Rafter Connector With Hollow Guide Element For Vertical Line Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for supporting essentially vertical lines, such as chimneys, are difficult to assemble, have low rigidity, and require significant installation space, making them inefficient in handling vertical loads like wind forces.
Innovation Solution
A rafter connector with a longitudinal design featuring a first and second fastening area attached to rafters via normal surfaces, a connection area with an internally hollow guide element to enhance rigidity, and a side bracket for secure horizontal support, made of metal with a corrosion-resistant coating to ensure durability and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional support systems are used for vertical pipes, then they can provide horizontal support, but they are difficult to assemble and have low stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into modular components: a rafter connector with fastening areas for roof attachment, a connection area with hollow guide element, and side brackets. This segmentation allows easy assembly while maintaining structural stiffness through precise geometric design of each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The rafter connector integrates multiple functions into a single component: it combines fastening surfaces for rafter attachment, a hollow guide element for structural stiffness and alignment, and mounting points for side brackets. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining high stiffness.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional support systems are used for vertical pipes, then they can provide horizontal support, but they require a large amount of installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The rafter connector utilizes the vertical dimension by extending along the rafter with fastening areas at different heights, allowing compact attachment to the roof structure. The hollow guide element runs longitudinally, providing structural stiffness without requiring lateral space, thus reducing installation footprint while maintaining support reliability.
3Strength
If the connection area is designed without fasteners to increase bending stiffness, then rigidity improves, but assembly complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection area employs a hollow guide element that acts as a flexible yet stiff structural component. This hollow section provides high bending stiffness without requiring additional fasteners, as the geometric configuration itself resists bending while simplifying the overall connection design.
4Ease of manufacture
If the hollow guide element is designed with constant inner and outer contours, then manufacturing simplicity increases, but structural optimization may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow guide element maintains constant inner and outer contours along its length, which simplifies manufacturing by allowing uniform production methods. The optimal dimensions and wall thickness are selected to provide sufficient bending stiffness and structural strength while maintaining this geometric consistency for easy fabrication.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a rafter connector (10), wherein: the rafter connector (10) extends in a longitudinal direction (L); the rafter connector (10) has a first fastening region (12) and a second fastening region (14) and a connection region (16); the first fastening region (12) is or can be fixed to a first rafter, in particular via a first mounting surface (13) with a normal (N13) advantageously parallel to a vertical direction (H); the second fastening region (14) is or can be fixed to a second rafter, in particular via a second mounting surface (15) with a normal (N15) advantageously parallel to the vertical direction (H); the connection region (16) is arranged between the first fastening region (12) and the second fastening region (14) in the longitudinal direction (L); and the connection region (16) has an internally hollow guide element (18).