Deployable Cofferdam Frame for Uneven Waterbeds

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cofferdam systems are difficult to install, often heavy, not stackable, and customized for specific sites, making them non-reusable and unsuitable for uneven waterbeds, limiting their portability and adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A deployable and modular cofferdam web-supporting frame assembly with adjustable longitudinally extending frame-supporting legs and connecting assemblies that can be configured for usage and storage, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and enabling the system to be used on uneven waterbeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional self-supportive cofferdam frames are used, then structural stability is achieved, but adaptability to uneven waterbeds deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to uneven waterbeds

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure incorporates adjustable legs that can be dynamically repositioned and reconfigured to adapt to uneven waterbed surfaces. The legs can be independently adjusted in length and angle, allowing the frame to maintain stability while adapting to varying terrain conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame system allows modification of geometric parameters such as leg length, leg angle, and frame configuration to suit different waterbed conditions. By changing these parameters, the frame can maintain structural integrity across diverse terrains, simultaneously achieving stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If heavy non-modular cofferdam systems are used, then structural strength is improved, but portability and ease of transport deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidportability and ease of transport

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cofferdam system is divided into modular components including standardized frame sections, adjustable legs, and connectable elements. This segmentation allows the structure to be disassembled into manageable units for easy transport while maintaining structural strength when assembled, resolving the contradiction between strength and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular frame components are designed to nest within each other during storage and transport. The adjustable legs can be collapsed and stored within the frame structure, significantly reducing transport volume while preserving the full structural capability when deployed, thus achieving both strength and ease of transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If customized cofferdam frames are manufactured for specific sites, then manufacturing precision for that site is improved, but reusability and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesite-specific manufacturing precisionVSAvoidreusability and productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame system employs standardized, universal components that can be configured for multiple site conditions through adjustment rather than customization. The same modular frame sections and adjustable legs can serve different waterbed configurations, maintaining manufacturing precision across various applications while enabling reuse and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If non-deployable cofferdam frames are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of storage and transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of storage and transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame incorporates deployable and collapsible mechanisms that allow the structure to transition between expanded operational configuration and compact storage configuration. This dynamic capability enables simple manufacturing of the base structure while achieving ease of storage and transport through its ability to collapse and nest, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and ease of storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11603640B2Deployable cofferdam web-supporting frame assembly for a cofferdam system, cofferdam system comprising the same and corresponding method for delimiting an enclosure within a body of water

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 MVC OCÉAN INC

AI summary

A deployable cofferdam web-supporting frame assembly for a cofferdam system configured to be installed within a body of water to at least partially delimit therein an enclosure. The deployable cofferdam web-supporting frame assembly comprises first and second frame-supporting structures comprising first and second apexes and first and second groups of longitudinally extending frame-supporting legs each having a waterbed-engaging end, the first and second frame-supporting structure being configurable into a usage configuration wherein the frame-supporting legs are connected to each other with the waterbed-engaging ends thereof being spaced apart from one another, and a storage configuration wherein the frame-supporting legs are substantially parallel to each other; and a connecting assembly connecting the first and second apexes to each other. It also concerns a cofferdam system comprising the same and a corresponding method for delimiting an enclosure within a body of water.