Connector Assembly Angular Limiting Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wind bracing strap connectors allow for improper installation angles, leading to potential failure and compromised bracing due to the lack of angular limitations in pivoting connections, often requiring additional material layers for connection strength.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with arcuate and fastener apertures that limit the relative positions of connectors to a 45-degree rotation, ensuring proper angular alignment and distributing tensile loads effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple pivot connection is used for wind bracing straps, then the connector allows for easy adjustment and installation, but it does not limit the angle of installation, leading to potential improper installation and structural failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows movement during installation but automatically limits the range of motion to a safe angular range (30-60 degrees) through the arcuate aperture geometry, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and installation safety
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate aperture acts as an intermediary element between the pivot connection and the structural member, mediating the angular relationship by physically constraining the connector to rotate only within the safe angular range while still allowing adjustment
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple pivot connection is used without angular limitations, then the connector is easy to install, but it allows installation at incorrect angles outside the certified safe range, compromising structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate aperture is pre-configured with a specific geometric shape that defines the acceptable angular range (30-60 degrees) before installation occurs, ensuring that proper angular alignment is built into the connector design itself rather than relying on installer precision
3Strength
If additional material layers are added to achieve connection strength through a pivot, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector merges the pivot connection function and the angular limitation function into a single integrated component, where the arcuate aperture both enables rotation and constrains it, eliminating the need for additional material layers while maintaining connection strength
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector. The first connector comprises a first pivot aperture defining a centre of a first circumference and one or more arcuate apertures, each of the one or more arcuate apertures being arranged at a selected position on the first circumference. The second connector comprises a second pivot aperture defining a centre of a second circumference and one or more fastener apertures arranged on the second circumference. The first circumference and the second circumference are each arranged at the same radial distance (r) from their respective pivot apertures. The one or more arcuate apertures and the one or more fastener apertures are configured such that when a pivot member is received in the first and second pivot apertures in use, the first connector and the second connector may be arranged in use in a limited range of relative positions to one another in which at least one of the one or more fastener apertures is aligned with one of the one or more arcuate apertures such that a fastener may be received simultaneously in the aligned arcuate aperture and fastener aperture, and the first connector and the second connector may rotate relative to one another. The one or more arcuate apertures and the one or more fastener apertures are configured such that relative rotation between the first connector and the second connector is constrained to a limited angular range around the pivot. The present invention also relates to a connector for use in the connector assembly, and to a method of forming a connection using the connector assembly.