Slat Roof Locking Piece for Wind-Resistant Canopy Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slat roofs face issues with vertical locking of slats, which can be lifted by wind loads, leading to damage, and require time-consuming assembly and maintenance, while heavier beams to counter bending increase costs and are aesthetically undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The slat roof design incorporates a locking piece on the slat shaft that abuts against an abutment on the beam for vertical locking, eliminating the need for a cover profile and allowing quick assembly, and includes lateral locking to prevent beam bending, using materials like plastic for cost-effectiveness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover profile is used to provide vertical locking for slat shafts, then the slats are protected from being lifted by wind loads, but the assembly and maintenance become time-consuming due to the complex structure
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: the locking piece on the slat shaft and the corresponding abutment on the beam. This segmentation allows for simpler, more modular assembly where components can be independently manufactured and positioned, reducing the time required for assembly while maintaining the vertical locking function against wind loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The essential locking function is extracted from the complex cover profile structure. By identifying and implementing only the critical vertical locking capability through the locking piece and abutment combination, the design eliminates unnecessary structural elements, thereby reducing assembly complexity and time while preserving the wind resistance function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heavier beams are used to counter beam bending, then the structural stability is improved, but the production costs increase and aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking piece acts as an intermediary element between the slat shaft and the beam, providing lateral support and preventing beam bending without requiring the beam itself to be heavier. This intermediary component distributes and manages the forces that would otherwise require increased beam mass, thereby maintaining structural stability while avoiding the cost and aesthetic penalties of heavier beams.
3Ease of operation
If recesses are provided in beams for slat shaft insertion, then the assembly is simplified, but the vertical locking of slat shafts is insufficient under wind loads
Solution Approach 1:
The design merges two previously separate functions into a unified system: the recess provides simplified insertion (ease of assembly) while the locking piece with abutment provides vertical locking (reliability under wind loads). These combined elements work together to achieve both assembly simplicity and secure vertical retention, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A slat roof with two substantially parallel beams with a set of parallel slats between them that are rotatably secured to the beams is disclosed. A first beam comprises a set of recesses that are open towards the topside. Each slat has at its extremities a slat shaft, wherein the first slat shaft rests in a corresponding recess. At least one recess is provided with an abutment and the slat shaft that is positioned in the recess is provided with a locking piece that at its topside at least partially abuts against the abutment. The locking piece and the abutment together ensure vertical locking of the first extremity of the slat.