Ventilated Ridge System with Concealed Snap-Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilated ridge solutions for buildings are prone to inaccuracies, high costs, and unsatisfactory results due to on-site handmade construction, with challenges in fixing the perforated support to the roof and visibility of rivets used to secure the ridge cap.
Innovation Solution
A prefabricated ventilated ridge system comprising a metal bracket with folding slots and self-tapping screws for secure attachment to the roofing structure, a perforated sheet support with U-shaped portions for ventilation, and a snap-coupled metal profile ridge cap that conceals fixing elements, allowing for easy installation and adaptation to various roof pitches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If on-site handmade construction is used for ventilated ridges, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but manufacturing precision, reliability, and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilated ridge is divided into separate modular components: brackets with folding slots, perforated sheet supports, and ridge caps. These pre-fabricated modules can be manufactured with high precision in a controlled environment and then assembled on-site, combining the advantages of both precision manufacturing and on-site adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets, perforated supports, and ridge caps are prepared and pre-assembled before being installed on the roof. The folding slots are pre-cut in the brackets, and the components are configured in advance, allowing for precise manufacturing while maintaining the ability to adapt to different roof configurations during installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If on-site handmade construction is used for ventilated ridges, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ventilated ridge into pre-fabricated modular components, the system enables faster on-site assembly compared to traditional handmade construction. The standardized modules can be quickly installed using simple connection methods, significantly improving productivity while maintaining adaptability to different roof types.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets are designed with folding slots that allow the components to be self-assembled without requiring complex specialized tools or highly skilled labor. The self-tapping screws and snap-coupling mechanisms enable workers to install the system efficiently, improving productivity while maintaining the ability to adapt to various installation scenarios.
3Strength
If rivets are used to fix the ridge cap to the perforated support, then structural strength is improved, but appearance quality deteriorates due to visible fixing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The visible rivets used in traditional constructions are extracted and replaced with concealed fixing mechanisms. The snap-coupling system uses hidden clips or interlocking features that secure the ridge cap to the perforated support without visible external fasteners, maintaining both structural strength and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary concealed fastening mechanism is introduced between the ridge cap and perforated support. This intermediary element provides the necessary structural connection while remaining hidden from external view, resolving the conflict between strength requirements and appearance quality.
4Force
If traditional fixing methods are used to attach the perforated support to the roof pitches, then structural connection is achieved, but reliability and precision deteriorate due to uncertain and variable fixing
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is segmented into standardized brackets with pre-defined folding slots and attachment points. These modular components provide consistent and reliable connection to the roof pitches, eliminating the variability and uncertainty associated with traditional handmade fixing methods while maintaining adequate fixing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanism uses standardized parameters and geometries for the brackets and folding slots, ensuring consistent performance and reliability across different installations. The standardized design allows for reliable attachment to various roof pitch configurations while maintaining uniform fixing quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A ventilated ridge for buildings, of the type comprising a perforated sheet support to be fixed to the top of two pitches of the roofing of the building which are either inclined or bent in opposite sense and a ridge cap to be constrained to said support, characterized in that it comprises: - a plurality of brackets (2) to be applied at predetermined distances to said roofing (12), each bracket comprising a central portion (10) and two end portions (8), which can be shaped with respect to said central portion (10) according to the pattern of said pitches of the roofing (12), - constraining means (16) of said brackets (2) to said roofing (12), - a perforated support (4), which can be constrained to said brackets (2), previously constrained to said roofing (12), and substantially comprising a U-shaped portion (18) and folded side portions (21), said folded side portions (21) comprising: - first bands (23), which run from the respective upper ends of the side wings (24) of the U-shaped element and which develop downwards, - second bands (25), which run from the respective ends of the first bands (23) and which develop outwards with respect to said first bands (23), and - third bands (27), which run from the respective ends of the second bands (25) and which develop downwards with respect to said second bands (25), - constraining means (28) of the central wing (20) of said U-shaped portion (18) of said perforated support (4) to the central portion (10) of each of said brackets (2), - a ridge cap (6) comprising a central band (30) for resting on the side wings (24) of said U-shaped portion (18) of said perforated support (4) and side bands (32) with the free edge (34) folded to couple on site the corresponding free outer edge of the folded side portions (21) of said support (4).