Rotating Wedge Connecting Device for Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for connecting wall and ceiling components in building construction are prone to unintentional loosening before in-situ concrete fixation, due to the bracing mechanism not being secure against rotation-induced stress.
Innovation Solution
The connecting device features a rotating body with an opening that narrows in width below its diameter, creating a wedging effect when tensile forces are applied, ensuring the rotating body becomes wedged and secure, with a constant wedge angle and varying radii to enhance clamping force, and a locking mechanism to prevent rotation beyond a certain torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotary body is used to connect wall and ceiling components, then the connection can be adjusted and assembled, but the connection may unintentionally loosen before concrete fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of tensile forces into a beneficial locking mechanism. The opening's narrowing section creates a wedge effect where tensile forces from the rotary body's eccentric coupling are transformed into radial clamping forces that press the rotary body against the connecting body, preventing loosening instead of causing it.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrowing section of the opening acts as an intermediary element between the rotary body and the connecting body. This geometric feature mediates the force transmission, converting linear tensile forces into radial clamping forces through the wedge effect, thereby creating a stable connection without direct friction or complex locking mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the opening has a constant width, then the structure is simple, but the rotating body cannot be securely wedged to prevent loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a narrowing section at a specific location within the opening. Rather than making the entire opening complex, only a localized portion has the constricting geometry, providing the necessary wedging action while keeping the rest of the opening simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening's geometry changes from a constant width to a variable width profile with a specific narrowing section. This parameter change creates the wedge angle necessary for generating clamping forces, transforming the opening from a simple circular hole to a functionally optimized geometry that prevents loosening.
3Ease of operation
If the rotary body is freely rotatable, then assembly is easy, but torque can cause unintentional loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of torque into a beneficial locking mechanism. The wedge effect in the narrowing opening section transforms torque-induced tensile forces into radial clamping forces that press the rotary body against the connecting body, creating friction that resists further rotation and prevents loosening.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device is self-locking through the wedge effect. Once the rotary body enters the narrowing section during assembly, the tensile forces generated by the eccentric coupling automatically create clamping forces that lock the rotary body in place without requiring additional locking components or operations.
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 device securely locks the connection, preventing loosening even under torque, ensuring a stable assembly before in-situ concrete fixation, thus preventing unintended loosening during the concrete pouring phase.
Implementation Method 1
the opening has an extension which narrows in width below the diameter of the rotating body and extends counter to the tensile force exerted by the rotating body on the other component
Data Source
AI summary
The device has connecting structure (11) that couples one end of coupling element to connecting structure and other end of coupling element is connected to rotating structure (14). The rotating structure is rotatable in aperture (13) in connecting structure under tensile forces exerted by connecting element on exercised portions of coupling element. The rotation of rotating structure in aperture is cancelled when opposite tensile forces are exerted. The wedge angle of narrowing extension (19) is set to 5-15[deg] . The width of extension narrows under diameter of rotating structure.