Plug Joint Gripping Mechanism for Tolerance-Compensating Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection systems for prefabricated building components lack tolerance compensation and reusability, often requiring mortar and being difficult to disassemble.

Innovation Solution

A plug-in connection system featuring a first component with a cavity and a gripping mechanism, and a second component with cones that can be inserted into the first component, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly through a blocking plate and a gripping mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional connection systems are used for prefabricated building components, then assembly is possible, but tolerance compensation is not possible or only limited and reusability is impossible or very limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system allows for parameter changes in the form of adjustable positioning elements and flexible connection geometries that can adapt to dimensional variations in prefabricated components, enabling tolerance compensation while maintaining connection reliability through controlled parameter adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If mortar filling is used for butt joints in precast concrete elements, then connection strength is improved, but re-detachability becomes difficult or impossible and additional work is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidre-detachability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system segments the bonding function from the structural connection function, using separate bonding elements and connection elements that can be independently applied and removed, allowing strong connections that remain detachable without requiring mortar filling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary bonding elements and connection elements as mediators between the bonding component and structural component, enabling strong adhesion through these intermediaries while maintaining the ability to detach by removing the intermediaries without damaging the main components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If reusable connection systems are designed, then component reusability is improved, but connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system performs preliminary bonding and positioning actions through specially designed bonding elements and connection elements that create strong initial bonds, allowing the connection to be as strong as permanent connections while maintaining the capability for controlled detachment and reuse

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4176178B1Device for producing plug joints, method for producing the plug joints and use of the device

Publication Date: 2025.04.09 HMB GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for producing plug joints between at least two components (1, 2) which can be interlockingly connected to one other by means of their contact surfaces, wherein – the first component (1) has, for the purpose of forming a first joint component, at least one receiving part (4) which covers a hollow space (5) in which at least one gripping mechanism is arranged and – the second component (2) has, for the purpose of forming a joint component, at least one peg (9) for introduction into the gripping mechanism. - the gripping mechanism (7) associated with the joint component of the first component (1) has a free lateral slideability (20) within the hollow space (5) – the peg (9) associated with the joint component of the second component (2) can be adjusted in its axial direction.