Modular FRP Poles Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pole materials like wood, iron, and concrete have significant drawbacks such as insect and microbial attacks, rusting, conductivity issues, and high maintenance costs, while FRP poles are limited by high production costs and lack of modularity, leading to inefficient transportation and installation.

Innovation Solution

The development of FRP poles composed of individual hollow parts with constant cross-sections connected by annular joints, allowing for industrialized production and easy assembly by unqualified personnel using simple tools, enabling modular construction and reduced transportation costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If FRP poles are manufactured as single integrated units, then structural strength and integrity are improved, but transportation cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtransportation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pole is divided into multiple modular sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. Each section maintains structural integrity through standardized connection interfaces, allowing transportation of smaller, more manageable components that reduce logistics costs while preserving overall pole strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular sections are designed with telescoping or nested capabilities, allowing smaller sections to be inserted within larger ones during transportation. This nesting arrangement minimizes transport volume and cost while enabling assembly of the complete full-strength pole structure at the installation location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If FRP poles are manufactured as single integrated units, then structural integrity is improved, but installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pole structure is segmented into standardized modules with pre-designed connection mechanisms. This segmentation transforms the installation process from handling one large complex unit to assembling multiple standardized components, reducing installation complexity and training requirements while maintaining structural integrity through engineered joints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection interfaces and assembly features are pre-configured during manufacturing of each modular section. This preliminary preparation of connection points, alignment features, and bonding surfaces enables unqualified personnel to assemble the pole using simple tools and basic procedures, significantly reducing installation complexity and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If modular sections are used, then transportation efficiency is improved, but connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal standardized connection interface is designed that can be applied to all modular sections regardless of size or position. This universal interface simplifies the connection system by providing consistent geometry, material, and assembly procedures across all joints, reducing overall connection complexity despite the increased number of connection points required for modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

All connection interfaces are made homogeneous through standardization of geometry, materials, and assembly methods. This homogeneity allows unqualified personnel to assemble any section using the same simple tools and procedures, minimizing the need for specialized connection mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional pole materials like wood or iron are used, then production cost is reduced, but maintenance cost and reliability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidresistance to environmental degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pole is constructed from fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials that combine the strength and durability characteristics of materials like iron and wood with enhanced resistance to environmental degradation. These composite materials provide superior reliability by resisting rust, rot, and insect damage while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3253936B1Modular fiber reinforced plastic poles
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP3253936B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3253936B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3253936B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Modular fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) poles, suitable for distribution of electricity, telecommunications, lighting and all the other uses relevant to the poles, consisting of successive concave parts of constant cross section (tubes) of various shapes, corresponding annular joints and cap, which are joined together adhesively or/and mechanically. Production method of the poles of the invention, consisting of the assembly of the individual parts, which can be produced industrially in a cost effective manner by the methods of pultrusion (concave parts - tubes) and compression molding (annular joints and cap). Use of the poles of the invention, which can be provided either fully assembled or as a modular product into separate individual parts, packaged in such a way in order to save storage and transportation space and accompanied by the necessary materials, tools and manuals for their assembly and installation on-site.