Deformable Truss Supporting Frame for Undulating Surface Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional supporting frame assemblies with rigid trusses are ineffective on undulating surfaces and costly due to extensive welding, which complicates stability and corrosion protection, especially when supporting items like heliostats or wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A supporting frame assembly featuring deformable tubular trusses with inclined brace members that allow for relative longitudinal movement between upper and lower frame members, secured by fasteners with elongate slots for accommodating surface undulations, and a releasable clamping assembly for height-adjustable pylons, eliminating the need for welding and reducing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid trusses are used to provide structural stability, then strength is improved, but adaptability to undulating surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the brace members deformable rather than rigid. The brace members are designed to bend and flex, allowing the truss structure to adapt its shape to undulating ground surfaces while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic capability enables the frame to conform to varying terrain without compromising strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the brace members from rigid to deformable. This change in material or structural parameter allows the truss to adjust its geometric configuration in response to surface undulations, enabling adaptation to uneven terrain while preserving overall structural stability.
2Strength
If welding is used to secure frame members, then strength is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the welding process with a mechanical fastening system. Instead of using welds to join frame members, the invention employs deformable brace members that can be mechanically assembled and secured. This substitution eliminates the complexity of welding operations, reduces manufacturing costs, and simplifies the overall device while maintaining joint strength through the deformable connection mechanism.
3Strength
If welding is used to assemble frame members, then strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces welding with a mechanical assembly system involving deformable brace members and fasteners. This substitution significantly improves ease of manufacture by enabling simple mechanical connections that can be assembled without specialized welding equipment or skilled welders, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining adequate joint strength.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connections are used between frame members, then stability is improved, but adaptability to surface undulations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing deformable connections through flexible brace members between frame members. These deformable elements allow the frame structure to dynamically adjust its configuration in response to surface undulations, maintaining stability while adapting to varying ground conditions. The deformability enables the frame to absorb terrain variations without compromising overall structural stability.
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 solution provides enhanced stability and cost-effectiveness by allowing the frame assembly to adapt to undulating surfaces without welding, reducing manual labor and corrosion protection needs, while ensuring accurate positioning and stability of supported items like heliostats.
Implementation Method 1
the brace member spans are of deformable material that may be tubular or of a suitable section selected from an angle section and a channel section, and the ends are flattened and secured to the lower straight frame member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A supporting frame (1) includes a truss composed of an upper straight frame member (3) and a parallel lower straight frame member (4) supported at their ends in spaced relationship relative to each other. At least two spans of divergent inclined brace member (5) extend between them with the ends (8) of the brace member spans each being securable to the upper or lower straight frame member by means of a fastener (9). Limited relative longitudinal movement of the upper and lower straight frame members is permitted before a fastener is secured to fix the positions at which the ends of the brace member spans are attached to the upper and lower straight frame members. In one application two trusses meet at a corner with a pylon (2, 15) being urged in the plane of the supporting frame (1) into a corner between two frame members of each pair of trusses to extend at right angles to the frame.