Slide Clip With Elongated Slots For Building Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building connectors lack the ability to effectively transmit loads while allowing for necessary horizontal and vertical movement between building components, leading to inadequate structural support under various forces such as wind and seismic loads.
Innovation Solution
A slide clip design that includes a first and second plate, allowing for both horizontal and vertical movement, with enhanced coupling features like elongated drift slots, stiffener darts, and deflection slots to securely connect building components, enabling the transmission of loads while accommodating movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connectors are used to connect building components, then connection stability is improved, but the building's ability to withstand lateral forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs dynamic characteristics through its elastic member that can deform under lateral loads, allowing the connection to flex and absorb energy during seismic or wind events while maintaining structural integrity. The elastic member's ability to compress and rebound provides dynamic response to varying force conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector changes its mechanical parameters through the elastic member's deformation characteristics. The material properties and geometric configuration of the elastic member are designed to provide appropriate stiffness at service loads but allow deformation under extreme lateral forces, effectively changing the connection's rigidity parameter based on loading conditions.
2Strength
If clips allowing horizontal and vertical movement are used, then the building's ability to withstand lateral forces is improved, but connection stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector provides different degrees of freedom at different locations. The first and second plates are connected through an elastic member that allows movement in specific directions while maintaining stability in others. The geometry of the plates and positioning of connection points create localized flexibility where needed while maintaining overall connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member provides dynamic movement capabilities, allowing the connection to adapt to lateral forces while maintaining stability during normal conditions. The system transitions between stable and movable states based on applied loads.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional connectors are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but load transmission capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional components: first plate, second plate, and elastic member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both manufacturing simplicity and load transmission effectiveness. The elastic member can be manufactured as a separate molded or formed component and then assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member serves as an intermediary element between the first and second plates, providing the necessary load transmission capability while maintaining ease of manufacture. This intermediate component allows the plates to be connected in a straightforward manner while still achieving superior load transfer through the elastic member's mechanical properties.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide clip includes a first plate and a second plate coupled at a juncture. The first plate and the second plate form an angle at the juncture. The second plate has a first elongated slot, a second elongated slot, and a third elongated slot, each extending parallel with the juncture. The first elongated slot and the second elongated slot are each offset from the juncture a first distance. The third elongated slot is offset from the juncture a second distance that is greater than the first distance.