Terrace Board Connector Assembly for Wind Stability and Easy Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terrace systems lack sufficient mechanical stability, particularly under strong winds, and do not facilitate easy inspection and replacement of terrace boards without disturbing intact boards.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising support boards with recesses and connectors, along with fastening elements, allows terrace boards to be connected to each other and the base, enhancing stability and enabling easy replacement by using a mushroom-shaped connector and screw-like fastening elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If terrace boards are laid freely on the base without rigid connection systems, then installation is simple and easy, but mechanical stability is insufficient especially under strong winds
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: support boards attached to terrace boards, connectors with mushroom-shaped heads, and fastening elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system stability without complicating installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary element between the support boards and the base. The mushroom-shaped connector with its head and leg provides a mediating structure that transfers loads from the terrace boards to the base while maintaining stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If terrace boards are rigidly connected to the base, then mechanical stability is improved, but replacement of damaged boards becomes difficult requiring demolition of other boards
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the terrace into modular units with individual support boards and connectors that can be independently accessed and replaced. This modular segmentation allows damaged boards to be replaced without affecting the structural integrity or requiring removal of adjacent intact boards.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system provides dynamic adjustability through the connector mechanism that can be moved along the gaps between side walls. This dynamic positioning capability allows for easy disassembly and reassembly of individual components while maintaining overall stability.
3Strength
If connector recesses are positioned deep within support boards, then connection strength is increased, but accessibility for installation and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are positioned to extend partially through the support boards rather than being completely embedded. This partial extension provides sufficient connection strength while maintaining accessibility for installation and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design utilizes the dimensional space between adjacent support boards to position recesses optimally. By leveraging the gap dimension, the recesses achieve adequate depth for strong connections while remaining accessible from the exterior.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for connecting the terrace boards to each other and to the base on which the terrace is placed comprises a support board (2), a connector (4) and a fastening element (5). The support board (2) has open recesses (3a, 3b) formed between the converging side walls (2a) transverse to their common edge (2a′), and the connector (4) is in the form of a mushroom containing a head (4a), a leg (4b) and a through hole (4c) for the fastening element (5). The support board (2) is fixed to the bottom surface of the terrace board (1), the head (4a) of the connector (4) is situated in a socket (3) formed by the recesses (3a, 3b) of the adjacent support boards (2), and the leg (4b) of the connector (4) is positioned in a gap(s) between the corners of the adjacent support boards (2), the terrace boards (1) being fixed to the base by the fastening element (5) positioned in the opening (4c) of the connector (4).