Cable-Controlled Pile Compaction Progress Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil compaction methods require additional measuring systems to determine compaction progress, increasing effort and cost, and are not efficient in ensuring the desired degree of compaction is reached without over-compaction.

Innovation Solution

A method using a carrier machine with piles on a cable and a regulation/control device, where the compaction process involves lifting the piling to a set height, dropping it to compact the soil, and repeating until a predetermined minimum compaction progress is achieved, utilizing existing machine sensors to determine zero points and progress without additional equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional measuring systems are used to determine compaction progress, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction progress measurementVSAvoidmeasuring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable itself serves as the measuring element. The control device utilizes the cable's position and length data to determine compaction progress, eliminating the need for separate measuring systems. The cable's physical state (slack vs. tensioned) provides the measurement function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cable performs multiple functions: it supports the pile during lifting, transmits mechanical force during impact, and provides measurement data for compaction progress tracking. The control device integrates cable data with compaction calculations, making the cable a multi-functional element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the number of compaction operations is increased to ensure desired compaction degree, then compaction reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction degreeVSAvoidcompaction process duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors cable position and length data to calculate compaction progress after each operation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to determine when the desired compaction degree is achieved, preventing unnecessary additional operations and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations using cable data to predict compaction progress before each operation. By analyzing the relationship between cable length changes and compaction effects, the system can optimize the number of operations needed to achieve the target compaction degree.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient soil compaction without additional measuring devices, ensuring the desired degree of compaction is reached automatically, reducing operational effort and cost, and preventing over-compaction.

Implementation Method 1

lifting the pile from the soil surface to be compacted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the compaction process is effected by letting the pile fall onto the soil surface to be compacted from a corresponding drop height

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3272944B1Stroke rate optimisation
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 LIEBHERR WERK NENZING
  • EP3272944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3272944B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for soil compaction using a carrier machine (A) with a pile (C) provided on at least one cable (B) and with a control device, wherein the method comprises the steps: lifting the pile (C) from the soil surface to be compacted, whereby a zero point (y0) is stored at which no slack cable is present; lifting the pile (C) to a lifting height (sk); performing a compaction process by dropping the pile (C) onto the soil surface to be compacted from a drop height (K); lifting the pile (C) again from the soil surface to be compacted, whereby a further zero point (y1) is stored at which no slack cable is present; determining and storing a compaction progress Δ(yk);Repeat the previous steps until the compaction progress Δ(yk) of a predetermined number (N) of successive compaction operations is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum progress.