Expansion Anchor Groove Layout for Symmetric Force Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing expansion anchors face challenges in manufacturing ease, cost-effectiveness, and functionality, with a need for improved design to reduce material requirements and enhance symmetry for efficient force distribution during manufacturing and operation.

Innovation Solution

The expansion anchor design incorporates an anchor bolt with a wedge zone for expanding an expansion shell, featuring a neck zone, abutment zone, and rear zone, along with forward and rearward grooves aligned along the anchor bolt's longitudinal axis, which facilitates reduced material usage and improved symmetry, allowing for efficient force distribution and manufacturing through cross wedge rolling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If traditional expansion anchor designs are used with single grooves or webs in the neck zone, then rotational lock and expansion functionality are provided, but material usage is excessive and manufacturing symmetry is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidanchoring performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor bolt is segmented into distinct functional zones (wedge zone, neck zone, abutment zone, rear zone) with specific grooves positioned in each zone. The forwards groove in the neck zone and rearwards groove in the rear zone are aligned axially to create symmetric material distribution, reducing overall material usage while maintaining structural integrity and anchoring performance through zonal optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

While introducing symmetry through aligned grooves, the design strategically places grooves at different positions (forwards groove in neck zone, rearwards groove in rear zone) to create asymmetric functional zones that optimize force distribution. This controlled asymmetry in positioning combined with axial alignment achieves both material efficiency and reliable anchoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional grooves are added to the anchor bolt, then functionality and symmetry are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidanchor bolt structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aligned groove structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the forwards groove in the neck zone provides rotational lock and material accommodation, while the rearwards groove in the rear zone provides additional rotational lock and symmetry. The axial alignment of both grooves creates force distribution symmetry that benefits manufacturing (cross wedge rolling) and operation, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the anchor bolt design is optimized for symmetry and material reduction, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidgroove alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves are positioned in specific local zones (forwards groove in neck zone, rearwards groove in rear zone) with axial alignment to create local symmetry. This localized quality optimization allows cross wedge rolling manufacturing to benefit from symmetric force distribution in critical areas while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility, balancing efficiency gains with precision requirements.

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

This design enhances manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness while providing improved anchoring performance by reducing material requirements and optimizing force distribution, resulting in a more reliable and symmetric expansion anchor.

Implementation Method 1

the web is displaced radially outwardly by the wedge zone of the anchor bolt, i.e. the material of the web is activated, to yield particularly wide expansion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11920619B2Expansion anchor with forwards and rearwards grooves

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 HILTI AG

AI summary

An expansion anchor including an anchor bolt, and at least one expansion shell located at the anchor bolt, wherein the anchor bolt includes a wedge zone for expanding the at least one expansion shell, a neck zone accommodating at least parts of the expansion shell, the neck zone being located rearwardly of the wedge zone, an abutment zone forming a rearward stop for the expansion shell, the abutment zone being located rearwardly of the neck zone, and a rear zone for intruding tensile force into the anchor bolt, the rear zone being located rearwardly of the abutment zone, wherein the anchor bolt is provided with at least one forwards groove, located in front of the abutment zone. The anchor bolt is provided with an aligned rearwards groove, which is aligned with the at least one forwards groove, and which is located rearwardly of the abutment zone.