Extruded Rooftop Equipment Support With Integrated Strut Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rooftop equipment support systems require on-site assembly of multiple components, leading to increased installation costs and uneven degradation from environmental exposure, as they are typically formed from different materials and processes.
Innovation Solution
A unitary rooftop equipment support system formed from a single material through extrusion, featuring a platform, sidewalls, and strut extensions that define a U-shaped channel, eliminating the need for assembly and ensuring even wear resistance across environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are assembled on-site to form rooftop equipment support, then the support system can be flexible in configuration, but installation costs increase and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (base member, strut member, and equipment support into a single unitary extruded member). This eliminates on-site assembly requirements while maintaining the functional configuration of supporting rooftop equipment, directly resolving the contradiction between configuration flexibility and assembly complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components formed from different materials are assembled together, then each component can be optimized for specific functions, but uneven degradation occurs from environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent forms the entire support structure as a single unitary member from one material through extrusion. This homogeneous construction ensures uniform environmental degradation and wear resistance across the entire structure, eliminating the reliability issues caused by assembling dissimilar materials while maintaining functional optimization through the extruded geometry.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are assembled on-site, then customization is possible, but installation time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the customization and assembly actions during the manufacturing process through extrusion, creating a unitary member with integrated features before delivery to the site. This preliminary action eliminates on-site assembly time while maintaining customization capability through the extruded design, directly resolving the time-loss contradiction.
4Ease of manufacture
If separate components are used for base member and strut member, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base member, strut member, and equipment support into a single continuously extruded member. This eliminates weak joints and connection points between separate components, significantly improving structural strength while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through the extrusion process and customizable cross-sectional geometry.
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 reduces installation costs and enhances structural strength while maintaining uniform performance across varying environmental exposures, allowing for customizable lengths and improved durability.
Implementation Method 1
the platform, the pair of sidewalls, and the top wall are unitarily formed in an extrusion process
Data Source
AI summary
A roof equipment support includes a platform, a pair of sidewalls extending from the platform, and a top wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and offset from the platform. The platform, the pair of sidewalls, and the top wall define an interior cavity that extends a length of the support from a first end to a second end. A pair of strut extensions extend above the top wall, and each of the pair of strut extension include a hook at a distal end. The pair of strut extensions and the top wall define a substantially U-shaped channel that extends at least a portion of the length of the support, and the platform, the pair of sidewalls, the top wall, and the pair of strut extensions are unitarily formed.