Continuous Backfilling Device for Trenches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for backfilling trenches are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly in the context of buried pipe laying, where the backfilling process often requires manual handling and discontinuous filling, which prolongs the construction duration and affects the quality of the backfill.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical backfilling device based on a paver structure, equipped with a rear hopper and conveying means that allow continuous backfilling from the rear to the front of the machine, featuring guide mechanisms that can be adjusted for trench width and position, enabling lateral filling and efficient material distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling and discontinuous filling are used for backfilling, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the backfilling time and construction duration increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backfilling operation with the trenching operation by integrating a conveying system that transports backfill material from the rear of the machine to the front, allowing both excavation and backfilling to be performed simultaneously by a single machine, thereby reducing overall construction time without requiring multiple separate equipment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous backfilling through a conveying system that continuously transports material from the hopper at the rear to the distribution point at the front, eliminating the discontinuous nature of traditional methods where material must be repeatedly loaded and deposited, thus maintaining continuous productive action throughout the backfilling process
2Ease of operation
If mechanical shovel is used for backfilling, then the manual labor is reduced, but the backfilling process remains discontinuous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system maintains continuous material flow from the hopper through the distribution mechanism to the trench, eliminating the stop-start operation characteristic of mechanical shovels that require repeated positioning, loading, and dumping cycles, thus achieving both mechanical operation and continuous productive action
3Device complexity
If material is dumped directly from truck into trench, then the equipment requirement is simplified, but the material distribution uniformity and backfill quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system acts as an intermediary between the material source (hopper) and the trench, providing controlled material transfer with distribution mechanisms that ensure uniform placement, whereas direct dumping lacks this intermediate control stage resulting in poor distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The material is preliminarily prepared and positioned in the hopper, then systematically conveyed and distributed along the trench length before final placement, ensuring uniform distribution whereas direct dumping occurs without preliminary organization or control of material placement
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional backfilling methods are used, then the equipment adaptation to various trench configurations is limited, but the device complexity for handling multiple configurations is also reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means are made dynamically adjustable with movable components that can adapt to different trench widths and configurations, allowing a single device to handle multiple trench types without requiring multiple specialized machines, thus achieving adaptability through dynamic adjustment rather than static specialized designs
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Device for the mechanical backfilling of trenches or the like, comprising: - a motorized vehicle (2) of the tractor type with a chassis (6), an engine and elements (8) intended to come into contact with the ground, such as wheels or tracks, - a first hopper (10) adapted to contain backfill material disposed on one side of the motorized vehicle (2) and having an opening in the lower position, and - conveying means (14) adapted to convey backfill material from the first hopper (10) to the opposite side of the motorized vehicle (2), - guiding means (12) disposed downstream of the conveying means (14) capable of directing backfill material falling from the conveying means towards a convergence zone at ground level.