Modular Chord and Forming Strip Connections for Rapid Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary structure systems face challenges in achieving rapid deployment, modification, and disassembly while maintaining strength, rigidity, and cost-effectiveness, due to limitations in material flexibility, joint strength, and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A modular structural system comprising chords and forming strips with T-slot structures and bolt-type connectors, allowing for flexible configuration and easy assembly/disassembly, using standard hex-bolts and T-bolts for secure connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If wooden structures with rope or nail joints are used, then the structure is lightweight and inexpensive, but the joints are weak and excessively flexible causing rotation about joints
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into modular components (chords, forming strips, connectors) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each component maintains standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, allowing the structure to be segmented into transportable units while preserving overall structural integrity through standardized joining mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Metal connectors serve as intermediary elements between wooden components, providing rigid joint connections without requiring heavy fastening hardware. These connectors act as mediators that transfer and distribute loads between structural members, eliminating the need for excessive nail or bolt usage while maintaining joint rigidity.
2Strength
If bolts or clenched nails are used to strengthen joints, then the joint strength and rigidity increase, but the construction time and disassembly time rapidly increase
Solution Approach 1:
Connection holes and mounting locations are pre-drilled and predetermined in each component during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for field measurement and hole alignment during assembly, allowing workers to simply insert and secure components in their predetermined positions, thereby reducing construction time while maintaining joint rigidity through precise pre-positioned connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex fastening operation is extracted from the assembly process and replaced with simple insertion and locking actions. The connector design separates the structural function (providing rigidity) from the assembly function (enabling quick connection), allowing rigid joints to be achieved without time-consuming bolt tightening or nail driving operations.
3Strength
If modular iron or steel piping sections are used, then the structure is stronger and more rigid, but the cost is significantly greater and the elements are significantly heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The structure utilizes composite construction combining wood (for lightweight structural members) with metal (for connection hardware and reinforcing elements). This composite approach leverages the high strength-to-weight ratio of wood for the main structural components while using smaller amounts of high-strength metal for connections, achieving overall structural strength comparable to all-metal constructions while significantly reducing total weight and cost.
4Adaptability or versatility
If component elements are cut to specific sizes for particular structures, then the structure meets specific requirements, but the components are not readily reusable in subsequent structures
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into standardized modular components with fixed dimensions and interchangeable connection points. This segmentation allows the same set of standardized components to be reconfigured for different structure sizes and configurations by simply changing the arrangement and number of modules used, rather than cutting components to custom sizes, thereby enabling full reusability across multiple structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Each component is designed with universal connection interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow it to serve multiple functions in different structural configurations. The same chord or forming strip can be used in various positions and orientations across different structures, and the standardized connectors accommodate different joining scenarios, making the entire component set universally applicable and fully reusable.
Data Source
AI summary
Modular structural components and structural connections including chords and forming strips. Each chord has a generally elongated square main body of four main walls surrounding a central bore and having a T-slot structure adapted to accept a bolt type fastener extending along each exterior main surface. Each forming strip is an elongated plate formed into strip segments oriented at right angles to each other and forming a W-shaped corner region, a face region with a bolt hole and an attachment region, each region forming a mating bearing surface with a surface of a chord.