Tool-Free Modular Shelter Frame Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable shelter framing systems require extensive time and tools for assembly and disassembly, making them inconvenient for temporary use and storage, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable shelter framing system featuring vertical support members, crossbeam members, and roof frame members that can be connected without tools, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly, and are designed to be compactly stored and transported.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional portable shelter framing systems use multiple fastening components and tools for assembly, then the structural stability and reliability are improved, but the assembly time and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The framing system is divided into separate modular components (vertical support members, crossbeam members, roof frame members) that can be independently assembled. Each component has standardized connection features that enable quick assembly without tools, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
Connecting members serve as intermediary elements between the vertical support members, crossbeam members, and roof frame members. These connecting members provide standardized interfaces that enable tool-free assembly while maintaining structural integrity, thus improving assembly speed without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional portable shelters require multiple tools for assembly, then the connection strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of operation and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members are designed with self-aligning features and tool-free fastening mechanisms that allow users to assemble the shelter independently without requiring external tools. The standardized connection interfaces automatically align components during assembly, maintaining connection strength while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting members serve multiple functions: they provide structural connections between components, serve as alignment guides, and act as their own fastening mechanisms. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tools while maintaining reliable connections, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing connection strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the portable shelter is designed for frequent assembly and disassembly, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shelter is segmented into standardized modular components with uniform connection interfaces. This segmentation enables the same connecting members to be used repeatedly across different assemblies, reducing the variety of components needed while maintaining ease of setup. The modular design allows for simple storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting members are designed as universal components that can join any combination of vertical support members, crossbeam members, and roof frame members. This universality reduces the total number of different component types needed, simplifying storage and transport while maintaining the ease of assembly and disassembly for frequent use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the portable shelter uses a large collection of constituent components for full functionality, then the adaptability and coverage are improved, but the storage volume and transport complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with smaller components fitting within larger ones. This nesting arrangement minimizes the total storage volume required while maintaining the full functionality and adaptability of the shelter when assembled. The standardized connection interfaces enable quick assembly from these compact stored configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable shelter framing system is disclosed herein. The portable shelter framing system includes a plurality of vertical support members; a plurality of crossbeam members, each of the crossbeam members configured to be connected between a pair of the plurality of vertical support members without the use of tools; and a plurality of roof frame members, each of the roof frame members configured to be coupled to one of the plurality of vertical support members or one of the plurality of crossbeam members without the use of tools. In one or more embodiments, the portable shelter framing system further includes a plurality of connecting members, each of the connecting members configured to couple a respective one of the plurality of roof frame members to a respective one of the plurality of vertical support members or to a respective one of the plurality of crossbeam members without the use of tools.