Manhole Cover Elastic Locking Mechanism Prevents Accidental Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manhole designs with hinged buffers are prone to accidental or unauthorized lifting, and there is a need for an elastic locking mechanism that does not rely on a hinge between the buffer and the frame.
Innovation Solution
A road device featuring an annular frame sealed in the ground with a removable covering element, utilizing an elastic locking device comprising a latch and hooks for secure closure, where the buffer is not hinged to the frame, ensuring secure engagement and prevention of accidental lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinge is used to retain the buffer on the frame, then the buffer is retained in the closed position, but the buffer is prone to accidental or unauthorized lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a locking device with latch and abutment for securing the buffer, and a buffer for supporting it. This segmentation allows the locking device to prevent lifting while the buffer provides stable retention, eliminating the vulnerability of hinged connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is activated before the buffer is fully placed on the frame. The latch engages with the abutment in advance, creating a pre-locked state that prevents accidental or unauthorized lifting before the buffer is fully installed.
2Reliability
If the buffer is hinged to the frame, then the buffer can be retained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is completely removed from the system. The buffer is made detachable from the frame, and retention is achieved through the locking device with latch and abutment instead, simplifying the overall structure by eliminating the complex hinged joint.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a hinge to retain the buffer, the invention uses a detachable buffer with a locking device that actively locks the buffer to the frame. This inverts the traditional approach from passive hinged retention to active locking retention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking device with latch and abutment is used, then the buffer is secured against lifting, but the ease of operation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to be automatically engaged when the buffer is placed on the frame. The latch self-locks with the abutment without requiring additional manual intervention, making the operation simple while maintaining security against unauthorized lifting.
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 provides a secure and noise-reducing manhole cover that prevents accidental opening and allows easy handling, with the elastic locking mechanism ensuring the buffer remains firmly in place under vehicular traffic while allowing easy manual operation for opening and closing.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device by elastic engagement of the cover element in the closed position, the locking device comprising at least one latch formed by an abutment arranged fixed on one of the frame and of the cover element and a latch movably arranged on the other and urged elastically against the abutment
Data Source
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AI summary
This road system device (1) is of the type comprising a surround (2) intended to be sealed into the ground, a removable cover element (4) and a device for locking the cover element (4) in the closed position, the locking device comprising at least one catch (45) formed of a stop (44) and of a latch catch (34) urged elastically against the stop (44). According to one aspect of the invention it further comprises a removable device for catching the cover element (4) on the surround (2), comprising complementary catching members (40, 22) provided on the cover element (4) and on the surround (2) and provided with homologous bearing surfaces (58, 62) designed to press against one another under the effect of the elastic urging of the latch catch (34) against the stop (44) and oriented in such a way as to press the cover element (4) axially against the surround (2) by reaction.