Roof Walkway Console With Deformable Attachment Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walkway arrangements on roofs are inadequate in managing increased static loads and providing energy-absorbing properties to safely absorb the impact of a falling person, often resulting in sudden stops due to rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A walkway arrangement featuring a roof console with a first and second attachment plate, where the elongated walkway is fixedly attached to the first plate and rests unfixedly on the second, incorporating stabilizing means like plastically deformable tongues or breakable attachment elements to absorb energy and reduce impact upon falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the walkway arrangement is made more rigid to withstand increased static loads, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the energy-absorbing properties deteriorate causing sudden stops during falls
Solution Approach 1:
The walkway arrangement is divided into multiple segments including the roof console, walkway console, and elongated walkway portions. These segments are connected in a way that allows relative movement through attachment points, enabling the system to deform and absorb energy during falls while maintaining overall structural integrity for load-bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment points between walkway components are designed to allow dynamic movement and deformation under load. The connections enable the walkway to adapt its rigidity - remaining stable under static loads but allowing controlled deformation during dynamic fall events to absorb impact energy.
2Strength
If thicker steel plates and folded edges are introduced to reinforce the walkway, then the static load capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcement is applied locally at critical areas such as the console structures and attachment points rather than throughout the entire walkway. This targeted approach provides necessary strength at load-bearing locations while keeping other areas simpler and easier to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The walkway is divided into modular components (roof console, walkway console, elongated walkway) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying manufacturing while achieving overall structural reinforcement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances energy handling and safety by allowing the walkway to bend and rotate, absorbing the impact of a falling person and reducing the risk of sudden stops, while maintaining stability under increased static loads.
Implementation Method 1
the walkway arrangement should deform or collapse in a controlled manner, providing energy absorbing properties such that the fall of the user is dampened
Implementation Method 2
the walkway will lift from the second attachment plate which it is resting while bending or rotating about the fixed attachment point on the first attachment plate, whereby an energy absorbing function is provided together with the collapsing of the walkway console and parts of the roof console
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A walkway arrangement (10) attachable to a roof (102). The walkway arrangement (10) comprises a roof console (12) attachable to the roof (102); a walkway console (14) attachable to the roof console (12); and an elongated walkway (26) comprising attachment points (46) at side surfaces (48) of the elongated walkway (26). The walkway console (14) comprises a first attachment plate (20) and a second attachment plate (22). The first attachment plate (20) comprises one or more attachment points (24). The elongated walkway (26) is configured to be placed on the first and second attachment plates (20, 22) such that the one or more attachment points (24) of the first attachment plate (20) and one or more of the attachment points (46) of the elongated walkway (26) are aligned. The elongated walkway (26) is fixedly attached to the first attachment plate (20) while the elongated walkway (26) rests on the second attachment plate (22) in an unfixed manner.