Adjustable Foundation Structure with Ball Joint and Slotted Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional foundation structures are permanent and difficult to adjust or relocate, leading to issues with misalignment and uneven load distribution, which can result in structural damage and waste of materials, as they cannot accommodate variations in building layouts or environments.
Innovation Solution
A vertically and laterally adjustable foundation structure with a ball joint and slotted plate assembly that allows for angular and vertical adjustments, enabling the foundation to accommodate misalignments and height discrepancies, using telescoping screws and wing blocks for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional permanent foundation structures are used, then structural stability is provided, but the foundation cannot be adjusted or relocated, leading to misalignment and uneven load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation structure incorporates adjustable components including telescoping screws for vertical height adjustment, ball joints for angular adjustment, and slotted plates with movable bolts for lateral positioning. These dynamic elements allow the foundation to be adjusted during installation to accommodate misalignments and then locked into place, providing both adaptability and structural stability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional poured concrete foundations are used, then permanent stability is achieved, but the structure cannot be removed or reused, leading to material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation structure is divided into separate, modular components including piles, pile caps, adjustable support elements, and foundation plates. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed, adjusted, and removed. The components can be reused in different locations or applications, eliminating material waste while maintaining permanent stability during the building's service life.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment during installation is performed, then alignment precision is improved, but the installation process becomes arduous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable components enable alignment corrections to be made during installation without requiring complete removal and reinstallation. The telescoping screws, ball joints, and slotted plates provide multiple degrees of freedom for adjustment, allowing installers to accommodate misalignments efficiently and lock the structure into place, reducing overall installation time while maintaining precision.
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 adjustable foundation structure simplifies the installation process, reduces costs, and allows for the reuse of components, providing a flexible and stable base for buildings in various environments without the need for extensive reinstallation.
Implementation Method 1
A vertically and laterally adjustable foundation structure with a ball joint and slotted plate assembly that allows for angular and vertical adjustments
Implementation Method 2
using telescoping screws and wing blocks for precise positioning
Implementation Method 3
The foundation structure includes an adjustment mechanism to accommodate an offset between an intended and an actual location of the installation
Data Source
AI summary
A foundation structure is made up of a screw that is vertically adjustable into a pile to a desired height, a ball joint connected to the screw, and load bearing components that can be adjusted on the ball joint in 3-dimensional space with respect to the position of the pile. The load bearing components include one or more plates that define one or more hollow slots into which one or more bolts can be held in place vertically while still having allowance for lateral motion. A load bearing plate at the top of the structure can be laterally translated based on movement of the bolt. The load bearing plate is removably coupled to the floor of a building. The structure allows for vertical, lateral, and angular adjustment, providing tolerance for foundation misalignments due to inconsistencies inherent to topography and/or offset between an intended and an actual point of installation.