ICF Structural Connector with Longitudinal Cavity for Axial Movement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing structural components like floor joists and beams in insulated concrete formwork (ICF) are labor-intensive and prone to errors, with existing connectors often requiring skilled labor and temporary supports that can interfere with the bracing system during concrete pouring.
Innovation Solution
A structural connector system comprising a front surface for attaching to the ICF, a connecting piece for securing secondary structural components, and a flange that defines a longitudinal cavity to prevent axial movement of these components during concrete pouring, allowing for easier installation and reduced labor requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anchor bolts with ledger board are used, then structural components can be secured to ICF, but the installation becomes labor intensive and requires multiple steps including cutting holes, lifting heavy ledger boards, and temporary fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: a first portion that interfaces with the ICF wall, a second portion that interfaces with the structural component, and a connecting member that joins them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the installation process by eliminating the need for heavy ledger boards and multiple fastening steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to be installed before the concrete pour, with the ICF portion pre-positioned and secured to the wall. This preliminary installation establishes the structural connection in advance, eliminating the need for post-pour adjustments and reducing overall installation time while maintaining connection reliability.
2Productivity
If one piece hanger with round cylinders is used, then structural components can be anchored directly to concrete core, but the hanger requires very high level of expertise to install and position precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The connector separates the ICF interface portion from the structural component interface portion, allowing for easier positioning and installation. The segmented design eliminates the need for precise positioning of single-piece hangers during concrete pouring, reducing the skill level required while maintaining installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting member acts as an intermediary between the ICF wall and the structural component, providing a simplified installation interface. This intermediary element eliminates the need for high-level expertise in positioning round cylinder hangers, making the installation process easier while maintaining efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If temporary ledger supports are installed to hold hangers in position, then hangers remain stable during concrete pour, but the ledgers get in the way of the temporary bracing system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the temporary ledger support from the system by integrating the support function directly into the connector design. The connector's ICF portion serves as the support structure, removing the need for separate temporary ledgers that would interfere with the bracing system, thus simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining hanger position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector merges the support function and the connection function into a single integrated component. By combining the ICF interface portion, connecting member, and structural component interface portion into one unified connector system, the invention eliminates the need for separate temporary ledgers, reducing system complexity while maintaining stability.
4Reliability
If multiple fastening steps and temporary fastenings are used, then structural components can be securely attached, but the installation process becomes more time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed for preliminary installation before the concrete pour, with the ICF portion pre-positioned and secured. This preliminary action establishes the secure attachment in advance, eliminating the need for multiple post-pour fastening steps and reducing overall installation time while maintaining attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated component that provides secure attachment through its design rather than through multiple separate fastening operations. This merging of functions reduces the number of installation steps and time required while maintaining the security of the attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a structural connector for use with insulated concrete formwork (ICF), comprising: a front surface designed for fastening to the ICF with a connecting piece, wherein the connecting piece is for connecting through the ICF with a secondary structural component; a rear surface designed for receiving a distal end of the connecting piece; and a flange connecting the front surface to the rear surface and defining a longitudinal cavity for receiving a body of the connecting piece, wherein, the structural connector is configured such that upon a concrete pour to form a concrete wall, the structural connector secures the secondary structural component to the ICF and operates as an anchor preventing axial movement of the secondary structural component relative to the ICF.