Grid Element with Angled Grooves for Low-Force Pipe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grid elements for securing heating and/or cooling pipes in concrete structures are inefficient in terms of installation time and effort, as they often require significant force to insert pipes due to right-angle grooves, which can weaken crossing points and complicate manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A grid element with securing members and positioning means that are spaced from intersection points and extend at angles other than 90 degrees, allowing pipes to be easily secured with reduced force and facilitating manufacturing by preventing weakening of crossing points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If right-angle grooves are used for securing pipes, then pipes can be positioned perpendicular to struts, but significant force is required to insert pipes which weakens crossing points and complicates manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forming grooves at right angles to the struts (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by forming grooves at angles between 10-80 degrees relative to the strut axis. This inversion of the groove orientation eliminates the need for high insertion forces while still providing effective pipe securing, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the grooves from the conventional 90 degrees to a range of 10-80 degrees relative to the strut axis. This parameter change fundamentally alters the mechanical interaction between pipe and grid element, reducing insertion force requirements and preventing weakening of crossing points while maintaining pipe positioning functionality.
2Reliability
If right-angle grooves are formed at crossing points, then pipes can be securely positioned, but manufacturing becomes more complex and crossing points are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional groove formation approach by positioning grooves along the strut axis at angles of 10-80 degrees rather than at right angles to struts at crossing points. This inversion allows grooves to be formed in single struts rather than at complex crossing point intersections, significantly simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliable pipe securing through the angled groove geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the groove formation from the crossing point locations and places it within single struts at angled orientations. This extraction eliminates the complexity associated with forming grooves at multi-strut intersections while preserving the pipe securing function, thereby improving ease of manufacture without compromising reliability.
3Reliability
If significant force is applied to insert pipes into right-angle grooves, then pipes can be secured, but installation time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the groove angle parameter from 90 degrees to 10-80 degrees relative to the strut axis, the patent reduces the insertion force requirement. This parameter change allows pipes to be inserted with minimal force, dramatically reducing installation time and effort while maintaining reliable pipe securing through the angled groove geometry that provides effective mechanical interlocking.
4Adaptability or versatility
If grid elements are designed with multiple crossing points for pipe accommodation, then pipe positioning is improved, but structural weakening and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pipe accommodation function from the crossing point locations and distributes it along the strut lengths through angled grooves. This segmentation allows multiple pipe positions to be accommodated along single struts without compromising crossing point integrity, thereby maintaining adaptability for pipe positioning while preserving structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of concentrating pipe accommodation features at crossing points (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by positioning grooves along the strut axes at angles of 10-80 degrees. This inversion distributes the pipe securing function throughout the strut lengths rather than concentrating it at vulnerable crossing points, maintaining versatility while preserving structural integrity.
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 enables quicker and easier installation of heating and cooling pipes while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturing simplicity, allowing for custom-tailored grids that can be cost-effectively formed and placed in concrete structures.
Implementation Method 1
The grid element comprises at least two securing members defining a gap for resiliently accommodating the pipe. The grid element is so arranged and constructed that the securing members are resiliently moved apart when the pipe is pressed into the gap.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A grid element (2) for securing a heating and/or cooling pipe (4) in a concrete building structure comprises at least two securing members (8) defining a gap for resiliently accommodating the pipe (4) . The grid element (2) is so arranged and constructed that the securing members (8) are resiliently moved apart when the pipe (4) is pressed into the gap.