Flanged Hillside Washer Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hillside washers in metal building frames face issues with load distribution, rod stability, and buckling due to lack of a smooth upper surface, constant channel width, and solid regions, leading to suboptimal performance in distributing loads and preventing rod movement.
Innovation Solution
A flanged hillside washer assembly with a smooth upper curved surface, constant width channel, and solid regions that extend from the curved surface to the flange portion, forming a continuous channel to prevent rod movement and enhance load distribution, eliminating the need for specialized washers and reducing material thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard hillside washer with broad slot is used, then ease of installation is improved, but rod stability deteriorates due to excessive widthwise movement
Solution Approach 1:
The channel width is varied locally along its length - wider at the ends for easy rod insertion, and narrower in the middle section to prevent excessive widthwise movement. This local variation in geometry provides both ease of installation and rod stability without requiring complex assembly procedures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a specialized washer with snug fit channel is used, then rod stability is improved, but device complexity increases and material thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hillside washer and flange are merged into a single integrated component with a continuous channel running through both portions. This eliminates the need for separate specialized washers and provides rod stability through the constant width section of the channel while reducing overall device complexity and material usage.
3Stress or pressure
If a flanged hillside washer with continuous channel is used, then load distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous channel is segmented into three functional zones: an opening section for rod insertion, a constant width section for stability, and a varying breadth section for load distribution. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while being manufactured as an integrated component, balancing manufacturing feasibility with performance requirements.
4Strength
If solid regions are added to the hillside washer, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Solid regions are added locally between the channel sidewalls at critical stress points to prevent buckling and enhance structural strength. These localized reinforcements provide necessary strength without adding complex features throughout the entire component, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a Hanged hillside washer assembly that is used to mount bracing rods on metal building frames. The flanged hillside washer assembly includes a Mange portion and a hillside washer portion. The flange portion has a flat base on one end. an upper surface and a channel passing therethrough. The channel passing through the hillside washer portion and the flange portion has a breadth dimension and a width dimension over its length, the breadth varying over its length, and the width of the channel being substantially constant over at least a portion of its length sufficient to limit widthwise movement of a mating rod within the channel.