V-Shaped Cavity Wall Anchor Using Flat Steel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cavity wall anchors are complex, expensive to manufacture, and require excessive material, making them bulky and difficult to handle and transport, while also being inefficient in terms of material usage and load distribution.

Innovation Solution

A V-shaped cavity wall anchor made from flat steel with angled legs greater than 90° and transverse bores, allowing for secure anchoring and reduced material usage, with dimensions optimized for efficient load absorption and handling, including a connecting section with a central bore for lifting and transporting cavity walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional U-shaped cavity wall anchors with long parallel legs are used, then secure anchoring in solid plates is achieved, but material usage increases and the structure becomes bulky and difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure anchoringVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor employs a V-shape configuration with curved geometry instead of straight parallel legs. The V-shaped design allows the legs to diverge at an angle greater than 90 degrees, creating a more efficient load distribution pattern that reduces the overall length and material required while maintaining anchoring effectiveness in the solid plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the anchor by introducing a specific V-angle greater than 90 degrees between the legs. This parameter optimization allows the anchor to achieve the same anchoring function with reduced leg length and material consumption, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional bent U-shaped anchors with cross braces are used, then anchoring capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of multiple components into a single integrated V-shaped element. Instead of separate U-legs and cross braces that require welding or mechanical assembly, the V-shape is formed as one continuous piece of flat steel, eliminating the need for additional joining operations and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The V-shaped anchor is designed with distinct functional segments - the two legs for anchoring in separate plates and the connecting section for load transfer - that are integrated into a single piece. This segmentation of function within a unified structure simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If conventional structural steel anchors are used, then load-bearing capacity is sufficient, but weight and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidanchor weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the geometric parameters of the V-shaped anchor, specifically the angle between legs (greater than 90 degrees) and the dimensions of the flat steel section. These parameter optimizations enable the anchor to achieve adequate load-bearing capacity with reduced material quantity and weight, improving handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor utilizes flat steel with optimized cross-sectional dimensions to create a high strength-to-weight ratio structure. The V-shaped geometry distributes loads efficiently through the steel section, maintaining load-bearing capacity while minimizing weight compared to conventional structural steel anchors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If long parallel legs are used for secure anchoring, then anchoring reliability is improved, but the anchor becomes unwieldy and requires more material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The V-shaped configuration with its characteristic angle creates a more compact and maneuverable anchor form factor. The diverging legs at an angle greater than 90 degrees reduce the overall span and bulk of the anchor, making it easier to handle and install while maintaining reliable anchoring capability in the solid plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3026199B1Cavity wall anchor
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 GEBR PHILIPP GMBH
  • EP3026199B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cavity wall anchor (10) comprising a metal part with two end sections (2), each of which can be connected to one of two parallel plates (21, 22) of a cavity wall (20), and a connecting section (1) that integrally joins the two end sections (2). To create a cavity wall anchor that is easier to manufacture, requires less material, and yet can be securely anchored in the respective plates, the invention proposes that the anchor be made of an angled flat steel bar, and that the end sections (2) and the connecting section (1) of the cavity wall anchor (10) each have at least one transverse bore (3, 4).