Dredger Bucket Device Segmented Scoop Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dredgers face challenges in designing scoop plates that balance sediment scooping and discharge functions, often requiring larger plates or increased stroke, which limits design freedom and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dredger design featuring a bucket device with a tubular main frame, raise/lower body, scoop plates, and a sediment transport system that includes a sand discharge pipe and check valve to forcibly push sediment into the pipe, along with a sediment flow assistance device using pressurized air and water to enhance flowability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the scoop plate size is increased to improve sediment discharge efficiency, then the sediment discharge function is improved, but the design freedom is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesediment discharge efficiencyVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the scoop plate into multiple segments that can move relative to each other. The scoop plate includes a body portion and multiple arm portions that can rotate around pivot points, allowing the plate to change its shape and size dynamically. This segmentation enables the scoop plate to maintain a compact design while achieving effective sediment discharge through controlled movement of the segmented components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the stroke in the open/close direction is increased to improve sediment discharge efficiency, then the sediment discharge function is improved, but the design freedom is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesediment discharge efficiencyVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a dynamic scoop plate mechanism where the arm portions can rotate relative to the body portion during the open/close cycle. This dynamic configuration allows the scoop plate to optimize its geometry at different stages of operation, achieving effective sediment discharge without requiring a fixed large stroke. The rotational degrees of freedom enable adaptive movement that improves discharge efficiency while maintaining design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the scoop plate is designed to perform both sediment scooping and discharge functions, then the functional integration is improved, but the design freedom is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scoop plate is designed with multi-functionality, where the same structure performs both sediment scooping and discharge functions. The body portion and arm portions work together to scoop sediment during the closing phase and discharge it during the opening phase. This universal design eliminates the need for separate specialized components, achieving functional integration while the dynamic movement capabilities maintain design freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design optimizes the scoop plate and raise/lower body functions, ensuring efficient sediment discharge without enlarging the scoop plate or increasing its stroke, and improves sediment flowability through the transport pipe, enhancing overall dredging efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a sediment flow assistance device that injects pressurized air and/or pressurized water toward the excavated sediment pushed into the sand discharge pipe so as to disperse the sediment within the sand discharge pipe and assist flow of the sediment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized air injection: Jet

Implementation Method 2

a sediment flow assistance device that injects pressurized air and/or pressurized water toward the excavated sediment pushed into the sand discharge pipe so as to disperse the sediment within the sand discharge pipe and assist flow of the sediment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized water injection: Jet

Implementation Method 3

a check valve that prevents reverse flow of the sediment pushed out from the sand discharge pipe toward the sediment transport pipe side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3985176B1dredger
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 KOJIMAGUMI CO LTD
  • EP3985176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985176B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985176B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dredger is provided which includes a bottomed tubular main frame (11), a raise/lower body (12) that is vertically slidably fitted around an outer periphery of the main frame, a pair of scoop plates (13) that are axially supported on lower end parts of the raise/lower body so that sediment at the water bottom can be scooped up by opening and closing the open lower end of the raise/lower body, an open/close drive device that drives the two scoop plates to open and close, a sand discharge pipe (P) that is fixed within the main frame so as to have one end opening on a bottom wall (11b) of the main frame and have the other end connected to an upstream end of the sediment transport pipe (8), and a check valve (15) that prevents reverse flow of the sediment pushed out from the sand discharge pipe toward the sediment transport pipe side, the excavated sediment scooped up by the scoop plates being forcibly pushed into the sand discharge pipe due to the raise/lower body (12) being driven to rise with respect to the main frame (11) in a state in which the scoop plate is closed. This enables the degree of freedom in design of a bucket device to be enhanced, and a sufficient pushing amount can be ensured without especially increasing the size of the scoop plate.