Self-tapping Fastening Device for Plate Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening methods for plate-shaped elements on steel construction support elements, such as checker or teardrop plates, are labor-intensive, damage anti-corrosion coatings, and require pre-assembly or complex on-site assembly, making them inefficient and difficult to disassemble.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device comprising a plate-shaped fastening element with a central passage and self-tapping screw, where the fastening element is inserted into a bore in the plate-shaped element and screwed into the support element, allowing for quick assembly from above without pre-assembly, with the fastening element's design accommodating varying heights and tolerances and preventing tripping hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to connect plate-shaped elements to support flanges, then a strong connection is achieved, but the anti-corrosion coating is damaged and the process becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/chemical connection) with a mechanical fastening system consisting of a fastening element and fastening screw. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for welding operations, preserving the anti-corrosion coating on plate-shaped elements while achieving secure mechanical attachment to support flanges.
2Ease of operation
If self-tapping screws are used for connection, then assembly is simplified, but pre-assembly with countersunk holes is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates countersunk holes directly into the plate-shaped elements during factory production. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site hole drilling and pre-assembly operations, allowing workers to simply insert and tighten the fastening screws during installation, significantly simplifying the assembly process.
3Ease of operation
If floor clamps with subframes are used, then connection is achieved, but the effort and number of operators required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the subframe component from the fastening system. The fastening element is designed to attach directly to the support flange without requiring an intermediate subframe structure. This reduction in components simplifies the assembly process and allows a single operator to complete the installation efficiently.
4Reliability
If pre-assembly of fastening devices is required, then stable connection is ensured, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates all necessary fastening components (fastening element, fastening screw, and anti-twist protection) directly into the plate-shaped elements during factory production. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate pre-assembly steps on-site, allowing workers to simply insert and tighten the screws during installation, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining connection stability.
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 rapid and stable assembly of plate-shaped elements on support elements with minimal on-site effort, ensuring a secure connection and compatibility with different thicknesses, while avoiding pre-assembly and tripping hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a self-tapping screw (3) is screwed through the central passage opening (9) of the plate-shaped fastening element (2) into an associated borehole (15) in the flat support element (12, 13) arranged underneath
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for fastening plate-shaped elements (1) to flat support elements arranged below them, with a fastening screw (3) extending through a bore (4) in the plate-shaped element (1), which can be fastened to the flat support element, wherein the fastening screw is designed as a self-tapping fastening screw (3) that can be screwed into the support element (12, 13, 14) and that a plate-shaped fastening element (2, 2') is provided which can be inserted into the bore (4) in the plate-shaped element (1), which rests on the bore edge (6) with a circumferential edge region (5) and has a central passage opening (9) for the fastening screw (3).