Profile Load-Bearing Connection for Precise Track Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support structures for track devices, such as escalators, have large manufacturing tolerances due to welding, making it complex and laborious to position and align components correctly, requiring manual creation of fastening means for variable positioning.

Innovation Solution

A load-carrying device with a profile featuring a first wall and an angular second wall, including a connecting piece that passes through a recess on the second wall to rest against the first wall, providing a load-resistant connection for safe and distributed force dissipation, and allowing for flexible alignment and easy attachment during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If profiles are welded together to form support structures, then structural strength is achieved, but manufacturing tolerances become large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into separate profile sections that are connected through load-bearing devices with connecting pieces, rather than being welded into a single integrated structure. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with precise tolerances while maintaining overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Load-bearing devices with connecting pieces serve as intermediary elements between profile sections. These connecting pieces insert into recesses and provide precise positioning and alignment, acting as mediators that transfer loads while maintaining manufacturing precision across multiple assembled components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex positioning and alignment procedures are used, then component positioning accuracy is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting pieces are designed with built-in positioning features and alignment guides that automatically establish correct positions during assembly. The recesses and connecting piece geometries are pre-configured to provide self-aligning capabilities, eliminating the need for complex external positioning procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The load-bearing devices and connecting pieces are designed to self-position and self-align during assembly. The geometric constraints of the recesses and connecting piece shapes automatically guide correct positioning without requiring external gauges or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual creation of fastening means is required, then variable positioning capability is achieved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable positioning capabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting pieces are designed with movable or adjustable features that allow variable positioning during assembly. The connecting pieces can be positioned at different locations along the profiles while maintaining secure connections, providing adaptability without requiring manual creation of fastening means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4353653A1Load-bearing device for receiving a load on a profile, in particular in a passenger conveyor
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR INNOVATION AND OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4353653A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4353653A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP4353653A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a load-bearing device (30) for receiving a load on a profile (31), in particular on an upper chord (4.1) or lower chord (4.2) of a track system (1), the load-bearing device (30) comprising the profile (31) with at least a first wall (31.1) and a second wall (31.2) connected at an angle, in particular at a right angle, to the first wall (31.1) and a connecting piece (32) with a first section (32.1) and a second section (32.2), wherein the profile (31) has a first recess (33.1) on the second wall (31.2) immediately below the first wall (31.1) and aligned parallel to the first wall (31.1), wherein the connecting piece (32) with the first section (32.1) extends through the first recess (33.1) and is attached to the first wall (31.1) from within the profile (31). is adjacent, with the first section (32.1) being connected to the first wall (31.1) is connectable and wherein the connecting piece (32) has a load-bearing capacity on the second section (32.2) lying outside the profile (31).