Trenching Structural Body with Nested Support Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage systems face challenges with stability and space-saving transport options due to inclined side walls, which lead to gaps and reduced load capacity, and partial nesting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A structural body with vertically extending support elements forming the lateral boundary, allowing for nesting in the same direction for transport and opposite directions for stability, with symmetrical and homogeneous distribution of support elements, and engagement cams/receptacles for flexible connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If inclined side walls are used for nesting, then space-saving transport is improved, but stability and load capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The structural body is divided into a base grid and multiple support elements that can be independently arranged. The support elements are distributed homogeneously across the base grid, allowing the structure to maintain stability through distributed load paths rather than relying on continuous inclined side walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements have asymmetric geometry with a wider base and narrower top, allowing them to provide stable vertical support while enabling nesting when inverted. The asymmetric shape allows the element to stand firmly on its base while accepting another element on its narrower top surface.
Solution Approach 3:
The support elements are designed to be nested within each other in the vertical direction. When structural bodies are stacked for transport, the support elements of upper bodies are inserted into the support elements of lower bodies, achieving space-saving nesting while maintaining structural integrity through the homogeneous distribution of elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If truncated cones with staggered arrangement are used, then nesting capability is improved, but gaps in edge boundaries are created
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are distributed homogeneously across the base grid rather than being concentrated in staggered positions. This homogeneous distribution ensures continuous coverage of the lateral boundaries, preventing gaps that would allow soil penetration while maintaining nesting capability through the regular pattern of elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are replicated in a regular, homogeneous pattern across the base grid. This copying approach ensures that the protective function is uniformly distributed throughout the structure, eliminating the gaps that occur with staggered arrangements while preserving the nesting functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If engagement cams and receptacles are added for 180° rotation stacking, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements serve multiple functions: they provide vertical structural support, enable nesting for transport, and facilitate both direct stacking and 180° rotated stacking through their symmetric design. The homogeneous distribution of identical support elements throughout the structure allows the same components to fulfill multiple assembly configurations without requiring different engagement mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a trench system (18) comprising at least two adjacent or arranged structural bodies (1, 1'), wherein such a structural body (1, 1') has an open, three-dimensional structure, wherein a base grid (3) is provided from which a plurality of hollow, upwardly tapered support elements (4) rise such that several structural bodies (1, 1') can be nested by inserting the support elements (4) of a lower structural body (1, 1') into the support elements (4) of the upper structural body (1, 1') from the bottom, wherein at least one connecting device is provided for connecting adjacent structural bodies (1, 1') to the trench system (18), wherein the connecting device is designed in the form of engagement cams and engagement receptacles which, when structural bodies (1, 1') are arranged adjacently in a vertical direction in the trench system (18), i.e., when the structural bodies (1, 1') are arranged in opposite directions,a joining of the structural bodies (1, 1') which is characterized in that, during arbitrary rotations by integer multiples of 90° or lateral displacement by an integer multiple of a support element spacing, engagement of the engagement cams in the corresponding engagement receptacles is always possible, and that the structural body (1, 1') is constructed symmetrically in such a way that, when cut vertically in the middle, it can be divided into two or four sub-structural bodies identical with respect to the distribution of the support elements (4), and that the structural body (1, 1') is an injection-molded element made of plastic.