Truss Assembly Table Pressing Layout for Uniform Member Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing truss assembly tables apply uneven pressing forces to chord and web members, leading to improperly built trusses and potential structural weaknesses or failures.

Innovation Solution

A truss assembly table equipped with first and second pressing mechanisms that uniformly engage and apply even forces to chord and web members, utilizing a movable inner-web-member engager moved by inner-web-member-engager movers to ensure consistent pressure application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional pressing mechanisms are used on truss assembly tables, then the structure is simple, but the pressing force is uneven causing improper truss construction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing force uniformityVSAvoidpressing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing mechanism is divided into multiple independent pressing elements (first pressing element, second pressing element, third pressing element, fourth pressing element) that can be individually adjusted and controlled. Each pressing element applies force to specific chord members, allowing independent adjustment of pressing positions and forces to achieve uniform overall pressing across the truss assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing mechanism incorporates movable components including a movable gantry that can traverse along the truss length, and adjustable pressing elements that can be positioned at different locations. This dynamic positioning capability allows the mechanism to adapt to different truss configurations and apply pressing force uniformly across varying positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple pressing elements are added to achieve uniform force application, then pressing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetruss construction qualityVSAvoidpressing mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing mechanism is designed with multiple pressing elements that serve multiple functions: they can press different chord members (first chord member, second chord member, third chord member, fourth chord member), they can be positioned at various locations along the truss, and they work collectively to ensure uniform pressing force distribution across the entire truss assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable gantry serves as an intermediary structure that carries and coordinates the pressing elements. It provides a framework for mounting the pressing elements and enables their coordinated movement and positioning, allowing complex pressing operations to be managed through a single traversing mechanism rather than multiple independent systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4434704B1Truss assembly table with pressing mechanisms
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4434704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4434704B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4434704B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A truss assembly table including a table frame, a tabletop, a first pressing mechanism, and a second pressing mechanism, wherein the pressing mechanisms are each configured to apply an even amount of force to the chord members and chords of a truss built on the truss assembly table during the truss assembly process and thus reduce the likelihood that the truss will be improperly built.