Drainage Gutter Cover Clamping Devices Frictional Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drainage channel covers face significant wear and noise due to dynamic loads from vehicles, and existing solutions like snap locks are complex to construct and assemble, leading to instability and noise pollution.

Innovation Solution

A drainage channel with a cover featuring clamping devices at both ends, providing a frictional connection that can be easily assembled and disassembled, with projections having sloping surfaces to enhance stability and dampening, allowing for efficient locking and reduced construction effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If screw connections are used to secure covers to drainage channels, then stability under dynamic loads is improved, but construction and assembly complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidconstruction and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into modular components: clamping devices with projections on the cover, corresponding recesses with undercuts in the channel, and elastic wave sections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system incorporates elastic wave sections that can deform dynamically under load. The asymmetric sloping surfaces allow the connection to adapt to dynamic forces from passing vehicles, maintaining stability while absorbing shocks through controlled deformation and rebound.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If simple snap locks are used to connect covers and drainage channels, then construction and assembly effort is reduced, but stability and noise prevention deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction and assembly effortVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sloping surfaces are designed asymmetrically with different angles - the lower sloping surface has a flatter ascent angle than the upper sloping surface. This asymmetry creates a ratchet-like effect that allows easy assembly in one direction while preventing disassembly and movement in the opposite direction, providing both ease of construction and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic wave sections incorporate curved geometries that allow flexible deformation under dynamic loads. This curvature enables the simple snap lock design to absorb shocks and maintain stable connection without requiring complex rigid fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If clamping devices with asymmetric sloping surfaces are used, then assembly ease and dampening effect are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidsloping surface angle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The design specifies particular angular parameters for the sloping surfaces, with the lower surface having a flatter ascent angle than the upper surface. These parameter specifications optimize the balance between assembly ease and manufacturing feasibility, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to achieve the desired functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If frictional connections are used instead of form-fit connections, then construction effort is reduced and assembly is simplified, but connection strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction effortVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping devices with projections are designed to engage with recesses in advance during assembly, creating immediate frictional contact. The asymmetric sloping surfaces then apply preliminary clamping force that enhances the frictional connection, ensuring both simplicity and sufficient connection strength under dynamic loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively prevents movement and noise, ensuring increased stability under dynamic loads with minimal construction and assembly effort, while facilitating easy manufacturing and assembly, and enhancing the dampening effect.

Implementation Method 1

The cover in addition to the locking devices in the area of the ends, to ensure a frictional connection between the cover and the drainage channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the lower sloping surfaces should have such a flatter ascent angle as the upper sloping surfaces that it can be put onto the cover on the drainage channel with a lower force than a weight loss. This facilitates the assembly and increases the dampening effect of the clamping devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2904165B1Combination of a drainage gutter and a cover
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 ACO AHLMANN SE & CO KG
  • EP2904165B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6

AI summary

Known covers (10) for a traversable drainage channel (1) have locking devices (20; 5, 5') which ensure a releasable connection between the cover (10) and the drainage channel (1) in order to raise said cover (10). According to the invention, in order to reduce movements of the cover (10) on the drainage channel (1), the end regions of the cover (10) have clamping devices for ensuring a frictional connection between the clamping devices and the drainage channel (1).