Expandable Aperture Anchor Without Cable Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable anchors for apertures are complex and costly due to the use of cables for controlling outer elements, which complicates manufacturing and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A simplified anchor design featuring a body element with a tapered surface, engagement members with radially projecting lugs, and a release element that slides axially relative to the body element, eliminating the need for cables by using a biasing element like a spring to transition between contracted and expanded configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are used to control outer elements in known anchors, then the anchor can be reliably controlled, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable control system from the anchor design entirely. Instead of using cables to control the outer elements, the invention uses a spring-loaded mechanism where the outer elements are automatically controlled by the interaction between the spring and the tapered bore, eliminating the need for complex cable systems while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor design allows the spring and tapered bore mechanism to automatically control the outer elements without external cable intervention. The spring provides continuous pressure against the tapered surface, and the geometry of the tapered bore automatically translates this pressure into radial movement of the outer elements, creating a self-regulating system.
2Ease of operation
If cables are used to control outer elements, then the anchor can be operated, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the cable system from the design, removing the associated manufacturing steps for cable assembly, termination, and installation. The simplified structure with spring and tapered bore requires fewer manufacturing processes and assembly operations, directly reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the control function previously performed by cables into the spring-loaded tapered bore mechanism. This integration eliminates separate control components and their associated manufacturing requirements, simplifying both production and assembly while maintaining full operational capability.
3Device complexity
If a tapered surface with sliding release element is used, then the anchor structure is simplified, but the mechanism for controlling engagement members must be effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the tapered surface geometry to convert axial movement of the release element into radial movement of the engagement members. As the release element slides axially along the tapered surface, the contact point moves to different radial positions on the taper, automatically changing the radial dimension of the engagement members without requiring additional control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered surface provides a curved geometric profile that automatically guides the movement of the release element and translates it into controlled radial expansion or contraction of the engagement members. This curved geometry ensures smooth, predictable motion and reliable engagement control.
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 anchor design simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and provides a reliable engagement mechanism that can be easily inserted and removed from apertures without the need for cables, while maintaining effective load support and secure engagement within the aperture.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element like a spring to transition between contracted and expanded configurations
Implementation Method 2
the lugs are urged radially outwards from the body element by the tapered surface to form a radially expanded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor for insertion into an aperture, wherein the anchor includes a body element, two or more elongate engagement members, and a release element. The body element has a first end and an opposed second end, and the body element defines a tapered surface adjacent to a first end portion of the body element. The release element is slidably coupled to the body element. Each of the engagement members has a first end via which the engagement member is coupled to the release element, and a second end which includes a radially outwardly projecting lug. The second ends of the engagement members engage the tapered surface defined by the body element. When the release element is in a release position relative to the body element, the second ends of the engagement members are engaged with a relatively narrow portion of the tapered surface and the lugs are in a radially contracted configuration. When the release element is in an engaged position relative to the body portion, the second ends of the engagement members are engaged with a relatively wide portion of the tapered surface and the lugs are urged radially outwards from the body element by the tapered surface to form a radially expanded configuration.