Rod Connector Release Structure With Bridged Flange Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for releasably engaging rods, particularly in timber structures, are difficult to produce, operate, and perform effectively.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring an engagement body with a tapering cavity, gripping segments biased by a spring, and a release member with a pusher collar and bridges connecting the cap sleeve to the engagement body, allowing easy operation and unobstructed access for release, facilitated by a U-shaped release wedge and handling fork.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tubular housing surrounds the flange to connect the cap sleeve to the engagement body, then the connection is structurally sound, but the access of the flange is obstructed during release operations
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular housing is segmented into multiple bridges that extend between the engagement body and cap sleeve. These bridges penetrate through the release member, creating gaps that allow unobstructed access to the flange while maintaining structural connection. The segmentation transforms a continuous obstructive structure into discrete connection elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridges serve as intermediary elements that transmit mechanical connection between the engagement body and cap sleeve while allowing passage of the release member's flange. The bridges mediate between the conflicting requirements of structural integrity and operational accessibility by providing connection paths that do not block the flange's movement.
2Ease of manufacture
If the connector design is simplified for easy production, then manufacturing cost decreases, but operational effort and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The release member is nested within the engagement body, with its flange positioned between the cap sleeve and engagement body. The pusher collar of the release member is received within the engagement body's cavity, allowing compact arrangement that simplifies assembly while maintaining ease of operation through the nested configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex external mechanisms for release, the design inverts the approach by having the release member integrated within the engagement body itself. The flange and pusher collar are positioned to directly interact with internal components, reversing the traditional external actuation approach and simplifying both manufacturing and operation.
3Reliability
If gripping segments are biased strongly towards the taper by the spring, then initial engagement of the rod is secure, but release operation requires excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The spring bias force is extracted and concentrated at the gripping segments that contact the rod, rather than requiring uniform strong biasing throughout the entire connector. The spring provides localized engagement force where needed, while the release member's pusher collar provides localized release force, creating a balanced system that is both secure and easy to operate.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces operational effort during installation and release, provides robust and reliable connections, and enables efficient transfer of tensile and compressive forces in timber structures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring for biasing the at least one gripping segment towards the taper
Implementation Method 2
the cavity has a taper, which converges towards the insertion opening... when the rod is pulled out of the engagement body via the insertion opening
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 6
AI summary
Connector for releasably engaging a rod, comprising an engagement body having a cavity for receiving the rod, wherein the cavity has a taper, which converges towards an insertion opening, gripping segments for gripping the rod, which are arranged within the cavity, a spring for biasing the gripping segments towards the taper, a cap sleeve, which is aligned with the cavity of the engagement body, so that the rod can be passed through the cap sleeve into the cavity, a release member, which comprises a flange that is arranged between the cap sleeve and the engagement body, and which further comprises a pusher collar that projects from the flange into the cavity of the engagement body for pushing the gripping segments away from the taper of the engagement body, so as to release the gripping segments from gripping the rod. The connector further comprises a bridge, which extends between the engagement body and the cap sleeve so as to connect the cap sleeve and the engagement body, wherein the bridge penetrates through the release member.