Ground Anchor Tilt Compensation via Adjustable Top Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground anchors lack adjustability and tilting compensation, making it difficult to achieve a straight line of fence posts and correct tilting issues caused by rocks during installation.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable ground anchor with a compensation plate that allows for horizontal and vertical adjustments, featuring elongated slots and mounting flanges, enabling the anchor to be tilted and straightened to ensure a completely vertical post installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed anchor/socket combination is used, then the structure is simple and affordable, but the anchor lacks adjustability for different post sizes and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the top plate adjustable relative to the anchor body through elongated slots and mounting holes. The top plate can be positioned at multiple locations and orientations, transforming a fixed structure into a dynamic, adaptable one. This allows the same anchor to accommodate different post sizes and positions while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the anchor into distinct components: the anchor body, the top plate, and mounting elements. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component, enabling versatility without complicating the overall structure. The separated design facilitates easy manufacturing and assembly while providing adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the anchor is rammed vertically and precisely, then the post installation is accurate, but any tilt during ramming causes the post to be skewed and displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate's adjustable design allows it to be tilted and repositioned to compensate for anchor tilt. After the anchor is rammed, the top plate can be adjusted to a level position, ensuring the post will be vertical even if the anchor itself is tilted. This dynamic adjustment capability provides reliability against installation errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary adjustment of the top plate position and orientation before the post is installed. This preliminary action allows the installer to correct any tilt or misalignment of the anchor before the post is set, preventing skewed installation and ensuring proper alignment from the start.
3Strength
If L-brackets are made of thick steel plate for durability, then the structure is stronger, but bending the flanges to correct tilt becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the function of structural support (handled by the thick steel anchor body) from the function of adjustment (handled by the top plate and mounting mechanism). This segmentation allows the L-brackets to remain strong and durable while the adjustment is performed through the movable top plate, eliminating the need to bend thick flanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The top plate acts as an intermediary between the anchor body and the post. Instead of bending the thick L-bracket flanges to correct tilt, the top plate can be repositioned and reoriented, providing the necessary adjustment without requiring deformation of the strong structural components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the same ground anchor is used for various post sizes, then versatility is improved, but the anchor must accommodate different positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate's ability to move and be repositioned on the anchor body provides the necessary versatility for different post sizes. The elongated slots and multiple mounting holes create a dynamic system that can accommodate various positions and orientations, enabling one anchor to fit multiple post types without excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
During ramming of a metal ground anchor for a fence post by applying force on its top plate, the anchor is often tilted, subsequently resulting in the tilted fence post. The tilt is compensated by utilizing a compensation plate (13), the dimensions and form of which correspond to the dimensions and form of the top plate (11 ) welded onto the ground anchor (10). The compensation plate is located above the top plate (11 ) and a post holder (20) is attached thereto. Downwards-protruding mounting flanges (131, 137) are located on two opposite edges of the compensation plate, aligning with downwards-protruding fixing flanges of the top plate. Elongated adjustment slots (132, 133) in the mounting flanges are aligned with holes in the fixing flanges of the top plate, enabling the flanges to be attached with bolts. The adjustment slots allow to adjust the compensation plate before the bolts are tightened. Therefore, horizontal positioning of the compensation plate is achieved regardless of the tilt of the top plate.