Trellis Post with Driving Edge for Soil Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trellis posts for viticulture and fruit growing require high effort and material for assembly, with high resistance when driven into the ground due to design features like open hooks and slightly bent corners, leading to inefficient installation and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A trellis post with a profiled corrugated base surface, reinforced convex flanges, a driving edge on the base surface, and a cutting edge on the flanges at an acute angle, combined with a thick anti-corrosion layer and hardening treatment, allows for deep and easy installation with reduced resistance, and a method involving roll profiling and punching to produce the post efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a trellis post is driven into solid ground with conventional design (open hooks, slightly bent corners), then the post can be installed in the ground, but high impact forces are required and resistance during assembly increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation easeVSAvoidImpact force required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a driving edge at the base surface and cutting edges at the flanges before installation. These edges are created during the roll-forming process, allowing the post to penetrate soil more easily without requiring excessive impact force during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the post by introducing specific edge angles and profiles. The driving edge has a predetermined angle optimized for soil penetration, and the cutting edges are positioned at specific angles relative to the base surface, transforming the post from a conventional design to one that requires less installation force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mounting plates are used to securely fix trellis posts, then the posts can be firmly installed, but a comparatively high effort is required since a mounting plate has to be hammered in for each post

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFixation reliabilityVSAvoidInstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the separate mounting plate component and integrates the fixation function directly into the post structure itself. The driving edge and cutting edges are formed as integral parts of the post, eliminating the need for separate mounting plates and reducing installation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of the post body and mounting plate into a single integrated structure. The base surface with driving edge and flanges with cutting edges work together as a unified system, combining structural support and ground fixation functions in one component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the corners of the free flange parts are bent slightly to increase wire holding capability, then wire attachment is improved, but the resistance during assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWire attachment reliabilityVSAvoidAssembly resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning cutting edges at specific locations on the flanges rather than bending the entire flange corners. The cutting edges are created at predetermined positions and angles, providing localized wire attachment capability without the need for extensive flange bending that would increase assembly resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If a mechanically unstable polymer trellis post is combined with a separate pointed impactor with fins, then assembly is facilitated and sliding is prevented, but the cost of several individual parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly easeVSAvoidNumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the post body and impactor features into a single integrated structure. The driving edge and cutting edges are formed as integral parts of the roll-formed post, eliminating the need for separate impactor components while maintaining the ability to facilitate assembly and prevent sliding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enables simple, efficient assembly with reduced installation force and extended service life through improved corrosion resistance and mechanical reinforcement, minimizing material waste and deformation.

Implementation Method 1

a thick anti-corrosion layer and hardening treatment, allows for deep and easy installation with reduced resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Implementation Method 2

a thick anti-corrosion layer and hardening treatment, allows for deep and easy installation with reduced resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHardening treatment:

Data Source

PatentEP3791711B1Trellis stake
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 VOESTALPINE KREMS
  • EP3791711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3791711B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a trellis post (1) with a driving edge (10) and a cutting edge (11) extending at an angle to it, and to a method for its manufacture.