Removable Shoring Plate and Shaft for Low-Force Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoring elements are difficult to install and remove efficiently from ground formations, particularly due to limited axial movement and potential damage during extraction.
Innovation Solution
A shoring element design featuring a shaft with a rotary drive connector, auger, and drive collar that allows for limited axial movement of a shoring plate relative to the shaft, enabling easy installation and removal by rotating the shaft in different directions and applying lifting forces at designated points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shoring plate is fixed rigidly to the shaft, then structural stability is improved, but removal becomes difficult and causes mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The shoring plate is designed with dynamic connectivity to the shaft through the drive collar and drive shoulder engagement mechanism. During installation, the drive collar engages the drive shoulder to transmit driving forces axially. During removal, the shaft can rotate independently while the shoring plate remains engaged with the ground, allowing the auger to back out without dragging the plate. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between structural stability during operation and ease of removal.
2Strength
If the shoring plate is made heavily anchored in the ground, then support strength is improved, but extraction force required increases causing equipment overloading
Solution Approach 1:
The shoring element is segmented into independent functional components: the shaft with auger for installation, the drive collar and drive shoulder for force transmission, and the shoring plate for ground support. This segmentation allows the shaft to be rotated for installation while the shoring plate remains stationary during removal, separating the installation function from the removal function and reducing the force required for extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive collar acts as an intermediary element between the shaft and the shoring plate. During installation, it transmits driving forces from the shaft to the plate. During removal, it allows the shaft to rotate independently while maintaining plate engagement with the ground. This intermediary mechanism enables differential motion between shaft and plate, reducing extraction force requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the shaft and shoring plate are integrated as one piece, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability for different installation depths is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The relative axial movement capability between the shaft and shoring plate provides dynamic adaptability for different installation depths. The drive collar and drive shoulder engagement allows the shaft to be driven into the ground to various depths while the shoring plate remains at the appropriate elevation. This modular design with controlled relative movement resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and installation depth adaptability.
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
Facilitates efficient installation and removal of shoring elements with reduced mechanical stress, allowing for easier access and minimizing equipment overloading, thus enhancing construction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an auger at the bottom end of the shaft... rotating the shaft in a first direction causes the auger to drive the shaft into a ground formation
Implementation Method 2
the drive collar to contact the drive shoulder of the shoring plate such that the drive collar applies a driving force to the shoring plate
Data Source
AI summary
A shoring element has a shoring plate and a shaft received within a shaft receiver of the shoring plate. The shoring plate is rotatable and is permitted limited axial movement along the shaft. During installation, rotating the shaft in a first direction drives the shaft into the ground formation and causes the drive collar to contact a drive shoulder of the shoring plate such that the drive collar applies a driving force to the shoring plate. During removal, the shaft is rotated in a second direction to withdraw the shaft from the ground formation and the drive collar to move away from the drive shoulder. Applying an upward force to the lifting points causes the shoring plate to move axially relative to the shaft.