Self-Drilling Anchor Assembly for One-Step Concrete Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing anchor assembly methods for attaching fixtures to concrete structures are time-consuming and require separate steps for drilling and inserting anchors, with drill bits made from expensive materials that wear out quickly.
Innovation Solution
A self-drilling anchor assembly that combines a drill bit and anchor, where the anchor is attached to the drill bit and features pivotable gripping arms and debris expelling mechanisms, allowing for simultaneous drilling and anchor insertion with a single tool, reducing the need for expensive drill bit materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate drill bits and anchors are used, then drilling and anchoring functions are distinct, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drill bit and anchor into a single integrated assembly where the drill bit is inserted through the anchor body. This merging eliminates the need for separate drilling and anchoring operations, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously in one installation step, thereby increasing productivity without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If expensive carbide drill bits are used, then drilling capability is sufficient, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable drill bit made from inexpensive materials such as cold-rolled steel or aluminum alloy instead of expensive carbide. The drill bit is designed for single-use only, being discarded after drilling one hole. This approach dramatically reduces material cost while maintaining adequate drilling capability for the intended application, as the drill bit does not need to be reused.
3Loss of time
If drill bit is removed and anchor inserted separately, then tools can be reused, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is pre-assembled with the drill bit in a integrated unit before reaching the installation site. The drill bit is already positioned and secured within the anchor body through attachment members such as tabs or interference fits. This preliminary assembly allows the installer to simply drive the entire assembly into the substrate in one action, eliminating the need for separate steps of removing the drill bit and inserting the anchor, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
This solution significantly reduces installation time and eliminates the need for expensive drill bits, as the drill bit remains in the substrate after use, with the anchor securely engaging the substrate to hold the fixture.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of independently movable or pivotable gripping arms
Implementation Method 2
drill head integrally connected to one end of the shank
Implementation Method 3
a helical thread formation to facilitate attachment of a securing device
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-drilling anchor assembly including a drill bit and an anchor positioned over and attached to the drill bit. In various embodiments, the drill bit includes a shank, a drill head integrally connected to one end of the shank, and a threaded tail integrally connected to an opposite end of the shank. The tail includes a mechanical engaging structure that is engageable by a tool to rotate the drill bit, and a helical thread formation to facilitate attachment of a securing device such as nut and washer to the tail of the drill bit. The anchor includes an elongated generally tubular body including an inner surface defining a longitudinally extending inner channel, and a head integrally connected to and extending from a first end of the body. The drill bit is configured to remain in the anchor and in the substrate after installation of the anchor assembly in the substrate.