Socket Fastening Rebar Connector Using Binding End Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for joining reinforcing bars, particularly with high-stiffness bars, face challenges such as difficulty in aligning screw threads, texture changes due to processing, and reduced ductility, leading to poor joining quality and increased tool wear, especially with the need for specialized welding methods to prevent deformation.

Innovation Solution

A socket-fastening-type reinforcing bar connector using binding end members with a fastening socket that allows integrated coupling without aligning centers or screw threads, enabling joining of reinforcing bars with different sizes and shapes, and accommodating construction errors through adjustable length configurations and middle binding members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screw coupling method using couplers is used to join reinforcing bars, then mechanical joining is achieved, but precise alignment of screw threads is difficult and fastening work becomes strenuous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining strengthVSAvoidalignment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a connector as an intermediary component that replaces direct screw coupling between reinforcing bars. The connector includes a body with a through hole and a binding member that wraps around both reinforcing bars, providing a mediator that eliminates the need for precise screw thread alignment while achieving mechanical joining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The joining system is segmented into separate functional components: the connector body that provides the joining mechanism, the binding member that secures the reinforcing bars, and the reinforcing bars themselves. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the binding member handling alignment tolerance and the connector body providing the mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If male screw processing is performed at end portions of reinforcing bars to join them, then mechanical joining is enabled, but texture changes occur and ductility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoining capabilityVSAvoidductility and texture quality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the screw processing operation from the reinforcing bar end portions and relocates it to the connector body. The binding member wraps around the reinforcing bars without requiring any processing of the bar ends, thereby preserving the original texture and ductility of the reinforcing bars while still enabling mechanical joining through the connector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector acts as an intermediary that provides the screw processing interface separately from the reinforcing bars. The male screw portions are formed on the binding member or connector body rather than on the reinforcing bars themselves, allowing the bars to maintain their original material properties without processing-induced texture changes or ductility loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If specialized welding methods are used to join high-stiffness reinforcing bars, then deformation is prevented, but device complexity and tool requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation controlVSAvoidwelding equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical system) with a mechanical binding system. The binding member wraps around and secures the reinforcing bars through friction and mechanical interlocking, eliminating the need for specialized welding equipment while effectively preventing deformation of high-stiffness bars through distributed mechanical constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If couplers with wider female screw threads are used to improve processability, then screw coupling becomes easier, but gaps between fastened screw threads increase and connection becomes less sturdy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew coupling processabilityVSAvoidconnection sturdiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The binding member serves as an intermediary that distributes the fastening force around the reinforcing bars rather than concentrating it at a single screw interface. This eliminates the trade-off between thread width and connection sturdiness by providing continuous circumferential contact and load distribution through the wrapped binding member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates robust and efficient joining of reinforcing bars without the need for precise alignment, distributes compressive stress effectively, and allows for the use of different bar materials, improving construction efficiency and reducing tool wear.

Implementation Method 1

having a female screw portion for coupling a fastening socket that is helically coupled to the male screw portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the locking step of the fastening socket comes in close contact with the step of the binding end member to allow the reinforcing bars to be mechanically joined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interference fit: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3045606B1Socket fastening-type reinforcing bar connector using binding end member
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 KIM E E
  • EP3045606B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3045606B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3045606B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a socket fastening-type reinforcing bar connector using a binding end member and, more particularly, a reinforcing bar connector is disclosed wherein binding end members are bound to reinforcing bars, in order to facilitate processes for joining reinforcing bars, which are the foundation of reinforced concrete, and processes for joining between reinforcing bar cages, such that reinforcing bars having adjacent ends can be precisely connected mechanically through simple socket fastening.