Timber Connection Sleeve for Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structural timber connections, particularly in hardwood construction, face inefficiencies due to unfavorable force flow and flexibility issues, leading to soft and less efficient connections, which are exacerbated by the lower strength and stiffness of wood fibers perpendicular to the main grain direction.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement featuring a first wooden component with a sleeve-shaped force transmission element that is shear-resistant and penetrates through it, allowing for efficient transmission of tensile and compressive forces via a cam-activated connection part, minimizing stress on the first wooden component and enabling stable assembly with multiple connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rod dowels and construction screws are used for connections, then the timber components can be fastened to one another, but the connections become soft and less efficient due to unfavorable force flow and deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rigid connection element as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between timber components. This connection element has a first connection region that engages with the first timber component and a second connection region that engages with the second timber component, creating a rigid bridge that improves force flow and connection efficiency compared to direct fastening with dowels or screws alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system combines different materials and components: the rigid connection element (which may be metallic or composite), the timber components, and fastening elements. This composite approach creates a hybrid connection system that leverages the strengths of different materials to achieve both strength and reliability, with the rigid connection element providing stiffness and the fasteners providing secure attachment.
2Strength
If hardwood is used instead of softwood, then better performance is achieved, but increased demands are placed on the connections between wooden components
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the rigid connection element with differentiated connection regions, the fastening elements, and the timber components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, making the overall system manageable despite the increased demands from hardwood usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element exhibits local quality with different connection regions designed for different purposes: the first connection region is optimized for engaging with the first timber component while the second connection region is optimized for the second timber component. This localized optimization allows the connection system to meet the high demands of hardwood construction without requiring uniformly complex design throughout.
3Ease of manufacture
If connections are made with overlapping timber components and dowels, then the components can be joined, but deflection from the supporting plane occurs and force flow is unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connection element serves as an intermediary that maintains the supporting plane alignment between timber components. By providing a stiff connection bridge, it prevents the deflection that occurs with flexible dowel connections, ensuring favorable force flow while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 9~11
AI summary
An arrangement for structural timber construction is described, comprising a first timber component (ai) penetrated by at least one force transmission element (1), and a second timber component (ai) to which at least one first connection element (3, 5) is attached. The force transmission element (1) is rigidly fixed within the first timber component (ai). The first connection element (3, 5) can be connected to a first end region (11) of the force transmission element (1) for fastening the second timber component (ai) to the first timber component (ai) such that tensile and/or compressive forces acting on the second timber component (ai) are transmitted through the first timber component (ai) via the force transmission element (1). The force transmission element (1) is sleeve-shaped, at least in its first end region (11).