Drainage Channel Engagement Mechanism for Modular Cover Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage channels with covers face challenges in achieving high strength while maintaining low production and storage costs, as well as simplicity in manufacturing and installation, especially when used in high-traffic areas like streets and squares.
Innovation Solution
A drainage channel design featuring continuous engagement devices along its length, allowing for different cover types to connect transversely, forming a closed box construction that is easy to manufacture and assemble, with stopper devices to prevent displacement, and made from lightweight plastic injection molded parts for reduced costs and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the drainage channel and cover are made of stable material and screwed together, then high strength and load resistance are achieved, but manufacturing costs and installation complexity increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channel system is divided into modular components: a channel body with integrated first engagement devices and a separate cover with second engagement devices. These segments connect through simple geometric interlocking features rather than complex fastening mechanisms, reducing installation complexity while maintaining structural integrity and load resistance.
2Strength
If the drainage channel and cover are made of stable material and screwed together, then high strength structure is created, but production and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement devices are merged into the basic structure of the channel body and cover components themselves. The first engagement devices are formed as integral parts of the channel body, and the second engagement devices are formed as integral parts of the cover, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different types of covers are used with different types of channel bodies, then specific stability and design requirements are met, but production and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The channel body is designed with universal first engagement devices that can accommodate multiple types of covers. The engagement mechanism uses standardized geometric features that work with various cover designs, allowing a single channel body type to serve multiple applications and reducing the need for multiple channel body variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement devices are designed with specific local geometric features (teeth and ledges) that provide the necessary mechanical interlocking at the connection interface, while the rest of the channel body and cover can be optimized for their specific design requirements. This allows differentiation in cover designs without requiring different channel body types.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to allow a simultaneously stable and variable design of a drainage structure consisting of a drainage body (11) and a cover (20). This is achieved in that the drainage body (11) and the cover (20) continuously have engagement devices (13, 13'; 14, 14'; 23, 23') when seen in a longitudinal direction of the drainage body (11), whereby the cover connects upper edges (12, 12') of the drainage body (11) to one another transversely to the longitudinal direction in a tension-resistant manner over the entire length of the drainage body. In order to allow the use of different covers (20) for different loads for example while using the same drainage body (11), two types of engagement devices (13, 13'; 14, 14') are provided on the drainage body.