Modular Manhole Wall Assembly for Flexible Conduit Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manholes require complex storage and planning efforts due to numerous components, leading to uncertainty in construction and insufficient resilience, especially when made of plastic injection molded parts.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with grid-like wall elements and connecting frames at different heights, allowing for flexible assembly and positioning of conduit insertions, using fit connections and H-shaped cross-sections for stability and resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If modular manholes are made of plastic injection molded parts to facilitate long life cycle, low material costs, and low weight, then manufacturing cost and weight are reduced, but sufficient resilience could not be guaranteed in practice
Solution Approach 1:
The manhole is divided into modular components (wall elements, connecting frames, base plate, cover plate) that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the wall elements can be lightweight plastic injection molded parts while the connecting frames provide structural resilience through their rigid construction and connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The manhole combines different materials with complementary properties: lightweight plastic injection molded wall elements combined with resilient connecting frames (which may be made of more rigid materials). This composite approach allows the structure to achieve both low weight and sufficient resilience by leveraging the strengths of each material type.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional manhole components are used with numerous item numbers, then construction can proceed, but storage requires a lot of effort and results in uncertainty among construction personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting frames serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, connect wall elements to the base plate and cover plate, and facilitate the assembly process. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying storage and planning while maintaining construction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the connecting frames structure - structural support, connection, and assembly facilitation are combined in a single component. This merging reduces the total number of parts that need to be stored and managed, eliminating the complexity associated with numerous separate item numbers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If grid-like wall elements are arranged in rows one above the other with conduit insertion openings, then conduit insertions can be positioned freely, but the arrangement must be stabilized to prevent yielding under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting frames are pre-configured with connection elements that facilitate the assembly of wall elements in specific positions. This preliminary preparation allows for flexible conduit insertion positioning while ensuring that once assembled, the structure is stabilized against yielding under pressure through the pre-designed connection geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting frames act as intermediary elements between the wall elements and the base plate/cover plate. They provide a stable foundation for the wall elements while allowing for flexible positioning of conduit insertion openings, thus mediating between the need for adaptability and the need for structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A manhole is provided with a base plate, manhole walls, and a cover plate for covering the manhole. The manhole walls include of a plurality of grid-like wall elements arranged in rows one above the other and selectable from a modular system. A part of the grid-like wall elements has at least one conduit insertion opening so that the position, number, and size of conduit insertions into the manhole walls are freely selectable by arranging the grid-like wall elements. Several circumferential connecting frames are provided, which are arranged at different heights, and the grid-like wall elements are each connected on their top sides and bottom sides to one of the connecting frames.