Elastomeric Storage Housing for Screw Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices for screw inserts made of hard plastic fail to securely hold the inserts in place, leading to accidental removal and slipping on smooth surfaces due to friction issues.
Innovation Solution
The storage device incorporates a housing base part made of rubber-elastic plastic with thermoplastic elastomer, featuring undersized insertion openings and deformable holding elements that provide a frictional preload, along with a harder housing cover part and locking mechanisms for secure closure and opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard plastic is used for the housing base part, then the housing structure is rigid and stable, but the holding elements cannot securely hold the screw inserts, causing them to fall out when the device is opened or turned upside down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the housing base part from hard plastic to rubber-elastic plastic (thermoplastic elastomer), reducing Shore hardness to maximum 50D. This parameter change enables the holding elements to deform elastically and create frictional contact with the screw inserts, securing them reliably while maintaining structural adequacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining thermoplastic elastomer with polypropylene in the housing base part. This composite material provides both the elastic properties needed for secure holding and sufficient structural rigidity for housing stability, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and holding reliability.
2Strength
If hard plastic is used for the housing, then the housing is structurally sound, but it slips on sloping smooth surfaces due to insufficient friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface friction parameter by using rubber-elastic plastic with Shore hardness maximum 50D for the housing base part. This material provides sufficient friction coefficient to prevent slipping on sloping smooth surfaces while maintaining adequate structural integrity through its viscoelastic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible rubber-elastic housing base part that can conform slightly to surface irregularities and increase contact area, thereby enhancing friction and preventing slipping on smooth surfaces while maintaining structural soundness.
3Reliability
If undersized insertion openings are used, then the holding elements create strong frictional contact with screw inserts, but the insertion process requires greater force and may damage the inserts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses rubber-elastic plastic with specific Shore hardness (maximum 50D) for the holding elements, which allows controlled elastic deformation during insertion. This parameter selection enables the material to yield under insertion force, reducing insertion resistance, then maintain frictional holding strength after insertion when the material rebounds to its original shape.
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 solution effectively prevents screw inserts from falling out and ensures the device remains stable on sloping surfaces, securely holding screw inserts and chuck shafts through enhanced frictional contact, allowing safe positioning and preventing damage to surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the plastic of the housing base part has a rubber-elastic property... the holding elements deform elastically when the insertion section is inserted, so that the holding elements rest against the insertion section in a force-applied frictional contact
Implementation Method 2
generate a frictional force that must be overcome when the screw insert is pulled out
Implementation Method 3
the housing base part has a rubber-elastic property... the housing tends to slip on sloping, smooth surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage device for screw inserts (3) each having a screw output profile (3') and a plug-in portion (3''), with a housing base part (1) made of plastic, which has plug-in openings (4) with holding elements (5) made of the same material as and connected to the housing base part (1), in order to hold the screw insert (3) by bearing on the plug-in portion (3'') in the plug-in opening (4), and with a housing lid part (2) which is secured on the housing base part (1) in such a way as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (S) and which can be brought from a closed position, in which a closure flank (6) lying in front of the screw output profiles (3') prevents removal of the screw inserts (3), to an open position in which the screw inserts (3) are removable from the plug-in openings (4). In order to configure a storage device of this kind such that it is advantageous in use, the invention proposes that the plastic of the housing base part has an elastomeric property, and the holding elements (5) deform elastically, upon insertion of the plug-in portion (3''), such that the holding elements (5), subjected to a force, bear with frictional engagement on the plug-in portion (3'') and generate a frictional force that has to be overcome in order to withdraw the screw insert (3).