Height-Adjustable Sewer Adapter Bearing Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adapters for shafts in sewer networks face challenges in ensuring proper adhesion and application of mortar for securing manhole covers, leading to inefficient and insecure connections.

Innovation Solution

The adapter features a bearing surface with a circumferential wall and groove, allowing for controlled mortar application and improved adhesion, along with a swellable sealing material to maintain tightness, and is designed for easy stacking and production using polymer materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mortar is applied to the contact surface on the adapter, then the cover can be connected to the adapter, but the adhesion of the mortar to the surface of the adapter is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion of mortar to adapterVSAvoidapplication of mortar layer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specifically structured contact surface with circumferential grooves and raised regions. This local structural modification enhances mortar adhesion precisely where needed (on the raised regions) while the grooves prevent mortar from slipping off sideways, thereby improving reliability without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the bearing surface is open without delimitation, then mortar application is simple, but mortar slips off and falls into the lumen of the adapter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemortar application processVSAvoidmortar retention on bearing surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is segmented into raised regions and circumferential grooves. The grooves act as barriers that segment the mortar application area, preventing mortar from slipping off the raised regions into the lumen while still allowing for relatively simple mortar application on the flat raised surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the wall height is increased to prevent mortar from flowing into the lumen, then mortar retention improves, but the complexity of the adapter structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemortar retentionVSAvoidadapter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than increasing overall wall height, the patent uses local quality by creating circumferential grooves at specific locations on the contact surface. This localized feature prevents mortar from flowing into the lumen without requiring a significant increase in overall adapter structure complexity or wall height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This design simplifies the application of a defined mortar layer, enhances the secure connection of manhole covers, and ensures durability and ease of installation, addressing the inefficiencies of prior adapters.

Implementation Method 1

a groove (8) which is formed circumferentially in the bearing surface (5) and which adjoins the wall (6), in which a swellable sealing material (9) can be accommodated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3318678B1Adaptor
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP3318678B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3318678B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3318678B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to an adapter (1) for insertion into a shaft pipe (18) to provide a support for a shaft cover, wherein the adapter (1) is height-adjustable relative to the upper edge of the shaft pipe (18), and which has a first end (2) and a second end (3) between which a lumen (4) extends, wherein the first end (2) is designed for insertion into the shaft pipe (18), and a support surface (5) is formed on the second end (3) on which the shaft cover can be placed, wherein the support surface (5) is bounded towards the lumen (4) by a wall (6) extending approximately perpendicularly from the inner edge (13) of the support surface (5) towards the second end (3), which is formed at least partially around the inner circumference of the lumen (4), preferably completely around.