Threaded Rod Connector Arms for Springless Wedge Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing threaded rod connectors lack versatility, reliability, and ease of manufacture, with complex designs requiring axial compression springs for initial engagement and limited accessibility for manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A threaded rod connector with a housing and insert featuring rod engagement segments and segment carrying arms, allowing for easy manipulation and adjustment of the threaded rod without the need for axial biasing springs, utilizing a tapered cavity for wedging and a collar for enhanced accessibility and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axial compression springs are used to bias rod engagement segments against the threaded rod for initial engagement, then reliable initial engagement is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the axial compression spring from the mechanism entirely. Instead of using a spring to bias the rod engagement segments, the invention relies on the tapered cavity geometry and elastic deformation of the segments themselves to achieve initial engagement and subsequent locking of the threaded rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod engagement segments are designed to be elastic and are directly biased by the tapered cavity walls. When the threaded rod is inserted, the taper automatically wedges the elastic segments against the rod, eliminating the need for external spring mechanisms. The system uses its own structural features to achieve the engagement function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rod engagement segments are arranged deep within the cavity, then structural stability is improved, but accessibility for manipulation and adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segment carrying arms extend in the radial direction from the rod engagement segments toward the cavity mouth, creating a protruding structure. This dimensional extension allows manual access to the insert from outside the cavity while the rod engagement segments remain positioned within the cavity for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The segment carrying arms act as intermediaries that transmit force and torque from the outside to the rod engagement segments. By grasping or manipulating the protruding arms, users can rotate or adjust the insert without directly accessing the deep cavity, while the arms themselves remain outside for ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the insert is made accessible from outside the cavity, then ease of manipulation is improved, but structural robustness and compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is segmented into rod engagement segments mounted on separate carrying arms. This segmentation allows the arms to extend outward for accessibility while the engagement segments remain compact within the cavity. The modular structure maintains strength by distributing loads across multiple segments and connection points.
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 solution provides improved functionality, versatility, and ease of manufacturing by allowing for tensioning, detachment, and height adjustment of threaded rods without axial biasing, while preventing unwanted spinning and jamming, and is robust and compact.
Implementation Method 1
the cavity (10) has a tapered zone (14) tapering towards the mouth (11) of the cavity (10) for wedging the rod engagement segments (50) against the threaded rod
Data Source
AI summary
Threaded rod connector including a housing having a cavity for receiving a threaded rod therein, wherein the cavity has a mouth, and an insert including a plurality of rod engagement segments, which are arranged within the cavity, wherein the cavity has a tapered zone tapering towards the mouth for wedging the rod engagement segments against the threaded rod, wherein the insert further includes a plurality of segment carrying arms, each having a segment connection end and an interconnection end, which is located opposite the segment connection end on the respective segment carrying arm, wherein each of the rod engagement segments is connected to at least one of the segment carrying arms at the segment connection end thereof, and wherein the segment carrying arms are interconnected at their interconnection ends. Each of the segment carrying arms extends, originating from its segment connection end, towards the mouth of the cavity.