Truss Assembly Alignment Guide Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing truss assemblies require different brackets for varying longitudinal dimensions or distances between truss members, necessitating the production of multiple bracket types.
Innovation Solution
A truss joint design featuring shear plates with curved alignment guides and a drift pin for aligning and securing diagonal braces, allowing a single shear plate to be used across various dimensions and angles by guiding the diagonal brace into position for secure bolted connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different brackets are used for truss assemblies with different longitudinal dimensions or dimensions between truss members, then the truss assembly can accommodate various configurations, but the device complexity and manufacturing requirements increase due to needing multiple bracket types
Solution Approach 1:
The shear plate is designed with a curved alignment guide that can accommodate diagonal braces at different angles and positions. The curved guide allows the same shear plate to function universally across multiple truss configurations, eliminating the need for different bracket types for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment guide transitions from a static fixed-position guide to a dynamic curved guide that can accommodate varying angles. The curvature allows the alignment guide to adapt to different diagonal brace orientations, enabling one shear plate design to handle multiple configurations.
2Reliability
If multiple bracket types are manufactured for different dimensions, then each bracket can be optimized for its specific configuration, but the manufacturing cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal shear plate with a curved alignment guide, the manufacturing process produces only one type of bracket instead of multiple types. This maintains configuration-specific adaptability while significantly improving manufacturing efficiency by eliminating the need to produce and inventory multiple bracket variants.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional rigid brackets are used, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming due to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The curved alignment guide acts as an intermediary element between the shear plate and the diagonal brace. It facilitates the alignment process by providing a guided path that naturally leads the diagonal brace into the correct position, reducing assembly time without complicating the manufacturing of the shear plate itself.
4Ease of operation
If alignment guides are added to improve assembly alignment, then the assembly process becomes faster and easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment guide is designed as a simple curved surface rather than a complex mechanical system. This curvature provides the necessary alignment functionality while adding minimal structural complexity. The curved guide is integrated into the shear plate design, avoiding the need for separate alignment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A truss assembly (12) has a plurality of structural members joined by a truss joint. The truss joint includes first (16) and second (18) structural members and a pair of shear plates (22). Each shear plate (22) includes at least one shear tab (24) having a curved alignment guide (40) formed by an elongated slot with an open end. An end of the second structural member (18) has a locating hole (42) proximate its mounting bolt hole. The truss assembly further includes an alignment/drift pin (44) used to position the second structural member (18) with respect to the shear plates (22). The alignment/drift pin (44) is configured to be inserted into the locating hole (42) and then maneuverable into the alignment guide (40) to position the second structural member (18) so that mounting bolt holes in the shear plates (22) and a mounting bolt hole in the second structural member (18) align allowing insertion of a through bolt (30).