Membrane Bonded Anchor With Rigid Load Distribution Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing anchors directly to membrane skin structures can cause damage due to load-induced distortion, as existing methods apply forces directly to the membrane, leading to deformation.
Innovation Solution
An anchor arrangement featuring a metallic rigid load distribution plate with a bonded membrane layer, which distributes loads across the membrane skin, preventing distortion by spreading force evenly and using toggle bolts to secure both the anchor bracket and distribution plate to the membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anchors are mounted directly to the membrane skin, then secure anchor mounting is achieved, but membrane skin damage and deformation occur due to applied loads
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid load distribution plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the anchor mounting bracket and the membrane skin. This plate distributes the applied loads over a larger area of the membrane, preventing localized deformation and damage while maintaining secure anchor mounting. The plate acts as a mediator that transfers forces from the anchor to the membrane in a distributed manner rather than concentrated loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the anchor mounting bracket, the rigid load distribution plate, and the membrane skin. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the bracket provides anchor attachment, the plate distributes loads, and the membrane provides the skin structure - thereby resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and preventing deformation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If load distribution plate is used to prevent membrane deformation, then membrane skin protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load distribution plate is merged with the mounting bracket assembly to form an integrated anchor arrangement. The plate is positioned to underlay the bracket and is secured together, combining the load distribution function with the mounting function in a single integrated component system, thereby reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid load distribution plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes applied loads over the membrane skin, provides a mounting surface for the anchor bracket, and acts as a structural connector between the bracket and the membrane. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device.
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
Prevents membrane distortion by evenly distributing applied loads across the membrane skin, ensuring secure and damage-free anchor mounting for intermittent load-bearing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane layer contiguous with the load distribution plate, provided between the load distribution plate and the anchor mounting bracket mounting flanges, the membrane layer being bonded to the load distribution plate
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor arrangement for mounting to a membrane skin of a structure has a mounting bracket, including a mounting flange provided with one or more fixing apertures and a metallic rigid mounting plate arranged to underlay the anchor mounting bracket and provided with one or more fixing apertures arranged to match up with the aperture(s) in the anchor mounting bracket. A membrane layer lies contiguous with the metallic rigid plate, provided between the metallic rigid plate and the anchor mounting bracket mounting flanges, the membrane layer being bonded to the metallic rigid plate.