Honeycomb Pavement Structure for Stone Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paving stone installation methods face issues with sinking and lack of durability due to the absence of interlocking mechanisms, requiring additional joints and materials like concrete slabs or mortar, which increase costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A honeycomb structure with interlocking cells that support paving stones without bonding, using plastic materials resistant to wear and UV, where each cell has a foot and communication passages for linking and drainage, eliminating the need for concrete slabs or mortar.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If paving stones are laid directly on sand without bonding, then installation is simple and quick, but the stones sink independently under load and lack durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidpaving stone stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The honeycomb structure divides the paving surface into separate cells, each independently supporting a paving stone. This segmentation allows simple installation while preventing stones from sinking independently, as each cell acts as an individual stable unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The honeycomb structure serves as an intermediary between the sand base and the paving stones. It provides a stable framework that transfers loads evenly to the base while supporting each stone individually, eliminating the need for bonding materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a concrete slab with mortar bed is used, then paving stones are stable and durable, but material costs and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaving stone stabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the concrete slab and mortar bed from the traditional paving system. The honeycomb structure alone provides the necessary stability and load distribution, simplifying the system to just the honeycomb structure and paving stones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The honeycomb structure acts as a thin, flexible yet strong framework that replaces the thick concrete slab. It provides structural integrity while using minimal material, reducing both complexity and material costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If adhesive or sealant is used to bond paving elements, then joints are sealed, but additional materials and processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint sealingVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potential harm of open joints into a benefit by using the honeycomb walls themselves as the joint structure. The cells naturally provide separation and support without requiring additional sealing materials, maintaining reliability while improving installation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3864221B1Device for producing a ground surface cover by embedding pavestones
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 DESIRE CHRISTOPHE

AI summary

Device (1) for producing a ground surface cover, comprising at least one cellular structure (10) provided with a plurality of cells (2), each of which is delimited by walls (20, 21, 22, 23) and an upper opening plane and comprises at least one base as well as communication passages from one cell to the other, each cell (2) comprising a support (26) for supporting a pavestone (3) to be placed in the cell. The support comprises a central zone (26-1), which is centrally located in the cell, and connection elements (26-2 to 26-9) which connect the central zone to the walls by means of rigid connection arms. Cavities (26') are provided under the connection elements (26-2 to 26-9) which form bridges.