Multipurpose Concrete Anchor Clip With Asymmetric Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector designs for steel stud framing systems often fail to effectively resist uplift, horizontal, and rotational loads, leading to inefficiencies in securing metal studs to floors and other support structures.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose connector with unequal flanges and a tab extension, designed for progressive die stamping, which accommodates a heavy bolted connection and includes a recess for optimal material usage, featuring fastener openings of varying shapes to handle diverse loads and support structures, including masonry and concrete foundations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional L-shaped connector designs are used to interconnect metal studs with support structures, then the connection is simple to manufacture and install, but the connector cannot effectively resist uplift, horizontal and rotational loads
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional flanges (first flange with first tab, second flange with second tab) that can independently resist different types of loads. Each flange can be optimally shaped for its specific loading condition, allowing the overall connector to handle complex multi-directional forces while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs asymmetric flange designs where the first flange and second flange have different geometries optimized for their respective loading conditions. The tabs extend in different directions and have different shapes, allowing each flange to efficiently resist specific load types (uplift, horizontal, rotational) while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If a heavy duty connector design is implemented to resist multiple loads, then load resistance is improved, but material consumption and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves multiple functions simultaneously - the first flange resists uplift loads while the second flange resists horizontal and rotational loads. The asymmetric tab design allows each flange to be optimized for its specific function, reducing material usage compared to a symmetric design that would require excess material to handle all load types equally.
Solution Approach 2:
Material is strategically distributed throughout the connector structure, with thicker sections and extended tabs positioned specifically where loads are applied. The first tab extends from the first flange to resist uplift, while the second tab extends from the second flange to resist horizontal and rotational loads, ensuring material is present only where structurally necessary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional connector designs are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but the connectors cannot accommodate diverse support structures including masonry and concrete foundations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed as a universal connection element that can attach to multiple support structure types (wooden floors, masonry, concrete foundations) through its two flanges. The first flange can engage with wooden subfloors while the second flange accommodates masonry anchors or concrete embedments, allowing a single connector design to serve multiple architectural applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-flange design segments the connection interface, allowing each flange to be optimized for different support structure materials and attachment methods. This segmentation enables the connector to adapt to diverse building construction types without requiring multiple specialized connector designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector with two flanges for making a variety of connections between structural members, in particular cold formed steel structural members, with the added utility of a accommodating a heavy bolted connection to one of the structural members with an extended tab on one flange that matches a recess on the other for optimal material consumption and minimal waste in manufacturing.