Screw Head Rib Projections for Coating Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screws often damage the surface or coating of hard materials when countersunk, leading to tension, deformation, or penetration of moisture, especially in coated or brittle materials like wooden panels with linoleum coatings.

Innovation Solution

A screw design featuring a screw head with radial rib-like projections and cutting edges that cleanly cut or mill the surface, allowing for countersinking without pre-drilling, ensuring a secure and watertight connection while preventing coating damage and enhancing loosening torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional screw is countersunk into a hard material or coated surface, then the screw can be securely fastened, but the surface or coating is damaged, torn, or deformed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoidsurface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The screw head edge is segmented into multiple rib-like projections instead of a continuous smooth edge. These projections are distributed around the circumference and each acts as an independent cutting element, allowing the surface to be gradually milled away without concentrated stress that would cause tearing or deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The edge geometry is changed from a smooth continuous surface to a segmented structure with radial projections. This parameter change transforms the interaction mechanism from direct contact and potential tearing to gradual milling and clean cutting, resolving the contradiction between fastening security and surface protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If a screw is screwed into a hard material without pre-drilling, then installation time is reduced, but the surface coating may tear or break

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidcoating damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rib-like projections on the screw head edge perform a preliminary cutting action on the surface coating before the main fastening operation. As the screw is driven in, these projections预先 cut a circular path in the coating, preventing it from tearing or breaking during subsequent countersinking, thus enabling direct installation without pre-drilling while protecting the coating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harmful effect of the screw head edge contacting the coating is converted into a beneficial cutting action. The rib-like projections transform the otherwise damaging direct contact into a controlled milling process that cleanly separates the coating, turning what would be a harmful tearing force into a useful cutting mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If the screw head edge is smooth, then the screw can be easily manufactured, but the loosening torque is insufficient in elastic coatings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidloosening torque
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire screw head edge complex, only localized rib-like projections are added to specific regions of the edge. This local modification provides the necessary cutting and milling functionality to increase loosening torque in elastic coatings while keeping the overall manufacturing process relatively simple and avoiding complete redesign of the screw head

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 screw effectively penetrates hard materials without damaging coatings, prevents moisture penetration, and provides a secure, watertight seal with increased loosening torque, suitable for various applications including coated wooden panels and truck cargo area floors.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the rib-like projections protruding in the radial direction, the surface of a hard material, in particular a coating, can be milled or milled off when the screw is screwed in.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

the lower end of each projection on the side of the screw shank is provided with a point and/or cutting edge. With the tips and/or cutting edges at the ends of the projections, the surface of a hard material or a coating can be cleanly cut open when the screw is screwed in.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFracture Mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP3548753A1Screw
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 ARNOLD UMFORMTECHN

AI summary

The invention relates to a screw having a screw head and a screw shank, wherein the screw shank is provided at least in sections with a thread, characterized in that an edge of the screw head is provided with a plurality of rib-like projections which project in the radial direction.