Stackable Modular Unit Support Stand for Low-Volume Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temporary support stands for modular units are expensive, labor-intensive, heavy, difficult to adjust and move, and not durable, leading to high transportation and storage costs, and frequent damage.
Innovation Solution
A stackable, reusable, quickly deployable, and easily transportable support stand constructed according to engineering specifications, using durable materials and designed for efficient stacking and unstacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wood cribs are used as temporary support stands, then they can support modular units at the required elevation, but they become very heavy and difficult to move and lift
Solution Approach 1:
The support stand is divided into multiple collapsible legs that can be folded against each other, allowing the structure to be disassembled into smaller, lighter segments for easier transport while maintaining full support capacity when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible legs are designed to nest within each other when folded, similar to nested dolls, significantly reducing the volume and effective weight for transportation while preserving the full structural integrity and support capacity during use
2Ease of manufacture
If wood cribs are used as temporary support stands, then they can be constructed with simple materials, but they deteriorate rapidly from exposure to the elements and are not durable
Solution Approach 1:
The support stand uses aluminum alloy material that combines the ease of fabrication (can be extruded into various shapes) with superior durability, corrosion resistance, and strength-to-weight ratio, eliminating the rapid deterioration problem of wood while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameter is changed from organic wood to inorganic aluminum alloy, fundamentally altering the durability characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture through extrusion processes, and adding resistance to environmental degradation
3Strength
If current support stands are designed for strength, then they can support the weight of modular units, but they occupy significant space for transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is segmented into multiple collapsible legs that can be folded against each other, transforming the spatial configuration from an extended support structure to a compact bundled form, dramatically reducing transportation volume while preserving support capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The legs are designed to collapse from a three-dimensional extended configuration into a one-dimensional bundled form, effectively utilizing dimensional transformation to minimize transportation and storage space while maintaining full structural capability when deployed
4Ease of manufacture
If wood cribs are used as temporary support stands, then they can be constructed without engineering specifications, but the stability and performance consistency vary greatly due to craftsmanship quality
Solution Approach 1:
The support stand is designed as a standardized universal product with fixed dimensions and pre-engineered geometry, ensuring consistent performance across all units while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized extrusion profiles and assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing approach changes from variable craftsmanship to precision extrusion with controlled parameters, ensuring that each support stand has identical geometric properties and load-bearing characteristics, eliminating performance variability while maintaining manufacturing efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A support stand for supporting a volumetric modular unit above the ground is disclosed. The support stand includes a top portion with a top surface for contacting and supporting an underside of the modular unit above the ground. A bottom portion with a bottom surface supports the top portion at an elevation above the ground against the underside of the modular unit. An elevating portion has a top side connected to the top portion, a bottom side connected to the bottom portion, and an elevating span between the top side and the bottom side. A pad is connected to the bottom portion. The pad has a bottom surface for contacting and supporting the bottom portion against the ground, an inner pad perimeter and an outer pad perimeter. The top surface is parallel with the bottom surface. The underside and weight of the modular unit is supported on the top surface.