Resilient Telescopic Valve Box for Construction Damage Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve boxes are prone to damage and displacement during construction, making it difficult to access underground valves, and they lack clear indication of the valve's presence and position, leading to costly repairs and time-consuming excavations.

Innovation Solution

A resilient tubular member telescoped into a support member, with a key head mechanism that includes a cup-shaped cavity to stabilize and easily retrieve the control rod, and a reinforced structure to withstand heavy machinery and pressure, ensuring the valve box remains accessible and visible throughout construction phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional rigid valve box is used, then it provides structural support, but it is easily damaged or displaced by heavy machinery during construction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to damage and displacementVSAvoidaccessibility to underground valve

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve box employs a resilient tubular member that can flex and deform under heavy loads from construction machinery, then return to its original position. This flexibility prevents permanent damage and displacement while maintaining the valve's accessibility throughout construction activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The valve box transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic resilient structure that can adapt to changing construction conditions. The resilient tubular member dynamically responds to external forces during construction and maintains functional integrity for long-term use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the valve box is placed underground to be unobtrusive, then it blends with the environment, but it becomes difficult to locate and access the valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and location of valveVSAvoidaccess to underground valve

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient tubular member extends above ground level and can be made visually distinct through color or material selection, providing clear indication of the valve's location without requiring excavation or complex access procedures. The above-ground portion serves as a visual marker while the resilient nature protects the underground valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If heavy machinery is used during construction, then construction efficiency increases, but the valve box is likely to be run over or buried

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to valve box

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient tubular member is designed to anticipate and absorb the impact of heavy machinery before damage occurs. The resilient material acts as a cushion that deforms under heavy loads and then rebounds, preventing permanent damage from construction equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of operation

If a long-handled key is inserted through the valve box to control the valve, then the valve can be operated, but the control rod may lean to one side making it difficult to locate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve controlVSAvoidtime to locate control rod

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A guide mechanism or alignment feature is introduced as an intermediary between the valve box and control rod. This intermediary component ensures the control rod remains properly aligned and centered, making it easily locatable through the valve box without time-consuming searching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution provides a damage-resistant, bury-resistant valve box that maintains access to underground valves with minimal disruption, clearly indicates the valve's presence, and prevents pipeline displacement, reducing repair costs and time.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient tubular member telescoped into a support member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilience: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a key head mechanism that includes a cup-shaped cavity to stabilize and easily retrieve the control rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric constraint: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS8091571B2Valve box, valve control device and assembly thereof

Publication Date: 2012.01.10 THE WATER BOX DEV CORP

AI summary

A valve box, a valve control device, an assembly thereof and a method are provided for accessing an underground valve and indicating presence and position of the underground valve. The valve box includes a support member having a tubular section; and a resilient tubular member telescopable slidably into the tubular section of the support member. An upper end of the resilient tubular member is extendable above the ground. Various elements are disclosed for stiffening the tubular member against deformation due to forces applied to it. The valve control device comprises a control rod having one end attachable to the underground valve and a control key including a key head, a key handle and a key stem. The key head has a cone-shaped cavity and a recess portion at the top of the cavity, the recess portion being dimensioned to engage a projection at the other end of the control rod.