Modular Truss System with Adapter Units for Scaffolding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing truss systems, particularly those made of aluminum, face limitations in combining with modular scaffolding systems due to lack of compatible connection options and high load capacity, making it difficult to support large loads and span bridges effectively.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of adapter units with a base plate and perpendicular webs that fit onto the cross posts, allowing for secure bolt or screw connections, and the use of rectangular tubes with recesses for attaching add-on parts, enabling easy integration with modular scaffolding systems and increased load-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If round aluminum tubing is used for truss girder systems, then the system is lightweight and easy to assemble, but attachment components cannot be mounted and compatibility with modular scaffolding systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the truss girder structure itself and detachable attachment components. These attachment components can be selectively added to specific locations where connectivity is needed, rather than requiring the entire truss system to be made of heavy, compatible material.
Solution Approach 2:
Attachment components serve as intermediary elements between the aluminum truss system and the modular scaffolding system. These intermediaries provide the necessary connection interface without requiring the main truss structure to be made of incompatible material, thus resolving the compatibility issue while preserving the lightweight advantage.
2Ease of manufacture
If aluminum material is used for truss components, then assembly is simple and weight is reduced, but load-bearing limit is quickly reached
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a composite construction approach by combining aluminum truss components with steel attachment components and bridging elements. This allows the structure to leverage the advantages of both materials: the lightweight and easy-to-assemble aluminum chords with the high-strength steel elements where load-bearing and connectivity are critical.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connector units are added to enable scaffolding compatibility, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment components are designed as universal elements that can be used at multiple locations throughout the truss system. A single attachment component design can be applied to various chord positions and can interface with different modular scaffolding configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized parts and thereby limiting the increase in complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a truss system for building a supporting construction, in particular in combination with existing components of a modular scaffolding system, the truss system comprising at least one three-dimensional truss device (10) with continuous top chords (12) and bottom chords (14), diagonals (16) and uprights (18) connected between the top chord (12) and the bottom chord (14), transverse diagonals (20) and transverse supports (22) connected between two upper chords (12) and between two lower chords (14), a connector unit for attaching a corresponding connector unit (40.2) of another truss device (10) being attached to each of the upper chords (12) and lower chords (14) in the region of both end faces. The truss system is characterised in that: the transverse supports (22) are designed as rectangular- or square hollow tubular sections, the exterior of which forms a planar (x, y) bearing surface or attachment surface; the transverse supports (22) have attachment units, in particular attachment cut-outs (24), for attaching adapter units (30) running in the transverse direction (y), which adapter units can be attached to other structural elements such as support sections (80), scaffolding posts (82) or similar, to the adapter unit (30); and each connector unit (40.1, 40.2) has a connector unit attachment unit, in particular a connector unit cut-out (42), for attaching adapter units (30), which can be attached to other structural elements such as support sections (80), scaffolding posts (82) or similar, to the adapter unit (30).