Screw Head Toothing for Adjustable Cable Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for cables or hoses become difficult to tighten and adjust once the holder is fixed, as the screw head is no longer accessible and the rotary position is not adjustable without great effort.

Innovation Solution

The fastening device incorporates a holding element with teeth that match the screw head's toothing, allowing torque transmission and enabling the screw connection to be tightened at any time, with mechanisms for temporary disengagement and re-engagement to facilitate adjustment, such as spring tongues or radially movable toothed sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the holder is fixed to the screw head, then the fastening device achieves stable positioning, but the screw head becomes inaccessible for tightening and the rotary position becomes fixed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable positioningVSAvoidaccessibility for tightening
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a positioning element and a turning tool. The toothing on the holding element's inner circumference allows it to engage with the screw head's outer toothing, enabling the holding element to function as a wrench for tightening or loosening the screw even after the holder is fixed in position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the holder and the turning tool into a single integrated component. The holding element incorporates both the positioning function (through its structure that holds cables/hoses) and the tightening function (through the toothing that engages with the screw head), eliminating the need for separate tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the holder is fixed to the screw head, then the fastening device achieves stable positioning, but the rotary position of the holder becomes non-adjustable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable positioningVSAvoidadjustability of rotary position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic locking mechanism with spring tongues that can be temporarily disengaged. The spring tongues normally hold the holding element in a fixed rotational position, but when pressed, they release the toothing engagement, allowing the holding element to be rotated to a new position and then locked again, providing adjustable positioning while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If spring tongues are used for temporary axial fixation, then the holding element can be fixed and adjusted, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring tongues are designed to be self-actuating. When the holding element is rotated, the spring tongues automatically engage with the toothing to lock the position. To release, the user simply needs to press the spring tongues radially outward, which automatically disengages the toothing. This self-service mechanism provides adjustment capability without requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables easy tightening and adjustment of the screw connection even when the holder is fixed, allowing for simple repositioning of cables or hoses without requiring significant effort.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one spring tongue is preferably designed to be elastic in such a way that it can be temporarily bent outwards in a reversible manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a spring element is arranged, via which the holding element is prestressed with its spring tongues in defined first rotational positions against the respective teeth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the head is provided with a toothing which corresponds to a toothing present on the holding element in such a way that torque can be transmitted from the holding element to the screw head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3967888B1Fixing device
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 KONINK NEDSCHROEF HLDG
  • EP3967888B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3967888B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3967888B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening device comprising a screw (1, 4) with a threaded shaft (11, 41) and a head (12, 42) formed on the shaft, as well as a retaining element (2, 5) which can be positively connected to the head (12, 42) and which has a receptacle for fastening a cable, wherein the head (12, 42) is provided with a toothing (13, 44) which corresponds to a toothing (23, 541) present on the retaining element (2, 5) in such a way that a torque transmission from the retaining element (2, 5) to the screw head (12, 42) is enabled.