Curtain Wall Claw Arm Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connecting devices for glass curtain wall units are inefficient and prone to reducing the glass strength due to the need for drilling holes, which can lead to security issues and increased assembly time.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device featuring a cross-shaped claw arm with clamping plates that clamp adjacent curtain wall units without the need for holes, providing stability and security by distributing the weight through a hidden claw arm system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If holes are provided on the glass curtain wall units for assembly, then connecting elements can be inserted to joint the units, but the glass strength is reduced and security problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connecting mechanism from the glass units themselves by using a separate claw-shaped connector with a claw arm that clamps the glass units at their edges. This eliminates the need to create holes in the glass, thereby preserving glass strength while still enabling assembly through the claw arm's clamping action on the glass unit edges
2Ease of manufacture
If holes are drilled on the four corners of glass curtain wall units, then connecting elements can be inserted, but assembly time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the connection function from hole-drilling operations and replacing it with a clamp-based system, the invention eliminates the time-consuming hole drilling process. The claw arm can be directly attached to the glass unit edges without requiring pre-drilled holes, significantly reducing assembly time and improving manufacturing efficiency
3Ease of manufacture
If claw-shaped connectors are used to couple glass curtain wall units to supporting structure, then the units can be assembled, but the connecting mechanism is visible and aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies the nesting principle by positioning the claw arm within the space between adjacent glass curtain wall units. The claw arm is nested in the gap between units, making it invisible from the exterior view while still providing the necessary structural connection. This maintains the clean aesthetic appearance of the glass facade while preserving assembly capability
4Ease of manufacture
If connecting elements are inserted into holes to joint glass curtain wall units, then the units can be connected, but the glass units become more vulnerable to breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connection mechanism from the glass body by using edge clamping instead of hole insertion. The claw arm clamps the glass units at their edges, distributing the connection force along the edge rather than concentrating stress at hole locations. This eliminates the stress concentration points that would make the glass vulnerable to breaking, thereby improving security and durability while maintaining connection capability
Data Source
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AI summary
A connecting device for curtain wall units is disclosed. The connecting device comprises: a claw arm having a horizontal arm for carrying the curtain wall units; a plurality of clamping plates, each two clamping plates fixed on the horizontal arm to clamp the curtain wall units; and a claw base connected to the claw arm and a supporting structure of the curtain wall units. The weight of curtain wall is supported by the claw arm of the connecting device, andpoint-supported type clamping of the curtain wall is realized by the clamping plates on the end of the claw arm, which enables the stability and security of the structure of curtain wall. The claw arm is hidden in the space between the curtain walls, and thus the whole appearance of curtain wall is beautified. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to provide through holes on the glass wall units.