Purlin Beam Connectable Terminals for Rapid Shuttering Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing purlin beams for concrete shuttering do not facilitate rapid and efficient assembly and disassembly, particularly for reinforced concrete floors, as they lack effective connectable terminals that allow easy and interference-free connection and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A purlin beam with cast terminals, such as high-strength malleable cast iron or steel, featuring a tilting catch and horizontal latch mechanism, allowing for easy connection and disconnection by sliding and tilting, with centring projections and guides for precise alignment and support, and recesses for interference-free turning during disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional purlin beams without connectable terminals are used, then the structure is simple, but assembly and disassembly are time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into distinct functional components: a catch element for engagement, a latch mechanism for securing, and centring projections for alignment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling rapid assembly while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as an integrated casting.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal design enables self-alignment through centring projections that automatically guide adjacent beams into proper position during assembly. The catch and latch mechanism automatically engages when beams are brought together, reducing the need for manual alignment and positioning operations.
2Loss of time
If connectable terminals with catch and latch mechanisms are added, then assembly becomes rapid and efficient, but the terminal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The catch, latch, and centring projections are merged into a single integrated terminal component that is cast as one piece. This combining of multiple functional elements into a unified structure reduces the number of separate parts to be assembled, thereby speeding up the assembly process while the complexity is confined to the terminal manufacturing process rather than the field assembly process.
3Manufacturing precision
If vertical guides and centring projections are incorporated, then alignment precision between adjacent beams is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centring projections and vertical guides are pre-formed as integral features of the cast terminal structure. This preliminary formation of alignment features during the casting process eliminates the need for separate alignment operations or additional manufacturing steps after the terminal is produced, achieving high alignment precision without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a beam comprising ends that can be attached to one another, such that one of the ends is equipped with front projections for guiding the vertical movement of the other end which is equipped with guides having a shape that matches that of the projections. In addition, one of the ends comprises lower projecting arms for supporting the other end once the latter is in place, thereby defining a single contact zone that enables the supported end to be detached during disassembly by rotating same on the contact zone.