Floor Support Device Anchoring for Soft Ground Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support devices for floor constructions are unstable and unable to achieve sufficient stability when mounted on soft, uneven surfaces like lawns or soil, as they cannot be securely fixed or adjusted to compensate for unevenness.

Innovation Solution

The support device uses anchoring elements, such as ground sockets, hammered into the ground to provide a stable base for the support device, which includes a base element with positioning webs and a height-adjustable support element featuring a buttress thread for secure and adjustable mounting, ensuring stability even on soft ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If support devices are placed directly on soft, uneven surfaces like lawns or soil, then the assembly process is simplified, but the stability and reliability of the floor construction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidstability of floor construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces anchoring elements as an intermediary component between the support devices and the soft subsoil. These anchoring elements are driven into the ground to provide a stable foundation, while the support devices rest on top of them. This mediator solves the contradiction by enabling easy assembly (support devices don't need to be directly embedded) while ensuring reliability (anchoring elements provide secure fixation in soft ground).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separate functional components: anchoring elements for ground fixation and support devices for floor panel support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - anchoring elements for penetration and stability in soft soil, and support devices for ease of assembly and height adjustment, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If support devices are fixed securely to achieve high stability on soft ground, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of support deviceVSAvoidcomplexity of support device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the anchoring function from the support function into distinct components (anchoring elements vs. support devices), the patent achieves high stability without increasing the complexity of the support device itself. The anchoring elements handle the complexity of ground fixation, while support devices remain simple height-adjustable structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring elements serve as a mediator that absorbs the complexity of securing to soft ground. They provide a stable base that simplifies the support device design, as the support device only needs to rest on and be height-adjusted relative to the anchoring elements, not directly engage with the soft subsoil.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the subsoil is solidified or concreted to provide a stable base, then the stability of support devices improves, but the loss of time and productivity deteriorates due to extensive preparation work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of support deviceVSAvoidassembly speed of floor construction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring elements are pre-positioned in the ground at required locations before the support devices are assembled. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming subsoil solidification or concreting, as the anchoring elements provide immediate stable anchor points that enable quick assembly of the support devices and floor panels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring elements mediate between the soft subsoil and the support devices, providing a stable foundation without requiring extensive ground preparation. They can be quickly driven into the ground and immediately support the support devices, maintaining high productivity while ensuring stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If base elements are made large with level undersides to provide stability on firm surfaces, then the stability improves, but the adaptability to soft, uneven surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability on firm surfaceVSAvoidadaptability to soft, uneven surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring elements serve as an intermediary that adapts to soft, uneven surfaces. They can be driven into various ground conditions and provide a stable, level base for the support devices. This allows the support devices to maintain their simple design with level undersides while gaining adaptability to different ground types through the anchoring element mediator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the adaptation function from the support function, the patent enables the support devices to have simple, level undersides optimized for firm surfaces, while the anchoring elements handle the adaptation to soft, uneven surfaces through their drive-in design and ground engagement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2692961B1Supporting device for assembling a floor design
Publication Date: 2014.05.28 SPAX INT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2692961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2692961B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3b

AI summary

The supporting device comprises a support element (4) held at a base element (3) in a height adjustable manner. The support element has a support surface for the floor structure on its upper surface. A unit for positioning and fixing of the base element on the upper area of a collapsible anchoring element (1) is provided in the ground. The positioning and fixing unit comprises an open receptacle for the upper area of the anchoring element, by which the base element is plugged-in onto the upper portion of the anchoring element or a projection protruding downward to the base element. An independent claim is included for a method for assembling a floor structure on a soft ground, particularly lawn.