Multipurpose Screw Thread Geometry for Multi-Material Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw designs require a large variety of screws for different materials, leading to inefficiencies in selection, time, and cost, and can result in compromised jobs and safety issues when an unsuitable screw is used.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose screw with a self-drilling drill tip, a major thread, and a secondary or low thread, featuring a high/low thread configuration and swarf indents, designed to efficiently drill through various materials, including metals, wood, and polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different types of screws are designed for different materials, then the screw can be suited to the particular job, but a large number of different types of screws must be kept in stock and a selection process is required
Solution Approach 1:
The screw is designed with a self-drilling drill tip capable of drilling through various materials including metals, wood, and polymers, combined with a threaded portion that can engage with different material types. This multi-functional design allows a single screw type to replace multiple specialized screw types, eliminating the need for extensive inventory and selection processes while maintaining job suitability
2Reliability
If a large number of different types of screws are kept in stock, then the appropriate screw can be found, but this is neither time-nor cost-effective
Solution Approach 1:
The multipurpose screw eliminates the selection process entirely by being capable of performing multiple functions across different materials. The self-drilling drill tip with specific geometry (chamfer angle, leading faces, thread flutes) combined with the threaded portion allows it to drill and fasten in metals, wood, and polymers simultaneously, making inventory reduction possible without sacrificing availability
3Ease of operation
If an unsuitable screw is selected, then the job may be compromised, but this can happen when a large variety of screws is used
Solution Approach 1:
The screw's universal design with self-drilling capability and threaded portion ensures consistent performance across different materials. The drill tip geometry (chamfer with included angle of between 80 and 120 degrees, opposed leading faces, associated thread flutes) combined with the threaded portion creates a reliable fastening mechanism that works in metals, wood, and polymers, eliminating the risk of using an unsuitable screw while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A multipurpose screw is provided. The screw comprises: a head having a tool engaging formation, a self-drilling drill tip, and a shank extending between the head and the drill tip. The shank includes a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion. The threaded portion includes a major thread extending from the drill tip. The ratio between the major diameter of the major thread and the pitch of the major thread is from 1.2 to 2.4.