Devining Hook with Angled Blades for Cutting Transmission Line Vines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vines growing on electrical transmission infrastructure can damage the infrastructure and disrupt signal or power transmission, necessitating substantial resource expenditure for removal.
Innovation Solution
A tool with angled prongs and blades mounted to a shank, allowing for cutting vines instead of mere pulling, attached to a hot stick for safe manipulation, facilitating faster and less effortful removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vines are removed by pulling instead of cutting, then the tool structure is simpler, but the removal speed and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single tool: the shank provides structural support and attachment, the prongs provide gripping and positioning, and the blades provide cutting capability. This merging of functions allows the tool to cut vines efficiently while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure that can be attached to a hot stick.
2Loss of time
If vines are removed manually without cutting tools, then the tool structure is simpler, but the maintenance effort and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are pre-positioned on the prongs at specific angles (45-135 degrees) to optimally intersect with vines during the pulling motion. This preliminary configuration of the cutting elements ensures that vines are cut automatically during the removal process, eliminating the need for separate cutting actions and reducing maintenance time.
3Productivity
If the prong angle is outside the 45-135 degree range, then the tool is easier to manufacture, but the vine cutting effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a range for the prong angle (45-135 degrees) rather than a single precise value. This parameter range allows manufacturers to produce tools with adequate cutting effectiveness while accommodating normal manufacturing tolerances, thus balancing productivity requirements with manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for removing vines from electrical transmission infrastructure includes a shank having two prongs extending therefrom to form two hooks. Each hook defines a concavity having a blade disposed therein. The blades are positioned to cut vines instead of merely pulling the vines, thereby facilitating the removal of vines from electrical transmission infrastructure.