Toggle Fastener With Guide Element for Tool-Free Bracket Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toggle dowels are difficult to assemble due to the need for additional tools to tilt and tighten the bracket element, which complicates the mounting process.

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 and be guided during assembly, eliminating the need for additional tools and ensuring proper alignment.

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 standard orientations, but additional tools are required to tilt and tighten the bracket element when installing in different directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation orientationVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is designed to automatically guide the bracket element during the tilting and tightening process without requiring external tools or manual intervention. The guide element works passively with the screw element to achieve self-alignment and self-guidance, eliminating the need for additional tools while maintaining installation versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the bracket element is designed to tilt automatically, then standard assembly directions work without additional tools, but the bracket element twists when the screw element is actuated, requiring torque absorption with additional tools or manual pressing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tiltingVSAvoidmounting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element acts as an intermediary component between the screw element and the bracket element. It mediates the interaction during tightening, preventing unwanted twisting while allowing the necessary tilting motion. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall mounting process by eliminating the need for torque absorption mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the bracket element must be pulled against the mounting surface to tighten the screw, then the screw can be secured, but the mounting process becomes more time-consuming and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoidmounting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element enables the bracket element to self-align and self-guide during the tightening process. As the screw element is actuated, the guide element automatically positions the bracket element correctly, eliminating the need for manual pulling or pressing actions. This self-service mechanism maintains secure fastening while significantly improving mounting speed

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 design simplifies the assembly process by allowing the bracket element to be automatically guided into position, reducing the need for manual alignment and torque absorption, making the toggle dowel easier to install in various orientations.

Implementation Method 1

The nut element is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis in at least one bearing opening in the bracket element. The bracket element can be pivoted around the nut element when the nut element is stationary.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

The tilting dowel also has at least one guide element for guiding the bracket element when the screw element is actuated. At least one of the guide elements provides a guide for the bracket element when moving from the mounting position into the fastening position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Guided Rotor Compressor

Implementation Method 3

a screw element extending along a central axis with an external thread, a bracket element extending along a main axis and a nut element with an internal thread into which the external thread engages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew thread engagement: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3797661B1Toggle fastener
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3797661B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3797661B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3797661B1 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.