Rotatable Forkend Joint for Modular Truss Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing truss structures face challenges in efficiently connecting modular segments for ease of transportation and assembly, while maintaining structural integrity and allowing for rotational adjustments during use.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable forkend connection system comprising a shank and a forkend connector, where the shank is fixedly coupled to a device member and the forkend connector is rotatably coupled with a coaxial axis of rotation, featuring protrusions and recesses or grooves that restrain movement along the longitudinal axis, allowing for rotational flexibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If modular segments are bolted or coupled together for ease of transportation, then the truss structure can be disassembled and transported efficiently, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into distinct modular components: a shank with protrusion and a forkend connector with recess. These segmented parts can be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining transportation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The shank is inserted within the device member, and the protrusion extends from the shank to engage with the recess in the forkend connector. This nested arrangement allows compact storage and efficient transportation while enabling straightforward assembly through simple insertion and engagement movements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the forkend connector is rigidly fixed to the shank, then structural stability is maximized, but rotational adjustments cannot be made during use
Solution Approach 1:
The forkend connector is rotatably coupled to the shank, transforming the connection from a static rigid joint to a dynamic adjustable joint. This allows the connector to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shank, providing rotational adjustability while maintaining structural stability through the constrained rotation mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the protrusion and recess allow free movement along the longitudinal axis, then rotational freedom is achieved, but the connection loses structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion and recess are designed with specific geometric features that provide different degrees of freedom in different directions. The geometry allows free rotation about the longitudinal axis while constraining movement along the longitudinal axis, creating directionally selective freedom that maintains both rotational freedom and connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable forkend connection system is provided that includes a shank and a forkend connector. The shank is fixedly coupled to a device member and extends within the device member along a longitudinal axis of the device member. The shank includes a protrusion extending from the shank in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device member. The forkend connector is rotatably coupled to the shank and has an axis of rotation coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the device member. The forkend connector includes a recess configured to receive the protrusion. The protrusion and the recess are configured to restrain the forkend connector from moving along the longitudinal axis of the device member.