Rib-Mounted Screw Fastening Without Plastic Screw Bosses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw fastening methods for joining plastic components often face issues with ventilation and cooling during the manufacture of screw bosses, leading to visual faults like sink marks and shiny patches, and lack advantages in structure, manufacturing cost, assembly, disassembly effort, functionality, flexibility, robustness, and re-usability.
Innovation Solution
A screw fastening system featuring a rib-shaped or plate-shaped joining region with a self-tapping or thread-rolling screw and a joining member that has a hole extending over the first component, allowing the screw to cut threads into the component for a secure and durable connection, which is easy to produce and disassemble, and can accommodate screws of various diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw bosses are manufactured using conventional methods, then screw fastenings can be achieved, but ventilation and cooling problems occur leading to visual faults like sink marks and shiny patches
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic screw boss manufacturing process entirely and replaces it with a joining member that attaches to the rib-shaped joining region. This eliminates the ventilation and cooling issues that cause sink marks and shiny patches while maintaining secure fastening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining member acts as an intermediary element between the first component and the screw. It attaches to the rib-shaped joining region without requiring traditional screw boss formation, thereby mediating the connection while avoiding the harmful effects of conventional screw boss manufacturing.
2Reliability
If traditional screw fastening methods are used, then components can be joined, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joining member combines multiple functions into a single element: it attaches to the rib-shaped joining region, provides a mounting surface for the screw, and creates a secure connection point. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to traditional auxiliary elements like threaded bushes or speed nuts.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining member serves multiple purposes: structural reinforcement at the joining region, screw mounting platform, and connection mediator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary elements, reducing both structural complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Strength
If self-tapping screws are screwed into the first component through the joining member, then a secure connection is achieved, but the hole in the joining member must extend over the component
Solution Approach 1:
The joining member is pre-formed with a hole that extends over the first component before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the self-tapping screw is inserted, it can cut threads directly into the first component through the joining member, creating a strong mechanical interlock without requiring additional machining or complex geometries.
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
The solution provides a robust, durable, and cost-effective screw fastening system that eliminates ventilation and cooling issues during manufacturing, ensuring a secure connection without the need for additional receiving bores and allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, while enhancing structural integrity and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a self-tapping or thread-rolling screw (5), wherein the screw (5) screwed into the hole (6) is screwed into the first component (1) in a thread (11) formed by the screw (5)
Implementation Method 2
The screw fastening has a first component (1), which at one edge (14) thereof has a joining region (3)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a screw fastening for fixedly joining together two components, and has a first component, which at one edge thereof has a rib-shaped joining region, as well as a joining member, which is arranged fixedly at said joining region, a self-tapping screw and a second component. The second component is joined fixedly to the joining member and the first component by way of this screw. The joining member has a hole along the first component on the first side thereof, and has an abutment portion, which is arranged on a second side, remote from the first side, of the first component. The joining member has a slot-like recess at the abutment portion, through which the first component extends. The hole in the joining member protrudes over the first component, such that the screw screwed thereinto is screwed into the first component in a thread formed by said screw.