Flexible Fin Architectural Support System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current architectural design systems lack efficient structural support solutions that can seamlessly integrate with various architectural structures, including ceilings and walls, while providing flexibility and compatibility with standardized structural systems.
Innovation Solution
A supported architectural design system comprising coplanar primary supports, flexible fins with attachment points, and secondary supports with fin slots, which are designed to work together with additional structural components like lighting and security systems, using materials like veneered steel and cold rolled steel channels, and utilizing computer-processed designs for optimal fin slot configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a supported architectural design system integrates with various architectural structures (ceilings, walls), then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple support configurations and compatibility with standardized structural systems
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is designed with universal components that can function with multiple architectural structures (ceilings, walls, beams). The primary supports include standardized connection interfaces that can couple with different structural elements, allowing the same basic system to adapt to various installation scenarios without requiring completely different components for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular segments including primary supports, secondary supports, and flexible fins that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system adaptability, reducing the complexity that would arise from trying to make a single monolithic structure accommodate all architectural variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If flexible fins with multiple attachment points are used to secure to secondary supports, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise slot configurations and multiple fastening points
Solution Approach 1:
The fin attachment system is designed so that the fin itself provides the precision features (attachment points, alignment elements) rather than requiring the secondary support to be precisely manufactured for each fin. The fin's attachment points naturally align with the slot openings, and the fasteners self-align during installation, reducing the manufacturing precision requirements for the support structure while maintaining secure attachment.
3Manufacturing precision
If computer-processed designs are used to determine fin slot positions and shapes, then manufacturing precision and optimization are improved, but loss of time in the design and processing stage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computer processing determines fin slot positions and shapes in advance during the design phase, allowing for optimized configurations before manufacturing begins. This preliminary computational analysis establishes precise slot geometries and positions that are then directly transcribed to the manufacturing process, ensuring high precision without requiring iterative adjustments during production.
4Ease of manufacture
If primary supports are made coplanar and parallel for standardized structural systems, then ease of manufacture and installation are improved, but adaptability to curved or non-standard architectural surfaces decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates flexible fins that can conform to curved or non-planar surfaces while the primary supports remain straight and coplanar for ease of manufacture. The flexibility of the fin elements allows them to adapt to architectural variations without requiring the primary support structure itself to be curved or custom-shaped, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving surface adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A supported architectural structure is presented. A plurality of primary supports configured to couple with one or more architectural structures. A plurality of flexible fins, where at least one of the plurality of flexible fins includes an inner edge and an outer edge, where the inner edge includes a plurality of attachment points. A plurality of secondary supports configured to couple with the plurality of primary supports, where at least one of the secondary supports includes a plurality of fin slots configured to couple with the plurality of attachment points.