Displacement Tube Closure Flaps for Reduced Driving Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling tube devices require high forces for insertion into harder soils and suffer from increased wear due to radially protruding swivel joints, and their closure flap arrangements are complex and prone to wear, even with central pivot axes.
Innovation Solution
A device with closure flaps arranged in a point or arrow shape, where the pivot axis is at the lower end, allowing for reduced force insertion and wear, with obliquely upward flaps that pivot easily under soil pressure and can be assisted by pulling, and featuring semicircular plates with ring bearings and a support strut for protection and efficient production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If closure flaps are hinged to the side of the tube base with lateral articulation, then the closure flaps can pivot, but the swivel joints protrude laterally beyond the outer circumference requiring higher forces for driving and leading to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional lateral articulation concept by placing the pivot axis at the lower end of the displacement tube instead of on the side. This inversion causes the closure flaps to extend obliquely upwards from the central pivot axis, creating a pile tip shape that reduces driving forces while eliminating lateral protrusion of swivel joints
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement from lateral (horizontal) articulation to vertical/axial articulation at the lower end. The closure flaps are arranged in the shape of a point or arrow with the pivot axis in the actual tip area, extending obliquely upwards, which transforms the geometry from a complex lateral linkage to a simplified central pivot configuration
2Ease of operation
If closure flaps are hinged to the side of the tube base, then the closure flaps can pivot, but the swivel joints are subject to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the articulation location from lateral side to lower end central position, the invention eliminates the radial protrusion of swivel joints that causes wear. The closure flaps now pivot from the tip area upwards, which reduces wear on the swivel joints while maintaining the pivoting function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of radial protrusion into a benefit by using the closure flaps extending obliquely upwards to create a pile tip effect. This tip shape reduces driving forces and protects the swivel joints from wear, turning what would be a harmful protrusion into a beneficial cutting edge
3Device complexity
If a central pivot axis is used for closure flaps, then the structure is simplified, but a relatively large amount of force is required to drive the filling tube into the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a pile tip with a transverse cutting edge at the lower end through the specific arrangement of closure flaps extending obliquely upwards. This localized geometric feature at the tip area reduces driving forces without requiring complex overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
By inverting the conventional arrangement where closure flaps extend horizontally or downwards, the invention has them extend obliquely upwards from the central pivot axis at the lower end. This inversion creates the pile tip shape that reduces driving forces while maintaining structural simplicity
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 enables efficient creation of filling material columns with reduced force and wear, ensuring reliable opening of closure flaps for material passage, facilitating stable subsoil strengthening and building foundations.
Implementation Method 1
the closure flaps can continue to open well in the closed position... the pressure of the filling material is sufficient to cause the closure flaps to pivot downwards through the soil
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The notification relates to a device (10) and a method for producing a column of fill material in the ground, comprising a displacement tube (12) which has a lower outlet opening for the discharge of the fill material, and a closure device (20) which is arranged at the outlet opening and has two closure flaps (22) which are pivotably hinged to a common crossbar (40) between a closed position and an open position, wherein the lower end of the displacement tube (12) is designed as a downwardly tapered displacement tip (30), wherein the crossbar (40) is arranged in a lower pointed region of the displacement tip (30) and extends centrally and transversely in the displacement tube (12), and wherein the closure flaps (22) extend obliquely upwards from the crossbar (40) in the closed position to form the displacement tip (30).