Self-Drilling Expandable Anchor for Pre-Drill-Free Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing expandable anchors for construction and maintenance workers require pre-drilled holes, increasing installation time, decreasing ease of use, and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

Development of self-drilling expandable anchors and installation tools that allow for drilling and expansion in a single step, reducing the need for pre-drilled holes and enhancing usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-drilled holes are required for expandable anchor installation, then the anchor can be securely installed, but installation time increases and ease of use decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor installation securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the drilling function and expandable anchor installation into a single integrated operation. The self-drilling expandable anchor merges the drill bit and anchor body into one component, allowing the hole creation and anchor installation to occur simultaneously in a single step, thereby eliminating the time loss from separate drilling and installation operations while maintaining secure installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If pre-drilled holes are required for expandable anchor installation, then the anchor can be securely installed, but ease of use decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor installation securityVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The self-drilling expandable anchor merges multiple functions (drilling and anchoring) into a single tool, eliminating the need for workers to perform separate drilling operations. This integration significantly improves ease of use by reducing the number of steps and tools required, while the expandable mechanism ensures secure installation is maintained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If pre-drilled holes are required for expandable anchor installation, then the anchor can be securely installed, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor installation securityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The self-drilling expandable anchor combines drilling and anchoring functions into one component, eliminating the need for separate drill bits and reducing material requirements. This integration reduces overall installation cost while maintaining secure installation through the expandable mechanism that ensures proper engagement with the substrate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If a single self-drilling expandable anchor is used, then installation time decreases and ease of use increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidanchor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-drilling expandable anchor merges drilling and anchoring functions into a single integrated device. While this increases functional integration, the design uses simple geometric features (conical drilling portion, expandable cylindrical portion with radial cracks) rather than complex mechanisms, achieving productivity improvement with controlled complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Adaptability or versatility

If the expandable member has a conical portion and cylindrical portion with radial cracks, then self-drilling and expansion functions are achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-drilling and expansion functionalityVSAvoidgeometric precision of expandable member

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable member employs local quality by having different geometric features in different zones: a conical portion at the leading end for self-drilling that requires precise angle for effective cutting, and a cylindrical portion with radial cracks for expansion that requires controlled crack spacing. This localized differentiation achieves versatile functionality while managing manufacturing precision requirements through zone-specific design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 self-drilling expandable anchors and tools significantly reduce installation time, increase ease of use, and lower costs by eliminating the need for pre-drilled holes.

Implementation Method 1

the installation tool and the drive tool can be employed to rotate the hanger, the expandable member, the threaded member, and the drill head to drill a hole in a structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

part of the installation tool can be employed to hold a base of the expandable member stationary while another part of the installation tool can be employed to rotate the hanger and the threaded member to cause part of the expandable member to expand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250092899A1Self-drilling expandable anchor and methods of use and installation thereof

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A self-drilling expandable anchor operable with a self-drilling expandable anchor installation tool.