Flexible Underground Support Element with Nested Hollow Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible elements for underground composite structures lack sufficient resistance to rock forces, necessitating a solution to enhance their load-bearing capacity and adaptability to varying local conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hollow profiles into tubular bodies of the flexible element, with adjustable fastening elements such as slotted tubes, spring wires, or spring steel strips, to achieve controlled flexibility and precise matching of load-bearing capacity with adjacent channel profiles or lattice girders, allowing for deformation and load absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If flexible elements are used in underground composite structures, then the structure can adapt to rock pressure and deformation, but the resistance to rock forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing hollow profiles inside tubular bodies, creating a multi-layered structural system. The hollow profile is inserted into the tubular body, forming a nested configuration where the inner hollow profile reinforces the outer tubular body, thereby increasing resistance to rock forces while preserving the flexible element's adaptability through controlled deformation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite material principles by combining different structural elements (hollow profiles and tubular bodies) into a composite flexible element. This composite structure integrates the strengths of different components, creating a system with enhanced load-bearing capacity and resistance to rock forces while maintaining the necessary flexibility for underground application
2Strength
If hollow profiles are inserted into tubular bodies, then load-bearing capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the flexible element into distinct modular components: tubular bodies and separate hollow profiles. These segmented elements can be manufactured independently and assembled in a standardized manner, which manages complexity through modularity while achieving enhanced load-bearing capacity through their combined nested structure
3Stability of the object's composition
If fastening elements are used to secure hollow profiles, then position stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through self-centering and self-securing mechanisms where the hollow profiles are designed to automatically position and secure themselves within the tubular bodies during assembly. The fastening elements are integrated into this self-securing process, allowing the structure to stabilize itself without requiring complex external manufacturing or assembly operations, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving position stability
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 provides increased resistance to rock forces and controlled flexibility, enabling precise matching of load-bearing capacity, thus effectively managing rock pressure and ensuring structural integrity in underground constructions.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow profile consists of a slotted tube that is pressed into the tubular body with a frictional and positive fit
Implementation Method 2
the spring steel strips, which are preferably provided in an opposite arrangement, are bent in two layers and inserted into the gap between the hollow profile and the tubular body. When the hollow profile is pushed into the tubular body, the spring steel strips slide in the tubular body and ultimately brace the hollow profile in the tubular body due to the spreading force inherent in them in the operating position
Implementation Method 3
The flexible element is designed in such a way that it can be compressed under the influence of the rock pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The element (8) has two supporting sheets (9, 10) and tubular bodies (16) arranged at a distance from each other, where the tubular bodies are provided between the supporting sheets. The supporting sheets fixable at gutter profiles (3) or at a lattice girder are provided with reinforcements (13) fastened to a concrete shell (6). Hollow sections (17) are inserted into the tubular bodies. The hollow sections comprise a split tube pressed into the tubular body in a form-fit manner. The hollow sections have a peripheral side closed tube provided in the tubular body by a fastening element.