Utility Vault Lid Deflectable Tab Brace Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art subgrade utility vaults lack sufficient structural integrity to withstand external loads from pedestrians and vehicles, leading to potential deformation, distortion, or breakage, compromising the security and protection of sensitive equipment within.
Innovation Solution
A reinforced vault lid system featuring a brace that interconnects with the vault lid, utilizing deflectable tabs and guide features for alignment, which transfers vertical loads to the vault and enhances rigidity without requiring tools or substantial manipulation, ensuring secure interconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lid is supported only by a peripheral lip around the perimeter, then the vault structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the lid and vault deform, distort, or break under Tier 15 or Tier 22 external loads
Solution Approach 1:
The vault structure is segmented by adding a separate brace component that connects to the lid through tabs. This segmentation allows the brace to provide additional structural support without requiring complete redesign of the entire vault structure, thereby improving strength while maintaining reasonable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The brace extends in a dimension perpendicular to the lid's main surface, creating a three-dimensional reinforcement structure. This dimensional addition provides load distribution capabilities that the two-dimensional peripheral lip alone cannot achieve, improving structural integrity under heavy loads
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lid rests on a horizontal lip or seat with no fixed relative position, then the lid installation is simple and quick, but the center of the lid deflects downward when loaded and the connection becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable tabs automatically adjust during installation and loading. When the lid is placed on the vault, the tabs deflect outward to accommodate the brace, then spring back to secure the connection. This self-adjusting mechanism provides stability without requiring manual positioning or complex alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs are designed to be deflectable rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically respond to loading conditions. During installation, the tabs deflect to facilitate easy placement, and under load, they maintain secure connection through elastic deformation, thereby achieving both ease of operation and position stability
3Strength
If a brace is added to reinforce the lid, then the rigidity and load transfer capability improve, but the installation requires tools and substantial manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The brace and tab assembly is designed as a self-installing system. The deflectable tabs automatically engage with the brace when the lid is placed on the vault, eliminating the need for separate installation tools or complex manipulation steps. The system self-adjusts to secure the reinforcement in place
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectable tabs act as intermediaries between the lid and the brace, facilitating automatic connection. These tabs mediate the interaction by deflecting outward to allow brace insertion, then springing back to secure the connection, thereby enabling tool-free installation while maintaining strong load transfer capability
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 reinforced vault lid system effectively addresses the structural integrity issues by maintaining the vault's integrity under heavy loads, preventing deformation and exposure of contents, thus enhancing the security and longevity of subgrade utility vaults.
Implementation Method 1
The vault lid may comprise two deflectable tabs that extend downward from sides of the vault lid. The brace may comprise receiving portions on either end of the brace, and in some embodiments, the receiving portions are the ends of an aperture that passes through a longitudinal length of the brace. In other embodiments, the receiving portions can be depressions or recesses. The brace and vault lid are aligned and pressed together such that the tabs on the lid deflect outward and around the ends of the brace. Then, when the ends of the tabs are positioned in the center of the receiving portions, the tabs deflect inwards and undercuts on the tabs preserve the interconnection between the vault lid and the brace.
Data Source
AI summary
A vault system is provided that secures a brace to the underside of a vault lid to improve the performance of the lid when the lid is subject to external loads. The vault has guiding features to receive a brace and place the brace in a particular position. Then, a vault lid is pressed into the vault, and tabs on the vault lid deflect into receiving portions on the ends of the brace to secure the brace to the vault lid. The resulting vault lid is reinforced with a brace. In some embodiments, the guiding feature comprises a rib in a recess in the brace, and in various embodiments, the tabs have an arm and a hook disposed on a distal end of the arm. The tab arms deflect to fit around the end of the brace, then an undercut on the hook secures the brace to the lid.