Silo Hollow Support Assembly Using Internal Angled Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silo construction methods face challenges in producing continuous hollow supports of several meters in length due to assembly limitations, such as the inability to screw connections beyond 1.20 meters and the lack of structural integrity in current screwing techniques, which restricts the height of silo cells to 6-8 meters.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates angled brackets on each support segment with an angle rail that extends internally to accommodate screws or nuts, allowing concealed screwing and enabling the assembly of hollow supports of any length, with polygonal openings to secure nuts and prevent turning, ensuring flat connection of segments and structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support segments are connected by traditional screw connections, then assembly is possible, but the hollow support length is limited to about 1.20 meters due to arm reach limitations for screwing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the nut-holding function from the end region to the interior space of the hollow support, utilizing the third dimension (internal space) to resolve the reach limitation. The angled bracket with nut holder is positioned inside the hollow support, allowing workers to access and tighten nuts from within the structure rather than from the end, effectively overcoming the 1.20m arm reach constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled bracket serves as an intermediary element that bridges the connection between support segments. It provides a platform (nut holder) for securing nuts and facilitates the screwing operation by positioning the nut-holding function at a location accessible from the interior, thus mediating between the structural connection requirement and the operational reach limitation.
2Ease of manufacture
If support segments are divided into multiple sections for assembly, then assembly feasibility is improved, but structural continuity and integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hollow support into multiple support segments that can be assembled separately and then connected. Each segment can be manufactured and prepared independently, then joined together through the interior-mounted screw connections to form a continuous structure, thus achieving both manufacturability and structural continuity.
3Ease of operation
If angled brackets with internal nut holders are used, then concealed screwing is enabled and arm reach limitations are overcome, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the angled bracket component: structural connection (as a connecting element between segments), positioning (providing a fixed location for nuts), and facilitating assembly (enabling interior access for screwing). By combining these functions into a single integrated component, the overall device complexity is managed while achieving the desired operational improvements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The silo has a silo cell that is formed with several wall elements (5). The wall elements are provided with a hollow support (10) at nodal points and connected with each other using the hollow support. The hollow support is provided with the interconnected support segments (11) which are arranged with a tab (17) inside of hollow support, at specific angle. The tab is provided with a holder (20) for receiving the screws or nuts (15). The support segments are connected by the screw to form the hollow support.