Modular framing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular frame systems often have low working load limits, making them inadequate for applications requiring high structural strength and durability, such as withstanding seismic events, and are typically complex and expensive to install.
Innovation Solution
A modular framing system comprising hollow spanning members with a predetermined nominal wall thickness and joiners with a minimum thickness greater than the spanning members, allowing for interconnection to form structures that can withstand dynamic loads, featuring multiple connection portions and web portions to secure members in non-parallel planes, and additional components like cross-braces and feet for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If modular frame systems use standard joining components and spanning members, then ease of assembly and cost-effectiveness are improved, but structural strength and working load limit deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joiner is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution, featuring thicker regions (minimum thickness t2) at critical connection points and thinner regions elsewhere. This local quality variation allows the joiner to achieve high structural strength at stress concentration points while maintaining overall cost-effectiveness and ease of assembly through standardized manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The joiner combines material distribution optimization with geometric design, creating a composite-like structure where varying thickness regions provide different mechanical properties. The thicker portions provide high strength for load-bearing connections while thinner portions reduce weight and cost, achieving a balance between structural strength and ease of manufacture.
2Ease of manufacture
If modular frame systems use standard joining components, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but working load limit and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joiner incorporates localized thickening at critical connection points where spanning members are secured, providing enhanced durability and reliability for withstanding seismic events and dynamic loads. The non-uniform thickness distribution ensures that material is concentrated where it is most needed for structural integrity while maintaining cost-effectiveness through optimized material usage.
3Strength
If joiners have sufficient thickness for high strength, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly increasing the thickness of the entire joiner (which would increase complexity and cost), the invention applies local quality by varying the thickness only at critical regions. This approach achieves the required structural strength while minimizing device complexity by maintaining simple geometries in non-critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular framing system has a plurality of spanning members, at least some of which are hollow and have a predetermined nominal wall thickness, fasteners, and a plurality of joiners that are each securable to two or more of the hollow spanning members. Each joiner has connection portions, and at least one web portion that interconnects an adjacent pair of the connection portions, and has a minimum thickness that is greater than the predetermined nominal wall thickness of the hollow spanning members. Each connection portion has through holes for fasteners to secure the joiner to spanning members. The web portion spaces the respective adjacent pair of connection portions, and spanning members secured to the adjacent pair of connection portions are non-parallel and lie in a common plane.