Plastic Grip Element With Sawtooth Metal Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handle elements with metal inserts face high production costs due to complex manufacturing and assembly processes, especially when producing small quantities, as they require costly injection molding and multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A fastening part with a sawtooth attachment at its upper end and a polygonal collar is used, allowing for a simple and cost-effective connection with the handle by being driven into its central recess, providing a secure and permanent attachment without the need for screws or adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If injection molding with metal inserts is used to connect handle elements, then a permanent connection is achieved, but production costs increase significantly due to complex preparation and set-up work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate components: a handle element and a fastening part that can be manufactured independently and assembled later. This eliminates the need for complex injection molding with metal inserts, allowing each component to be produced using simpler, more cost-effective processes while maintaining a reliable permanent connection through the driven attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If injection molding is used to connect the insert to the plastic handle, then a permanent connection is achieved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection permanenceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metal insert is extracted from the injection molding process and becomes a separate fastening part. This eliminates the need for modified injection molds and complex preparation work, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining permanent connection reliability through the driven attachment with sawtooth engagement and polygonal collar.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components with complicated shapes are used in the screwing tool, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional features are merged into the fastening part: the bolt-like body with threading, the sawtooth attachments for axial retention, and the polygonal collar for anti-rotation are all integrated into a single component. This reduces the number of separate parts from three to one, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining all necessary functional capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables a reliable, inseparable connection between the plastic handle and the metal insert, reducing production costs and complexity by eliminating the need for injection molding and additional fastening means, while ensuring rotational security through the polygonal recess and collar engagement.

Implementation Method 1

the sawtooth attachments are barbed in the center hole of the handle and can no longer be pulled out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the attachment part is driven into the central recess of the handle with its bolt-like end, which is designed as a sawtooth attachment, whereby the sawtooth attachments are barbed in the center hole of the handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

The multi-edged collar, which engages in an associated polygonal recess on the underside of the handle and there positively engages in an associated polygonal recess, serves to prevent the fastening part from rotating in the handle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric constraint: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2157493B1Plastic grip element with attachment piece
Publication Date: 2010.12.29 OTTO GANTER GMBH & CO KG NORMTEILEFAB
  • EP2157493B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

The device (1) has a fixing part that is anchored in the plastic part so as to turn with it and that is suitable for holding an optional screw-on part. The fixing part consists essentially of a bolt-like part with a saw tooth fitting on the upper end to which is joined a polygonal collar (7) with a transition to an optional screw-on part.