Vineyard End Post with Internal Strut for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing trellising systems in viticulture require end posts to be positioned at an inclination with mooring wires connecting to anchor points outside the row, which reduces space between rows, hinders machinery passage, and poses stability and safety risks due to loose mooring lines and regular tension checks.

Innovation Solution

An end post design featuring a main metal post with a support leg and anchoring shovel, allowing the main post to be supported internally within the row, eliminating the need for external anchor points and enhancing stability through a strut that compensates for wire tension, while also being easier to install and more resistant to mechanical stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If end posts are positioned at an inclination with external anchor points, then structural stability is improved, but space between rows is reduced and machinery passage is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidspace between rows
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention moves the anchoring system from a horizontal external dimension (anchor points outside the row) to a vertical internal dimension (anchoring shovel within the ground beneath the row). This dimensional shift allows the support structure to be contained within the row space, freeing up horizontal space for machinery passage while maintaining stability through vertical grounding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The support leg and anchoring shovel are nested within the main post structure, with the anchoring shovel positioned inside the ground area directly beneath the row. This nesting contains the entire anchoring system within the row boundaries, eliminating the need for external anchor points and preserving space between rows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If mooring wires are used to connect end posts to external anchors, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the mooring wire component from the system by replacing it with a direct structural support. The support leg with anchoring shovel provides stable grounding without requiring external mooring wires, thereby simplifying the device by removing the wire, tensioning mechanism, and associated hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support leg acts as an intermediary element between the main post and the ground, replacing the function previously performed by mooring wires. This intermediary provides direct structural support and stability without requiring the complex wire-based tensioning system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If mooring wires are used for external anchoring, then structural stability is improved, but safety risks increase due to loose wires and fall hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the hazardous mooring wire component from the system entirely. By replacing the wire-based anchoring with a solid support leg and anchoring shovel structure, it eliminates the safety risks associated with loose wires and fall hazards while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Stability of the object's composition

If regular tension checks of mooring wires are performed, then structural stability is maintained, but time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtime loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention eliminates the need for regular tension checks by removing the mooring wire system that requires such maintenance. The solid support leg with anchoring shovel provides inherent structural stability that does not require periodic verification, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with maintenance inspections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3183953B1End post
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 VOESTALPINE PROFILAFROID
  • EP3183953B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3183953B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an end post (1) characterized in that it comprises: - a main metal post (2) including a lower part (20) intended to be planted in the ground and an upper part intended (21) to stretch trellis wires of a row of plants, - a metal support post (3) smaller than the main post (2), intended to be anchored in the ground inside the row, and - a strut (4) including a first end (41) fixed to the main post (2) and a second end (42) fixed to the support post (3), said strut (4) being arranged between the main post (2) and the support post (3) at an angle alpha so as to bear on the support post (3) and support the main post (2).