Telescoping Underfloor Fitting Housing with Universal Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underfloor fittings require multiple housing variants for different installation locations and terrain levels, leading to high storage effort and susceptibility to corrosion, making adjustments and maintenance complicated and costly.
Innovation Solution
A universal, telescoping housing with a corrosion-resistant design featuring a universally designed interface and adjustable connection plate, allowing for easy adaptation to various installation levels and fitting types, reducing the need for multiple housing variants and ensuring long-term usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple housing variants are used for different installation locations and terrain levels, then adaptability to various installation conditions is improved, but storage effort and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a universal housing that can accommodate different types of underfloor fittings (such as underground hydrants, shut-off fittings, or other multifunctional fittings) through a standardized interface design. This allows a single housing variant to serve multiple functions and accommodate various fitting types, eliminating the need for separate housing variants for each fitting type while maintaining adaptability to different installation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates a telescopic structure with housing shell elements that can be extended or retracted to adjust the height of the fitting above ground level. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same housing to adapt to different terrain levels and installation locations, providing the versatility of multiple housing variants while actually using a single adjustable housing design.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional housing materials are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but corrosion resistance and long-term durability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is made from corrosion-resistant plastic material instead of traditional metal materials. This plastic material provides excellent corrosion resistance for long-term durability while still being manufacturable through standard plastic molding processes. The material choice balances manufacturing feasibility with enhanced reliability in underground installation environments where corrosion is a major concern.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-height housings are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to changed level conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates a telescopic structure with housing shell elements that can be extended or retracted to adjust the height of the fitting above ground level. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same housing to adapt to different terrain levels and installation locations, providing the versatility of multiple housing variants while actually using a single adjustable housing design.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into multiple housing shell elements that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the telescopic structure to achieve height adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process for each individual shell element. The modular segmented design enables post-installation adjustment to changed level conditions without requiring complex integrated structures.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1e
AI summary
The housing (I) has upper and lower tubular mantel elements (4, 5) movable into each other and for accommodating a connection plate (1), a chamber cover (8) and/or a flange (7) of the cover. The plate and the cover downwardly and upwardly point in a mounting direction, respectively. A cutting point (2) is provided at the plate, universally formed for connection and/or accommodation of different underfloor valves (3) and formed as a connection flange, screw connection or bayonet connector. The mantel elements are made of corrosion-resistant material e.g. plastic such as polyethylene and PVC. The connection plate is made of stainless steel or corrosion protected sheet, or plastic i.e. fiber reinforced plastic.