Concrete Reinforcement Spacer Structure for Easy Dragging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spacers for concrete reinforcements, such as lattice girders with triangular or trapezoidal cross sections, are difficult to drag across reinforcement mats due to their design, necessitating a need for new spacer types and production methods that simplify handling and material efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving at least six parallel longitudinal rods forming a lattice structure with transverse rods connected perpendicularly, where the transverse rods are cut at an angle to create oblique ends and then bent to produce spacers with minimal overhang, allowing for easy dragging and stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If lattice girders with triangular or trapezoidal cross section are used as spacers, then high strength is achieved with minimal material, but they are difficult to drag across the bottom reinforcement mat

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidease of dragging
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is divided into multiple longitudinal rods (at least three) connected by transverse rods, forming a lattice structure. This segmentation allows the spacer to maintain high strength through the distributed framework while reducing material usage compared to solid cross-sections. The segmented design also creates a flatter profile that facilitates dragging across reinforcement mats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional triangular or trapezoidal cross-sections to a lattice structure with multiple longitudinal rods connected by transverse rods. This dimensional reconfiguration creates a flatter, more drag-friendly profile while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed lattice framework. The lattice structure effectively redistributes strength across multiple elements rather than concentrating it in a solid form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of substance

If transverse rods are cut at an angle to create oblique ends, then material overhang is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial overhangVSAvoidease of production
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse rods are pre-cut at angles before being attached to the longitudinal rods. This preliminary action ensures that when the lattice structure is assembled and bent into the final spacer configuration, the transverse rod ends align precisely with the outer longitudinal rods, minimizing material overhang. By performing the cutting operation before assembly, the manufacturing process becomes more efficient and less complex than attempting to achieve precise alignment through post-assembly adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2942448B1Spacer for concrete reinforcements
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 INTERSIG NV
  • EP2942448B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2942448B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2942448B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The present invention relates to spacers for concrete reinforcements, comprising three parallel longitudinal rods, connected to each other by transverse rods which run perpendicular to and are laterally connected to the longitudinal rods; characterized in that the transverse rods do not project, or at most project 1 mm, beyond the outer longitudinal rods. The invention furthermore relates to methods of producing such spacers.