Expansion Bolt Spring Indicator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion anchors require complex and costly torque-controlled settings, often necessitating multiple tools and making it difficult to verify proper anchoring, especially in stud anchors where the expansion sleeve is hidden within the bore hole.
Innovation Solution
An expansion anchor design featuring a spring element that absorbs energy during insertion, activating the expansion mechanism upon release, with an integrated indicator element to verify setpoint tension, allowing for reliable and simple setting using a single tool like a hammer, and providing accessibility for checking the setting status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If torque-controlled setting with a nut is used, then reliable expansion is achieved, but device complexity and setting effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the nut and torque control mechanism from the setting operation. Instead of requiring torque-controlled tightening, the expansion is activated purely by axial insertion force, extracting the complex torque control requirement and replacing it with simple hammering or pushing action.
Solution Approach 2:
Conventional expansion anchors require tightening (applying force to compress) to activate expansion. This patent inverts the mechanism: the expansion is activated by insertion force alone, and the spring element stores energy during insertion that automatically drives the expansion upon withdrawal, reversing the conventional force application sequence.
2Reliability
If the expansion sleeve is hidden within the bore hole, then anchoring is secure, but verification of proper anchoring becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element serves as an intermediary indicator mechanism. Since the spring element remains accessible outside the bore hole while being mechanically connected to the hidden expansion sleeve, it mediates between the hidden expansion action and the visible verification requirement, allowing indirect observation of the expansion status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded indicator elements on the spring element that change or display different colors based on the spring's compression state. This visual color indication provides immediate verification of proper anchoring without requiring inspection of the hidden expansion sleeve within the bore hole.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple tools are required for setting, then precise control is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single insertion tool serve multiple functions: it simultaneously drives the anchor into the bore hole, compresses the spring element to store energy, and activates the expansion mechanism through the axial force. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate torque wrenches and other tools, increasing productivity while maintaining reliable setting through the spring's energy storage mechanism.
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
Simplifies the setting process by using axial forces alone, ensures reliable activation of the expansion mechanism, and allows for easy verification of proper anchoring through the indicator element, reducing costs and effort while maintaining high reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element situated on the anchor bolt, which may be tensioned by inserting the anchor bolt into a bore hole, and which is able to retract the expansion section of the anchor bolt into the expansion sleeve when it is released
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion bolt including an anchor bolt having an expansion section, and further including an expansion sleeve which surrounds the anchor bolt and which can be expanded by retracting the expansion section, and a spring element arranged on the anchor bolt. The spring element can be tensioned by inserting the anchor bolt into a bore hole and can retract the expansion section of the anchor bolt into the expansion sleeve when it is released. An indicator element indicates when a rated tension of the spring element is reached.