Grate and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a grate (10) for a street or garden drain, comprising an inner area (13) and an edge area (14) surrounding the inner area (13), wherein the inner area has drain openings (11), wherein a plurality of, in particular all, drain openings (11) each have a polygonal circumferential contour, each having a center, and wherein the centers of the drain openings (11) are arranged in an irregularly distributed manner in the inner area (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a grate for street and / or garden drains, as well as a manhole frame having a grate and a method for producing the grate. Background Art

[0002] A manhole cover is known from EP 1 031 664 A1. The manhole cover described in this document consists of a central cover part with a center and a thickness, the thickness varying radially from the center according to an exponential function or a parabolic function. An intermediate cover part surrounds the central cover part and has a substantially uniform thickness. An outer support section surrounds the intermediate cover part and has a greater thickness than the intermediate cover part.

[0003] The prior art therefore has an increased consumption of material. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to save material and costs.

[0005] Specifically, the object is achieved by a grate for a street or garden drain. The grate has an inner area with a drain opening. In addition, the grate has an edge area surrounding the inner area.

[0006] A plurality of, in particular all, water drain openings each have a polygonal circumferential contour. The water drain openings each have a center. The centers of the water drain openings are arranged in an irregular distribution in the inner region.

[0007] The present invention has the following advantages: the polygonal design of the water drain opening can save materials and thus save costs.

[0008] The grating can be a point drain grate. In the case of a point drain grate, the edge region can completely surround the inner region. The point drain grate can be provided in particular for covering a well frame, in particular complementary thereto. No connection to other grates is provided here. In this case, the corresponding connection can be provided on one side or on two opposite sides, in particular on the upper side of the grate, in order to be able to lift the point drain grate.

[0009] The edge region can be provided as an outer supporting section of the grate, for example, in order to rest on a well frame. For example, the edge region can have no drainage openings. However, the edge region can have a ridge, which is also designed in a polygonal manner. In this case, the center of the ridge can also be distributed irregularly on the edge. Overall, the center of the ridge and the center of the drainage opening can be distributed irregularly together over the entire area of ​​the grate.

[0010] Thereby, for example, the stability of the grate can be improved.

[0011] The term “polygonal circumferential contour” is to be understood in this context to mean a circumferential contour whose shape is predetermined by a polygon, ie a closed linear structure in the form of a polygon with more than three corners.

[0012] In particular, in a top view of the upper and / or lower side of the grate, the drain openings can form a preferably asymmetric and / or irregular polygon distributed over the inner area of ​​the grate. Likewise, in a top view of the upper and / or lower side of the grate, the ridges can form a preferably asymmetric and / or irregular polygon distributed over the edge area of ​​the grate. Thus, viewed in a top view of the upper and / or lower side of the grate, the drain openings and the ridges can together form a preferably asymmetric and / or irregular polygon distributed over the entire area of ​​the grate.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described herein.

[0014] The circumferential contours of the respective polygons of a plurality, in particular all, of the water outlets can differ from one another, in particular in their shape. Preferably, the same polygon, in particular in its shape, can only appear once on the grate.

[0015] By means of the non-uniform shape, for example, the stability of the grate can be improved.

[0016] In the top view of the upper and lower sides of the grate, the centers of the drain openings can coincide. In the top view of the upper and / or lower sides of the grate, the centers of the drain openings or polygons can preferably be randomly distributed over the inner area of ​​the grate. The circumferential contour of the polygon in the top view of the upper side of the grate can be different from the circumferential contour of the polygon in the top view of the lower side of the grate. In particular, a plurality of, for example, all drain openings can form a funnel or widen in a preferred direction, for example from the upper side of the grate towards the lower side of the grate, in particular conically increasing.

[0017] This makes it possible to save weight and improve the stability of the grate.

[0018] The drain openings can depict Voronoi areas in a top view of the upper side and / or lower side of the grate. In particular, the inner area can be formed as a Von Lonoi diagram. In this case, the drain openings are Von Lonoi areas, and the connecting pieces between the drain openings are the boundaries between the Von Lonoi areas. Preferably, the boundaries between the Von Lonoi areas can be depicted or formed by a uniform connecting piece width. In particular, the connecting pieces between the drain openings have the same connecting piece width. In the case of point-type drain grates, in particular, only the same connecting piece width can be provided. In this case, it can mean segmental connecting piece widths. For example, the connecting piece widths on the upper side of the grate can be the same. Similarly, the connecting piece widths on the lower side of the grate can be the same. In this case, the connecting piece width on the upper side of the grate may be different from the connecting piece width on the lower side of the grate.

[0019] The von Loneuy region can be a decomposition of a surface or space. In this case, a predetermined amount of points of the surface or space can be determined, which are referred to herein as centers of drains. Each von Loneuy region is determined by exactly one center and includes all points of the surface or space that are closer to the center of the von Loneuy region than to any other center with respect to the Euclidean metric. From all points that have more than one nearest center and thus form the boundaries of the von Loneuy region, a von Loneuy graph, also called Thiessen polygons or Dirichlet decomposition, can be formed, the boundaries can be formed between drains as described above or be corresponding connecting pieces, also called ribs.

[0020] The connecting piece can have a cross section in the shape of an inverted gymnastic bar, which has chamfers on all sides. In particular, the connecting piece can taper from the upper side of the grate toward the lower side. This can save material without sacrificing load-bearing capacity.

[0021] According to this, the connecting piece is wider in the pressure area, i.e. in the upper side as the treading surface, than in the tension area, i.e. in the lower side of the grate. In this case, the middle section of the corresponding connecting piece can be wider than the first section of the corresponding connecting piece and the second section of the corresponding connecting piece. The first section can define a section from the upper side of the grate to the middle section. The second section can define a section from the middle section to the lower side of the grate. The middle section can therefore be a section between the first section and the second section of the corresponding connecting piece.

[0022] Therefore, the middle section of the corresponding connecting piece can be located between the upper side of the grate and the lower side of the grate. In this case, the width of the corresponding connecting piece at the middle section, in particular the connecting piece width, or the width of the middle section, in particular the connecting piece width, can be greater than the width of the corresponding connecting piece at the first and / or second section, in particular the connecting piece width, or greater than the width of the first and / or second section, in particular the connecting piece width. Overall, the width of the corresponding connecting piece from the upper side of the grate to the lower side of the grate, in particular the connecting piece width, can increase in the first section and decrease in the second section, so that the width of the corresponding connecting piece at the lower side of the grate, in particular the connecting piece width, is narrower than at the upper side of the grate. In this case, the middle section can be understood as an inversion point between the first section and the second section.

[0023] The water outlet can be designed in a polygonal shape. The water outlet can have more than four corners, in particular five or six corners.

[0024] As a result, the uneven shape of the drainage opening distribution can be used in a variety of ways in the grate.

[0025] The corresponding corners and edges of the drain opening can be rounded. Likewise, the transition from the drain opening to the upper side and / or the lower side of the grate can form a projection or a rounding. Preferably, the corresponding corners and edges of the drain opening can form a corresponding projection or a rounding at the corresponding transition to the upper side and / or the lower side of the grate. The projection / rounding can, for example, not extend onto the upper side and / or the lower side or not extend beyond the upper side and / or the lower side.

[0026] This makes it possible to resist notch stress.

[0027] The thickness of the inner region changes away from the center of the grate or away from the center of the inner region toward the edge or toward the edge region, preferably changes uniformly and in particular decreases.

[0028] This makes it possible to better distribute the load on the grate.

[0029] Thus, in contrast to the edge region, the inner region can be convexly or arched, i.e. have a convex shape / arch. In particular, the point drain grate can therefore have a variable thickness in the horizontal direction from the center of the grate to the edge of the grate. In particular, a flat or flat upper side and an arched lower side of at least the inner region of the grate can be provided. This is to be understood as follows: the upper side and the lower side of at least the inner region of the grate are not parallel to each other. The drain openings can differ from each other in at least one dimension from the inner region to the edge region, for example in terms of their hole circumference and / or hole depth. The hole circumference and / or hole depth can respectively decrease from the inner region to the edge region, preferably from the center of the inner region towards the edge of the inner region.

[0030] The edge region can have a horizontal support surface, preferably formed in the circumferential direction of the grate, which is used in particular for resting on a shaft frame. In addition, the edge region can have vertical edging surfaces, preferably staggered or interrupted in the circumferential direction of the grate. The edging surfaces can extend in the thickness direction of the grate. In the circumferential direction of the grate, there can be a plurality of gaps, in particular interruptions, between the edging surfaces.

[0031] Dirt that has accumulated for some time in the edge region will be compacted so that the grate will sit more firmly in the receptacle. Therefore, the grate can usually only be lifted under increased force consumption. In order to counteract this, the edge can be interrupted.

[0032] In addition to reducing the weight, this also reduces the ingress of dirt and sand between the grate and the gutter body, in particular the shaft frame.

[0033] The grate can also have one or more supporting ribs. One or more supporting ribs can extend from the inner region of the grate to the edge region of the grate, in particular to the edging surface. In this case, the supporting ribs can be directly connected to the edging surface and extend into the inner region. Here, the supporting ribs can extend parallel to the upper side of the grate. Thus, the arch can be additionally supported. In particular, the supporting ribs can be aligned with the connecting pieces of the grate or the connecting pieces of the inner region of the grate. In this case, the corresponding supporting ribs can be aligned accordingly with the corresponding connecting pieces. For example, the supporting ribs cannot be explicitly arranged at the corners of the grate or on the edging surfaces of the grate at the corners of the grate, because no stabilizing effect is required here. On the contrary, the supporting ribs can extend from the edges of the grate or the edging surfaces of the grate located at the edges of the grate into the inner region of the grate. Thus, material can be additionally saved.

[0034] The thickness of the corresponding supporting ribs can be greater than the minimum thickness of the grate, for example at the edge region, or 1.5 times or 2 times the minimum thickness of the grate. The thickness of the corresponding supporting ribs can be less than the maximum thickness of the grate, for example at the center of the grate, or less than 3 / 4 or 1 / 2 of the maximum thickness of the grate, especially at the center of the grate.

[0035] The above mentioned objects are also achieved by a manhole frame for street and / or garden drains, said manhole frame having a grate as described above.

[0036] Likewise, the above objects are achieved by a method for manufacturing a grate, preferably as described above. The method comprises: a mathematical method applied upstream of production, in particular a mathematical method based on the Delaunay algorithm. The method also comprises manufacturing a casting mold based on the result of the mathematical method. The method also comprises casting the molten metal into the casting mold. The method also comprises solidifying the molten metal in the casting mold to provide the grate.

[0037] The invention has the advantage that it is accompanied by a reduction in weight, a saving in material and thus a saving in costs due to upstream mathematical methods.

[0038] Advantageously, the von Loneuy algorithm can be used as a mathematical algorithm. In particular, tessellation, ie the subdivision of a plane into sub-surfaces, can be used. The von Loneuy algorithm can subdivide a space or a surface into a plurality of regions based on a finite number of generating points in a two-dimensional or multi-dimensional space.

[0039] A two-dimensional von Lonoy region can contain all points of a surface that are closer to the associated generating point than all other generating points. Accordingly, a dividing line can be generated between regions, which is generated by points that are at the same distance from two or more generating points. The von Lonoy diagram associated therewith can be generated more or less randomly. The generating points can be selected freely or randomly for the method. In particular, the inner region of the grate can have the shape or appearance of a von Lonoy diagram after manufacture. This can also apply to the entire region of the grate.

[0040] Likewise, the optimum thickness of the above-mentioned arch can be set by applying the finite element method upstream, simultaneously with or downstream of the mathematical method.

[0041] In this way, a uniform stress distribution can be achieved despite the irregular pattern caused by the von Lonoy diagram. The deflection can also be mainly limited to the central area and evenly distributed.

[0042] Furthermore, a computer program is provided. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method or steps of the method as described above.

[0043] Furthermore, a computer-readable data medium is provided in this context. A computer program as described above can be stored on the computer-readable data medium.

[0044] In other words, the invention relates to a grate with a bionic structure. In particular, the distribution of the drain openings is a bionic structure or corresponds to the bionic structure. In bionics, methods, structures and movement processes are abstracted from nature so that they can be applied in a technical sense.

[0045] By using a polygonal design of the drain opening in the form of a bionic structure, the weight of the grate can be reduced to about 70% of a conventional grate of the same size. This means that the bionic structure brings material savings and thus cost savings.

[0046] Even if some of the above aspects are described with respect to a grate, these aspects can also be applied to the well frame and the method. Likewise, the aspects described above with respect to the method can be applied in a corresponding manner to the grate and the well frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached schematic drawings according to the exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

[0048] Figure 1 A spatial view showing a point gutter grate;

[0049] Figure 2 A cross section of a point gutter grate is shown;

[0050] Figure 3 A top view showing the upper side of a point gutter grate;

[0051] Figure 4 showing a side view of a point gutter grate; and

[0052] Figure 5 A top view of the underside of a point gutter grate is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The point drain grate 10 forms an example of a grate generally described herein. Therefore, some of the aspects to be described below with respect to the point drain grate 10 can also be generally applied to grates. Figures 1 to 5 Schematically, different views of a point drain grate 10 are shown.

[0054] exist Figures 1 to 5 In the figure, the point drain grating 10 is shown in a square basic shape. Other shapes, such as rectangle or circle are also possible. In particular, the point drain grating 10 is configured for street drains or garden drains and can be used in corresponding well frames.

[0055] For this purpose, the point drain grating 10 has a rim which is offset inward from the edge of the point drain grating 10 and arranged annularly along the circumferential direction of the point drain grating 10 in a manner complementary to the well frame. The rim protrudes vertically from the lower side of the point drain grating 10, see Figure 1 , 2 and 4.

[0056] The trim has corresponding trim surfaces 12 which are spaced apart from one another in order to prevent the ingress of dirt from the outside and to simplify the lifting of the point drain grate 10 from the well frame. The trim surfaces 12 are arranged distributed along the edge region 14. For example, the trim surfaces 12 have approximately the same spacing from one another, also referred to as gaps, and preferably extend along the edge region 14, i.e. in the circumferential direction of the point drain grate 10. The gaps between the trim surfaces 12 can also be greater than, for example, 0.5 times or 1 times the dimension of one of the trim surfaces 12, i.e. the length or the width.

[0057] The point drain grate 10 has essentially two regions, namely an inner region 13 with drain openings 11 and an edge region 14 surrounding and delimiting the inner region, which edge region 14 can be considered closed. Thus, the point drain grate 10 can be composed of these two regions 13 , 14 .

[0058] The drain openings 11 in the inner area 13 are bionic structures and each have a polygonal circumferential contour. The polygons formed in this way together form a so-called von Lonoy diagram, see Figure 3In this case, the polygon is distributed over the inner area 13 in the form of the drain openings 11 .

[0059] The von Lonoy diagram can be created by mathematical methods before the production of the grate. Thus, the von Lonoy diagram is used for the production preparation of the point drain grate 10. For this purpose, the center of the von Lonoy area forming the von Lonoy diagram can be determined arbitrarily. This can be achieved via a random algorithm. Thus, the center can be determined randomly or freely selectably before the execution of the algorithm related to this. The mathematical method can include a Delaunay triangulation, in which the corresponding von Lonoy diagram is formed.

[0060] The method, in particular the upstream mathematical method, does not have to be limited to the inner region 13. Instead, the method can involve the entire surface, in particular the upper side and / or the lower side of the point drain grate 10, or the entire area of ​​the point drain grate 10. Thus, the edge region 14 is also included when creating the von Lonoy diagram. In this case, instead of the drain opening 11, a bulge 15 protruding from the upper side of the point drain grate 10 is formed.

[0061] The water outlet 11 and the bulge 15 are polygonal, in particular pentagonal, shaped. In this case, the inner corners of the water outlet 11 and the outer corners of the bulge 15 are rounded respectively to avoid corresponding stresses.

[0062] As in Figure 2 As is clearly shown in FIG. 1 , the inner region 13 has a thickness that varies over the inner region, ie, in particular, a non-constant thickness over the inner region 13 . The thickness decreases at the transition from the inner region 13 to the edge region 14 . Figure 2 , different dimensions a to g are shown by way of example. In this case, a is the grate thickness, b is the joint depth, c is the first section depth, d is the dimension from joint to joint, e is the thickness of the raised portion, f is the maximum thickness of the point gutter grate 10, and g is the first dimension of one of the joints. α and β represent the chamfer angles, i.e. the corresponding cutouts for the joint (α) and the drain opening (β). The chamfer angles α and β can each be approximately 15°, 20° or 25° or have values ​​therebetween, i.e. between 15° and 20°, between 20° and 25° or between 15° and 25°. In addition, angles of around 20° in the range of 17.5° to 22.5° are also feasible.

[0063] exist Figure 2 1 also illustrates how the connecting piece 16 of the point drain grate 10 extends conically downward in the inner area 13. In the first section c, the connecting piece 16 can be slightly widened from the upper side of the point drain grate 10 to the lower side due to the chamfer. Until the lower side of the point drain grate 10, the connecting piece 16 tapers.

[0064] Furthermore, the point drain grate 10 has the same web width forming the boundary between the von Loneu areas, as shown by Figure 3 The numbers in are described symbolically. This applies to the top and bottom sides. In this case, the width of the connecting piece on the top side is different from the width of the connecting piece on the bottom side.

[0065] Figure 4 In addition, a side view of the point drain grate 10 is shown. In this case, exemplary chamfer angles μ of the edges of the point drain grate 10 are shown. 1 , the chamfer angle μ of the edging surface 12 at the edge of the point-type drainage ditch grate 10 2 and the chamfer angle μ of the edging surface at the corner of the point-type drain grating 10 3 . Chamfer angle μ 1 , μ 2 and μ 3 Can be respectively 15 °, 20 ° or 25 ° or have the value between them, namely between 15 ° and 20 °, between 20 ° and 25 ° or 15 ° to 25 °. In addition, the angle of about 20 ° in the range of 17.5 ° to 22.5 ° is also feasible.

[0066] In another supplementary or additional embodiment, the point drain grating 10 can have other elements. Figure 5 1 shows a top view of the underside of the point drain grate 10 .

[0067] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment, the point drain grating 10 has a supporting rib 17. The supporting rib 17 has the function of supporting the bulge in the inner area 13. In this case, the supporting rib 17 is aligned with the connecting piece 16, see Figure 5 In particular, the supporting ribs 17 can extend from an edge surface 12 arranged on an edge of the grate into the inner region.

[0068] The support ribs 17 thus form a uniform transition from the edging surface 12 to the webs 16. In this case, the support element 17 can have a constant thickness over its length. Preferably, the support ribs 17 are formed parallel to the upper side of the point drain grate 10. Similar to the distribution of the webs 16, the support ribs 17 can be arranged in a random manner away from the edging surface 12 toward the inner region 13 of the point drain grate 10.

[0069] In general, it should be noted that grates with drainage openings in the form of bionic structures with respect to the von Lonoy diagram are particularly useful as a Figures 1 to 5 The point type drain grating 10 brings considerable material savings.

[0070] This can reduce the cost of the grate.

[0071] At this point it should be pointed out that all of the above parts, whether viewed individually or in any combination, and in particular the details shown in the drawings, are claimed to be inventive. Variations thereof are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0072] Reference numerals list

[0073] 10-point gutter grates

[0074] 11 Drain

[0075] 12 Edge surface

[0076] 13 Internal Area

[0077] 14 Marginal Area

[0078] 15. Raised part

[0079] 16 Connector

[0080] 17 Support ribs

Claims

1. A grate (10) for a street or garden drain, the grate comprising an inner region (13) having a drain opening (11) and an edge region (14) surrounding the inner region (13), It is characterized in that The plurality of drain openings (11) each have a polygonal circumferential contour, each of the circumferential contours having a center, and the centers of the drain openings (11) are arranged in an irregular distribution in the inner area (13), wherein the corresponding polygonal circumferential contours of the plurality of drain openings (11) are different from each other.

2. The grate (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that All the water drain openings (11) have a polygonal circumferential contour, each of which has a center, and the centers of the water drain openings (11) are arranged in an irregularly distributed manner in the inner area (13).

3. The grate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that In the top view of the upper side and the lower side of the grate (10), the centers of the drainage openings (11) are consistent.

4. The grate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that In a top view of the upper side and / or the lower side of the grate (10), the water outlet (11) forms a von Loneu region.

5. The grate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The connecting pieces between the drain openings have the same connecting piece width.

6. The grate (10) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The connecting piece is shaped as an inverted gymnastic bar-like cross section, which has chamfers on all sides.

7. The grate (10) according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The grate has one or more supporting ribs which extend from an inner region of the grate to an edge region of the grate and are aligned with the connecting webs.

8. The grate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The water outlet (11) is polygonal in shape and has more than four corners.

9. The grate (10) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The corresponding corners of the water outlet (11) are rounded.

10. The grate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The thickness of the inner region (13) changes away from the center of the grate (10) or away from the center of the inner region (13) towards the edge or the edge region (14).

11. The grate (10) according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The thickness decreases uniformly from the center of the inner region (13) toward the edge of the inner region (13).

12. The grate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The inner area (13) of the grate (10) has a convex shape.

13. The grate (10) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The edge region (14) has a horizontal bearing surface and a vertical edging surface (12), wherein the edging surface (12) extends in the thickness direction of the grate (10), and a plurality of gaps exist between the edging surfaces (12) in the circumferential direction of the grate (10).

14. A shaft frame for a street and / or garden drain having a grate (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for manufacturing a grate (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, It is characterized in that Mathematical methods applied upstream in production, producing a casting mold based on the results of the mathematical method, The molten metal is poured into the mold, and Molten metal is solidified in the mold to provide the grate.

16. The method according to claim 15, It is characterized in that The mathematical method is based on the Delaunay algorithm.

17. A computer program, It is characterized in that The computer program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method or the steps of the method according to claim 15 or 16.

18. A computer-readable data carrier, It is characterized in that The computer program according to claim 17 is stored on the computer-readable data medium.

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