Monitored Manhole Cover Latch for Negative Pressure Locking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manhole covers on race tracks, such as Formula 1 tracks, are prone to being lifted by negative pressure from racing cars, posing a significant safety risk due to manual checks being error-prone and time-consuming, and mechanical safeguards failing under high stress.

Innovation Solution

A manhole cover with a latch that can move between locking, pressing, and unlocking positions, equipped with a monitoring device to detect these positions and communicate securely to a monitoring center, ensuring firm attachment to the shaft frame and reducing the risk of accidental unlocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual checking of locking safeguards is performed, then the locking status can be verified, but the process is error-prone and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking status verification reliabilityVSAvoidtime for manual checking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring device automatically detects the position of the latch and communicates the locking status to the monitoring center without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring and reporting the security state of the manhole cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring device provides continuous feedback about the latch position to the monitoring center, enabling real-time awareness of the locking status. This feedback mechanism allows immediate detection of unauthorized opening attempts or failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the latch is simply lockable to the shaft frame, then the structure is simple, but the manhole cover can be lifted by negative pressure from racing cars

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism complexityVSAvoidresistance to negative pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is divided into two distinct positions: a locking position for basic security and a pressing position for enhanced resistance against negative pressure. This segmentation allows the latch to perform different functions at different stages of engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latch is first moved to the locking position to establish basic security, then further moved to the pressing position to preemptively counteract the negative pressure forces that will occur during racing car operation. This preliminary action ensures the manhole cover is securely sealed before the harmful pressure differential occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If mechanical safeguards are used to secure the manhole cover, then locking is achieved, but the safeguards can come loose under high stress and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking securityVSAvoidresistance to vibration and stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the engagement parameter of the latch by introducing a second engagement position (pressing position) in addition to the basic locking position. This dual-position engagement increases the effective contact area and distribution of stress, preventing the latch from coming loose under vibration and high stress conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the latch is pressed firmly against the shaft frame, then the risk of accidental unlocking is reduced, but the monitoring system must detect multiple positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental unlockingVSAvoidmonitoring detection requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system uses a sensor to detect the position of the latch, replacing complex mechanical position-detection mechanisms with a simpler sensing system. This allows reliable detection of multiple positions (unlocking, locking, and pressing positions) without significantly increasing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260055571A1Manhole cover, manhole covering and monitoring sytem

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 ACO AHLMANN SE & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a manhole cover (10) for a manhole covering (50) comprising at least one locking device (20) for locking the manhole cover (10) to a shaft frame (40) of the manhole covering (50), wherein the locking device (20) has a latch (21) which is movable between an unlocking position (I) and a locking position (II), and a monitoring device (30) for monitoring the locking, wherein the latch (21) is movable from the locking position (II) into a pressing position (III) in order to press the manhole cover (10) firmly against the shaft frame (40) during use, wherein the monitoring device (30) is designed to detect the unlocking position (I), the locking position (II), and the pressing position (III) of the latch (21).