Concealed Structural Connector With Perforated Plate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concealed connectors require time-consuming alignment processes or use softer materials that compromise structural integrity and load-bearing capacity, particularly when attaching structural components with fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A concealed connector with a connection plate featuring pre-formed perforations that allow fasteners to deform the plate for secure attachment, ensuring alignment without jigs and enabling use of stronger materials like steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-formed openings are provided in the connection plate, then alignment and installation are simplified, but the strength and load-bearing capacity of the connector is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection plate is segmented into a solid region and a perforated region with pre-formed openings. The solid region maintains structural strength and load-bearing capacity, while the perforated region enables easy alignment and installation of fasteners. This segmentation allows the plate to simultaneously achieve both strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connection plate have different properties: the solid region provides strength and stiffness, while the perforated region provides ease of fastener installation. This local differentiation of properties allows the single component to satisfy multiple requirements without compromising overall performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If softer materials like aluminum are used for the connection plate, then fasteners can easily penetrate without jigs, but the structural integrity and strength are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the material parameter (using softer aluminum), the invention changes the geometric parameter by introducing pre-formed openings in a perforated region. This allows hard materials like steel to be used while maintaining ease of fastener installation, thereby preserving structural integrity and strength.
3Strength
If conventional connectors without pre-formed openings are used, then stronger materials can be used, but time-consuming alignment processes are required using jigs
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-formed openings are created during the manufacturing process before installation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment procedures and jig work during installation, while allowing the use of stronger materials like steel that maintain structural integrity.
4Strength
If the connection plate is made of harder materials like steel, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but fasteners cannot easily penetrate without pre-formed openings
Solution Approach 1:
The connection plate is divided into a solid region that provides strength and a perforated region with pre-formed openings that enable easy fastener installation. This segmentation allows hard materials to be used while maintaining ease of manufacture and fastener penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-formed openings are created during manufacturing as a preliminary action, preparing the plate for easy fastener installation. This allows harder materials like steel to be used without compromising ease of manufacture, as the openings are already formed before installation.
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
Facilitates quick and secure attachment of structural components while maintaining high load-bearing capacity and minimizing thread-jacking, using thinner, stronger materials that can be easily aligned and installed with conventional tools.
Implementation Method 1
the fastener passing through any location within the subregion of the perforated region engages and deforms the connection plate to attach the connection plate to the first structural component
Data Source
AI summary
A concealed connector for connecting a first structural component to a second structural component includes a connection portion and a connection plate. The connection portion attaches to the second structural component. The connection plate attaches to the first structural component. The connection plate is coupled to the connection portion and extends into a slot in the first structural component. The connection plate has a perforated region that is penetrated by at least one fastener to attach the connection plate to the first structural component. The perforated region is deformed by the at least one fastener to permit the at least one fastener to penetrate the perforated region of the connection plate.