Manhole Cover Hinge with Removable Male Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manhole cover articulation devices are vulnerable to malicious extraction in their upright position, and existing locking solutions are complex and increase manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A device with a male articulation member that can be optionally removably or securely mounted to the frame using a tamper-proof hinge pin and lugs for maintaining the cover's upright position, allowing for either removable or unremovable attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If locking means are associated with the joint to permanently connect the buffer to the frame, then the buffer cannot be extracted from the frame, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against extractionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulation device is divided into two separate components: a male member integral with the buffer and a female member in the frame housing. This segmentation allows the buffer to be securely attached when needed while enabling easy removal by simply detaching the male member from the female member, avoiding complex permanent locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulation member is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable rather than permanently fixed. The male member can be freely removed from the female member housing, transforming the connection from static/permanent to dynamic/reversible, thus providing security when needed while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the male articulation member is removably mounted in its housing, then the buffer can be extracted from the frame, but security against malicious extraction is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction capabilityVSAvoidsecurity against extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The articulation member is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable rather than permanently fixed. The male member can be freely removed from the female member housing, transforming the connection from static/permanent to dynamic/reversible, thus providing security when needed while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the hinge pin diameter is smaller than the bore diameter of the cylindrical shaft, then the hinge pin can pass through the shaft, but the connection strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge pin is nested within the cylindrical shaft bore, with the pin passing through the shaft and secured by lugs that engage with recesses in the housing. This nested arrangement allows the pin to provide strong mechanical connection while maintaining ease of assembly through the bore.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lugs act as intermediary elements that transfer the connection force between the hinge pin and the housing recesses. These lugs reinforce the connection strength at the critical interface where the pin meets the housing, compensating for the smaller pin diameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhanced security by allowing the cover to be either extracted or fixed to the frame, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while ensuring the cover's secure attachment in the upright position.

Implementation Method 1

The holding means advantageously comprise two lugs integral with the ends of the cylindrical barrel perpendicular to the latter and capable of being engaged by gravity in the upright position of the buffer respectively in two recesses in the bottom of the housing of the frame.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP1910626B2Device for articulating a stopper or lid to a frame in particular of a man hole
Publication Date: 2014.09.10 EJ EMEA
  • EP1910626B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1910626B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1910626B2 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention concerns a device for articulating a stopper or lid to a frame in particular of a man hole. The invention is characterized in that the male articulating member (4) may optionally be mounted either removably in its housing (5) of the frame (1) to enable the stopper (2) to be extracted from the frame (1) in its upright position or secured in its housing (5) such that the stopper (2) is not detachable from the frame (1). The invention is applicable in the field of road system equipment.