Scaffolding Post Shoulder Structure for Higher Load Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scaffolding systems face challenges in balancing high load-bearing capacity with cost-effective production, as one-piece designs are labor-intensive and non-integrated designs have limited contact areas leading to reduced load-bearing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A scaffolding post design featuring a pipe with an axially inserted and rigidly fastened insertion pin, where the tube wall is machined to form a large contact shoulder with increased thickness at the insertion end, providing a substantial contact surface for adjacent posts, and a receiving section with a larger inner diameter for improved load transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the tube and spigot are formed as a single piece, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The scaffolding post is divided into separate components: a tube and an insertion pin, which are manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced using standard, cost-effective manufacturing processes while maintaining the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the complete assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion pin is inserted into the tube, creating a nested structure where one component fits within another. This nested design provides a large contact area between the components, ensuring high load-bearing capacity while allowing each part to be manufactured separately at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the tube and spigot are not formed as a single piece, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the contact area between tube ends is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcontact area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion pin is inserted into the tube, creating a nested structure where one component fits within another. This nested design provides a large contact area between the components, ensuring high load-bearing capacity while allowing each part to be manufactured separately at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing contact area in the horizontal plane, the invention extends the contact area axially along the length of the insertion pin within the tube. This dimensional approach to increasing contact area allows for cost-effective separate manufacturing while maintaining structural performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If a rigid connection of connecting pipe section to scaffolding post tube is provided, then the load transfer is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload transfer capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion pin and tube are merged into a single assembled unit where the pin is rigidly fixed within the tube through interference fit or welding at specific locations. This merging provides rigid connection and improved load transfer while keeping individual components simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3714118B1Scaffolding post, scaffolding and method for producing a scaffolding post
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 PERI GMBH
  • EP3714118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3714118B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3714118B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a scaffolding post (10a) for transferring vertical loads in scaffolding. The effective length of the scaffolding post (10a) is preferably determined by a tube (12), on the inside of which an insertion pin is fastened at one end and which has at the other end a receiving portion for inserting a insertion pin of an identical scaffolding post (10a). In the region of the insertion pin, the tube (12) preferably has a tube wall thickness (tv) that widens toward the insertion pin. This thickening is preferably formed on the tube (12) in a nose shape and/or at a radial distance from the insertion pin.