Multi-Cavity Anchor Design for Sand Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sandbar anchors with single cylindrical shafts have limited stability due to their small diameter and limited penetration depth in sand, making them ineffective in withstanding bending moments and wind forces, especially when securing items like umbrellas and boats.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tiered anchor design featuring a shaft with concentric, spaced-apart cylindrical-like cavities that increase the anchor's cross-sectional area and inertial mass by filling with earthen material, enhancing stability and penetration depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the diameter of the anchor shaft is increased to withstand bending moments and wind forces, then the stability and strength of the anchor is improved, but the penetration depth is limited due to the limited strength of plastic materials and resistive forces in the sand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional (single shaft) to a three-dimensional (concentric cavities) structure. Multiple concentric cavities are formed around the central shaft, creating a multi-layered anchor body that increases the cross-sectional area and moment of inertia without significantly increasing the overall diameter, thereby enhancing bending resistance while maintaining penetration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor combines plastic material with earthen material (sand/soil) filled in the cavities. The earthen material acts as a filler that increases the effective mass and stability of the anchor while the plastic structure provides the necessary strength and penetration capability. This composite approach allows the anchor to withstand greater forces without requiring increased plastic material strength
2Stability of the object's composition
If the penetration depth of the anchor is increased to improve stability, then the anchor can better resist wind and water forces, but the plastic components and handles fail due to excessive resistive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric cavity structure increases the moment of inertia and structural rigidity of the anchor body, allowing it to penetrate deeper and resist higher forces without requiring stronger plastic materials. The multi-layered design distributes stresses more effectively throughout the structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple concentric cavities that replicate the central shaft structure at different radii. These cavities are filled with earthen material that copies the load-bearing function of the plastic shaft, effectively distributing the resistive forces across multiple material interfaces and reducing the stress on any single plastic component
3Strength
If the cross-sectional area of the anchor is increased to enhance stability, then the anchor can better withstand bending moments, but the device complexity increases with multiple cavities and wall structures
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor body is segmented into multiple concentric cavities separated by thin wall structures. This segmentation increases the cross-sectional area and moment of inertia while keeping individual wall thicknesses small and manufacturable. The segmented design allows earthen material to be distributed throughout the structure, enhancing stability without requiring a single large-diameter shaft
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cavities are nested concentrically around the central shaft, with each cavity containing the next smaller one. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of space within the anchor body, increasing the cross-sectional area and stability while maintaining a compact overall diameter that is easy to manufacture and deploy
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
The anchor achieves improved stability and deeper penetration into sand, effectively securing items in coastal areas by increasing the anchor's mass and frictional resistance to wind and water forces, making it more steadfast in heavy winds and currents.
Implementation Method 1
increasing the anchor's cross-sectional area and inertial mass by filling with earthen material
Implementation Method 2
increasing the anchor's mass and frictional resistance to wind and water forces
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method to secure items in or around coastal and shoreline areas including sandbars. In one embodiment an anchor includes a shaft having an outer surface and opposing upper and lower ends and an auger attachable to the shaft for penetrating into material of an earthen medium and driving the shaft lower end into the earthen material. A first wall is connected to the shaft outer surface to create a cavity having an opening into which material may enter the cavity as the auger rotates. When a portion of the anchor is in the earthen material and after at least one of the plurality of concentric cylinders is penetrated into the earthen material, the earthen material is moved into the annular cavity.