Variable Width Guiding Rail Suspension System for Framework Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension systems for framework structures like balconies, roofs, and pergolas face challenges in easy mounting and leveling due to angular misalignment, requiring skilled personnel and costly machinery, and often result in a 'drawer effect' that complicates beam insertion and levelling.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system comprising beams with guiding rails of varying inner widths to control relative displacement and prevent misalignment, combined with adjustable bolts for levelling, allowing for simplified and faster mounting and alignment, applicable to new or retrofit installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If beams are inserted into guiding rails with uniform inner width equal to outer beam width, then tight fit is achieved, but drawer effect occurs causing misalignment and difficult insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail has different inner widths at different locations: a first inner width larger than the outer beam width at the insertion end to facilitate easy insertion, and a second inner width equal to the outer beam width at the support end to provide tight fit and precise alignment. This local variation in dimensional quality resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and alignment precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If cranes and skilled personnel are used for suspension, then installation precision is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail structure enables the framework module to self-align and self-guide during insertion onto the beams. The tapered geometry automatically corrects minor misalignments and guides the beams into proper position without requiring external positioning equipment or highly skilled operators, thus reducing machinery complexity while maintaining installation precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If framework module is slid onto beams, then mounting is simplified, but angular misalignment causes drawer effect
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail is pre-configured with a tapered inner width that gradually transitions from larger to smaller dimensions along the insertion direction. This preliminary geometric preparation allows the beam to be easily inserted while automatically guiding it into the correct aligned position, preventing drawer effect during the sliding mounting process.
4Shape
If smaller tolerances and heights are used, then visual appearance is improved, but installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail incorporates a controlled parameter change in its inner width dimension, transitioning from a larger first inner width at the insertion end to a smaller second inner width at the support end. This parameter variation provides tolerance compensation that facilitates easier installation while maintaining the precise dimensions needed for good visual appearance of the finished structure.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
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AI summary
A suspension system (1000) for a framework structure is provided. The suspension system comprises a plurality of beams (100) and a framework (200). Each beam (100) is configured to be directly or indirectly mounted on an exterior wall structure (500) of a building. The framework (200) comprises a plurality of guiding rails (201), wherein the framework (200) is configured to be mounted to the plurality of beams (100) by longitudinally inserting the plurality of beams (100) into a respective guiding rail (201). Each beam (100) has an outer beam width (WB), and wherein one specific guiding rail (201a) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) has a first inner guiding rail width (WG1), and the remaining guiding rails (201b-e) of the plurality of guiding rails (201) have a second inner guiding rail width (WG2). The first inner guiding rail width (WG1) is smaller than the second inner guiding rail width (WG2) and larger than the outer beam width (WB). Further, a method for suspending a framework (200) on an exterior wall structure (500) of a building is provided.