Prefabricated Concrete Connection Anchoring Means Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing mechanical connections for prefabricated reinforced concrete articles face difficulties in assembly due to projecting male elements, which complicate the insertion of reinforcement and exceed safe lifting limits due to increased weight when anchoring means are integrated with plates during production.

Innovation Solution

The anchoring means are produced separately and inserted through flared holes in the plates, allowing easier reinforcement placement and reducing weight by enabling bayonet-type connections, thus simplifying the assembly process and adhering to safety regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If anchoring means are integrated with plates during production, then connection strength is improved, but weight increases beyond safe lifting limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidhandling weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring means are separated from the plates into independent components. The plates can be produced and handled separately from the anchoring bars, allowing the plates to remain within safe lifting weights while the anchoring means are added later during assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between connection strength and handling weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If male connection elements project from the first article, then connection capability is improved, but assembly difficulty increases due to interference with reinforcement insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement is inserted into the formwork before the anchoring means are positioned. This preliminary action allows the reinforcement to be placed without interference from the anchoring bars, which are added later. The connection capability is maintained because the anchoring means are still integrated into the final assembly, but the assembly difficulty is reduced by eliminating interference during the critical reinforcement insertion phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2381045B1Mechanical connection for prefabricated reinforced concrete articles, and their production method
Publication Date: 2013.04.03 RUREDIL SPA
  • EP2381045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2381045B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2381045B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The mechanical connection for prefabricated reinforced concrete articles comprises: a first plate (1) from which first anchoring means (3) project into a first article (30); a second plate (2) from which second anchoring means (4) project into a second article (31); means for fixing the first plate (1) to the second plate (2), comprising at least one female element (10-12) fixed to the second plate (2) such that the second front surface (6) is free, each female element (10-12) being accessible from the outside and being able to cooperate with a corresponding male element (13-15) removably coupled to the first plate (1) and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding anchoring hole (16-18) provided therein. The anchoring means (3, 4) are separate and are separated from the respective plates (1, 2), connection means (50, 56, 55) being provided, of the type which enables the anchoring means (3, 4) to be connected to the respective plates (1, 2) when necessary.