Detachable Suction Box Cover for Adaptable Trench Cutters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diaphragm wall milling machines require cumbersome and costly replacement or provision of a second trench cutter with a different suction box design to adjust extraction openings for varying soil conditions, as the existing solutions do not allow for post-production adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A trench cutter with a detachable cover for the suction box that allows easy replacement and repositioning of suction openings by using covers with varying shapes and positions, maintaining the base body structure intact, enabling quick adaptation to different soil conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suction box is designed with fixed extraction openings during initial production, then the base body structure remains simple and robust, but the device cannot be adapted to different soil conditions without replacing the entire suction box or providing a second trench cutter
Solution Approach 1:
The suction box is segmented into two main parts: a base body with fixed extraction openings and a detachable cover with recesses. This segmentation allows the cover to be replaced independently to adapt to different soil conditions while keeping the base body intact, thus improving adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to be detachable and replaceable, transforming the static suction box into a dynamic system that can be reconfigured. The detachable connection (including welded joints that can be disassembled on site) enables the cover to be removed and replaced with different covers having variously positioned and shaped recesses, allowing adaptation to different working conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire suction box must be replaced to adjust extraction openings, then the extraction configuration can be changed, but the process becomes cumbersome and costly with increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the suction box into a permanent base body and a replaceable cover, only the cover needs to be replaced to change extraction opening configurations. This reduces the replacement scope from the entire suction box to just the cover component, significantly reducing downtime and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The functional element that needs frequent adjustment (the cover with recesses) is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the base body. This allows the cover to be removed and replaced independently without affecting the base body structure, enabling quick reconfiguration for different soil conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If a second trench cutter with different suction box design is provided for different soil conditions, then adaptability is achieved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single base body is designed to accommodate multiple different covers, each with recesses configured for different soil conditions. This makes the base body universal and multi-functional, allowing one trench cutter to perform multiple extraction configurations by simply changing the cover, eliminating the need for multiple specialized trench cutters
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, dedicated suction box designs to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The detachable cover allows the same base body to be dynamically reconfigured for different soil conditions, providing the versatility of multiple trench cutters while maintaining only one physical unit
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
Enables quick and cost-effective adjustment of suction box extraction openings to suit varying soil conditions without modifying the base body, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
the suction box has a series of suction openings through which a wastewater pump extracts the liquid containing the excavated material
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trench cutter comprising at least one milling wheel for shredding soil material and a suction box arranged radially adjacent to the milling wheel. The suction box has a base body which, on a suction side facing the milling wheel, includes at least one suction opening for extracting liquid containing soil material. The suction box comprises a cover detachably connected to the base body and at least partially covering the suction side. According to the invention, the cover has at least one recess which overlaps with the at least one suction opening and has a smaller diameter and/or a different shape than the at least one suction opening.The invention further relates to a set comprising a slot wall cutter according to the invention and at least one additional cover not connected to the base body, the at least one recess of which has a different shape and/or a different position than the at least one recess of the cover connected to the base body of the suction box. The invention further relates to a carrier device with a slot wall cutter according to the invention.