Stormwater Crate Assembly with Tapered Columns and Secure Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crate-type water management systems face challenges such as intensive labor requirements for assembly, cumbersome and heavy components, loose connections leading to structural instability, and stress on columns during assembly or installation, along with issues arising from using single materials that may result in brittleness or weakness.
Innovation Solution
The use of stormwater management crates with improved structural design featuring snap and bayonet connections between plates and columns, allowing for rotation and secure attachment, along with the integration of dissimilar materials like virgin polypropylene for plates and glass-filled polypropylene for columns, and pre-assembled components for easier on-site assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional crate-type water management systems are assembled on-site, then the system can be installed, but intensive labor and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The crate components including plates, columns, and side panels are pre-assembled into complete modular units at the manufacturing facility before shipping to the installation site. This preliminary assembly eliminates on-site construction work, allowing workers to simply place the pre-assembled modules into position, thereby dramatically reducing assembly time and labor requirements while maintaining the ability to install the system when needed
2Ease of operation
If separable connections are used between plates and columns, then assembly is easier, but the connections may accidentally disconnect and destabilize the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two distinct functional components: separable connection features that enable easy assembly and disassembly, and permanent attachment mechanisms including bayonet-style connections and snap-fit features that ensure secure, stable joining. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both ease of operation during assembly and high reliability during operation, as each component type addresses a different aspect of the connection requirement
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connections are used between plates and columns, then structural stability is improved, but the columns cannot flex or rotate and may be damaged during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system incorporates dynamic elements that allow the columns to flex and rotate within controlled ranges during assembly operations, while the bayonet-style and snap-fit connection mechanisms provide rigid stabilization once assembly is complete. This dynamic capability during assembly protects the columns from damage, while the permanent attachment features ensure structural stability during operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between flexibility during assembly and rigidity during service
4Ease of manufacture
If single materials are used for all components, then manufacturing is simpler, but the structure may be brittle or weak
Solution Approach 1:
The crate system utilizes composite construction by combining different materials for different components: plates are made from one material optimized for their specific requirements, columns are made from another material optimized for structural strength and flexibility, and side panels use a third material suited for their function. This composite approach allows each component to be manufactured from the most appropriate material for its specific demands, achieving high overall structural strength while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through specialized material selection for each part type
Data Source
AI summary
Stormwater management systems, methods, and apparatuses for containing and filtering runoff are provided. Disclosed embodiments may include a top plate and a bottom plate, the top plate including a first plurality of side panel attachments. Embodiments may include a plurality of support columns between the top plate and the bottom plate. Furthermore, disclosed embodiments may also include one or more arched side panels. Stormwater management crates may be arranged into an array and include side panels of variable heights. The array of stormwater management crates may be further wrapped in sediment impervious material and serve to restrict stormwater flow as part of a stormwater management system.