Top-Side Roof Access Web for Weather Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weather protection roofs do not allow direct access to the top of the roof cladding for cleaning, snow clearing, or assembly work, as the mounting webs are typically suspended below the roof cladding.
Innovation Solution
A top-side web formed from web elements is releasably attached to the weather protection roof, allowing for secure and flexible access above the roof skin, with the web elements supported by struts parallel to the roof skin and fastened using angled end regions or retaining claws, enabling diagonal or transverse placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mounting web is suspended below the roof cladding, then the roof structure remains simple and stable, but direct access to the top of the roof cladding is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of suspending the walkway below the roof cladding as in conventional solutions, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the walkway above the roof cladding. The walkway is supported by struts that extend upward from the roof structure, allowing workers direct access to the top of the roof for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the roof skin is clamped in place for weather protection, then weather sealing is improved, but access for cleaning and assembly work is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure - the walkway with its support struts - that mediates between the need for secure weather sealing (achieved by clamping the roof skin) and the need for maintenance access. The walkway provides a stable platform above the clamped roof skin, allowing workers to access the roof top without compromising the weather sealing integrity.
3Ease of operation
If a detachable walkway is added below the roof truss, then worker access is enabled, but direct access to the top of roof cladding is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from the conventional two-dimensional plan view arrangement (walkway below the roof truss) to a three-dimensional arrangement where the walkway is positioned above the roof cladding in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change allows direct access to the roof top surface while using a relatively simple mounting structure that attaches to the existing roof framework.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Weather protection roof made of several roof trusses (11) in a truss girder construction, each with a top chord (110) which span a roof membrane between them, and are connected to each other via purlins (13) and diagonal braces (14) running transversely to the roof trusses (11), wherein the weather protection roof (1) is equipped with at least one detachably attached web (2) for carrying out assembly or cleaning work in the roof area, and wherein the web (2) is placed on the top of the roof membrane on the top chords (110) of the roof trusses (11) and/or the purlins (13), and is detachably held there by means of fasteners (220, 225, 229).