Cellular Core Structural Support Member for Collapsible Shelters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern load-bearing supports for canopies and shelters need to be lightweight yet capable of withstanding high wind speeds and structural loads, while existing hollow stainless steel members are heavy and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A novel elongated structural support member with a cellular core structure, featuring an outer rigid shell and internal dovetailed wall portions, provides enhanced strength and stability by distributing loads effectively across multiple directions, suitable for use in trusses and collapsible shelters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If hollow stainless steel members are used for load-bearing supports, then strength and wind resistance are improved, but weight increases and structural efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support member uses a composite structure combining an aluminum alloy outer shell with a foam core material, creating a lightweight composite that maintains strength while reducing weight compared to solid stainless steel members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The foam core material creates a porous or cellular structure within the support member that reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity and wind resistance through the distributed cellular architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Strength

If hollow stainless steel members are used for load-bearing supports, then wind resistance is improved, but structural efficiency worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidstructural efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite construction of aluminum alloy shell with foam core provides superior strength-to-weight ratio and structural efficiency compared to traditional hollow stainless steel members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The foam core material is strategically placed within the hollow cavity to provide localized reinforcement where needed while maintaining overall lightweight construction and structural efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If lightweight materials are used for support members, then weight is reduced, but ability to withstand axial bending and torsional forces worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidload-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The aluminum alloy outer shell provides high strength-to-weight ratio while the foam core material adds structural rigidity, together creating a lightweight member that withstands axial bending and torsional forces effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cellular or foam core structure introduces a three-dimensional internal architecture that distributes and resists multidirectional forces including axial bending and torsional loads while maintaining lightweight construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7779851B2Structural support member

Publication Date: 2010.08.24 TSAI MING LIANG

AI summary

An elongated structural support member for truss sections of collapsible shelters having a cellular core structure including internal dovetailed wall portions and an internal medial wall portion joined at opposite ends to the dovetailed wall portions.