Modular Assembly Pit With Integrated Drainage Cassette

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional assembly and repair pits are limited in size due to water collection channels adapted for twin tires of larger trucks, and drainage pipes outside the steel cassette can contaminate the environment with leaking dirty water.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly pit with water collection channels of 2.5 to 3.5 meters width and integrated water intake devices, where pipes and water intake devices are housed within the cassette to prevent leakage and contamination, with a central water management system for efficient waste water collection and separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water collection channels are adapted for twin tires of larger trucks, then water collection capability is improved, but the pit becomes limited in use to a certain size range of vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater collection capabilityVSAvoidvehicle size range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The water collection channel width is made adjustable through movable channel walls that can be positioned at different widths. This allows the same pit structure to adapt to different vehicle types, from narrow vehicles to trucks with twin tires, resolving the contradiction between optimized water collection for specific vehicles and versatility across vehicle size ranges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of water collection channel width is changed from fixed to variable. By enabling the channel width to be adjusted, the system can optimize water collection capability for different vehicle configurations without being limited to a single vehicle size range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If drainage pipes are routed outside the steel cassette, then installation simplicity is improved, but dirty water leakage can contaminate the environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage pipe installationVSAvoidenvironmental contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage pipes are nested within the double-walled cassette structure, specifically routed through the cavity between the outer and inner walls. This integration ensures that any leakage is contained within the cassette structure and cannot escape to contaminate the environment, while still maintaining relatively simple installation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The double-walled structure with cavity provides a protective barrier before leakage can occur. If pipes leak, the containment structure is already in place to prevent environmental contamination, addressing the harmful effect before it can manifest

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional formwork and filling material are used, then construction flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs and construction time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction flexibilityVSAvoidconstruction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cassette structure is pre-manufactured with integrated water collection channels and drainage systems before being transported to the construction site. This preliminary preparation of critical components significantly reduces on-site construction time while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to different installation locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pit structure is divided into modular components (cassette with integrated systems, separate formwork, separate filling material). This segmentation allows for pre-manufacturing of complex components and simplifies on-site assembly, reducing both construction time and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 the collection and disposal of water from wider vehicles and machines, prevents environmental contamination, and allows for centralized and efficient waste water management, reducing on-site work and construction time.

Implementation Method 1

The water collection channels extending laterally outwards adjoin the upper limit of the longitudinal side walls and are inclined in cross-section, in each case outwards and downwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2098662B1Assembly and repair pit and system for draining waste water from assembly pits
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 BALZER HANS
  • EP2098662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2098662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2098662B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A fitting and inspection/repair pit (10) has two longitudinal side-walls (12), front side-walls fitted on the end side and a floor (14). The walls and the floor are each partly formed as single or double walls with a cavity (17) in between for retaining a hardening filler like lightweight/breeze concrete. Water-collecting channels (19) extend outwards at the sides and link to the upper boundary of the longitudinal side-walls and, if required, of the front side-walls. An independent claim is also included for a system for disposing of dirt and effluent in an area of two or more fitting/inspection/repair pits.