Modular Edge Protection Fence With Tensioned Collapsible Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety fences for multi-story building construction are cumbersome to set up, difficult to move, and costly, lacking in portability and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A safety fence system comprising releasable posts, a rotatable upper rail, collapsible mesh, and tensioning members that facilitate quick erection, disassembly, and transportation, ensuring lightweight and economical construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional safety fence systems use posts extending between floors to anchor fence panels, then the fence provides adequate structural support and stability, but the system becomes cumbersome to set up, difficult to move, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The fence system is divided into modular components: individual posts with integrated L-brackets, separate mesh panels, and independent tensioning members. This segmentation allows each component to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining structural integrity when combined.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic connection mechanisms including rotatable L-brackets that can pivot between vertical and horizontal positions during assembly, and tensioning members with turnbuckles that allow adjustable tensioning. These dynamic elements enable quick setup and teardown while maintaining strength during use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the safety fence system uses large fence panels secured between adjacent posts, then adequate coverage and protection are provided, but the system becomes difficult to transport and maneuver by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The fence panels are segmented into smaller mesh sections that can be easily handled and transported individually. Each mesh panel can be separately attached to posts, allowing workers to move and reposition them without handling large, cumbersome structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fence uses flexible mesh material instead of rigid panels. This mesh can be rolled or folded for transport, significantly reducing the weight and bulk handling requirements while providing adequate coverage when deployed and tensioned between posts.
3Ease of manufacture
If the safety fence is designed to be moved from location to location or floor to floor for re-use, then cost-effectiveness improves, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional mechanisms for easy erection and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The fence system consists of discrete, standardized posts, mesh panels, and tensioning members that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This modular segmentation simplifies the reconfiguration process for moving the fence to different locations or floors.
Solution Approach 2:
The posts are designed with universal L-brackets that can be configured in multiple orientations and attached to various floor structures. The same basic components can be used throughout the construction project, reducing the need for specialized parts and simplifying storage and reassembly.
4Ease of operation
If the upper rail is rotatably secured to posts to facilitate fence erection and storage, then ease of assembly improves, but the connection point becomes a potential weak point for structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The L-brackets are pre-attached to the posts in a factory setting, ensuring proper alignment and secure fastening. This preliminary action eliminates field welding or complex field assembly, maintaining connection strength while enabling easy rotation and assembly by workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The L-brackets are designed to be rotatable during assembly but can be locked or secured in the final position. This dynamic capability allows the rail to be easily installed by rotating it into place while maintaining structural integrity once assembled.
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
The system allows for rapid setup and teardown, is lightweight for easy transport, and meets regulatory load requirements while being cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the tensioning member may be tensioned between the first and second posts, when tensioned between the first and second posts with the mesh in its deployed configuration, the tensioning member providing horizontal load support to the mesh
Implementation Method 2
the upper rail rotationally moveable about the first post to facilitate fence erection, removal, transportation, and storage
Implementation Method 3
the mesh slidably movable between its retracted and deployed configurations to facilitate fence erection, removal, transportation, and storage
Data Source
AI summary
A safety fence comprising a first and a second post. An upper rail is securable to upright members of the first post and the second post in a horizontally orientation. A mesh has an upper end slidably coupled to the upper rail. The mesh has a retracted configuration where it is collapsed and retained next to the first post, and a deployed configuration where it is extended between the first and second posts in a taut configuration. At least one tensioning member has a first end fixed to the first post and is releasably securable to the second post such that the tensioning member may be tensioned between the first and second posts. The tensioning member, when tensioned between the first and second posts with the mesh in its deployed configuration, provides horizontal load support to the mesh.