Self-Tapping Concrete Anchor for Insulation Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching thermal insulation to concrete elements in building construction require extensive manual labor, noise, and dust, and involve predrilling, which is inefficient and costly, especially when multiple layers of insulation with different properties need to be securely fastened.

Innovation Solution

A concrete anchor with a thin-walled tube design featuring a self-tapping thread and a tip section with enhanced pull-out resistance is introduced into the concrete layer before or during hardening, allowing for secure joining of insulation layers without predrilling, and can accommodate additional insulation layers and fastening elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If predrilling is used to attach thermal insulation to concrete elements, then secure connection is achieved, but extensive manual labor, noise, and dust are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidmanual labor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The concrete anchor is embedded in the concrete element during manufacturing before the insulation is attached. This preliminary placement eliminates the need for on-site predrilling operations, reducing manual labor, noise, and dust while ensuring secure connection through the pre-positioned anchor structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple fastening elements are used to secure compact insulation layers, then secure connection is achieved, but cost and handling complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidnumber of fastening elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The concrete anchor is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate and secure multiple layers of insulation material through a single integrated component. The anchor's geometry allows different insulation materials to be attached using the same fastening mechanism, reducing the number of different fastening elements needed while maintaining secure connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the anchoring function with the insulation attachment function into a single integrated system. The concrete anchor serves as both the structural connection element and the mounting point for insulation layers, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3284874B1Use of a concrete anchor in a process for assembling said concrete anchor in a concrete element

Publication Date: 2020.03.04 SFS INTEC HLDG AG

Figure 1A~1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3A~3

AI summary

A concrete anchor comprises a head-section (A), a shaft (B) defining a longitudinal axis (6) and a tip section (C). The anchor has essentially the cross-section of a thin-walled tube with a channel extending along its central axis. Shaft (B) exhibits an external thread with a thread height and a thread pitch construed to enable the anchor to selftap a thread in building insulation material. Such an anchor is being used to in prefabricated concrete elements to secure insulation materials to the concrete body. To achieve this a mould for a concrete element is being provided, a concrete layer is poured into it and at least one layer of insulation material placed on the concrete layer. Then at least one concrete anchor according to the invention is screwed or driven through the insulation material layer into the concrete layer while the concrete has not yet fully hardened.