Adjustable Air Conditioner Curb for Sloped Roofs and Seismic Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner support systems are limited in their adjustability to accommodate a wide range of roof inclinations and heights, and they lack sufficient strength to resist deformation under seismic forces.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable air conditioner curb system featuring a curb base with reinforcement members and a curb frame that can be securely attached at various heights and angles, using a combination of sheet metal construction and threaded fasteners to provide high strength and resistance to deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If modular adjustable curbs are constructed with limited components, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength to resist deformation under seismic forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction combining wood and metal components. The curb includes a wooden base structure reinforced with metal brackets, screws, and blocking. This composite approach provides both ease of manufacture (using common construction materials) and high strength (metal reinforcement resists seismic forces and deformation).
Solution Approach 2:
The curb is divided into modular segments including adjustable side pieces, end pieces, and reinforcement members that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows easy assembly and adjustment while maintaining overall structural strength through distributed reinforcement points throughout the structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-built curbs are constructed for particular roof inclinations, then adaptability to specific roofs is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple curb types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable side pieces that can be positioned at various heights and angles relative to the curb base. This dynamic adjustability allows a single curb design to accommodate multiple roof inclinations and heights, eliminating the need for multiple custom-built curb types while maintaining adaptability to specific roofing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The curb design incorporates universal features including adjustable components, standardized reinforcement members, and flexible positioning capabilities that enable a single curb unit to serve multiple functions across different roof types, inclinations, and air conditioner configurations.
3Device complexity
If adjustable curbs are designed for limited range of inclinations, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to wide range of roofs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable side pieces can be positioned at multiple heights and secured at various angles, providing dynamic adaptability to accommodate a wide range of roof inclinations. This adjustment mechanism maintains relatively simple device complexity while significantly expanding the range of applicable roofing conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable air conditioner curb includes a curb base having reinforcement members connected thereto and a curb frame adjustably positionable relative to the curb base and positionable between the curb base and the reinforcement members and connected thereto to maintain the curb frame in fixed position.