Hollow Floor Joist with Pre-Assembled Connection Plugs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable floor support systems are time-consuming to assemble, heavy, complex, and expensive, and do not provide a dimensionally stable or lightweight solution for raised floor constructions on uneven surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable floor support system featuring elongated floor joists with a hollow configuration, level adjustment screws, and connection plugs that are easy to assemble and adjust, made from lightweight materials like metal or fibre-reinforced plastics, with flexible attachment members and reinforcement grooves for stability and secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If solid wood floor joists are used, then the construction provides natural material properties, but the joists are heavy and not dimensionally stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidjoist weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The floor joist uses a hollow profile configuration with thin-walled construction, replacing solid wood with a shell-like structure that provides high stiffness-to-weight ratio and dimensional stability while being lightweight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The floor joist is made from fibre-reinforced plastic material combining rigidity and dimensional stability with lightweight properties, eliminating the weight and instability issues of solid wood

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If joist sleeves and screws are assembled using traditional methods, then the connection is secure, but the assembly process is very time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection plugs are pre-assembled into the hollow floor joist profile during manufacturing, so that during installation only the level adjustment screws need to be attached, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining secure connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection plug integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural connection, level adjustment interface, and anchoring mechanism, simplifying the assembly process while ensuring reliable connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If traditional floor construction systems are used, then the structure is robust, but the construction is complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural robustnessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor support system is divided into modular components (hollow profile joists, connection plugs, level adjustment screws) that can be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the overall system while maintaining structural robustness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow profile floor joist serves multiple functions: structural support, dimensional stability, pre-integrated connection points, and lightweight construction, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3315689B1An adjustable floor support system
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 PRASTANGEN SVERIGE AB
  • EP3315689B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3315689B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3315689B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

An adjustable floor support system for supporting a raised floor construction relative to an underlying support surface, the adjustable floor support system comprising an elongated floor joist extending in a first direction, at least one level adjustment screw and at least one connection plug. The at least one level adjustment screw is attachable to the at least one connection plug, and the at least one connection plug is attachable to the floor joist. The floor joist has a hollow configuration with an upper wall, a lower wall and two side walls arranged between the upper wall and the lower wall, where the upper wall has at least one upper plug opening and the lower wall has at least one corresponding lower plug opening. At least one connection plug is attachable to the floor joist by an upper plug end connecting to the at least one upper plug opening of the floor joist and a lower plug end connecting to the at least one corresponding lower plug opening of the floor joist.