Adjustable Soil Cutting Device for Trench Curvature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Trench cutting apparatuses often experience undercutting of trench walls when executing turns, particularly in curved sections, leading to destabilization and potential jamming of the soil cutting device.
Innovation Solution
A trench cutting apparatus with an adjustable soil cutting device that can change its attitude between linear and curved configurations to minimize undercutting, using mechanisms like rotating chain cutters or jetting cutters about a horizontal axis to align cutting edges or fluid jets with the trench curvature, thereby preventing wall destabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the soil cutting device maintains a fixed attitude configuration during trench cutting, then the device structure is simple and easy to operate, but undercutting occurs on the outer side of curved trench portions leading to wall destabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the soil cutting device's attitude adjustable rather than fixed. The device can dynamically change its orientation between a first attitude for linear trench portions and a second attitude for curved trench portions. This dynamic adjustment prevents undercutting on the outer side of curves by optimizing the cutting angle according to the trench geometry, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple fixed structure and achieving reliable wall stability.
2Ease of operation
If the soil cutting device operates in a fixed attitude position, then the device is easier to control, but the cutting device may become wedged or jammed against the trench wall during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the soil cutting device to adjust its attitude dynamically during operation. The device transitions between a first attitude configuration for linear portions and a second attitude configuration for curved portions. This dynamic adjustment prevents the cutting device from becoming wedged or jammed against the trench wall during turns, maintaining operational continuity while preserving ease of control through automated or pre-programmed attitude changes.
3Device complexity
If the soil cutting device uses a fixed attitude configuration, then the device structure remains simple, but undercutting de-stabilizes the trench wall on the outer side of curved portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the soil cutting device's attitude adjustable between different configurations. For curved trench portions, the device adopts a second attitude that minimizes undercutting on the outer side of the curve. This dynamic attitude adjustment eliminates the harmful undercutting effect while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through the use of pivotable mounting arrangements.
4Manufacturing precision
If the soil cutting device maintains vertical trench walls through attitude adjustment, then trench wall stability is improved, but the device requires complex attitude control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by providing a pivotable mounting arrangement that allows the soil cutting device to adjust its attitude dynamically. The device can be positioned at different angles relative to the direction of travel, enabling precise control over trench wall verticality. This dynamic adjustment capability achieves the desired manufacturing precision for trench wall verticality while keeping the control system manageable through mechanical pivotability rather than complex active control mechanisms.
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 solution effectively reduces or eliminates undercutting of trench walls during curved trench formation, maintaining vertical trench walls and preventing device jamming, even in sections with small radii of curvature.
Implementation Method 1
the attitude of the chain cutter is adjusted by rotating the chain cutter about a nominally horizontal axis
Implementation Method 2
the attitude of the jetting cutter is adjusted by rotating the jetting cutter about a nominally horizontal axis
Implementation Method 3
a first portion from which cutting fluid is expelled along a line of action to cut the soil
Implementation Method 4
cutting fluid is expelled along a line of action to cut the soil
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A trench cutting apparatus comprises a main body portion, ground contacting conveying means on which the body portion is mounted and by which the apparatus can traverse the ground and at least one soil cutting device operable to cut a trench wherein the attitude of the soil cutting device is adjustable between a first use configuration configured for cutting a linear trench portion and a second use position configured for cutting a curved trench portion, said second use position being selected to minimise undercutting of a trench wall as said curved trench portion is formed.