Drilling Machine Verticality Measurement Ball Joint Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling machines face challenges in maintaining precision verticality, especially at great depths, due to ground irregularities and the lack of robustness in existing verticality measurement systems, which can impair measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A drilling machine design featuring a frame with a ball joint and inclinometer configuration that directly connects the cable to the frame, rather than the inclinometer, improving tensioning and robustness, and incorporating a protective guide portion to reduce exposure to excavated soil, enhancing measurement accuracy and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cable is connected to the inclinometer, then the measurement system can function, but the robustness and measurement accuracy deteriorate due to improper tensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ball joint as an intermediary component between the cable and the inclinometer. The cable connects to the ball joint, which in turn connects to the inclinometer body. This intermediary structure allows the cable tension to be properly transferred to the frame through the ball joint's spherical connection, rather than directly to the inclinometer sensors, thereby improving both robustness and measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the inclinometer is positioned to measure cable inclination, then verticality data can be obtained, but the component is exposed to excavated soil causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the inclinometer inside a protective housing that is integrated into the connection device structure. The ball joint and inclinometer are nested within this housing, which extends into the trench but protects the sensitive electronic components from direct exposure to excavated soil and debris, while still allowing the measurement function to operate.
3Device complexity
If the cable tensioning system is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the tensioning effectiveness and measurement accuracy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the gravitational force of the cable itself and the natural suspension of the drilling machine to create tension in the cable. The ball joint connection allows the cable to self-adjust and maintain proper tension through the spherical articulation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical tensioning devices while ensuring adequate tension for accurate inclinometer measurements.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a drilling machine for digging a vertical trench in the ground, comprising: a frame; a verticality measuring device including a first cable (22) and at least one first inclinometer (32), one end (22a) of the first cable (22) being connected to the upper part (12a) of the frame (12) and to the first inclinometer (32). According to the invention, the drilling machine includes a first connection device (100) comprising: a support (102) fixed to the frame; a body (110) mounted to the support (102) via a ball joint (112); the first inclinometer (32) and the first cable (22) are fixed to the body (110) on either side of the ball joint (112).