small-Hole Drywall Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall anchors are ineffective when attached to drywall alone, as they fail to distribute loads adequately and require large holes, making them difficult to install and hide, especially when removed.
Innovation Solution
A wall anchor assembly featuring a sleeve coupled with an elastic member, which allows for secure attachment to drywall with minimal hole size, using a sleeve coupling portion and anchor coupling portion connected by extensions, and a method for installing the anchor by positioning it through a through hole and expanding the elastic member to secure the sleeve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wall anchors are used to attach structures to drywall, then the mounting system can be installed away from studs, but the anchors require large holes that are difficult to patch or hide
Solution Approach 1:
The wall anchor is divided into multiple components: a collapsible anchor body that can be inserted through a small hole, and an expansion mechanism that secures it on the other side. This segmentation allows the anchor to pass through a minimal hole while still providing secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body can be collapsed into a compact form that nests within a small diameter hole during installation, then expands on the rear side of the drywall to provide secure anchoring without requiring a large hole.
2Strength
If conventional wall anchors are used to distribute load over drywall surface, then load bearing capacity can be increased, but the anchors still require large holes and correspondingly large trim members
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor distributes load in multiple dimensions: radially outward against the rear surface of the drywall and potentially along the face of the drywall. This multi-dimensional load distribution allows the anchor to provide high load bearing capacity while maintaining a small hole size, eliminating the need for large trim members.
3Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used with drywall, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the fasteners must be inserted into studs or joists which limits installation locations
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor provides its own secure attachment mechanism through expansion against the rear surface of the drywall, eliminating the need to engage studs or joists. This self-service anchoring method maintains attachment security while providing installation flexibility at any location on the drywall surface.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional wall anchors require large holes for installation, then the anchors can be positioned on the opposing side, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is pre-assembled in a collapsed or compact state that fits through a small pilot hole. This preliminary configuration allows quick insertion through the drywall, after which the anchor expands on the rear side to achieve secure positioning, significantly reducing installation time and complexity.
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 elastic member ensures secure anchoring with minimal hole size, allowing for easy installation and concealment, and provides a stable load distribution, preventing the anchor from being easily removed or leaving a large hole.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that elastically couples the anchor to the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A wall anchor assembly with a sleeve and an anchor elastically coupled to the sleeve with an elastic member. Wherein, the elastic member defines a sleeve coupling portion that is substantially circular and couples the elastic member to the sleeve.