Membrane Retaining System with Adjustable Tension Truss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Membrane-covered structures face challenges in maintaining and replacing membrane sections due to the flexible nature of the material, which leads to wear and tear and cumbersome installation or repair processes that often require altering the underlying structure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising connecting members with radial channels and a fastening mechanism that allows for adjustable tension by controlling the depth of the connecting member within a truss, facilitating easier installation and replacement of membrane sheets using guiding strips and screws, with the option to use additional channels and materials like aluminum or polymer for the connecting members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If membrane sections are installed using traditional methods, then the structure is covered, but the installation and repair process is cumbersome and requires affecting the structure itself
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into multiple detachable sections that can be independently installed and removed. Each section has guiding strips that interface with connecting members on the truss, allowing sections to be attached without modifying the underlying structure. This segmentation enables easy installation and repair while preserving the integrity of the truss system.
Solution Approach 2:
Connecting members with radial channels and guiding strips serve as intermediary elements between the membrane sections and the truss structure. These intermediaries facilitate attachment and tension adjustment without requiring direct modification of the truss itself, thus simplifying installation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If membrane material is used for covering, then flexibility is achieved, but wear and tear increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members can be adjusted in depth within the top channel of the truss to control tension in the membrane sections. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and wear, maintaining optimal tension and durability throughout the service life of the membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension parameter of the membrane can be changed by adjusting the depth of the connecting members within the top channel. This parameter adjustment extends the service life of the membrane by compensating for wear and tear, maintaining structural integrity without requiring replacement of the flexible material.
3Ease of repair
If membrane sections are replaced, then wear and tear is addressed, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into independent sections that can be replaced individually without affecting other sections or the underlying structure. Each section has guiding strips that interface with connecting members, allowing for quick detachment and replacement. This segmentation dramatically reduces replacement time and simplifies the repair process.
Solution Approach 2:
Individual membrane sections can be extracted and removed from the structure by simply detaching the connecting members from the top channel, without affecting the truss structure or other membrane sections. This extraction capability enables rapid replacement of worn sections while preserving the rest of the structure.
4Manufacturing precision
If connecting members are deeply maintained in the top channel, then tension control is improved, but the complexity of the fastening mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members with radial channels and guiding strips serve as intermediaries that provide precise tension control through depth adjustment within the top channel. This intermediary mechanism achieves accurate tension control without requiring complex fastening systems, as the radial channels naturally guide and constrain the connecting members to the desired depth.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for installation and replacement of a membrane and system for retaining membrane on a structure. A connecting member comprises at least one radial channel for receiving a first guiding strip of a membrane sheet further having a second guiding strip. A fastening mechanism is provided for adjusting tension in the sheet by controlling depth at which the connecting member is maintained within a top channel on a truss of the structure. The tension may be adjusted by applying torque to bolted screws maintaining the connecting member into the top channel. Replacing the membrane sheet under tension involves unfastening, at least partially, the connecting member from the top channel to remove tension in the sheet and removing the sheet to be replaced from the connecting member and a second connecting member maintained on another truss.