Rotatable Truss Connector for Buckling Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wooden trusses, particularly prefabricated ones, face issues with buckling under compression loads due to insufficient reinforcement, leading to potential failure and increased construction costs, time, and complexity when additional reinforcing members are added on-site.

Innovation Solution

A truss member connector that allows an additional reinforcing wooden member to be attached to truss members in the same plane during factory fabrication, enabling easy rotation into a perpendicular position on-site, providing structural support and rigidity without the need for extensive on-site installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If additional reinforcing wooden members are attached perpendicular to truss members at 90 degrees, then buckling resistance is improved, but installation complexity and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuckling resistanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing member is pre-attached to the truss member in the same plane during factory fabrication, allowing the truss to be shipped ready-for-installation. The worker simply needs to rotate the pre-attached reinforcing member into the perpendicular position, eliminating complex installation procedures while maintaining buckling resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing member transitions from a parallel orientation (same plane as truss member) during shipping to a perpendicular orientation (different plane) during installation. This dimensional change allows the member to provide buckling resistance without interfering with stacking and shipping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If additional reinforcing wooden members are attached in the same plane as truss members, then manufacturing ease is improved, but buckling resistance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidbuckling resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing member is pre-attached in the same plane during factory fabrication using conventional equipment, making manufacturing easy. The buckling resistance is then activated when the worker rotates the member into the perpendicular position on-site, combining manufacturing ease with structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing member is designed to be rotatable from a parallel position (during manufacturing and shipping) to a perpendicular position (during installation). This dynamic repositioning allows the same member to serve different functions: ease of manufacture in one orientation and buckling resistance in another.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If reinforcing mechanisms are added on-site, then adaptability is improved, but construction time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing member is pre-attached during factory fabrication, so the truss arrives at the construction site ready for final installation. This eliminates the need for complex on-site fabrication while maintaining adaptability, as the worker simply rotates the pre-prepared member into position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If metal connectors are used on both sides of reinforcing members, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using metal connectors on both sides of the reinforcing member, the invention uses connectors on only one side (the side facing the worker during installation). This partial action approach provides sufficient connection strength while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11326346B2Truss member connector, reinforced truss, and truss reinforcing method

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides in various embodiments a truss member connector including a first attachment section, a second attachment section, a connection section connecting the first attachment section to the second attachment section, and one or more guide pins. The present disclosure provides in various embodiments a reinforced truss and a method for reinforcing a truss member of a truss with the additional reinforcing member which includes attaching an additional reinforcing member to the truss member with a plurality of truss member connectors to enable rotation of the additional reinforcing member relative to the truss member such that the additional reinforcing member adds support and rigidity to the truss member and the entire truss.