Hexagonal Modular Staircase Assembly with Self-Locking Stringer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular staircases lack ease of assembly and safety features, requiring professional training and not being suitable for non-specialized personnel, while also occupying significant space and not providing adequate safety at high levels.
Innovation Solution
A modular helical staircase with hexagonal cross-section, comprising tubular posts and triangular steps, secured by a stringer with a locking mechanism, allowing easy assembly by non-professionals, and incorporating guardrails and safety features like inclined crossbars and removable connections for enhanced safety and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If modular staircase components are designed for easy assembly by non-professionals, then ease of operation is improved, but assembly safety and structural reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase module incorporates self-aligning features where the stringer automatically guides the steps into correct position during assembly, and self-locking mechanisms where gravity and friction automatically secure components without requiring specialized tools or techniques, enabling non-professionals to assemble safely
Solution Approach 2:
The stringer acts as an intermediary element that simplifies assembly by providing pre-drilled holes and attachment points that guide the connection between steps and central post, mediating the complexity of structural alignment and securing operations
2Volume of moving object
If the staircase structure is made more compact to reduce space occupation, then volume is reduced, but structural strength and stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase adopts a helical curved design instead of straight flights, allowing the structure to occupy less vertical and horizontal space while the curved geometry naturally distributes loads more evenly across the central post and stringers, enhancing structural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The staircase transitions from a traditional linear vertical arrangement to a three-dimensional helical path, utilizing radial and angular dimensions to achieve compact footprint while maintaining adequate structural spacing and strength
3Strength
If the staircase uses integrated construction methods, then structural strength is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase is divided into modular components (central post, stringers, steps) that can be assembled through simple connections, yet the stringer incorporates integrated attachment features that create unified structural behavior, achieving both modularity and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The stringer combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, guides step alignment, facilitates assembly through pre-configured connections, and integrates with the central post, merging complexity into a single ease-to-assemble element
Data Source
Figure 1a~3
Figure 4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The module (1) for a hexagonal helical modular staircase, with six vertical corner posts around a vertical central post, comprises a vertical central post (2) and two horizontal triangular steps (3, 4), one lower and one upper, fixed to the central post (2), to a stringer (7) and to two corner posts (10, 11) parallel to the central post (2), one of which, called the front corner post (10), is fixed to the stringer (7) and the lower step (3), and the other, called the rear corner post (11), is fixed to the stringer (7) and the upper step (4), the three posts (2, 10, 11) of the module each having a female end and a male end suitable for receiving a male end and for being received into a female end of the identical module posts (1) to contribute with the latter to the constitution of the central post and the corner posts of the staircase.