Cast-in Concrete Connector with Adjustable Fastening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fixing beams or load-bearing elements to concrete structures are challenging due to the difficulty in accurately positioning bolts within hardened concrete, often resulting in costly delays and complications from clashes with steel reinforcements.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a container-like design featuring a front and rear plate, side walls, and moveable fastening means that can be cast into concrete, allowing for adjustable positioning and distribution of force through multiple slots and friction locks, along with anchor studs for enhanced strength and insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If bolts are cast into concrete structures during construction, then the beam can be fastened to the bolts and secured to the wall, but it is difficult to cast bolts into the wall in the correct position to secure the member in the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a container-like holder that is cast into the concrete structure, and a separate fastening means that is inserted later. This segmentation allows the positioning function to be separated from the fastening function, enabling precise positioning through the holder's design while maintaining ease of installation through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The container-like holder is cast into the concrete structure in advance with pre-defined slot positions, creating a prepared receiving structure before the actual fastening operation. This preliminary action establishes the correct positioning framework within the concrete, allowing subsequent fastening means to be accurately positioned without the difficulty of casting bolts directly into hardened concrete.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drilling holes into hardened concrete structure and fixing bolts is used, then beams can be fixed to walls, but hole locations often clash with steel reinforcements causing additional costs and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates moveable fastening means that can be positioned at different locations within the holder's slots, providing dynamic adaptability to avoid steel reinforcements. This allows the fastening position to be adjusted during installation without requiring a fixed predetermined hole location, thereby avoiding clashes with reinforcement bars and the associated delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot dimensions and holder geometry are designed to accommodate variations in fastening position, allowing adjustment of the fastening means within a range of positions. This parameter flexibility enables the connection to be made at optimal locations that avoid reinforcement intersections, eliminating the need for additional drilling operations and reducing construction time.
3Strength
If multiple slots and fastening means are used, then force can be distributed effectively and positioning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides positioning guidance through its slots, supports multiple fastening means for force distribution, and acts as the anchoring element cast into the concrete. This multi-functionality allows the achievement of strength and flexibility without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single component performs several critical roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder and multiple fastening means are combined into an integrated connector assembly where the holder's structural elements serve both as the mounting framework and as part of the force distribution system. By merging the positioning structure with the fastening mechanism, the design achieves enhanced strength through multiple fastening points while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprising a container-like fastener holder (4) of finite depth with a front (6) and a rear plate and side walls (8) wherein the rear wall and substantially the whole depth of the holder can be cast into a concrete structure to form a space within the concrete structure, fastening means (12) which can assume a range of positions within the holder (4) and a move able connection part (16) or device which can be fastened to the front plate (6) by the fastening means (12).