Rock Bolt Wedge Expansion Mechanism for Rapid Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for stabilizing rock surfaces using rock bolts are time-consuming, particularly for mechanical connections that require expanding components or adhesive epoxy, which complicate the installation process.

Innovation Solution

A rock bolt design featuring a threaded shaft, a sleeve with clamping assemblies and wedge members that engage with the rock bolt's inner surface upon rotation, providing a mechanical connection at multiple locations within the drilled hole, allowing for efficient and simple installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive epoxy is used to fix rock bolts, then the load is spread over a greater length providing stable bonding, but the process of filling the hole with epoxy and then inserting and fixing the rock bolt becomes time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the adhesive chemical bonding system with a mechanical expansion system. The rock bolt includes an expanding component that mechanically engages with the drilled hole through threaded engagement and conical surface contact, eliminating the need for epoxy filling and curing time while providing reliable bonding through mechanical interlocking and friction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The expanding component is pre-configured within the rock bolt assembly, with the expansion mechanism already in place and ready for immediate engagement upon insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site epoxy application and curing, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining bonding reliability through pre-engineered mechanical expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If mechanical expanding components are used to secure rock bolts, then installation is faster than adhesive methods, but the connection is made at limited locations rather than along the full length

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidconnection distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The expanding component is divided into multiple discrete engagement points along the length of the rock bolt. The conical expansion surface creates multiple localized contact zones with the drilled hole wall, distributing the mechanical connection along the full length of the bolt while maintaining fast installation. This segmentation allows rapid insertion with multiple connection points simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion mechanism utilizes radial expansion in the transverse dimension to create multiple engagement points along the longitudinal dimension. The conical surface expands radially to contact the hole wall at multiple locations simultaneously, transforming a single-point insertion action into multi-point connection along the bolt length, thus achieving both speed and distributed reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If multiple clamping assemblies with wedge members are used, then mechanical connection is achieved at multiple locations within the drilled hole, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-location connectionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple clamping assemblies are merged into a single integrated expanding component structure. The conical expansion surface and threaded engagement are combined into one unified mechanism that simultaneously creates multiple connection points along the bolt length, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining multi-location mechanical connection and improving reliability.

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 design enables rapid and secure mechanical connection to the rock surface, reducing installation time and enhancing stability by distributing the load effectively across the drilled hole length.

Implementation Method 1

wedge members located adjacent each of the clamp members; wherein the wedge members include a threaded bore for receiving the shaft such that rotation of the shaft moves the wedge members into engagement with the clamp members to move the clamp members outwardly through the openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

wedge members include a threaded bore for receiving the shaft such that rotation of the shaft moves the wedge members into engagement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS11220906B2Rock bolt

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 AUMMS PTY LTD

AI summary

A rock bolt (10) to be received in a drilled hole comprising a threaded shaft (12) and a sleeve (14) into which the shaft (12) is received. A plurality of openings (38) are provided along the length of the sleeve (14) and clamping assemblies (16) each having clamp members (36) are provided adjacent each opening (38). Wedge members (26) are located adjacent each of the clamp members (36) and the wedge members (26) each include a threaded bore for receiving the shaft (12) such that rotation of the shaft (12) moves the wedge members (26) into engagement with the clamp members (36) to move the clamp members (36) outwardly through the openings (38) to engage with an inner surface of the hole.