Segmented Threaded Pin for Weight Reduction and Weldability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing threaded pins are too heavy, unstable, and cannot be effectively welded, limiting their usability in applications such as automotive paneling and fastening systems.

Innovation Solution

A threaded pin design featuring a base with multiple base parts and side walls that engage and connect indirectly through a bridge section, allowing for stabilization and weight reduction, with the option to weld or glue the components for enhanced stability, resulting in a pin that is 50% to 75% lighter than traditional pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a threaded pin is made from solid material using traditional stamping and bending processes, then it has sufficient structural integrity, but it becomes too heavy for practical applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of threaded pinVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded pin is divided into multiple separate components (first base part, second base part, first side wall, second side wall, bridge section) that are formed from different portions of sheet material and then connected together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and significantly reduces the overall weight compared to a solid threaded pin, while maintaining structural integrity through the connection of these lightweight components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a threaded pin is made from solid material, then it has adequate stability, but it cannot be effectively welded

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweldabilityVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded pin consists of separate components (base parts, side walls, bridge section) that can be connected using welding or other joining methods. This segmented structure enables effective welding of individual components together, solving the weldability problem of traditional solid threaded pins while maintaining stability through proper connection design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded pin is constructed as a composite structure formed from multiple portions of sheet material that are connected together. This composite approach allows the use of materials and connection methods (such as welding) that would not be feasible with solid material, while achieving the required stability through the combined structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If base parts and side walls are formed from the same continuous material, then manufacturing is simpler, but weight reduction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight reductionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base parts and side walls are formed from different portions of sheet material rather than a single continuous piece. This segmentation enables significant weight reduction by removing unnecessary material, while the portions are connected through the bridge section to form the complete threaded pin structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge section acts as an intermediary element that connects the first base part and second base part, which are formed from different portions of sheet material. This intermediary structure enables the weight-reduced segmented design while maintaining structural integrity, as the bridge section provides the necessary connection between the separately formed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3303857B1Threaded pin and system comprising a threaded pin and a receiving means
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 A RAYMOND & CO SCS
  • EP3303857B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3303857B1 patent drawingFigure 6~10
  • EP3303857B1 patent drawingFigure 11~15

AI summary

The invention relates to a threaded pin made of a starting material and comprising a base (1), a tip section (2) at a distance from the base (1) in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the threaded pin, wherein the tip section (2) comprises a bridge section (3), as well as a first side wall (4) having at outer profile (5) and extending from the bridge section (3) to a first base part (8), and a second side wall (6) having an outer profile (7) and extending from the bridge section (3) to a second base part (9), wherein the first side wall (4) is formed from a different part of the starting material than the second side wall (6), and the first base part (8) is formed from a different part of the starting material than the second base part (9), wherein a part of the first base part (8) is engaged with a part of the second base part (9) and/or a part of the first base part (8) is connected to a part of the second base part (9), wherein, alternatively or additionally, a part of the first side wall (4) is engaged with a part of the second side wall (6) and/or additionally a part of the first side wall (4) is connected to a part of the second side wall (6).