Pile Securing Chain With Energy Absorber for Topple Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing civil engineering elements, such as piles, are prone to uncontrolled toppling during lifting and lowering operations due to failure of the lifting chain, posing a risk to workers and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A securing device with an energy absorber, such as a crash damper or rope with integrated damping elements, is connected to the civil engineering element and the construction machine, forming a loop to absorb kinetic energy in case of lifting device failure, converting it into frictional, deformation, or thermal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a lifting chain is used to secure and move civil engineering elements, then the elements can be efficiently lifted and lowered, but the elements are prone to uncontrolled toppling if the lifting chain fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a safety chain with an energy absorber that is pre-configured to activate if the lifting chain fails. The energy absorber (crash damper or rope with damping elements) is prepared in advance to absorb kinetic energy and prevent uncontrolled toppling, thus cushioning against the potential harm of lifting chain failure without interfering with normal lifting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a safety chain as a secondary securing mechanism between the civil engineering element and the construction machine. This safety chain, equipped with an energy absorber, acts as a mediator that activates only when the primary lifting chain fails, providing a buffer that prevents direct transmission of fall forces to the element and surrounding equipment.
2Reliability
If a safety chain is added to prevent uncontrolled toppling, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the energy absorber directly into the safety chain system. The crash damper or damping elements are combined with the safety chain components, creating a unified safety device that performs both securing and energy absorption functions. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure compared to having independent safety mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety chain with integrated energy absorber serves multiple functions: it acts as a backup securing mechanism, an energy absorption device, and a force mitigation system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
3Reliability
If the lifting chain is made stronger to prevent failure, then reliability is improved, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the strength of the lifting chain to prevent failure, the patent applies beforehand cushioning by equipping the safety chain with an energy absorber that activates only upon failure of the lifting chain. This approach accepts that the lifting chain may fail but prepares a cushioning mechanism to mitigate the consequences, allowing the lifting chain to remain lighter while maintaining acceptable reliability through the protective safety system.
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
Prevents uncontrolled toppling by dissipating the energy of a falling civil engineering element, reducing forces on the safety device and ensuring secure handling even in the event of lifting device failure.
Implementation Method 1
converting it into frictional, deformation, or thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
converting it into frictional, deformation, or thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
converting it into frictional, deformation, or thermal energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for securing a civil engineering element to a civil engineering machine, in particular a pile to be driven on a pile driver, comprising a lifting element (6), in particular a lifting chain, which is attached to the civil engineering machine at a first end and whose second end has a first connecting part that can be passed through a passage (91) of the civil engineering element (9), wherein a securing device (8), in particular at least one securing chain, is arranged, which is connected to the civil engineering element (9) at a first end and whose second end is attached to the civil engineering machine via an energy absorber (7), and wherein the length of the securing device (8) is selected such that it forms a loop when the lifting element (6) is intact. The invention further relates to a civil engineering method using such a device.