Threaded Tension Elements for Interchangeable Rod and Cable Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for statically loadable components in buildings face limitations in flexibility and efficiency due to different safety concepts and test methods for tension rods and cable tension members, restricting the easy interchangeability and modular use of these components.
Innovation Solution
A system with interchangeable tension elements, each having an external thread with standardized thread carrying capacity, allowing the same connection component to interact with both tension rods and cable tension members, determining the limit tensile force based on thread load capacity rather than rope breaking strength, enabling flexible interchange without significant reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different test methods and safety concepts are used for cable pull members and tension rods, then the breaking strength verification is ensured, but the interchangeability between cable tension members and tension rods is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter from rope breaking strength to thread load capacity. By standardizing the thread specifications (diameter, pitch, material) across both cable tension members and tension rods, the patent enables interchangeable use while maintaining reliability through thread-based load verification rather than rope-specific testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal connection system where the same threaded connection components can be used with both cable tension members and tension rods. The standardized external threads on both component types allow them to interface with the same connection elements, enabling flexible substitution based on construction requirements
2Measurement precision
If the thread is designed to absorb more load than the rope breaking strength, then the maximum load verification is possible, but the thread becomes the limiting factor for load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the threaded connection as an intermediary element that mediates between the tension element (rope or rod) and the connection component. By making the thread the standardized interface with known load capacity, it becomes the controllable limiting factor that enables precise load verification while allowing the tension elements themselves to be optimized for their specific functions
3Strength
If cable pull elements are designed to fail in the cable area rather than the end fitting, then the cable strength is optimized, but the end fitting design becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical load-bearing function from the cable-end fitting interface and relocates it to the standardized threaded connection. By separating the cable's primary function (tension resistance) from the connection function (load transfer to structure), the cable can be optimized for strength while the end fitting design is freed from constrained failure mode requirements
Data Source
Figure 1~3d
Figure 4~6d
AI summary
The invention relates to a system consisting of statically loadable components for structures, comprising at least two different tension elements (10, 14) with at least one respective end region (11, 15), said tension elements having an outer thread (12, 16) in the end region (11, 15), and at least one connection component (20, 20', 30) with an inner thread (22), which is designed to interact with the outer thread (12, 16) of one of the tension elements (10, 14) as a tension member. According to the invention, the outer thread (12, 16) of the at least two different tension elements (10, 14) have the same thread load capacity and determine the respective threshold tensile force of the at least two different tension elements (10, 14).