Vehicle-Mounted Auger Support with Winch and Pivot Rail

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing auger support devices are cumbersome and require manual handling, posing safety risks and limiting their use in remote areas due to weight, power, and size, especially for individuals without physical strength or assistance.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-mounted auger support system with a winch mechanism and upright rail allows for controlled auger operation and stowing, featuring a pivotable attachment for off-angle drilling and horizontal storage, enabling hands-free use and operation on various vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a powered auger is used for drilling operations, then drilling efficiency is improved, but the device becomes heavy and cumbersome requiring physical strength to handle and control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidauger weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A vehicle-mounted support frame serves as an intermediary between the ground and the powered auger. The support frame transfers the auger's weight and drilling reaction forces to the vehicle chassis, eliminating the need for users to physically support or control the auger during operation. This allows efficient use of heavy powered augers without requiring significant user strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the auger is made larger and more powerful, then drilling capability is improved, but control and stabilization become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauger powerVSAvoidcontrol and stabilization

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle-mounted support frame provides a counterbalancing structure that stabilizes the powered auger during operation. The vehicle's mass and the support frame's geometry create counteracting forces that prevent the powerful auger from becoming uncontrollable, allowing users to operate high-power augers safely without difficulty in control or stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the auger support structure is made more rigid and stable, then drilling stability is improved, but portability and ease of transport are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling stabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame incorporates movable and adjustable components that allow the structure to transition between a stable operational configuration during drilling and a compact, portable configuration for transport. This dynamic design maintains drilling stability when needed while preserving ease of transport when the auger is not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If manual handling of the auger is required for positioning and operation, then operational flexibility is maintained, but user fatigue and risk of injury increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoiduser fatigue and injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle-mounted support frame enables the powered auger to serve itself by providing its own support, stabilization, and positioning capabilities through the vehicle platform. The auger system becomes self-sufficient, eliminating the need for users to physically handle or position the equipment, thereby reducing fatigue and injury risk while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system enables safe, efficient, and independent operation of powered augers in remote locations by stabilizing and controlling the auger without manual handling, reducing operator fatigue and injury risks, and facilitating use on different terrains and vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

A vehicle support assembly that secures to a vehicle, supports a powered auger, and allows for hands-free operation of the auger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

featuring a pivotable attachment for off-angle drilling and horizontal storage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS9127509B2Powered auger support assembly for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 ROBINSON JAMES ALLEN

AI summary

A powered auger support device is provided having connection to a vehicle, a trailer hitch receiver on a vehicle, or the bed of a trailer, whereby a powered auger is slideably supported along an upright rail by way of a winch controlled by an operator. The device comprises a support structure having an upright rail, an auger support frame, and a pulley and winch system for raising and lowering the auger support frame. The auger support frame supports the handles of a stand-along auger and is pivotably supported along the rail, permitting the support frame to rotate with respect to the frame for placing the auger working end at different angles or in a horizontally stowed position. An embodiment of the upright rail contemplates a rotational hinge that places the auger support frame outside of the vehicle wheel tracks or outside of the bed of a trailer during use.