Sewer Gate Float Arrangement for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opening/closing devices in sewers face challenges during maintenance, particularly with the thicker float, which obstructs operations and requires removal of the entire device from a manhole, complicating maintenance management.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a gate with a fall prevention unit, support release unit, and strategically placed floats with varying specific gravities to facilitate easy operation by allowing the gate to fall and then be released, enabling quick maintenance without obstructing the thicker float's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If two floats are arranged in an up/down direction with the lower float being thicker, then the gate can be opened quickly when water level rises, but the upper float becomes an obstacle for maintenance operations on the lower float
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement of floats (up/down direction) to a horizontal arrangement (left/right direction). This dimensional change allows the thicker float to be accessed from the side without obstruction from the other float, while still achieving quick gate opening through the same buoyancy mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the two floats into independent operational units positioned horizontally rather than vertically stacked. This segmentation allows each float to be accessed and maintained independently without the other float interfering, while both contribute to the gate opening function.
2Speed
If the thicker float is used for quick gate opening, then the gate can respond rapidly to water level changes, but maintenance requires removing the entire device from the manhole
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging floats horizontally instead of vertically, the patent enables side-access maintenance of the thicker float without requiring complete device removal, thus reducing maintenance complexity while preserving rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the thicker float to be extracted or accessed independently from the side of the manhole, separating the maintenance operation from the need to remove the entire gate device. This extraction principle simplifies maintenance procedures.
3Length of stationary object
If the upper float is positioned above the lower float, then the structure is compact in the vertical direction, but it obstructs access to the lower float for operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes the vertical compactness to horizontal spacing. Instead of stacking floats vertically where the upper one blocks access, it positions them side-by-side horizontally, maintaining compact vertical profile while enabling lateral access to either float.
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 configuration allows for efficient cleaning of sewer sections by ensuring the gate falls and rises smoothly, simplifying maintenance by preventing the thicker float from obstructing operations, thus improving maintainability and manageability.
Implementation Method 1
a first float (18) that is arranged on an upstream side of the gate (10), is arranged on one of the left side and the right side of the gate (10) viewed from upstream, and is less in the specific gravity than the fluid; a second float (16) that is arranged on the upstream side of the gate (10), is arranged on the other one of the left side and the right side of the gate (10) viewed from upstream, and is less in the specific gravity than the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An opening/closing device according to the present invention includes a gate, a fall prevention unit, a support release unit, a first float, a floating prevention unit, a second float, and a floating prevention release unit. The gate receives a flow of fluid, and is able to fall down toward a downstream direction of the flow. The fall prevention unit supports the gate, thereby preventing the gate from falling down. The support release unit releases the support for the gate by the fall prevention unit. The first float is arranged on an upstream side of the gate, is arranged on one of the left side and the right side of the gate viewed from upstream, and is less in the specific gravity than the fluid. The floating prevention unit prevents the first float from floating. The second float is arranged on the upstream side of the gate, is arranged on the other one of the left side and the right side of the gate viewed from upstream, and is less in the specific gravity than the fluid. The floating prevention release unit releases the prevention of the first float from the floating by the floating prevention unit as the second float floats The support release unit is activated as the first float floats.