Axial Load Support Member Using Pressurized Chamber Preforms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing axial load bearing support members are heavy and occupy more space, limiting their efficiency in load-bearing applications such as structures like buildings and bridges.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using at least three sheet metal preforms with sealed internal chambers that are deformed using fluid pressure to form a structure with enhanced radial distance from a central axis, providing high axial load bearing capability while minimizing weight and volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional axial load bearing support members are used, then structural stability is achieved, but mass and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial load bearing capabilityVSAvoidmass of support member

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is divided into multiple preforms (at least three) that are joined together along a central axis. Each preform contains sealed internal chambers that can be independently deformed using fluid pressure, allowing the structure to achieve high load-bearing capability through distributed geometry rather than increased mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes fluid pressure delivery to dynamically change the physical state and geometry of the preforms. By delivering fluid pressure through preform openings into internal chambers, the preforms deform to increase radial distance from the central axis, optimizing the load-bearing geometry without adding mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If traditional axial load bearing support members are used, then structural stability is achieved, but volume occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial load bearing capabilityVSAvoidvolume of support member

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the support member by extending structures in multiple dimensions - joining preforms along a central axis and deforming walls to increase radial distance. This multi-dimensional approach maximizes load-bearing capability while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the support member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple preforms are joined together along a central member axis in a nested arrangement, with each preform containing sealed internal chambers. This nested structure allows efficient space utilization, achieving high load-bearing capability within a compact volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If preforms are deformed to increase radial distance, then load bearing capability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial load bearing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fluid pressure delivery through preform openings into sealed internal chambers to deform the preforms. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach provides controlled, uniform deformation that increases radial distance and optimizes load-bearing capability while maintaining a manageable manufacturing process through centralized pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 resulting axial load support member achieves higher load bearing capacity with lower mass and volume, offering improved structural efficiency and stability compared to traditional support members.

Implementation Method 1

The exemplary pressure delivering step includes delivering fluid pressure through the respective preform opening of each respective preform into the respective chamber of the preform. The delivery of pressure into the chamber deforms each respective preform such that the walls of each respective preform in an axially transverse cross-section, extend further away from one another with increased radial distance away from the central member axis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20250018455A1Axial load support member and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 INST FORMY SP ZOO

AI summary

An axial load support member (17, 19, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 40) and method of manufacture achieves high load bearing capability with reduced weight and volume. A member is made by a process that includes providing at least three chamber profile preforms (2), each of which is comprised of a pair of deformable metal sheet walls (3) which bound a sealed internal chamber (14). After providing the preform the method includes in any order, a joining step and a fluid pressure delivering step. The joining step includes joining the at least three preforms together along a central member axis (4). The pressure delivery step includes delivering fluid pressure to the respective chamber of each preform such that the walls thereof are deformed and extend further away from one another with increased radial distance away from the central member axis.