Rotating Mandrel Connector for Concrete Component Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting concrete components, such as balcony slabs, face issues with differential sinking, visible grout, frost susceptibility, and the need for precise alignment and costly pouring processes, which are hindered by tolerances and require supports that cannot be removed during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a mandrel with a first end section that can be rotated and displaced in a first sleeve, and a second end section that can be inserted into a second sleeve with lateral offset, allowing for alignment compensation and eliminating the need for precise sleeve alignment and costly pouring processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sleeves are embedded in both components with precise alignment, then connection precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is designed with dynamic adjustment capability, allowing rotation and lateral displacement within the first sleeve to compensate for alignment tolerances. This transforms the rigid alignment requirement into a flexible adjustment process, enabling precise connection without requiring precisely aligned sleeves in both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the alignment parameters by allowing the mandrel to rotate and displace laterally within the first sleeve. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate tolerance variations and achieve precise connection without requiring precise sleeve alignment, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If recesses are filled with casting material to fix mandrel, then connection stability is improved, but work time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mandrel fixation requirement from the casting material process. Instead of relying on mortar hardening to secure the mandrel, the design uses the sleeve- mandrel mechanical fit and adjustment mechanism to achieve stable connection, eliminating the need to wait for material hardening.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical fixation process (mortar hardening) with a mechanical fixation system. The mandrel is secured through its geometric fit within the sleeve and the adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for casting material and associated hardening wait times.
3Reliability
If swellable mortar is used to counteract shrinkage cracks, then crack resistance is improved, but application constraints and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the crack resistance function from the swellable mortar. By using the mechanical adjustment mechanism of the mandrel within the sleeve, the system prevents cracks through proper alignment and stress distribution, eliminating the need for swellable mortar and its associated application constraints.
4Manufacturing precision
If supports are used to hold components in orientation, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and removal difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the alignment function with the connection mechanism itself. The mandrel and sleeve assembly serves dual purposes: it connects the components and provides the alignment adjustment capability, eliminating the need for separate support structures and simplifying the overall device.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a device for connecting two components (40, 50) in a specific relative orientation using a mandrel (30) and a first sleeve (10), wherein the first sleeve (10) can be embedded flush with the edge of one of the two components (40) and the mandrel (30) can be inserted into this first sleeve (10) with a first end section (31) and is designed with its opposite, second end section (32) to engage in the other concrete component (50), the invention proposes that the mandrel (30) is rotatable in the first sleeve (10) about a first axis and that the device comprises a second sleeve (20) which can be embedded flush with the edge of the other component (50) and into which the mandrel (30) can be inserted with its second end section (32) in several rotational positions with respect to a second axis. The mandrel (30) is fixed in the second sleeve in the respective rotational position and is thus rotationally fixed.In at least one of the two sleeves (10, 20), the mandrel is displaceable transversely to its respective axis. The second axis is aligned parallel to the first axis with a lateral offset. This allows any mutual offset of the first (10) relative to the second sleeve (20) to be compensated for by rotating and/or laterally displacing the mandrel (30).