Self-Supporting Entrance Canopy for Decoupled Force Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing canopies for building entrances with roof structures face challenges in managing force stress, particularly due to shear, tensile, and compressive forces, leading to complex mechanical support systems that are cumbersome and limited in force transmission.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting canopy design featuring a frame profile that rests on elongated support elements without rigid connections, allowing for decoupling of force transmission between the supporting structure and the roof structure, with positioning means to prevent displacement and a water drainage channel integrated into the frame profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid connection between the roof structure and support structure is used, then force transmission is restricted, but the mechanical support becomes complex and cannot accommodate temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple discrete elongated support elements (sword-shaped elements) that are distributed across the span. Each element independently supports a portion of the frame profile, allowing the system to manage forces through distribution rather than rigid centralized connection. This segmentation enables the canopy to accommodate temperature fluctuations while maintaining reliable force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic support system where the frame profile rests on elongated support elements without rigid fixation. This allows the roof structure to expand and contract with temperature changes while the support elements continuously bear the load, creating a dynamic adaptation to thermal variations without mechanical complexity.
2Strength
If the support structure is designed to absorb all forces including tensile and compressive forces, then the support structure becomes more robust, but the installation complexity and stress on mounting points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the function of absorbing tensile and compressive forces from the support structure by allowing the frame profile to rest freely on the elongated support elements. The support elements only need to bear the weight of the roof structure, while thermal expansion and contraction are accommodated through the non-rigid resting connection, significantly simplifying installation and reducing stress on mounting points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the support structure to actively absorb and resist all forces (tensile, compressive, shear), the invention inverts the approach by allowing the roof structure to freely expand and contract while the support elements passively bear only the gravitational load. This inversion from active force resistance to passive load bearing simplifies both manufacture and installation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a claw-like support structure with rigid connections is used, then the canopy can be firmly attached to the wall, but the support structure must be designed to absorb multiple types of forces increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple elongated support elements distributed along the span, each independently connected to the wall. This segmentation provides stable attachment through distribution of loads across multiple wall mounting points while avoiding the complexity of a single rigid claw-like structure that must absorb all forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the static rigid claw-like connection with a dynamic system where the frame profile rests on elongated support elements. This allows the canopy to maintain stable attachment to the wall through multiple distributed connection points while accommodating thermal movements, reducing the complexity of force absorption requirements for each individual support element.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a canopy for building entrances with a roof structure and with a support structure for attaching the roof structure to a wall of the building, wherein the support structure comprises a number of elongated support elements and a number of wall brackets that can be attached to the wall, wherein the wall brackets are firmly connected to the respective associated elongated support elements, wherein the roof structure comprises a frame profile which, in a mounting position, is arranged to rest on the elongated support elements which are arranged at a distance from each other, and wherein the roof structure comprises a flat roof element which is held on the frame profile.