Modular Protective Structure for Fabric Silos
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective constructions for fabric silos lack an inexpensive solution with increased resistance to environmental influences, particularly as a weather protection facility, and are not adaptable to various silo dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A modular protective construction for fabric silos featuring a load-bearing basic structure that can be adapted to the height of the silo, combined with a weather protection device comprising convertible elements that can be adjusted to fit the silo's modules, providing effective weather protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individually designed and manufactured protective structures are used for each fabric silo, then adequate protection from weather influences is achieved, but cost-effectiveness and manufacturing efficiency deteriorate due to lack of standardization
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is divided into modular components including corner pillars with standardized connection elements, crossbars, and panel elements that can be manufactured separately and assembled in different configurations to suit various silo sizes and weather protection requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized corner pillars and connection elements serve multiple functions: structural support, modular assembly connection, and adaptability to different silo dimensions. The same basic components can be used across different protective structure configurations, achieving both standardization and customization
2Adaptability or versatility
If protective structures are designed to accommodate various silo sizes, then adaptability improves, but structural complexity increases due to need for multiple configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure employs telescopic corner pillars with adjustable heights and modular crossbars that can be positioned at different levels, allowing the same basic structure to adapt dynamically to various silo heights and dimensions without requiring completely different structural configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The structure achieves adaptability through parameter adjustments rather than design changes: corner pillar heights can be varied, crossbar positions adjusted, and panel configurations modified while maintaining the same fundamental structural system and connection methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are used to adapt the base frame to different silo heights, then adaptability improves, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Telescopic corner pillars are nested within each other, with inner sections sliding within outer sections to provide height adjustment. This nesting approach allows multiple height configurations using a single compact component rather than requiring separate components for each height level
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a protective structure for a fabric silo, comprising a supporting framework designed to accommodate the silo, in particular in a suspended form, and a weather protection device arranged on the framework, wherein the wall elements comprise fixed panels which are suspended on the framework between adjacent corner posts in an orientation in which orientation each panel has opposite horizontally extending longitudinal sides spanning a panel surface and vertically extending narrow sides connecting these, wherein cheeks with guide slots extending parallel to the narrow sides and resting on the panel surface are arranged on the panels, and projections corresponding to the guide slots are arranged on the corner posts in the direction of the respective adjacent corner post, into which projections the wall elements are suspended with the guide slots of their cheeks.