Adapter Element for Circular Drain Rectangular Frame Transition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional street drains struggle with undercuts when installed in bituminous surfaces, leading to inadequate compaction and lack of a load-bearing substructure, causing the extension to sink under traffic loads.

Innovation Solution

An attachment system with a separate adapter element that includes a frame and a grate, featuring a collar and a support flange, allowing seamless transition from a circular drain body to a rectangular frame without additional fasteners, enabling direct compaction of bituminous surfaces up to the outer contour.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rectangular extension is placed on the drain body and rolled into a bituminous surface, then the drain can be installed in the bituminous surface, but undercuts form between the extension and the drain body preventing proper support and compaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter element serves as an intermediary component between the circular drain body and the rectangular attachment. It has a first section that receives the rectangular frame and a second section that extends into the circular drain body, mediating the geometric transition and preventing undercuts while maintaining load-bearing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter element is divided into two distinct sections: a first rectangular section for receiving the frame and a second circular section for extending into the drain body. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified transition component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional street drains are installed in bituminous surfaces, then drainage function is achieved, but the bituminous material cannot be sufficiently compacted due to undercuts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage functionVSAvoidcompaction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter element acts as a mediator that eliminates the geometric mismatch between circular drain bodies and rectangular attachments, creating a seamless interface that allows bituminous material to be compacted uniformly without voids or undercuts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the attachment is made as a single piece with the nozzle, then manufacturing is simplified, but the adapter cannot be properly supported in bituminous surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsupport capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into separate components: the attachment, the adapter element, and the drain body. This segmentation allows the adapter element to be specifically designed with dual geometry to provide proper support in bituminous surfaces while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If a separate adapter element is used to prevent undercuts, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter element is a single integrated component with two geometric sections rather than multiple separate parts. This segmentation within a unified structure provides the necessary geometric transition and support functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides geometric transition from circular to rectangular, prevents undercut formation, distributes loads, and enables proper compaction of bituminous material. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3832041B1Capping system, road gully and method
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 ACO AHLMANN SE & CO KG
  • EP3832041B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3832041B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3832041B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting system for a drain for the drainage of traffic areas, in particular for a road drain, comprising a mounting (11) with a frame (12) and a grate (13) which can be inserted into the frame (12), wherein the frame (12) is at least partially rectangular, wherein the mounting system (10) has a separate adapter element (14) which, in the installed state, is arranged between the frame (12) and a drain body (15) which is at least partially circular in cross-section, wherein the adapter element (14) comprises a first area (16) and a second area (17), wherein the first area (16) is adapted to accommodate the frame (12), and the second area (17) is adapted to extend at least partially into the drain body (15).