Support Structure Section Profile Transition for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for road devices, such as travel staircases, face challenges in evenly distributing bending loads across connectors, leading to uneven load distribution and potential overloading of individual connectors.
Innovation Solution
The support structure features a belt that transitions from an L-profile to an O-profile at the connection point between support structure sections, allowing for even load distribution across multiple connectors within the O-profile passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If support structure sections are connected using fasteners with L-profile belts, then the support structure can be assembled from multiple sections, but the bending loads are unevenly distributed across individual fasteners leading to potential overloading
Solution Approach 1:
The belt cross-section is changed from L-shaped to O-shaped specifically at the connection region where fasteners are located. This local modification creates a closed profile that surrounds the fasteners, providing uniform load distribution around the entire perimeter of the connection area, while the rest of the belt maintains its original L-profile for structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition from an L-profile (two-dimensional cross-section) to an O-profile (closed loop cross-section) adds a third dimension of load distribution by surrounding the fasteners on all sides. This dimensional change allows loads to be distributed uniformly around the entire perimeter of the connection area rather than concentrating at single points.
2Strength
If individual fasteners bear bending loads in conventional connections, then connection of support structure sections is achieved, but some fasteners become overloaded while others remain load-free
Solution Approach 1:
The O-profile is specifically implemented at the connection region where fasteners are positioned, creating a closed structural form that uniformly distributes bending loads around all fasteners. This local modification ensures that each fastener contributes effectively to load bearing, eliminating the scenario where some fasteners are overloaded while others remain underutilized.
3Ease of manufacture
If the belt is designed as L-profile throughout, then manufacturing is simplified, but the connection region cannot evenly distribute bending loads across multiple fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is manufactured as an L-profile for the majority of its length, maintaining manufacturing simplicity. However, at the specific connection region, the belt cross-section transitions to an O-profile. This localized design change only affects the critical connection area, minimizing manufacturing complexity while maximizing connection reliability through uniform load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt is divided into different functional segments: the main body remains as an L-profile for structural support and ease of manufacture, while the connection region is segmented as an O-profile for optimized fastener load distribution. This segmentation allows each part of the belt to be optimized for its specific function.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
The following descriptions relate to a support structure section (10, 20) for a support structure (4) of a travel path device (1), comprising two opposing side wall units (11, 21), each with a side wall (12, 22) and at least one flange (15, 25), at least one crossbeam connecting the side wall units (11, 21) to one another, and end elements (16, 26) arranged at the head of each flange (15, 25), wherein the end elements (16, 26) each form an end of the support structure section (10, 20) with an external contact surface for attaching a further support structure section (10, 20), wherein the flange (15, 25) is designed as an L-profile (31) in a central section (18, 28) and as an O-profile (33) immediately adjoining the end element (16, 26), and wherein several first penetrations are provided in the end element (16, 26) for receiving connecting agents (34.1, .., 34.4) are arranged to connect the supporting structure section (10, 20) with the further supporting structure section (10, 20) within the O-profile (33).