Manhole Cover Frame Guide with Conical Taper and Elastic Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manhole cover frame guides require extensive shaft structures and complex disassembly for installation and removal, making the process time-consuming and costly, necessitating a simpler and more cost-effective solution.

Innovation Solution

A guide system with an adjustable frame that can be mounted at a desired height, featuring a gap between the outer and inner walls for alignment, supported by a conical tapering design and elastic mounting, allowing for precise alignment and easy expansion, with the option of pre-assembling the frame and guide unit before installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional guide structure with extensive shaft structure is used, then the frame can be firmly guided, but the installation and removal process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm guidance of frameVSAvoidinstallation and removal time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure is divided into a receptacle portion remaining in the road and a separate frame that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation allows the frame to be easily replaced without removing the entire guide structure, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining guidance functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle is pre-formed in the road structure with a projection that aligns with the frame. This preliminary preparation allows for quick frame installation by simply placing the frame into the pre-positioned receptacle, eliminating the need for extensive on-site shaft construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the frame is firmly fixed in the guide, then stable guidance is achieved, but the frame cannot be easily removed for replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe guidance stabilityVSAvoidframe removal and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between frame and receptacle is designed to be dynamically adjustable. During installation, the frame can be easily placed into the receptacle, and during removal, it can be just as easily taken out. The projection and receptacle design provides stability during operation while allowing simple replacement when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive shaft structure is required for guide expansion, then the guide can be expanded from street, but the process requires large number of expensive workers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguide expansion capabilityVSAvoidshaft structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide system is segmented into a permanent receptacle portion and a removable frame portion. This allows the receptacle to remain in the road while frames can be independently replaced or adjusted, simplifying expansion operations and reducing the need for complex shaft structures and extensive labor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the frame is installed at fixed height, then simple installation is achieved, but the frame cannot adapt to desired height in shaft structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidheight adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame height position is made adjustable through the interaction between the projection in the receptacle and the frame mounting features. This allows the frame to be positioned at the desired height during installation while maintaining simple installation procedures, combining adaptability with ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables quick, precise, and cost-effective installation and adjustment of manhole covers and grates, reducing labor costs and improving road surface adaptation, while effectively distributing traffic forces and damping dynamic loads.

Implementation Method 1

the frame is elastically mounted within the receptacle. This elastic mounting can be achieved with the help of an elastic casting compound. This greatly dampens the dynamic loads caused by road traffic.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the guide has a conically tapering outer wall with which it is supported in the road structure. This conical tapering means that the guide is supported over a large area in the shaft structure, so that the forces acting on the guide are evenly distributed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce distribution:

Data Source

PatentEP2319993B1Guide
Publication Date: 2015.08.26 SCHWARZ WOLFGANG
  • EP2319993B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2319993B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2319993B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Guide for a frame supporting a cover, which is supported by a conically tapered outer wall against a road structure provided in a road. The frame is mounted in a receptacle provided in the guide at the desired height. A gap is provided between an inner wall defining the receptacle and an outer wall defining the frame to accommodate a support that aligns the outer wall of the frame relative to the inner wall of the receptacle.