Truss Clamp Assembly for Structural Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for supporting structural members in manufacturing facilities, such as I-beams, require manual hoists and chain falls, leading to process downtime and increased costs due to the need for significant manipulation and the potential for fastener breakage under compressive, tensile, and shear stresses.
Innovation Solution
A truss clamp assembly with a lower support member, vertical rods, and engagement portions that allow for stable coupling to overhead building structures, enabling temporary support of structural members during fastener replacement without manual hoists, by positioning the lower support member below the structural member and engaging it with the overhead structure's flange, thereby relieving stress on existing fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual hoists or chain falls are used to support structural members, then the structural members can be supported during fastener replacement, but significant manipulation is required which results in process downtime and increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple independent clamp assemblies, each with its own engagement portions that can be independently positioned and secured to the overhead building structure, eliminating the need for complex manual hoist manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The truss clamp assembly acts as an intermediary device between the structural member and the overhead building structure, providing a stable support connection that eliminates the need for manual hoists and chain falls
2Reliability
If manual hoists or chain falls are used to support structural members, then the structural members can be supported during fastener replacement, but significant manipulation is required which increases manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed to be self-positioning and self-securing through its engagement portions that directly interface with the overhead building structure, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and reducing labor costs
Solution Approach 2:
The truss clamp assembly serves as an intermediary that simplifies the support process, replacing expensive and time-consuming manual hoist operations with a straightforward clamp-and-support mechanism
3Reliability
If conventional support methods are used, then structural members can be supported, but the process requires significant manipulation that increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple independent clamp assemblies with discrete engagement portions, each performing a specific function (engaging the overhead structure, supporting the structural member), which simplifies the overall manipulation compared to integrated manual hoist systems
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly serves as a simplified intermediary device that replaces complex manual hoist and chain fall systems with a straightforward clamp-support mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A truss clamp assembly includes a lower support member extending in a lateral direction, a vertical rod coupled to the lower support member and extending in a vertical direction that is transverse to the lateral direction, a first engagement portion coupled to the vertical rod and spaced apart from the lower support member in the vertical direction, and a second engagement portion coupled to the vertical rod and spaced apart from the lower support member in the vertical direction, where the second engagement portion is spaced apart from the first engagement portion in the lateral direction, such that the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion define a gap positioned between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in the lateral direction.