Concrete Needle Vibrator Shield for Wet-Concrete Splash Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concrete splashing during the use of needle vibrators poses a safety hazard to workers due to the alkaline compounds in freshly poured concrete, leading to skin and eye irritation.
Innovation Solution
A splash shield designed for concrete needle vibrators that encloses the vibrating needle head and contains splashing concrete within its housing, featuring a flexible region, a strap arrangement for secure fit, and a flange to distribute weight, with an aperture allowing splash entry into the interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a concrete needle vibrator is used to mechanically agitate and vibrate the concrete, then the concrete compaction and distribution is improved, but concrete splashing occurs which poses a safety hazard to workers
Solution Approach 1:
A splash shield is introduced as an intermediary device between the vibrating needle head and the surrounding environment. The shield captures concrete splashes within its housing while allowing the vibration process to continue uninterrupted, thus mediating between the harmful splashing effect and the desired compaction function
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful concrete splashes are extracted from the work area by directing them into the splash shield housing through an aperture in the flange. Once inside, the splashes are contained and collected, separating the harmful element from the worker-safe environment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a splash shield is introduced to contain concrete splashes, then worker safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splash shield is segmented into distinct functional components: a housing for containment, a flange with aperture for splash entry, and a strap arrangement for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall attachment mechanism to the vibrator
Solution Approach 2:
The splash shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains splashes, distributes weight through the flange, attaches to the vibrator via the strap arrangement, and allows controlled splash entry through the aperture. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
3Adaptability or versatility
If the head receiving port is made size adjustable to fit different needle heads, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head receiving port incorporates a flexible region with slits that allow dynamic adjustment of the port size. The flexible material can deform to accommodate different needle head diameters, providing adaptability without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The head receiving port utilizes a flexible shell or thin film structure that can elastically deform to fit various needle head sizes. This flexible material provides a simple yet effective adjustment mechanism that maintains sealing while accommodating size variations
Data Source
AI summary
A splash shield configured for use with a concrete needle vibrator is disclosed. The splash shield protects concrete workers by enclosing the vibrating needle head and containing splashing concrete within its housing, thereby preventing direct exposure to wet concrete during operation. The splash shield comprises a housing having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is configured to rest on uncured concrete. A head receiving port at the top end is adapted to receive a vibrating needle head. A plurality of slits extend along the housing from the head receiving port, defining a flexible region that expands and contracts around the needle head. A strap arrangement is coupled to the housing and configured to tighten the flexible region for a secure fit. The bottom end of the housing includes a flange that distributes the weight of the shield over the uncured concrete. An aperture within the inner boundary of the flange allows concrete splash to enter the interior of the housing and contact its interior surface.