Modular Utility Shaft Walls With Flexible Pipe Entry Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular shaft systems face challenges with storage complexity and inadequate load capacity, leading to unclear construction requirements and potential incorrect orders, while also failing to meet static and dynamic load demands effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a modular shaft design featuring circumferential connecting frames with plug-in connections for grid wall elements, allowing for flexible placement of pipe entries and ensuring stability through positive and frictional connections, with optional triangular corrugation and H-shaped cross-sections for enhanced load-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular system with many different shaft components is used to provide flexibility in pipe inlet positioning, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and storage costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into modular grid wall elements that can be arranged in different configurations. Each grid wall element is a standardized component with grid-pattern reinforcements, and pipe inlets are created by selectively removing individual grid elements rather than using pre-formed components with integrated inlets. This segmentation allows flexible pipe inlet positioning while maintaining a limited set of standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid wall elements provide localized reinforcement at specific positions within the shaft structure. By selectively removing individual grid elements or groups of grid elements, pipe inlets are created at precise locations without compromising the overall structural integrity. The local quality of reinforcement can be adjusted by selectively removing grid elements where pipe inlets are needed while maintaining full reinforcement elsewhere.
2Weight of stationary object
If plastic injection-molded parts are used to reduce material costs and weight, then manufacturing cost and weight are improved, but load-bearing capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft structure combines plastic grid wall elements with steel reinforcement bars (rebar) embedded within the plastic matrix. The plastic injection-molded grid wall elements provide corrosion resistance and structural form, while the steel rebar provides the necessary tensile strength and load-bearing capacity. This composite construction allows the shaft to meet both weight reduction goals and load-bearing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid wall elements feature a grid-pattern reinforcement structure with curved and angled reinforcement bars that provide structural strength. The grid pattern creates a three-dimensional lattice structure that distributes loads effectively throughout the plastic component, enhancing its load-bearing capacity while maintaining the lightweight plastic construction.
3Ease of operation
If grid wall elements are arranged without connecting frames to reduce assembly complexity, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Connecting frames serve as intermediary components that join multiple grid wall elements together. The connecting frames are positioned at regular intervals along the shaft height and provide attachment points for the grid wall elements. This intermediary structure maintains the simplicity of modular assembly while ensuring stable positioning and load distribution among the grid wall elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting frames are designed to provide uniform support and positioning for all grid wall elements at each level. By distributing the structural support evenly across all grid wall elements through the connecting frames, the system achieves stable equilibrium and prevents differential settlement or misalignment that would compromise structural integrity.
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
This solution simplifies storage and assembly, provides a stable and adaptable structure capable of handling high loads, and reduces planning effort while ensuring sufficient load capacity, making it suitable for applications under varying loads such as road traffic.
Implementation Method 1
The resulting positive and frictional connection of the grid wall elements allows for the assembly of the shaft according to the invention to be carried out quickly and easily, while simultaneously achieving a stable arrangement of the grid wall elements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 3
AI summary
Shaft (1, 1', 1") with a base plate (2, 200, 201), shaft walls (3, 3', 3") and a cover plate (93, 93', 93") for closing the shaft (1, 1', 1"), wherein the shaft walls (3, 3', 3") are composed of a plurality of grid wall elements (4, 5,... 11; 401, 402, 403, 404) arranged in rows one above the other and selectable from a modular system, wherein some of the grid wall elements (4, 5, .... 11; 401, 402, 403, 404) have at least one pipe entry opening (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38; 431) such that the position, number and size of pipe entries in the shaft walls (3) by appropriate arrangement of the grid wall elements (4, 5, ..... 11; 401, 402, 403, 404) is freely selectable, wherein several circumferential connecting frames (20, 20', 20") are provided which are arranged at different heights from each other, and that the grid wall elements (4, 5, ...11; 401, 402, 403, 404) are each connected on their top and bottom sides to one of the connecting frames (20, 20', 20").