Bidirectional Cable Installation Apparatus for Tunnel Sagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing cables in tunnels face challenges due to restricted space and the significant weight of cables, requiring manual handling and unidirectional operation, which poses safety risks and inefficiencies, especially when cables need to be introduced mid-way along a tunnel.
Innovation Solution
A motorized vehicle with cable/pipe positioning arms at each end, allowing bidirectional operation and a shared sagging arm for controlled sagging, enabling efficient cable installation and sagging in both directions, reducing manual handling and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling and unidirectional operation are used, then the installation process is simpler, but the efficiency is reduced and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into two independent end halves, each capable of bidirectional operation with its own positioning arm and sagging arm. This segmentation allows each end to operate independently, improving productivity by enabling simultaneous work at both ends of the tunnel while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each end half of the apparatus is designed with universal functionality to perform both positioning and sagging operations in either direction. The positioning arms and sagging arms at both ends can operate independently or in coordination, allowing the apparatus to handle cable installation from any direction without requiring reconfiguration, thus improving efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single positioning arm and sagging arm are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for bidirectional operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into two independent end halves, each capable of bidirectional operation with its own positioning arm and sagging arm. This segmentation allows each end to operate independently, improving productivity by enabling simultaneous work at both ends of the tunnel while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus employs asymmetric positioning of the positioning arms and sagging arms at each end, allowing independent adjustment and operation in different directions. This asymmetric design enables adaptability to various cable routing configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular end halves
3Manufacturing precision
If the positioning arm and sagging arm are close together, then the vehicle length is reduced, but the sagging control precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into two independent end halves, each capable of bidirectional operation with its own positioning arm and sagging arm. This segmentation allows each end to operate independently, improving productivity by enabling simultaneous work at both ends of the tunnel while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the vehicle to position the positioning arms and sagging arms at different locations along the length of the vehicle. This dimensional arrangement allows sufficient spacing between the positioning and sagging arms to achieve precise sagging control while keeping the vehicle length optimized for tunnel navigation
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for installing cables or pipes in tunnels comprises a motorised vehicle. A cable/pipe positioning arm is at each end of the vehicle, which is controllable to move a cable/pipe from a temporary installation position to a final installation position. One or more cable/pipe sagging arms are spaced from the positioning arm at the other end of the vehicle which are controllable to apply a desired amount of sagging to a length of cable/pipe between adjacent final installation positions. The apparatus can be driven along the cable/pipe performing the positioning and sagging in a single sequence and in either direction.