Modular Mast Joint Structure for Fast Aligned Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunications masts are aesthetically unpleasing, difficult to maintain, and costly to produce, with protuberances that promote soiling and hinder easy assembly and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A modular mast design featuring sections with cutouts and teeth for secure alignment, internal securing plates, and aseptic appearance, allowing easy assembly and adaptation to site requirements, with pre-drilled holes for antennas and cable access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional flanges with holes and screws are used to connect mast sections, then the mast can be assembled and disassembled, but the mast becomes costly to produce, aesthetically unpleasing, and difficult to clean due to protuberances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the traditional flange structure with holes and screws from the mast connection system. Instead, it uses integrated teeth that protrude from one section and engage with corresponding recesses in the adjacent section, removing the harmful protuberances and fixing means while maintaining assembly capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the connection function and alignment function into a single integrated tooth-recess structure. The teeth serve both as mechanical connectors and as alignment features, eliminating the need for separate flanges, holes, and screws that traditionally performed these functions
2Productivity
If modular sections are used to allow easy transportation and assembly, then the mast can be transported easily and assembled rapidly, but the production cost increases due to fixing flanges and additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the mast into modular sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. Each section includes integrated teeth at its ends, allowing rapid connection without requiring additional flanges or fixing components, thus reducing production cost while maintaining assembly speed
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth-recess structure is self-aligning and self-securing, requiring no additional alignment tools or fixing operations. The geometry of the teeth and recesses automatically ensures proper positioning and mechanical connection when sections are assembled
3Ease of operation
If traditional fixing means are used to connect sections, then the mast can be assembled, but the alignment and angular orientation positioning becomes difficult and the securing of additional equipment becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are designed with asymmetric geometry that provides both radial and angular positioning. The non-circular cross-section of the teeth ensures that they can only engage with the recesses in one specific orientation, automatically achieving precise angular alignment without requiring additional marking or adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A modular mast (1) intended to be fixed to a bearing element and to accommodate at least one telecommunication antenna includes at least two sections (2 and 3 or 3 and 4) assembled in the extension of one another by respective ends, and one of the sections (2, 3 or 4) having, at its end assembled with the other section (2, 3 or 4), at least one cutout (10) and the latter section having at least one tooth (11) coming axially to bear in the bottom (17) of the cutout (10). At least one seal (15) is present between an edge of the cutout (10) and an adjacent edge of the tooth (11). A plurality of securing plates (12) link the ends of the sections (2 and 3 or 3 and 4) internally therein.