Segmented Dowel Tabs for Versatile Wall Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dowels face challenges in achieving optimal packing within insertion holes, ensuring accurate centering and direction during insertion, versatility across different wall types, and flexibility of retention tabs, particularly when used in both solid and hollow walls.
Innovation Solution
The dowel design incorporates paired annular retention and abutment tabs with varying diameters and notch configurations to enhance flexibility and packing, along with adjustable length and a frustoconical centring projection to facilitate precise insertion and retention, while beveled edges and radial notches on tabs improve engagement with the insertion hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the annular retention tabs are made more flexible to improve engagement with the insertion hole, then the packing degree and retention capability improve, but the structural rigidity and positioning stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The annular retention tabs are segmented by introducing radial notches that divide each tab into sections. This segmentation allows the tabs to flex independently during insertion and engagement, improving their ability to adapt to the insertion hole while maintaining overall structural stability through the distributed notch configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexibility of the annular retention tabs is controlled by varying the depth and configuration of radial notches. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the tabs can be made more or less flexible to match different wall types (solid or hollow) while maintaining sufficient positioning stability through the central core and abutment tabs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dowel design is simplified to use a single model for various wall types, then versatility improves, but the ability to optimize for specific wall conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dowel is designed with multiple functional elements that can adapt to different wall types: annular retention tabs for hollow walls, abutment tabs for solid walls, and a central core that provides structural integrity. This multi-functional design allows a single dowel model to effectively serve both solid and hollow wall applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The dowel incorporates dynamic elements including flexible annular retention tabs that can bend to engage hollow walls, and abutment tabs that can deflect against solid walls. The radial notches in the tabs provide controlled flexibility, allowing the dowel to dynamically adapt its rigidity based on the wall type encountered during insertion.
3Strength
If the annular retention tabs are reinforced to increase packing density in the insertion hole, then the engagement strength improves, but the flexibility and ease of insertion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The annular retention tabs are divided into segments by radial notches, which reduces their overall rigidity and allows them to flex more easily during insertion. This segmentation maintains engagement strength by allowing the tabs to conform to the insertion hole while reducing resistance during the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular retention tabs are designed as thin, flexible elements that can bend and deform during insertion. Their flexibility is enhanced by the radial notches, which allow the tabs to act like flexible shells that can adapt to the insertion hole geometry without requiring excessive force, while still providing strong engagement once positioned.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved dowel (1) intended to be inserted under pressure in a hole, comprising a head (2) and a body (3) intended to remain in position outside and inside the hole, respectively. Head (2) is suitable for a clamp to pass through. Body (3) includes a central core (10) from which there emerge annular retention tabs (13) having a slightly larger diameter than the hole, all provided with radial notches (19, 20), and a centring annular projection (12). Each annular retention tab (13) forms a pair with an annular abutment tab (14) located, with respect to the former, in the position nearest head (2). Annular abutment tab (14) has a diameter that is smaller than that of annular retention tab (13) and equal to that of the hole.