Utility Vault Lid-Lift Hole Liner and Containment Box Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underground utility vaults face safety hazards due to the disposal of illicit or hazardous materials through open lid-lift holes, which can contaminate workers and equipment during vault maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A lid-lift hole liner and containment box assembly that positions a shell with an open top and bottom within the lid-lift hole, featuring a receptacle beneath the lid to capture debris, allowing safe disposal while maintaining the functionality of the lid-lifting tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid-lift hole is left open to allow tool access for lifting the lid, then the lid can be properly opened with a lifting tool, but debris and hazardous materials can enter the vault and contaminate workers and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
A liner assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the open lid-lift hole and the vault interior. The liner includes a shell positioned within the hole and a containment box beneath it, creating a barrier that allows the lifting tool to pass through while preventing debris from entering the vault. The tool engages with the liner's opening to lift the lid, and the containment box captures any debris that passes through, thus mediating between tool access and contamination prevention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a containment structure is added to prevent debris entry, then worker safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment structure is segmented into distinct components: a shell forming an upper barrier and a containment box forming a lower receptacle. These segments are positioned separately within the lid-lift hole assembly, with the shell extending above the lid surface and the containment box positioned beneath it. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner assembly is nested within the existing lid-lift hole structure. The shell is positioned inside the hole with its opening facing upward, and the containment box is nested beneath the lid within the same hole structure. This nesting approach integrates the containment functionality into the existing hole without requiring separate external structures, thus minimizing added complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid-lift hole is closed to prevent debris entry, then contamination is reduced, but the lid cannot be lifted with a tool
Solution Approach 1:
The liner assembly provides localized containment only where needed - within the lid-lift hole structure. The shell and containment box are positioned specifically to intercept debris falling through the hole, while leaving the hole's opening accessible for tool insertion. This localized approach prevents contamination in the critical area (vault interior) without blocking the operational area (hole opening for tool access).
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A lid-lift hole assembly for an underground utility vault lid (78) comprises a liner (10, 50) positioned in an open-ended lid-lift hole (38, 80), and a receptacle (12, 66) positioned below the liner (10, 50). The receptacle (12, 66) has a bottom wall (22, 68) with upright side walls (24, 26) forming an upwardly facing open space (28, 76) within the receptacle (12, 66). Opposite side walls (24) of the receptacle contain thru-holes (32, 72) for receiving fasteners (30, 76). The thru-holes (32, 72) are aligned with fastener holes (34) in opposite side walls (16) of the liner (10, 50). Fasteners (30, 76) extending through the thru-holes (32, 72) and into the fastener holes (34) (from the underside of the lid (78)) are tightened (to apply pressure to the juncture between the receptacle (12, 66) and the liner (10, 50)) to lock the liner (10, 50) in the lid-lift hole (38, 80). The receptacle (12, 66) forms an enlarged-volume (44), box-like enclosure rigidly (but releasably) held beneath an open passage through the liner (10, 50). The space (28, 76) inside the receptacle (12, 66) can contain debris kept from entering the working area of the vault. The space (28, 76) inside the receptacle (12, 66) also is shaped to receive a tool for removing the lid (78).