Concrete Connecting Device with Profiled Storage Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for precast concrete structures, whether using rigid reinforcement steel or flexible rope elements, face challenges in effectively transmitting transverse forces without causing excessive stress or deformation, and often require laborious assembly and large storage boxes.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a storage box featuring alternating bottom and side wall profiles with projections and recesses, optimized to interlock with concrete, reduces stress and deformation, enhancing transverse force transmission through a high degree of intermeshing and efficient force distribution within the grouting joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid reinforcement steel is used in storage boxes, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and labor consumption increase due to re-bending requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reusable rigid reinforcement steel with disposable flexible rope elements that are pre-formed and require no re-bending. These rope elements are inserted into the storage box in their final configuration, eliminating the labor-intensive re-bending process while maintaining connection strength through the flexibility and pre-formed loop structure of the rope elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid steel to flexible rope, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties of the reinforcement element. This parameter change allows the element to be pre-formed in its final loop configuration without requiring re-bending, while the flexibility actually improves its ability to accommodate assembly variations and distribute stresses.
2Ease of operation
If flexible rope elements are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but transverse force transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage box bottom into multiple protrusions and recesses that create discrete interlocking points with the concrete. This segmentation allows the flexible rope elements to be anchored at multiple distributed locations, enabling them to effectively transmit transverse forces through the grout joint while maintaining their assembly advantages. The segmented profile creates a framework model with tension and compression struts that the rope elements can utilize.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining flexible rope elements with a rigid storage box structure that has a profiled bottom. The rope elements provide flexibility for easy assembly, while the profiled storage box bottom provides rigid anchoring points and a framework for force transmission. This composite approach allows the flexible elements to benefit from the rigid structure's force transmission capability while retaining their assembly advantages.
3Ease of manufacture
If storage box bottom is flat, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but interlocking with concrete and force transmission deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating protrusions and recesses only in specific locations on the storage box bottom, rather than making the entire bottom complex. These localized features provide the necessary interlocking with concrete and anchoring points for force transmission, while the majority of the bottom surface remains simple and easy to manufacture. The local modifications are precisely where needed to improve reliability without significantly increasing overall manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
A connecting device (1) for the shear-force connection of concrete components (20), in particular prefabricated concrete components, comprises: an elongate protective box (2) for fitting in an end face (20') of the components (20), which comprises a bottom (5) and at least two side walls (6) extending in a longitudinal direction of the bottom; at least one flexible reinforcing loop element (3) which can be accommodated in the protective box (2) and can be moved out of the latter; characterized in that the bottom (5) has a bottom profiling with groups of bottom projections (7) and bottom depressions (7') alternating in the longitudinal direction, wherein each group has at least one bottom projection (7) or at least one bottom depression (7').