Locatable Slab Assembly for Manhole Cover Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manhole covers beneath paved surfaces often create road bumps or depressions, posing a risk for traffic accidents, and existing methods for locating them, such as metal detectors and RFID tags, may not provide sufficient protection or precision.
Innovation Solution
A locatable slab assembly comprising a steel reinforced concrete slab body, a tubular member with an inner threaded region, a protective plug, and an electronic marker, which allows for precise location and lifting of the manhole cover, using a lifting device with a gripped head and outer threaded surface, and an RFID tag for alignment with the manhole cover's center line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manhole cover is placed on the ground surface, then access to the manhole is easy, but road bumps or depressions are formed causing traffic safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the manhole cover at a depth below the ground surface during construction, rather than placing it on the surface after paving. This advance preparation allows the pavement to be laid flush over the cover, eliminating road bumps or depressions while maintaining accessibility through the locatable slab assembly and lifting mechanisms.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a metal detector is used to locate the manhole cover, then the cover can be found, but the method lacks precision and protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary locatable slab assembly that contains precise positioning markers (such as RFID tags, GPS coordinates, or other identification systems) embedded within it. This intermediary device provides a more accurate and reliable location indicator than metal detectors, enabling precise identification of the manhole cover position beneath the pavement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locatable slab assembly creates a precise digital or physical copy of the manhole cover's location information, storing coordinates or identification data that can be accurately retrieved and used for location purposes, thereby improving measurement precision over detection methods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the manhole cover is buried beneath the pavement, then traffic safety is improved, but access to the cover becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locatable slab assembly incorporates self-service features including integrated lifting mechanisms and precise location markers that enable easy identification and access to the buried manhole cover. The system serves itself by providing built-in guidance and extraction capabilities, eliminating the need for complex external equipment or procedures to access the cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the locatable slab assembly with movable or adjustable components that can be activated when access is needed. The lifting mechanisms and location markers can be dynamically engaged or disengaged based on operational requirements, allowing the system to transition between protective burial and accessible states.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple slab is used to cover the manhole, then manufacturing is easy, but protection and precision location are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locatable slab assembly uses composite materials combining concrete or asphalt for the slab body with embedded metallic or electronic components for positioning and lifting. This composite structure maintains relative ease of manufacture through modular assembly while significantly improving reliability by integrating precise location markers and protective lifting mechanisms within the slab.
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 precise location and safe access to manhole covers, reducing the risk of traffic accidents by ensuring the pavement is flush and providing a secure method for accessing the manhole cover, while minimizing damage to the cover and surrounding pavement.
Implementation Method 1
The inner threaded region is configured to be brought into threaded engagement with the outer threaded surface, so as to permit the locatable slab assembly to be lifted by the lifting device
Implementation Method 2
Two radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are disposed diagonally opposite to each other on the manhole cover. A center of the manhole cover beneath the ground surface may be determined using the two RFID tags
Data Source
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AI summary
A locatable slab assembly (2) for overlying a manhole cover (41) located beneath a lowermost surface of a pavement (44) is disclosed. The locatable slab assembly (2) includes a slab body (20), a tubular member (22), a protective plug (24), and an electronic marker (25). The slab body (20) is deposed to permit a central line (C2) of the slab body (20) in line with a center line (C1) of the manhole cover (41). The electronic marker (25) is configured to permit a region (45) of the pavement (44) in alignment with the center line (C1) of the manhole cover (41) to be located. The locatable slab assembly (2) together with the pavement (44) thereon can be lifted to permit access of the manhole cover (41).