Adaptive Drainage Channel Concrete Base Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drainage channels require different designs and materials to accommodate varying load classes, leading to high production and maintenance costs, and are prone to damage due to complex and material-intensive constructions.

Innovation Solution

A drainage channel design where the support structures are adapted by varying the number and height of base sections filled with concrete, allowing the same channel to handle different load classes through improved load dissipation and reduced risk of buckling, using hollow bodies with trapezoidal or hexagonal cross-sections for effective load transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If different channels are used for different load classes, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but production costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage channel is designed with support structures that can adapt to multiple load classes (A, B, and C) through a single unified design. The support structures include base sections that can be filled with concrete to different levels, allowing the same channel to function across different load-bearing requirements without needing separate channel designs for each class.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The load-bearing capacity of the channel is adjusted by changing the fill level of concrete in the base sections of the support structures. By varying the height of concrete filling (parameter change), the channel can achieve different load classes without changing the fundamental channel design, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to different strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If more support structures are added to increase load capacity, then strength is improved, but material usage and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing the number of support structures across the entire channel, the invention applies concrete filling locally and selectively in the base sections of existing support structures. This localized approach allows the channel to achieve higher load-bearing capacity only where needed, rather than adding more support structures throughout, thus reducing overall material usage while maintaining strength improvements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If complex and material-intensive constructions are used to achieve high load numbers, then strength is improved, but reliability decreases due to common damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base sections of the support structures are pre-designed with the capability to be filled with concrete, creating a preliminary structure that can later be strengthened as needed. This preliminary design allows for progressive strengthening without requiring complex initial constructions, reducing the risk of damage by providing a simpler, more robust base structure that can be adaptively reinforced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a single channel design is used for all load classes, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different load requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The channel design incorporates dynamic adaptability through the concrete filling mechanism in the base sections. The support structures can transition from an empty state (lower load capacity) to a filled state (higher load capacity), allowing the single channel design to dynamically adapt to different load requirements. This dynamic capability maintains low device complexity while achieving high adaptability across load classes A, B, and C.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables versatile, cost-effective, and long-lasting drainage solutions by allowing a single channel to adapt to multiple load classes with enhanced load dissipation and reduced material usage, minimizing the risk of damage and buckling.

Implementation Method 1

loads that are introduced into the channel via the cover are dissipated via the support structures to the floor surface and from there to the subsoil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLoad dissipation: Force

Implementation Method 2

the permissible compressive stress is significantly reduced by the penetration of the poured or lined in-situ concrete into the base sections that are open at the bottom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPenetration and strengthening: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

the base sections are designed to be open at the bottom in such a way that their walls are fixed in the horizontal direction after they have been relined or poured in

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHorizontal fixation: Friction

Implementation Method 4

loads can be dissipated into the subsoil both via the base sections and via the floor area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVertical load transfer: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2188459B1Drainage channel
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 ACO SEVERIN AHLMANN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2188459B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2188459B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2188459B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a drainage channel, road gulley or similar drainage device which can be installed in the ground, comprising a bottom surface (4) and side walls (6) which have outwardly projecting supporting structures (8) which support bearing surfaces (10) for bearing a covering, in particular a grating, in a vertical direction RV, wherein at least groups of the supporting structures (8) have base portions (12) which are arranged to be higher and thus closer to the bearing surfaces (10) than the bottom surfaces (4) and which are designed in such a way that, after lining with and/or casting into in situ concrete (30), these base portions (12) form additional supports for the bearing surfaces (10).