Weighted Accessory for Reinforcement Placement in Piles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for placing reinforcement in fresh, uncured pile material are problematic, often resulting in incomplete descent of the reinforcement due to the need for complex adaptations and power sources, such as vibratory blocks.

Innovation Solution

A weighted accessory with a coupling part is used to lower the elongate reinforcement into the pile material, utilizing its mass to facilitate easy placement without the need for complex mechanisms, and can be uncoupled once the reinforcement is in position, allowing for easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a vibratory block is mounted on the reinforcement to facilitate installing, then the reinforcement can be installed in the pile, but the device complexity increases and power sources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of reinforcement installationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex vibratory mechanism and power source requirements, replacing them with a simple weighted accessory that uses only gravitational force. The accessory is a separate component that can be attached to the reinforcement, providing the necessary downward force without requiring any powered vibration system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The weighted accessory serves itself by using its own mass to provide the downward force needed for installation. The weight of the accessory (greater than 0.5 ton) automatically generates the necessary force to push the reinforcement into the uncured pile material, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the accessory mass is greater than 0.5 ton to facilitate lowering, then the reinforcement can be effectively placed, but the weight of the accessory increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of reinforcement placementVSAvoidaccessory weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a light accessory that would need to be actively pushed down by external forces or vibration, the patent inverts the approach by using a heavy accessory that naturally wants to move downward due to gravity. The weight (greater than 0.5 ton) becomes the active force that drives the placement process, reversing the conventional approach where light components require active forcing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of repair

If the coupling part has diametrical dimensions smaller than the pile, then the accessory can be removed after placement, but the coupling part dimensions are constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessory removalVSAvoidcoupling part dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the accessory into distinct functional parts: a coupling part with specific diametrical dimensions (smaller than the pile) that allows for attachment and removal, and a support part that provides structural function. This segmentation enables the coupling part to be designed independently for easy attachment and removal, while the support part handles the weight and structural requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This method allows for simple and effective placement of reinforcement in uncured pile material, eliminating the need for complex equipment and power sources, ensuring the reinforcement is properly positioned and securely embedded.

Implementation Method 1

lowering the elongate reinforcement vertically into the not yet cured pile material, wherein the mass of the accessory at least partially causes the lowering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3318677B1Method for forming a reinforced pile and use of an accessory therein
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 CHIAVEROTTI
  • EP3318677B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3318677B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3318677B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Method for forming a reinforced pile, comprising of forming a pile in the ground by drilling, wherein an elongate reinforcement is arranged in the not yet cured pile material P of the pile. Arranging of the reinforcement comprises of: providing an accessory with a coupling part having dimensions smaller than those of the formed pile and with a support configured to be able to support on a support surface around the not yet cured pile material; wherein the weight of the accessory is greater than 0.5 ton; coupling an end of the reinforcement to the coupling part; lifting the accessory such that the coupling part with the reinforcement extends vertically downward; lowering the reinforcement vertically into the not yet cured pile material until the support rests on the support surface around the not yet cured pile material P, wherein the weight of the accessory at least partially causes the lowering.