Toggle bolt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toggle dowels are difficult to assemble due to the need for additional tools and manual alignment, and the bracket element often twists during screw tightening, making the mounting process time-consuming and complicated.

Innovation Solution

A toggle dowel design featuring a screw element with an external thread, a bracket element with a nut element having an internal thread, and guide elements that allow the bracket element to pivot automatically when the screw element is actuated, eliminating the need for additional tools and ensuring proper alignment and torque absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket element is designed to automatically tilt due to lever conditions, then the toggle dowel can be installed in different directions, but the bracket element twists when the screw element is actuated, requiring additional tools or manual pressing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation directionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the bracket element and the screw element. This guide element provides a guide surface that directs the bracket element during actuation, preventing unwanted twisting while maintaining the automatic tilting capability for different installation directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is designed to work passively with the bracket element's natural tilting motion. As the screw element is actuated, the bracket element automatically follows the guide surface of the guide element, eliminating the need for additional tools or manual intervention to control the tilting motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket element is allowed to pivot freely, then the toggle dowel can be installed in various orientations, but the bracket element rotates uncontrollably during assembly, requiring manual alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation orientationVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element acts as a mediator that constrains the bracket element's motion. The guide surface provides a defined path for the bracket element to follow during assembly, ensuring precise alignment while still allowing the bracket to pivot into the correct orientation for various installation positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is pre-positioned in the screw element before assembly begins. This preliminary positioning establishes the correct alignment path in advance, guiding the bracket element as it pivots into place without requiring manual alignment during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the bracket element is pressed against the mounting surface to tighten the screw, then torque absorption is ensured, but the mounting process becomes more time-consuming and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque absorptionVSAvoidmounting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element automatically ensures proper torque absorption during the tightening process. As the screw element is actuated, the guide element maintains the bracket element in the correct position against the mounting surface, eliminating the need for the installer to manually press or hold the bracket while tightening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element serves as a mediator that transfers and distributes the tightening force evenly. This ensures reliable torque absorption and prevents bracket element deformation or misalignment during the tightening process, while requiring no additional manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3741275B1Toggle bolt
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3741275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741275B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3741275B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A toggle bolt (1) comprises a screw element (2) extending along a central axis (M) with an external thread (3), a stirrup element (4) extending along a principal axis (H), and a nut element (5) with an internal thread (6) into which the external thread (3) engages. The nut element (5) is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (S) in at least one bearing opening (7) in the stirrup element (4). The stirrup element (4) is pivotable from a mounting position in which the principal axis (H) runs substantially parallel to the central axis (M) to a fastening position in which the principal axis (H) runs substantially transversely to the central axis (M). The stirrup element (4) is movable in the direction of the central axis (M) when the screw element (2) is actuated. Furthermore, the toggle bolt (1) has at least one guide element (8, 9) for guiding the stirrup element (4) when the screw element (2) is actuated.