Expandable Threaded Dowel for Reversible Wall Block Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction methods for walls using bricks or wooden dowels are time-consuming, expensive, and difficult for unskilled individuals to align and deconstruct, often requiring glue or clamps, which complicates reuse and recycling.
Innovation Solution
A dowel system with a cylindrical first portion, a conical third portion, and external screw threads for radial expansion and rotational extraction, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without the need for glue or clamps, using a kit with blocks and an extraction tool for efficient construction and deconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional brick and mortar construction is used, then structural strength is improved, but construction time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is segmented into discrete modular blocks that can be pre-manufactured and then quickly assembled using dowels, eliminating the time-consuming process of laying individual bricks and applying mortar while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design
2Ease of operation
If wooden dowels with nails are used, then construction ease is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional nail-based mechanical connection is replaced with a dowel system that uses radial expansion mechanics - the dowel is inserted in a relaxed state and then expanded radially within the block to create a strong friction-based anchor, providing both ease of construction and high structural strength
3Strength
If permanent joints with glue and clamps are used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of deconstruction worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The joint transitions from a static permanent connection (glue/clamp) to a dynamic reversible connection - the dowel can be inserted to create a strong joint and then easily extracted when deconstruction is needed, allowing the same blocks to be reused for different structures without leaving residual materials
4Manufacturing precision
If complex alignment systems are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The block design incorporates built-in alignment features such as recesses and protrusions that create self-aligning interfaces, allowing blocks to be positioned correctly through simple gravity-assisted placement without requiring complex external alignment tools or procedures
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 quick, cost-effective, and user-friendly construction and deconstruction of walls, improving alignment and structural strength while allowing for easy reuse and recycling of components.
Implementation Method 1
a generally cylindrical first portion (22) having a first internal hole (40) along it, the first portion configured for radial expansion when a radial force is applied within the first internal hole
Implementation Method 2
the external surface features of at least the second portion comprise an external first screw thread (50-1) configured to provide rotational movement relative to a hole into which the second portion is capable of being received, to enable extraction of the second portion from the hole
Implementation Method 3
at least the second portion, and preferably the first and second portions, having external surface features configured to resist translational movement relative to a hole in which the respective portion is capable of being received
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4e
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dowel, for example a dowel for a construction kit suitable for constructing a structure such as a wall, a construction kit, an extraction tool, a method of constructing and de-constructing a wall. In particular the invention relates to a dowel for joining blocks, the blocks having at least one hole, comprising: at a first end,a generally cylindrical first portion having a first internal hole along it, the first portion configured for radial expansion when a radial force is applied within the first internal hole;at a second end, a generally cylindrical second portion configured for snug/hammer fit reception into a hole in which the second portion is capable of being received; depending from the second portion, a generally cylindrical third portion, configured for reception into the first internal hole of a further dowel to provide a radial force capable of expanding the first portion; a radial projection between the first and second portions configured to limit insertion of the second portion into a hole in which the second portion is capable of being received;at least the first and second portions having raised external surface features configured to resist translational movement relative to a hole in which the respective portion is capable of being received to resist extraction of that respective portion;and further wherein, the external surface features of at least the second portion comprise an external screw thread configured to provide rotational movement relative to a hole into which the second portion is capable of being received, to enable extraction of the second portion from the hole (when a rotational force is applied tothe dowel relative to the hole).