Interlocking Tension Compression Structure for Rapid Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structures, such as antenna towers and drilling rigs, require heavy equipment and are laborious and time-consuming to erect due to their rigid material construction, making them unsuitable for efficient deployment.
Innovation Solution
The use of interlocking tension and compression components that secure alternating compression components in adjacent sections, forming a rigid structure quickly and efficiently, allowing for rapid assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rigid materials are used to construct structures like antenna towers and drilling rigs, then the strength and integrity of the structure are ensured, but the structure requires large and heavy equipment such as cranes to erect and the erection process becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into multiple modular sections that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each section contains standardized components including compression members, tension members, and connection mechanisms, allowing for rapid assembly without requiring heavy lifting equipment for entire structure components.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure employs dynamic assembly mechanisms where tension members can be rapidly tensioned and compression members interlocked through movable connection points. This allows the structure to transition from a disassembled state to a fully assembled rigid structure quickly, improving erection productivity while maintaining strength.
2Strength
If conventional rigid materials and construction methods are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but hundreds or thousands of different parts are required making the process complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs universal connection mechanisms and standardized component designs that can be used across different sections and configurations of the structure. The same tension members, compression members, and connection hardware serve multiple functions and can be reused throughout the assembly process, reducing the total number of different part types required while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If traditional structure erection methods are used, then adequate strength is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and cost-prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
Components are pre-assembled into modular sections with connection mechanisms prepared in advance. Tension members are pre-threaded through connection points and compression members are pre-positioned with alignment features, allowing for rapid final assembly that reduces erection time while maintaining the required structural strength through the interlocking connection system.
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
This solution enables rapid deployment and reconfiguration of structures like towers and dishes, providing torsional strength and stability while reducing the need for heavy equipment and labor, making them more cost-effective and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one tensioning component secures alternating ones of the plurality of compression components in adjacent ones of the plurality of interlocking structure sections in end-to-end, interlocking compression with each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
Structures with interlocking components include a plurality of interlocking structure sections, each of the interlocking structure sections including at least one tensioning component and a plurality of compression components carried by the at least one tensioning component. The at least one tensioning component secures alternating ones of the plurality of compression components in adjacent ones of the plurality of interlocking structure sections in end-to-end, interlocking compression with each other.