Thin-Wall Threaded Fastening Unit Without Coating Damage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for introducing assembly threads onto components, especially thin-walled components, often result in damage to the coating and increased susceptibility to corrosion, and require time-consuming or costly assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A fastening unit comprising a fastening body with an assembly thread and a holding element that connects to the component without significant material stress, allowing for reversible and tool-free attachment, using elastically deformable webs and latching hooks to secure the fastening body, thereby preventing damage to the component coating and reducing assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If rivet nuts are driven into components to provide mounting threads, then mounting threads are provided on components, but the component coating is damaged and corrosion susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting thread provisionVSAvoidcoating damage and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening unit is divided into two separate parts: a fastening body that provides the mounting thread and a retaining element that secures it to the component. This segmentation allows the fastening body to be attached without driving forces that would damage the coating, while still providing a functional mounting thread.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element acts as an intermediary between the fastening body and the component. It provides a mechanical connection (through snap hooks, friction-fit, or clamping) that secures the fastening body to the component without requiring direct driving forces onto the component surface, thus protecting the coating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If direct mounting threads are integrated into thin-walled components, then mounting threads are provided, but the material thickness is insufficient for robust threads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting thread integrationVSAvoidthread robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the mounting thread function (fastening body) from the attachment function (retaining element), the solution allows robust threading to be provided externally without being constrained by the thin-walled component's material thickness. The fastening body can be designed with adequate material for strong threads independent of the component wall thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If rivet nuts are driven into components, then mounting threads are provided, but assembly time increases due to time-consuming procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting thread provisionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening body is pre-assembled with the retaining element (or can be easily assembled), allowing the entire fastening unit to be attached to the component in a single operation. This eliminates the multi-step driving process required for rivet nuts, significantly reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element is designed to self-secure the fastening body to the component through mechanisms such as snap hooks that engage with the component surface, friction-fit connections, or clamping actions. This self-securing mechanism eliminates the need for additional driving or fastening steps, reducing assembly complexity and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If rivet nuts are driven into components, then mounting threads are provided, but the assembly process requires complex procedures and tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting thread provisionVSAvoidassembly procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables the provision of a mounting thread on components without damaging the coating, reduces the risk of corrosion, and allows for one-man assembly, significantly reducing assembly time and complexity while enabling easy replacement of the fastening unit without replacing the entire component.

Implementation Method 1

one or more connecting parts of the retaining element are designed to be connected, by friction, to the retaining section of the fastening body. The friction-fit connection can, for example, be a clamping connection.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3673180B1Fixing unit

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a fixing unit for providing a mounting thread embodied as an internal screw thread on a component, particularly on a thin-walled component, with a fixing body, which carries the mounting thread and is designed to be arranged on a first side of the component, in the region of a recess extending through the component, and a holding element designed to be arranged on a second side of the component, in the region of the recess extending through the component and opposite the fixing body, and to hold the fixing body on the first side of the component.