Folding Base With Comb-Like Projections For Structural Rigidity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding bases for roof units, such as skylights and smoke vents, face challenges in assembly efficiency and structural rigidity due to clearance in connections between parts, which can lead to instability under wind conditions and increased transportation volume due to non-compact assembly dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A folding base design featuring side walls with comb-like projections and a pin connection system that provides a rigid and compact assembly, eliminating clearance between parts through a comb-like arrangement of projections and a matching pin system, allowing for easy and secure assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional folding bases with separate frame members and slots are used, then assembly is possible, but clearance between parts leads to structural instability under wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the slot and projection into a single integrated connection element. The slot is formed as a continuous recess in the frame member that receives a corresponding projection from the joining member, eliminating the need for separate slot and projection components. This merging eliminates clearance between parts while maintaining assembly simplicity, directly resolving the technical contradiction between structural stability and device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If non-compact assembly dimensions are used, then ease of assembly is maintained, but transportation volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folding base structure where side walls can be positioned in different configurations - folded flat for compact transportation and unfolded for operational use. The connection elements (slots and projections) are designed to maintain structural integrity in both folded and unfolded states, enabling the base to transition between compact transport configuration and stable operational configuration, thus resolving the contradiction between transportation volume and assembly ease.
3Strength
If additional treatments are applied to address wind-induced instability, then structural rigidity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates connection elements (slots and projections) directly into the molded base structure during manufacturing, rather than adding them as separate post-manufacturing treatments. The slots are formed as integral recesses in the frame members, and the projections are integrated features of the joining members. This preliminary incorporation of connection elements eliminates the need for additional treatments or assembly steps, achieving structural rigidity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A folding base comprises side walls (1,2,3,4), a bottom flange (5) and an upper flange (6). The side edges of the adjacent side walls (1,2) comprise rows of projections. The side walls (1,2) comprise projections (8). Each projection (8) has the form of a flat being an extension of the surface of the side wall (1,2,3,4) and is bent along a bending line (9) at an acute angle outwards of the base. The comb-like arranged projections (8) on each side edge of the base side wall (1,2,3,4) are separated from one another by spaces (10). A row of the comb-like projections (8) on one side edge of the side wall (1) is moved in relation to a row of the comb-like projections (8) on another side edge of the side wall (1). In the areas of the spaces (10) on the edge of one side wall (1) in the assembled base the comb-like arranged projections (8) of another side wall (2) of the base are arranged. On each of the four contacts of the base side walls, the comb-like arranged projections (8) of one side wall (1) take the place in the comb-like arranged spaces (10) of the other side wall (2). The projections (8) are bent along the bending lines (9) parallel to the side edges determined by the spaces (10) on the edges of the side walls (1,2,3,4). The projections (8) of the side walls (1,2) constitute in a top view an internal chamber in the form of a semi-enclosed section (11) in the form of a triangle. A connector in the form of a pin (12) is inserted into the semi-enclosed section (11).