Adjustable Ground Foundation Element With Offset Sled

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ground foundation systems, such as ground anchors, face challenges in achieving precise positioning and angular orientation of supported objects due to factors like underground obstructions, leading to misalignment and instability.

Innovation Solution

The proposed ground foundation assembly includes an elongated anchor portion with wings for enhanced ground contact and a displaceable sled with offset slots and bolts, allowing for adjustable positioning and locking, along with a washer plate for secure fastening, enabling precise alignment and adjustment of supported objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional ground anchor system is used, then the installation process is simple, but the positioning precision and angular orientation of the supported object deteriorate due to underground obstructions and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground foundation system is divided into distinct functional segments: the elongated anchor portion for ground insertion and anchoring, the sled for positioning and adjustment, and the supported object. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the anchor for secure ground connection, the sled for precise adjustable positioning, and the supported object for its specific function, thereby achieving high positioning precision without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sled acts as an intermediary component between the anchor portion and the supported object. It provides an adjustable connection interface that can accommodate misalignment caused by underground obstructions. The sled's displaceable design with adjustment mechanisms allows it to mediate the connection, enabling precise positioning of the supported object even when the anchor position deviates from the ideal location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the position of the supported object is adjusted after installation, then adaptability to ground conditions improves, but the stability and firm connection may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sled is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be displaceable and adjustable after the anchor portion is firmly installed in the ground. The adjustment mechanisms enable the sled to move and reposition the supported object to achieve optimal alignment and positioning. Once the desired position is achieved, the system can be locked or secured to maintain stability, thus combining adaptability during adjustment with reliability in the final positioned state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If underground obstructions are present, then the ease of installation improves by working around obstacles, but the alignment precision and angular orientation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sled is pre-designed with adjustment capabilities and positioning features that allow for post-installation alignment corrections. This preliminary preparation of the adjustment mechanism enables the installer to first easily place the anchor portion in the ground (bypassing obstructions), and then use the sled's adjustment features to achieve precise alignment and angular orientation, thus separating the installation ease from the alignment precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2978903B1Ground foundation element
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 FAM HLDG
  • EP2978903B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2978903B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2978903B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A ground foundation element (2) comprising an elongated anchor portion (10) which is arranged to be placed into the ground during installation and which is arranged to establish a firm connection between the elongated anchor portion and the ground. The ground foundation element further comprises: a first elongated track (20, 22) fixed to the elongated anchor portion on one side of a plane comprising the longitudinal centre axis of the elongated anchor portion and a second elongated track (21,23) fixed to the elongated anchor portion on the other side of said plane. The first and second elongated tracks are arranged essentially parallel to each other and offset from each other in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first and second elongated tracks and which is perpendicular to said plane. In this way, a ground foundation element is provided which can be used in a ground foundation assembly which provides an adjustable, strong and simple arrangement.