Manhole Cover Hinge Nesting and Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manhole covers experience high friction and wear due to debris accumulation and external loading, leading to hinge fatigue and breakage, making them difficult to open and close, especially under traffic loads.
Innovation Solution
A manhole cover design featuring a containment seat with a walkable protection element that houses the rotation shaft and springs, reducing friction and wear by protecting the mechanism from debris and traffic loads, and incorporating a torsion spring for easier operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hinge is positioned at the level of the road pavement to facilitate operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to fatigue deformations and breakages from traffic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement at pavement level to a vertical arrangement within the frame thickness, changing the spatial dimension of the hinge configuration. This dimensional change allows the hinge to be protected from traffic loads while maintaining operational functionality through the vertical slot design in the frame.
2Device complexity
If the hinge is positioned outside the frame to simplify structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to debris accumulation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is nested within the frame structure, with the rotation shaft positioned inside a vertical slot formed in the frame's thickness. This nesting configuration protects the hinge mechanism from external debris while maintaining structural simplicity, as the hinge components are integrated into the existing frame geometry rather than added as separate external elements.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge slot is exposed to the road pavement to allow free rotation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to debris accumulation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover element is introduced that acts as a flexible barrier, enclosing the vertical slot and hinge mechanism while allowing rotational movement. This thin film-like cover prevents debris from entering the hinge area while maintaining the operational freedom of rotation, effectively isolating the hinge from harmful environmental factors.
4Ease of operation
If elastic elements are added near the hinges to facilitate opening and closing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is merged with the existing hinge structure, with the spring integrated into the vertical slot configuration. The elastic element works in conjunction with the hinge shaft and frame slot, combining multiple functions (rotation support, elastic assistance, and protective enclosure) into a unified mechanism rather than adding separate independent components.
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 design significantly reduces friction and wear, enhances the operational ease and safety of manhole covers by shielding the rotation mechanism from debris and traffic loads, extending the lifespan of the hinges and springs while minimizing physical effort required for opening and closing.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring (15) arranged within the containment seat (9) and rotatable with respect to the rotation axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Manhole cover (1) comprising a support frame (2) suitable to delimit an access point (2a) to a well; a lid (4) which can be housed in a seat (3) defined by the support frame (2) to define a closing condition of the manhole cover (1); pivotal coupling means (7) suitable to rotatably couple the lid (4) to the support frame (2) defining a plurality of operating conditions between the closing condition, wherein the lid (4) is housed in the seat (3), and an at least partial opening condition, wherein the lid (4) is at least partially arranged outside the seat (3), such pivotal coupling means (7) comprising a rotation shaft (8) defining a rotation axis (X) for said lid (4). The manhole cover (1) comprises a containment seat (9), having a walkable protection element (9a), connected to a perimeter portion of the support frame (2). The containment seat (9), moreover, is suitable to house at least partially the rotation shaft (8) of the pivotal coupling means (7).