Screw Anchor with Dual Threads for Wood-Concrete Fastening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screw anchors for fastening wooden components to concrete or masonry face limitations in tensile, bending, and transverse load capacity, often requiring additional components like metal washers and dowels to manage shear loads effectively, and are costly and aesthetically unappealing.

Innovation Solution

A single-part screw anchor with a wood thread section and a concrete thread section connected by an unthreaded shank, featuring a conical head and a push-through design, where the wood thread pitch is slightly smaller than the concrete thread pitch, allowing for increased tensile and transverse load capacity without the need for metal washers or dowels, and enabling full embedding in the wooden component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal washers are inserted between the anchor head and wooden component to increase tensile load capacity, then the tensile load that can be absorbed is improved, but the device complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile load capacityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the anchor head and the tensile load transfer function into a single integrated component. The conical head with bearing surface directly transfers tensile loads to the wooden component through bearing stress, eliminating the need for separate metal washers. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving tensile load capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If dowels of special design are introduced into the wooden component to relieve bending load on the anchor, then the transverse load capacity is improved, but the device complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransverse load capacityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the shear load transfer function directly into the anchor shaft. The threaded section of the anchor engages with the wooden component to transfer shear loads through thread friction and bearing stress, eliminating the need for separate dowels. This integration reduces device complexity while improving transverse load capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the anchor into functionally distinct sections: a threaded section for shear load transfer and an unthreaded shank for tensile load transfer. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its performance for specific load types without requiring additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional anchors are used with large wooden component thicknesses, then the anchor can accommodate thick components, but the bending stress on the anchor increases and transverse load capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with thick wooden componentsVSAvoidtransverse load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the anchor into a threaded section for shear load transfer and an unthreaded shank for tensile load transfer. This segmentation allows the threaded section to engage deeply in thick wooden components, providing sufficient shear load capacity without subjecting the entire anchor to excessive bending stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the anchor: the threaded section has high engagement area for shear loads, while the unthreaded shank provides a smooth bearing surface for tensile loads. This local optimization allows the anchor to handle both thick components and high transverse loads effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If steel connectors are attached to the outside of concrete with anchors and fastened to wood with nails or screws, then the connection strength is improved, but the assembly cost and visual appearance worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single anchor component that simultaneously anchors to concrete and fastens to wood. The anchor features a concrete-threaded section for concrete anchoring and a wood-threaded section for timber fastening, eliminating the need for separate steel connectors, anchors, and fasteners. This reduces assembly cost and simplifies installation while maintaining connection strength.

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

The solution significantly enhances tensile and transverse load-bearing capabilities, reduces bending stress, and simplifies manufacturing, while being more versatile and aesthetically preferable by eliminating the need for additional components and allowing for a shorter overall length, thus improving the connection's performance and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

The tensile load is transferred from the wooden component to the anchor via its head support, and the transverse loads are transferred via bearing stress or pressure along the smooth shaft of the anchor in the wooden component.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

A screw anchor has a threaded section with a concrete thread for screwing directly into concrete. This threaded section is followed by an unthreaded shank, which penetrates the wooden component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking:

Data Source

PatentEP1899613B1Screw anchor
Publication Date: 2010.05.12 LUDWIG HETTICH
  • EP1899613B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a screw anchor for fixing wood components to concrete or masonry. Said anchor has a shaft (1) comprising a first threaded section (2) with a wood screw thread (6) for screwing into wood, and a second threaded section (3) with a concrete thread (7) for screwing into concrete, the pitch (P2) of the wood screw thread being equal to, or slightly smaller than, the pitch (P1) of the concrete thread (7).