Pile Coupling Assembly With Bolt-Guided Hole Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pile coupling systems face challenges in easy assembly and alignment of sub-elements due to misalignment of holes, leading to increased friction and potential damage to threads, resulting in unstable pile insertion and alignment during ground penetration.
Innovation Solution
A pile coupling design featuring a push-through bolt with a releasable shaft element and a cylindrical shaft section of larger diameter than the bolt, which aligns sub-elements without damaging the thread, and a guide chamfer to minimize play and ensure accurate insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the holes in sub-elements are made larger than the bolt diameter to accommodate misalignment, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the load-bearing capacity and stability of the pile connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A cylindrical alignment element with diameter between the bolt diameter and hole diameter is introduced as an intermediary component. This element fits into the larger holes to provide alignment and centering, while the smaller bolt passes through it to provide the load-bearing connection. The alignment element mediates between the misaligned holes and the precision-required bolt hole alignment.
2Ease of operation
If the bolt diameter is made smaller to reduce friction during pile driving, then the ease of installation is improved, but the load-bearing capacity of the connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection function is segmented into two separate components: a cylindrical alignment element that provides geometric alignment and centering (enabling easy installation), and a separate bolt that provides the load-bearing connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the alignment element for ease of installation and the bolt for load-bearing capacity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional pile couplings are used with misaligned holes, then assembly can proceed with larger clearances, but thread damage and settlement during installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical alignment element is inserted into the larger holes before the bolt is installed. This preliminary action establishes proper alignment and centering of the sub-elements, ensuring that when the bolt is subsequently inserted, it passes through properly aligned holes without damaging the threads. The alignment element performs the alignment function in advance, preventing thread damage during bolt installation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5c)
Figure 4~6c)
AI summary
A pile coupling 1 for joining piles 3 from several sub-elements 2 is described, which has at least one sub-element 2 with a helix 5 formed helically around its outer surface 4 and further sleeve-like sub-elements 2 for extending the piles 3. The sub-elements 2 can be connected to one another by means of the coupling 1 and coupled to one another by means of through bolts 6 via bores 7.1, 7.2 provided for this purpose, wherein at least two bores 7.1, 7.2 are provided in each connection area of the sub-elements 2. The bores 7.1, 7.2 are larger in diameter than those of the through bolts 6 such that the bolts can be inserted into the bores 7.1, 7.2 even if the bores 7.1, 7.2 of the sub-elements 2 to be joined are not fully aligned with each other. The through bolt 6 has at least one of its ends a detachable shaft element 8 with a flat head 8.1 and, in the assembled state, bores 7.1, 7.The shaft element 8 has a through-shaft section 8.2 extending from the 2 of the sub-elements 2 to be joined. In addition to the shaft section 8.2, the shaft element 8 has a guide chamfer 8.4 for aligning the respective bores 7.1, 7.2 of the sub-elements 2 to be joined, the outer diameter of which is 1.1 to 1.5 times the diameter of the thread of the through-bolt 6 and which, in the sense of a clearance fit, is smaller than the diameter of the bores 7.1, 7.2.