90-Degree Bent Metal Bracket for Wood Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for wooden structures, such as those in house constructions made of solid wood with the 'crosslam' typology, require multiple reinforcements to handle various stresses like tension and shear, leading to increased manufacturing costs and space requirements, and often necessitate uniform thickness in adjacent floors for effective holddown forces.

Innovation Solution

A metal bracket connection system with a 90° bent steel plate featuring smaller diameter holes for nails or smooth screws and larger diameter holes for fully threaded screws at a specific angle, which eliminates the need for additional reinforcements by addressing both tension and shear stresses simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multiple reinforcements are added to the angle bracket to handle various stresses, then the strength and stiffness of the connector are improved, but the manufacturing cost and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength and stiffness of connectorVSAvoidnumber of reinforcements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a single angle bracket design that can handle multiple types of stresses (tension perpendicular to the bend and shear parallel to the bend) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement elements for each stress type. The connector serves universal functions for both tension and shear resistance through its geometric configuration and material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of multiple separate reinforcement elements into a single integrated angle bracket structure. By merging tension resistance and shear resistance capabilities into one component, the design reduces the total number of parts while maintaining or improving overall structural performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the angle bracket is designed with additional reinforcements to increase stiffness, then the resistance to deformation under shear stress is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to deformationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves increased stiffness and resistance to deformation by optimizing the geometric parameters of the angle bracket itself, such as the thickness of the plate and the dimensions of the flanges, rather than adding more reinforcement elements. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the required structural performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If different types of connectors are used for tension and shear stresses, then the specific performance for each stress type is optimized, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance for specific stress typesVSAvoidnumber of connector types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal angle bracket connector that reliably handles both tension and shear stresses simultaneously, eliminating the need to select between different connector types based on the dominant stress type. The single connector design maintains reliability for both stress conditions through its integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If the connector height is increased to accommodate multiple reinforcements, then the strength is improved, but the connector protrudes from the ground and requires more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of connectionVSAvoidheight of connector
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple reinforcement functions into a single planar angle bracket structure, achieving high strength without increasing the vertical height of the connector. The integrated design maintains a compact profile while providing robust connection capabilities through optimized material distribution and geometric configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3568535B1Wood constructions with connecting system
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 ROTHO BLAAS GMBH SRL
  • EP3568535B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3568535B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

What is described is a connecting system for wood constructions, composed of a connecting piece (1) which has a metal plate which is bent substantially through 90°+-5° to form an angle piece, wherein the plate of the connecting piece has a row of holes which connects a first wood construction part to a second wood construction part, wherein the two wood construction parts form a substantial right angle, and the connecting piece is fastened with a first row of full-thread screws, which are introduced into the holes (7), with an angle (a) between 60°-85° formed by the screw and the plate (5) in which the holes are arranged, and wherein these holes are arranged substantially adjacent to the fold with a maximum spacing of 25 mm, and the connecting piece is fastened with a second row of nails and/or screws in the holes (8), wherein the second screws/nails have a length which is less than that of the first row of full-thread screws (9) and are introduced substantially perpendicularly into the holes with respect to the corresponding plate and into the two wood construction parts.