Manhole Cover Pivoting Mechanism for Controlled Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manhole covers in high-quality paving or floor coverings require adaptation to the pattern without deformation, and existing solutions are difficult to open and close due to high weight, often requiring heavy tools and risking accidents with jerky movements.
Innovation Solution
A manhole cover design featuring an outer support frame and inner cover frame with a pivoting device driven by an actively acting pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromechanical drive, allowing precise control over opening and closing, and enabling a single operator to manage the cover's weight, which is anchored in the subsoil for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cover frame weight is increased to match the high resilience and strength of the floor covering, then the load-bearing capacity and structural integrity are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as manual movement becomes impossible and heavy tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated drive system. A drive device (motor, hydraulic, or pneumatic) is integrated into the pivoting mechanism to automatically open and close the heavy cover frame, eliminating the need for manual lifting while maintaining the high weight necessary for load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device is designed to be self-actuating through the pivoting motion itself. As the cover frame pivots open or closed, the drive device automatically activates to assist the movement, allowing the system to serve itself without external intervention or heavy tools.
2Ease of operation
If gas springs are used to support the opening of the manhole cover, then the ease of operation is improved by providing support force, but the reliability deteriorates due to jerky movements that increase accident risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive gas spring mechanisms with an actively controllable drive device. This drive system provides force in a controlled manner throughout the pivoting range, eliminating the jerky motion characteristic of gas springs while maintaining ease of operation through automated assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device is designed to dynamically adjust its output force based on the position and motion state of the cover frame. This dynamic control ensures smooth acceleration and deceleration during opening and closing, preventing jerky movements while providing necessary support force throughout the operation.
3Strength
If the cover frame weight is increased to approx. 240 kg for a 900 x 900 mm grid to ensure structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as single-person operation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a compact drive device directly into the pivoting mechanism, allowing a single operator to trigger automated opening and closing of the 240 kg cover frame. The drive device handles all the heavy lifting, converting a multi-person manual operation into a single-person automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device is merged with the pivoting mechanism itself, combining the heavy-duty structural components with the automated actuation system. This integration allows the single operator to control the entire operation through a simple trigger action while the integrated drive handles the weight management.
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 allows for easy and controlled opening and closing of the manhole cover, preventing accidental snapping and enabling a single person to manage covers weighing up to 240 kg, while maintaining aesthetic integration with the floor pattern and supporting high loads up to 40t.
Implementation Method 1
at least one actively acting pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical drive
Implementation Method 2
at least one actively acting pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical drive
Implementation Method 3
at least one actively acting pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical drive
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a manhole cover, wherein the manhole cover comprises at least an outer support frame and an inner cover frame, the support frame and the cover frame are congruent with respect to height in the closed state of the manhole cover, and at least in the cover frame a filling or paving corresponding to a covering extending outside the manhole cover is arranged or can be arranged, and the cover frame is pivotable relative to the support frame by means of a pivoting device, wherein the pivoting device is associated with at least one actively acting pneumatic, hydraulic or electromechanical drive with a drive shaft, and the pivoting device engages both the support frame and the cover frame in order to pivot the cover frame relative to the support frame for opening and closing the manhole cover.