Diaphragm Wall Shuttering Plank Cleaning With Automatic Concrete Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual removal of excess concrete from stop-end planks during diaphragm wall construction is strenuous, requires high operator skill, and poses risks to the construction machine due to unpredictable concrete adhesion and impact energy.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a cleaning tool attached to a construction machine via a cable and winch, with automatic detection of excess concrete through cable tension, deflection, or visual means, and an automatic cleaning cycle to gently and efficiently remove adhering concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning method is used, then operator can detect and remove excess concrete, but the process is strenuous and requires high operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool automatically detects excess concrete through cable tension sensors and performs cleaning actions without continuous manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the cable tension information to trigger automatic cleaning cycles, reducing operator strain while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning action is replaced by an automated system that uses cable tension detection (mechanical sensing) to trigger automated cleaning cycles. The control system substitutes for manual operator decisions, automating the cleaning process while reducing the need for high operator skill.
2Productivity
If cleaning tool is lowered with high impact energy to remove concrete, then concrete removal is more effective, but risks to construction machine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tension sensor provides continuous feedback on the cleaning tool's interaction with excess concrete. When the sensor detects tension indicating concrete contact, the control system automatically adjusts the lowering speed and impact energy, optimizing concrete removal efficiency while preventing excessive forces that could damage the construction machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning tool's lowering speed and impact energy are dynamically adjusted based on real-time cable tension measurements. The system transitions from high-speed lowering to controlled impact and gentle removal phases, maintaining productivity while protecting the construction machine from excessive loads.
3Ease of operation
If automatic cleaning cycle is implemented, then operator strain is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system automatically monitors cable tension and triggers cleaning cycles without continuous manual intervention. The control system serves itself by using sensor data to automate the cleaning process, reducing operator strain while keeping the added complexity minimal through straightforward sensor-control integration.
4Speed
If cleaning tool is lowered quickly to remove concrete, then cleaning speed increases, but control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process uses periodic cycles of rapid lowering followed by controlled impact and gentle removal phases. The cable tension sensor detects concrete contact during the rapid lowering phase, triggering a transition to slower, more precise cleaning actions, thus maintaining both speed and precision through rhythmic variation in operation intensity.
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
Facilitates easy, efficient, and gentle removal of excess concrete, reducing operator strain and machine wear by automating the process and controlling impact energy.
Implementation Method 1
a cable (24) and a cable winch (21) arranged in such a way that the cleaning tool (90) can be raised and lowered by means of the cable (24) and the cable winch (21)
Implementation Method 2
during lowering, excess concrete adhering to the shuttering plank is stripped off and removed by the cleaning tool (90)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
Method for cleaning a shuttering plank (60), which is used to form a diaphragm wall in the ground, by means of a construction machine (10), on which a cleaning tool (90) is arranged so as to be raiseable and lowerable by means of a cable (24; 44) and a cable winch (21; 22), wherein during lowering by the cleaning tool (90) adhering to the shuttering plank (60) excess concrete is stripped off and removed, comprising the steps of: a) lowering the cleaning tool (90) via the cable (24; 44) along the shuttering plank (60), b) detecting the presence of excess concrete on the shuttering plank (60) which has not been removed by the cleaning tool (90), manually by an operator or automatically by a control device, c) stopping the cable winch (21;22) for stopping the cleaning tool (90) at a stop position along the shuttering plank (60) when the presence of excess concrete is detected during lowering, d) carrying out an automatic cleaning cycle by means of a/the control device, wherein the cleaning tool (90) is automatically raised from the stop position by a predetermined distance and then lowered again along the shuttering plank (60);