Pile Coupling With Annular Seating Shoulder
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pile systems face challenges in precise alignment and efficient installation of extension shafts during construction, leading to time-consuming and tedious processes due to the need for incremental adjustments to align mounting holes on-site.
Innovation Solution
The pile system features a design with a transition region that includes an annular seating shoulder and a convex-concave surface transition, allowing for precise coupling of piles with a smooth, continuous curve, facilitating easier alignment and secure connection without over- or under-insertion issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional pile coupling methods are used, then piles can be connected in series to reach required depths, but the alignment of mounting holes requires time-consuming incremental adjustments and manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The pile ends are pre-configured with a transition region including an annular seating shoulder and convex-concave surface transition during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment adjustments during field installation, as the coupling geometry automatically guides precise axial alignment when piles are connected in series
Solution Approach 2:
The transition region acts as an intermediary coupling mechanism between pile sections. The annular seating shoulder and convex-concave surfaces provide a mediating interface that facilitates automatic alignment and secure connection, replacing the need for manual alignment adjustments and fasteners
2Ease of manufacture
If piles are designed with simple cylindrical ends, then manufacturing is easier, but precise alignment and secure coupling without over- or under-insertion cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire pile complex, the invention applies the transition region with annular seating shoulder and convex-concave surfaces only at the localized end regions where coupling occurs. This maintains simple cylindrical geometry for the majority of the pile length (easy to manufacture) while providing precise coupling geometry where needed
3Measurement precision
If piles are connected with tight tolerances to ensure precise alignment, then coupling accuracy improves, but the risk of over- or under-insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular seating shoulder is pre-positioned at a specific location on the transition region during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning creates a mechanical stop that reliably prevents both over-insertion and under-insertion, ensuring consistent and reliable coupling without requiring tight operational tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The convex-concave surface transition and annular seating shoulder are designed to automatically guide and limit insertion depth through their geometric constraints. The structure serves itself by providing built-in alignment and depth control features that eliminate the need for external alignment tools or operator judgment
Data Source
AI summary
A pile system for support structures includes at least two piles each having a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical elongate body. Each cylindrical elongate body has an inner surface and an outer surface, extends from the first end toward the second end, and defines an internal cavity with a longitudinal axis. Each pile further includes a transition region between the elongate body and the second end, the transition region including an annular seating shoulder disposed on the inner surface of the cylindrical elongate body that defines a step increase from a primary inner diameter to a secondary inner diameter. The first end of a first pile of the at least two piles is configured to be inserted into the second end of a second pile until a first distal edge thereof contacts the seating shoulder of the second pile.