Utility Pole Erection Using Cylindrical Fulcrum Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Erecting utility poles efficiently and safely with a small number of operators in environments where heavy machines cannot be used, due to the need for wider excavation and increased physical burden on operators, and the risk of pole collision with surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A pole erection method using a cylindrical structure with a specific edge shape, where one end is buried in the ground and the utility pole is pressed against the inner wall of the structure, allowing it to be lifted and slid into a cavity using the structure's edge as a fulcrum, reducing the need for extensive excavation and operator numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual drilling and excavation is performed to provide a wider hole for backing plate installation, then the pole can be erected by human power without heavy machines, but the excavation work becomes more labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable wooden block inserted into the drilled hole to replace the need for extensive excavation and permanent backing plate installation. The wooden block is a simple, inexpensive object that is inserted temporarily during the pole erection process and then removed, eliminating the need for time-consuming excavation work while enabling manual pole installation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a wider hole is excavated to install a backing plate for manual pole erection, then the pole can be stabilized during erection, but the amount of excavation and physical labor increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the backing plate (providing a surface to rest the pole against during erection) and implements it through a simple wooden block inserted into a standard-sized hole. This eliminates the need for complex wide excavation while maintaining pole stability during the erection process. The wooden block is positioned to provide the necessary support surface without requiring additional excavation space.
3Ease of operation
If heavy machines are used for pole erection, then the work can be done with fewer operators and less physical burden, but a large work space is required which may not be available in restricted environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service mechanism where the wooden block inserted into the hole acts as a temporary support structure that enables operators to manually erect the pole without requiring heavy machinery. The block provides a fulcrum point that allows operators to leverage the pole's own weight to assist in the erection process, reducing physical burden while requiring only a small work space suitable for restricted environments.
4Ease of manufacture
If manual pole erection is performed without a backing plate, then less excavation is needed, but the pole may swing and collide with surroundings during erection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wooden block as an intermediary object between the pole and the ground. This block is inserted into the drilled hole and provides a stable surface for the pole to rest against during the erection process. The wooden block mediates the interaction between the pole and the ground, preventing the pole from swinging and colliding with surroundings while maintaining the simplicity of the preparation work (standard drilling without extensive excavation).
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
Enables efficient and safe utility pole erection with fewer operators, minimizing the risk of pole instability and collision with surroundings, while reducing physical labor and excavation requirements.
Implementation Method 1
lifting up an upper end portion of the utility pole with the other part of the edge as a fulcrum
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a pole erection method capable of efficiently and safely erecting a utility pole with a small number of operators even in a construction environment in which heavy machines cannot be used.The pole erection method according to the present invention includes preparing a structure 60 having a cylindrical shape in which, when the structure is erected perpendicularly to the ground with one end 60a facing down, a part of an edge 61a at the other end 60b is higher than the other part of the edge 61b (step S01), burying one end 60a of the structure 60 in the ground (step S02), placing a lower end portion 10a-1 of a utility pole 10a lying on the ground on the other part of the edge 61b of the structure 60 (step S03), pressing the lower end portion 10a-1 of the utility pole 10a against an inner wall 62 (step S04), and lifting up an upper end portion 10a-2 of the utility pole 10a with the other part of the edge 61b as a fulcrum while pressing the lower end portion 10a-1 of the utility pole 10a against the inner wall 62, and sliding down the utility pole 10a into a cavity 63 of the structure 60 to erect the pole (step S05).