Mounting Bracket Assembly for Modular Heavy Equipment Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for supporting heavy equipment in commercial buildings and data centers require pre-welded frame structures, leading to inefficiencies in storage, shipping, and installation due to the need for unique sizes and shapes, resulting in excess waste and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A mounting bracket system that uses off-the-shelf steel tubing, allowing for easy assembly of frames of various sizes and shapes by cutting the tubing to specific lengths and combining it with the brackets, which can be stored compactly and assembled on-site, providing structural rigidity in three dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If pre-welded frames of unique sizes and shapes are manufactured for each piece of heavy equipment, then the frames provide secure and sturdy support, but storage space requirements increase and shipping costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-welded frame is segmented into separate components: mounting brackets and tubular members. The mounting bracket includes multiple channels and protrusions that receive and secure tubular members, allowing the frame to be disassembled into compact, storable pieces that can be assembled on-site in various configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple tubular members of different sizes and configurations through its channels and protrusions. This single bracket design can be used for various equipment sizes and frame shapes, eliminating the need for custom pre-welded frames for each application.
2Ease of operation
If pre-welded frames are manufactured in advance, then the frames are ready for immediate installation, but shipping time and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame system is divided into separate mounting brackets and tubular members that can be shipped independently in compact packaging. The brackets are ready for immediate use, and tubular members can be cut to length on-site, eliminating the need to ship complete pre-assembled frames and reducing shipping time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets are pre-manufactured with channels and protrusions prepared to receive tubular members, but the actual frame assembly is deferred until on-site installation. This preliminary preparation of components allows quick assembly without requiring advance manufacturing of complete frames.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom pre-welded frames are made for each equipment size, then the frames fit specific equipment requirements, but manufacturing complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single mounting bracket design with multiple channels and protrusions serves as a universal component that can accommodate various tubular member sizes and configurations. This universal bracket design eliminates the need to manufacture different custom frames for different equipment sizes, while still providing adaptability through the ability to cut tubular members to different lengths on-site.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting bracket is provided that can be used with off the shelf steel tubing to make sturdy and secure frames securing for heavy equipment to a floor or other structure. Different sizes and shapes of frames are easily made by cutting the steel tubing to different lengths and assembling frames using the cut tubing and brackets. The mounting bracket includes two pairs of sidewalls respectively defining first and second channels set at an angle to one another. The mounting bracket further includes a base protrusion and may be configured such that the first and second channels receive a standard tubular member and the base protrusion fits into an end of the tubular member. The mounting bracket may also include a flange that is integral or part of a mounting bracket assembly.