Non-Circular Screw Anchor Locking for Vibration-Resistant Sheet Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw anchors struggle to adapt easily to variations in hole dimensions, particularly in non-circular holes, leading to installation challenges and potential unintentional withdrawal due to vibration resistance issues.
Innovation Solution
A non-circular screw anchor, such as rectangular or oblong, designed to be inserted into a non-circular hole, featuring a rotatable body with cams and fins that twist into a locked position, securing the anchor by catching the sheeting between a head and stops, ensuring secure engagement and preventing withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional circular screw anchor is used, then the installation process is simple, but the anchor cannot adapt to variations in hole dimensions, especially non-circular holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the anchor body from a traditional circular cross-section to a non-circular cross-section (rectangular, square, or polygonal). This asymmetric geometry allows the anchor to match non-circular hole shapes, providing adaptability to various hole dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The asymmetric shape creates natural engagement with the hole walls that prevents rotation and ensures proper positioning.
2Reliability
If a spring clip mechanism is used for locking, then the anchor provides vibration resistance, but the installation and operation become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the spring clip locking mechanism from the anchor design. Instead of using a separate spring clip component that adds complexity, the invention relies on the non-circular geometry of the anchor body itself to provide the locking function. The asymmetric shape creates inherent engagement with the non-circular hole that prevents withdrawal and provides vibration resistance without requiring additional locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body's non-circular geometry performs the locking function on its own without requiring separate locking mechanisms. The asymmetric shape self-engages with the corresponding non-circular hole, creating a self-locking effect that provides vibration resistance and prevents unintentional withdrawal. The structure serves its own locking purpose through its geometric design rather than requiring auxiliary components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the anchor is designed to be non-circular for better adaptability, then engagement with non-circular holes improves, but the anchor may rotate unintentionally during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric non-circular cross-section of the anchor body provides natural orientation when inserted into a matching non-circular hole. The geometric asymmetry creates a unique fit that prevents rotation once installed, as the anchor can only be inserted in one specific orientation. This same asymmetric geometry that enables adaptability to non-circular holes also inherently controls rotational movement during and after installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A screw anchor that includes a main body with a hole running along its central axis and a head at one end. The anchor is designed to rotate around this axis, allowing it to move from an insertion position—where it can be inserted into a non-circular hole in a metal sheet—to a locked position, where the sheet is securely held between the head of the anchor and a stop feature extending from the body.