Interlocking Plates for Cross-Laminated Timber Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling cross-laminated timber structures, such as timber frame walls and CLT, face challenges including complex machining processes that waste wood material, are limited by machining techniques, and do not effectively prevent movement between wooden blades, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of interlocking plastic locking plates with complementary patterns on wooden blades, which lock in all directions without requiring wood machining, allowing for efficient assembly and reduced material waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional machining methods are used to join wooden blades, then the blades can be connected, but wood material is wasted and the process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
A metal connection element with L-shaped profile acts as an intermediary between two wooden blades. The connection element has first and second engagement portions that fit into grooves cut in the blades, providing a strong mechanical joint without requiring extensive wood removal. The connection element bridges the two blades through perpendicular engagement, solving the joining problem while preserving wood material.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion, a first engagement portion with first profile for the first blade, and a second engagement portion with second profile for the second blade. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall joining process and reducing material waste.
2Ease of manufacture
If grooves are cut in wooden blades for joining, then blades can be connected, but the machining process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cutting complex interlocking grooves directly into both blades to achieve a strong joint, the invention inverts the approach by using a pre-formed connection element with standardized engagement portions. The grooves are simply receptacles to receive these portions, dramatically simplifying the machining process while maintaining joint strength through the metal connection element.
3Reliability
If conventional joining methods are used, then wooden blades can be connected, but movement between blades cannot be effectively prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element features engagement portions with specific profiles designed to fit into corresponding grooves in the wooden blades. This local customization of the engagement portions provides precise geometric interlocking that prevents all types of movement between blades, while the rest of the connection element maintains a simple L-shaped structure for ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly of leaves (14, 16) for producing a structure of a wall or a lattice beam, the assembly comprising: - a first leaf (16) oriented along an axis (X) and comprising a front face (16a); - a second leaf (14) oriented along an axis (Y) and comprising a rear face (14b); - a contact region (18) of the front face (16a) of the first leaf (16) bearing in planar fashion against a complementary contact region (18) of the rear face (14b) of the second leaf (14); characterized in that it comprises two immobilizing plates (30), each of which is attached and fastened to the contact region (18) of an associated leaf (14, 16), the two immobilizing plates (30) comprising identical nesting patterns (36) that are designed to allow the two immobilizing plates (30) to nest.