Foldable Frame Element With Tension Lock

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional collapsible shelters are often impractical and costly for disaster relief, providing inadequate protection from the elements and being unsuitable for extended use, especially in situations where the demand exceeds supply and cost is prohibitive.

Innovation Solution

A foldable frame system comprising pivotable scissor elements and hubs that can be easily erected and locked into a stable position, using tension members to maintain structure and provide insulation, allowing for flexible configuration and cost-effective deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional collapsible shelters are used for disaster relief, then they provide structured protection, but they are prohibitively expensive and inadequate for extended use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelter protection qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shelter is divided into modular frame elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each frame element comprises scissor mechanisms with struts and hubs that can be produced separately and then assembled on-site, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining structural reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using rigid, pre-fabricated shelter structures that are expensive to manufacture, the invention uses a flexible scissor mechanism that can be easily collapsed for transport and then erected on-site. The inversion is in the approach: rather than transporting complete rigid structures, the system transports collapsible mechanisms that assemble into rigid structures at the destination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If crude shelters are constructed from available materials, then they are inexpensive and quickly erected, but they provide poor insulation and inadequate protection from elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidprotection from elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scissor mechanism provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the shelter frame to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining a stable, rigid structure when erected. The mechanical advantage of the scissor mechanism enables simple manual operation to achieve a stable configuration that provides adequate structural protection against environmental elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame element combines multiple materials with complementary properties: aluminum extrusions for the struts and hubs providing structural strength, tension members for stability, and insulation material filling the enclosed space. This composite approach achieves adequate protection from elements while keeping manufacturing costs low

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If military-grade collapsible shelters are deployed, then they withstand adverse environmental conditions, but the quantity available is insufficient and cost is prohibitively high for disaster relief

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewithstand adverse weatherVSAvoidquantity of shelter available

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The frame element is designed to be an inexpensive, simple structure that can be mass-produced and deployed in large quantities for disaster relief. While not intended for permanent use like military shelters, the structure provides adequate protection for the extended periods that disaster victims typically need, and can be easily replaced if needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The scissor mechanism design is versatile and can be adapted to create various shelter configurations and sizes using the same basic frame elements. This universality allows a single design to meet multiple disaster relief needs, increasing the effective quantity of shelter available from a given production base

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If simple tents are provided for temporary occupancy, then they are inexpensive and easy to deploy, but they are poorly insulated and inadequate for extended use in cold weather

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidinsulation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The shelter is divided into modular frame elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each frame element comprises scissor mechanisms with struts and hubs that can be produced separately and then assembled on-site, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining structural reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame element combines multiple materials with complementary properties: aluminum extrusions for the struts and hubs providing structural strength, tension members for stability, and insulation material filling the enclosed space. This composite approach achieves adequate protection from elements while keeping manufacturing costs low

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system offers a cost-effective, simple, and durable solution for disaster relief shelters that can withstand adverse weather conditions, providing adequate protection for extended periods with easy setup and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a first scissor comprising a first and a second strut pivotably connected to each other at a first pivot point, a second scissor comprising a third and a fourth strut pivotably connected to each other at a second pivot point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

the first and second scissors being pivotable about the hub between a closed position in which the first, second, third, and fourth struts are substantially parallel to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

abutment portions of the second and fourth struts contact receiving portions of the third and first struts, respectively, and prevent the first and third struts from pivoting beyond the non-zero angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 4

using tension members to maintain structure and provide insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS7556054B2Foldable frame element and system with tension lock

Publication Date: 2009.07.07 WORLD SHELTERS INC

AI summary

A frame element includes a first scissor including a first and a second strut pivotably connected to each other at a first pivot point, a second scissor including a third and a fourth strut pivotably connected to each other at a second pivot point, and a hub to which the first and the third strut are pivotably connected, the first and second scissors being pivotable about the hub between a closed position in which the first, second, third, and fourth struts are substantially parallel to one another and an open, locked position in which the first and third struts define a non-zero angle with each other and abutment portions of the second and fourth struts contact receiving portions of the third and first struts, respectively, and prevent the first and third struts from pivoting beyond the non-zero angle.