Micro-Trench Cable Placement With Immediate Wall Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and time required for excavating and restoring road layers to install fiber optic networks in residential areas, as well as the challenges of crossing gardens and obtaining permissions, hinder the expansion of these networks.
Innovation Solution
A machine for sawing micro trenches and placing ducts/cables that includes a saw blade and a stabilizing device with guiding means, allowing for simultaneous trench cutting and cable placement before the trench collapses, reducing costs and time by maintaining trench stability and preserving cable order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional excavation and restoration methods are used to install fiber optic networks, then the network infrastructure can be established, but the cost and time required for excavating and restoring road layers increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the installation process into distinct functional modules: a saw blade for cutting trenches, a stabilizing device for maintaining trench walls, and guiding means for cable placement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall installation time while maintaining infrastructure reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing device is positioned immediately behind the saw blade to prevent trench wall collapse before cable placement occurs. This preliminary stabilization action ensures the trench remains open and stable for cable insertion, eliminating the need for delayed stabilization or trench reopening, thus reducing total installation time
2Reliability
If traditional excavation methods are used, then fiber optic networks can be installed, but the cost of road layer restoration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized stable environment within the trench using the stabilizing device, which has stabilizing elements that contact only the specific portions of the trench wall that are prone to collapse. This localized stabilization reduces the need for extensive road layer restoration while ensuring the trench remains open for cable placement
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing device acts as an intermediary between the trench walls and the cable placement process. It provides mechanical support to the trench walls during the critical period when cables are being inserted, preventing collapse without requiring full road layer restoration, thereby reducing restoration costs
3Device complexity
If trench stabilization is not implemented during cable placement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the trench walls collapse and stones are wedged into the trench preventing cable installation
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing device is designed with multi-functionality: it provides trench wall stabilization, guides cable placement, and prevents stone intrusion. By combining these functions into a single device, the patent reduces overall system complexity while ensuring cable placement feasibility, as the stabilizing elements are integrated with the guiding means
4Productivity
If multiple ducts/cables are placed simultaneously without guiding means, then the installation speed increases, but the order of ducts/cables is lost and placement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means within the stabilizing device automatically maintains the correct order and position of multiple ducts/cables as they are placed simultaneously. The guiding elements self-adjust to guide each cable to its proper location without requiring external intervention or complex coordination systems, thus maintaining precision while enabling high-speed simultaneous placement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a
Figure 3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a machine arranged for sawing micro trenches and placing ducts/communication cables in micro trenches, said machine comprising a saw blade arranged for sawing a micro trench in an area; said machine further comprises a stabilizing device arranged for stabilizing the walls of said micro trench when placing ducts/communication cables into said micro trench, said stabilizing device being positioned immediately behind said saw blade in said micro trench, and said stabilizing device comprising guiding means for guiding at least one duct/communication cable when placed into said micro trench.