Stackable Stormwater Chamber Endcap Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stormwater chamber endcaps are difficult to transport due to their inability to be efficiently stacked or nested without damage, leading to redundant work and space inefficiency during shipping and storage.

Innovation Solution

A stackable endcap design featuring a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, with a planar foot and a protruding inner rim, allowing for vertical or horizontal stacking without direct contact between endcap bodies, and equipped with nesting ribs and latches for secure alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If endcaps are stacked or nested together for transportation, then space efficiency is improved, but damage to endcaps occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidendcap integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The endcap is designed with a nested stacking configuration where one endcap can be placed inside another endcap. The first endcap includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior space, while the second endcap has dimensions that allow it to be nested within the first endcap's interior space when stacked together, maximizing space efficiency during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The endcap incorporates a cushioning element positioned between the first endcap and the second endcap when stacked. This cushioning element absorbs shocks and prevents direct contact between the hard surfaces of stacked endcaps, thereby preventing damage while maintaining the ability to stack them for efficient transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If endcaps are moved and stored individually, then damage is prevented, but space efficiency deteriorates and redundant work increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendcap integrityVSAvoidlogistical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The endcap is designed with a nested stacking configuration where one endcap can be placed inside another endcap. The first endcap includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior space, while the second endcap has dimensions that allow it to be nested within the first endcap's interior space when stacked together, maximizing space efficiency during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If endcaps are stacked with direct contact between bodies, then stacking is simplified, but damage to endcaps occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking simplicityVSAvoidendcap integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The endcap incorporates a cushioning element positioned between the first endcap and the second endcap when stacked. This cushioning element acts as an intermediary that absorbs shocks and prevents direct contact between the hard surfaces of stacked endcaps, thereby preventing damage while maintaining the ability to stack them for efficient transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250197101A1Nesting stormwater chamber endcaps

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Consistent with disclosed embodiments, a stackable endcap of a chamber for holding and discharging stormwater may be provided. The stackable endcap may include an endcap body having a wall with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, the concave inner surface of the wall defining an interior volume of the stackable endcap; a substantially planar foot extending from a lower edge of the endcap body; and a protruding inner rim running along an inner edge of the endcap body. The stackable endcap may be configured to be stacked with at least one additional endcap such that at least one of the foot or the inner rim of the stackable endcap contacts the additional endcap while the wall of the endcap body is spaced apart from a wall of the additional endcap.