Composite Stair Tread Structure for Drainage and Easy Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial staircases constructed from iron stringers and reinforced concrete degrade over time, requiring multiple workers for installation, are prone to damage during transport, and have environmental impacts due to caustic chemical use and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Stair treads made from a composite material with a grid of ribs and a top side featuring sloped grooves for water drainage, manufactured using injection molding or recycled rubber, and optionally embedded heating elements to prevent ice buildup, with a design that allows single-worker transport and environmentally friendly production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional reinforced concrete treads are used, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases requiring multiple workers for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a polymer matrix with reinforcing fibers (such as glass, carbon, or organic fibers) to create a tread that achieves the strength of concrete with significantly reduced weight. This composite structure allows the tread to maintain structural integrity while being light enough for single-worker installation and handling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional concrete treads are used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of transport and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material construction provides high structural integrity through fiber reinforcement while keeping the overall weight low, enabling easy transport by single workers and simplified installation procedures compared to traditional heavy concrete treads.
3Strength
If traditional concrete production is used, then material strength is improved, but environmental impact worsens due to caustic chemicals and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by replacing traditional concrete with composite materials made from polymer matrices and reinforcing fibers. This substitution eliminates the need for caustic chemicals and excessive natural resources required in concrete production, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining or improving material strength.
4Force
If iron stringers and concrete treads are used, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but susceptibility to degradation and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material system replaces iron and concrete with a polymer-matrix composite that combines the high strength-to-weight ratio of fibers with the protective properties of the polymer matrix. This combination provides excellent resistance to rust, chipping, and cracking while maintaining load-bearing capacity, thereby improving reliability and reducing degradation over time.
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 composite stair treads are durable, lightweight, and environmentally friendly, facilitating easy installation and reducing maintenance, while preventing water and ice accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
The top side comprises a gutter slope design comprising sloped grooves, where the depth of the grooves at a first end is deeper than the depth of the grooves at a second end, with a gradual slope from the first end to the second end
Implementation Method 2
optionally embedded heating elements to prevent ice buildup
Data Source
AI summary
A stair. The stair tread comprises a composite material. The composite material is formed into a grid of ribs and a top side coupled to the grid of ribs. The top side comprises a gutter slope design comprising sloped grooves, where the depth of the grooves at a first end is deeper than the depth of the grooves at a second end, with a gradual slope from the first end to the second end.