Foundation for Elongate Structure with Deformable Plate Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Positioning and fixating elongate structures, such as lampposts, in a vertical direction is cumbersome due to the need for accurate spatial alignment and existing foundations are vulnerable to damage from objects impacting the structure.

Innovation Solution

A foundation with a receiving element, flange, compression element, and deformable plate that allows for accurate positioning and fixation of the elongate structure by compressing the deformable plate to urge it against the structure, distributing the positioning and fixating functions in a practical manner, and providing a pivot arrangement to reduce vulnerability to impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a foundation uses bolts urged against the elongate structure to align and fix it, then the elongate structure can be fixed in position, but the positioning and fixating operation becomes relatively cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is segmented into distinct functional components: a receiving element for insertion, a flange for support, positioning elements for alignment, and a compression element for fixation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall positioning operation while maintaining reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving element is designed with a receiving opening that preliminarily guides and receives the elongate structure in the correct orientation before final fixation. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment is achieved automatically during insertion, reducing the complexity of subsequent positioning steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the foundation requires accurate spatial positioning of the receiving element for vertical alignment, then the elongate structure achieves correct vertical alignment, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical alignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flange provides a stable support surface that creates an equipotential reference plane for positioning. By supporting the elongate structure on this flange, the foundation achieves accurate vertical alignment through a simple support mechanism rather than complex adjustment procedures, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Ease of manufacture

If existing foundations have the elongate structure pivot point above the foundation, then the structure can be installed, but the foundation becomes vulnerable to damage from objects impacting the structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidimpact damage vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving element is nested within the ground or base structure, with the elongate structure inserted into and supported by this nested receiving element. This nesting arrangement protects the foundation components from direct impact while maintaining the structural integrity and installation simplicity of the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 efficient and robust positioning and fixation of elongate structures in a vertical direction, reducing the risk of damage from impacts and allowing for easy alignment and re-use of the foundation.

Implementation Method 1

a compression arrangement arranged for compressing said deformable plate element between said two positioning elements, via said flange and said compression element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

said deformable plate element is deformed and urges against said elongate structure for fixating said elongate structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3578718B1Foundation for an elongate structure and an assembly of the elongate structure and the foundation

Publication Date: 2020.07.08 POWERCAST HLDG BV

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AI summary

The foundation comprises: - a receiving element comprising a receiving opening, wherein said receiving element defines a receiving space for receiving a lower part of said elongate structure; - a flange; - a compression element; - two positioning elements; - a deformable plate element, wherein said two positioning elements and said deformable plate element are displaceable relative to said receiving element, said flange and said compression element in a virtual plane perpendicular to said longitudinal direction for, in use, positioning said elongate structure in said vertical direction; - a compression arrangement arranged for compressing said deformable plate element between said two positioning elements, via said flange and said compression element, such that said deformable plate element is deformed and urged against said elongate structure for fixating said elongate structure relative to said receiving element in said vertical direction.