Spiral Rivet Nut Structure for Stable Blind Wall Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blind fasteners, such as toggle bolts, are difficult to install and provide a weak and unreliable mounting solution, especially when a 360-degree support is required and the space behind the wall is inaccessible.
Innovation Solution
A rivet nut fastener with a cylindrical nut and spiral structure that compresses to form a support structure and flange clamp, allowing secure mounting through an aperture in the wall, using an installation tool to reduce the nut's length and compress the spiral structure for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a toggle bolt is used for blind fastening, then the fastener can be installed through an aperture when the space behind the wall is inaccessible, but the fastening strength and reliability are weak and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener employs a dynamic collapse mechanism where the central portion of the cylindrical nut is designed to compress and collapse during installation. This dynamic transformation converts the fastener from a compact insertable form to an expanded anchored form, providing strong fastening capability behind the wall while maintaining ease of installation through the aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener utilizes parameter changes in the form of dimensional transformation. The cylindrical nut's length is reduced through compression of the central portion, changing the fastener's geometry from an extended state (for insertion) to a compressed state (for anchoring). This parameter change enables the fastener to provide strong support while being easily installed through the aperture.
2Ease of operation
If a toggle bolt is used, then the fastener can be installed through an aperture, but the cross-piece provides very little stability when lateral force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral structure is designed to dynamically expand and interlock with the wall material when the central portion compresses. This dynamic expansion creates a stable, interlocked configuration that resists lateral forces, replacing the unstable cross-piece design with a structure that gains stability through the compression process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener combines the cylindrical nut structure with the spiral structure to create a composite fastening system. The spiral structure, when expanded, creates a composite anchor system that integrates with the wall material, providing enhanced stability and resistance to lateral forces compared to the simple cross-piece design.
3Strength
If the central portion of the nut is compressed to reduce length, then the spiral structure forms a support structure for secure mounting, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is designed to be self-installing through a simple compression action. The central portion of the cylindrical nut is compressed to automatically collapse and expand the spiral structure into its support configuration. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex multi-step installation procedures, tools, or adjustments, providing strong mounting through a simple compression operation.
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
The rivet nut fastener provides a strong, reliable, and easy-to-install solution with 360-degree support, ensuring a secure fastening ability even under lateral forces, addressing the weaknesses of prior art devices.
Implementation Method 1
the central portion may be compressed so that the length of the nut is reduced, thereby compressing the spiral structure to form a support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A rivet nut fastener has a cylindrical nut having a length that extends from a proximal end having an outwardly extending flange, through a central portion, to a distal end; a bore that extends into the nut accessible through an opening at the proximal end to an internally threaded portion of the bore adjacent the distal end of the nut; and a spiral structure mounted on an exterior portion the distal end of the nut. The nut is shaped to be inserted through the aperture, along with the spiral structure, such that the central portion may be compressed so that the length of the nut is reduced, thereby compressing the spiral structure to form a support structure, such that the support structure and the flange together clamp the wall therebetween so that the rivet nut fastener is securely mounted on the wall.