Excavating Head With Integrated Storage Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing excavating heads face challenges with low material removal efficiency and long working times due to the inefficiency of suction pipes in removing excavated material, especially as depth increases, and the slow process of coring methods.

Innovation Solution

The excavating head features a plate-shaped body with protruding excavation tools and a storage chamber with extraction pipes and a frusto-conical storage surface, allowing for efficient collection and discharge of excavated material without reversing the head, utilizing pressurized air for direct flow and gravity-assisted discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If suction pipes are used to remove excavated material, then material removal is possible, but the removal amount is limited and energy consumption increases with depth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of excavated material removedVSAvoidenergy consumption for material removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the material removal function into two distinct mechanisms: a suction pipe for removing fine particles and dust, and a storage chamber for collecting and discharging larger excavated material. This segmentation allows each mechanism to optimize its function, with the storage chamber handling bulk material removal that would be energy-intensive for the suction pipe alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storage chamber acts as an intermediary between the excavation tools and the external environment. Material is first collected in the storage chamber during excavation, then discharged externally when the head is extracted. This intermediary storage mechanism decouples the continuous excavation process from the intermittent material discharge, enabling more efficient energy use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If coring method is used to remove soil, then excavation can proceed, but material accumulates inside the cylindrical body requiring frequent extraction and deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation speedVSAvoidworking time for material removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the excavation function and material storage function into a single integrated head structure. The storage chamber is built into the head body, allowing material to be accumulated during continuous excavation without needing to stop for discharge. This combination eliminates the time loss associated with frequent extractions and depositions required by coring methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage chamber is pre-configured within the head structure before excavation begins. This preliminary preparation allows material to be immediately stored during excavation operations, preventing accumulation issues that would require stopping work for material removal. The chamber is ready to receive material from the outset, enabling continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional heads with central opening and suction pipe are used, then excavation can be performed, but productivity is reduced due to low material removal speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation continuityVSAvoidmaterial removal speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the material removal system into dual channels: a central suction pipe for fine particles and a peripheral storage chamber for bulk material. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of both removal mechanisms, dramatically increasing overall material removal speed while maintaining excavation continuity that relies on reliable, uninterrupted material evacuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a spatial dimension to material removal by positioning the storage chamber peripherally around the central suction pipe. This dimensional arrangement allows both systems to operate independently and simultaneously without interfering with each other, maximizing material removal capacity while ensuring continuous excavation operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 significantly increases the amount of material removed per unit time, reduces energy consumption, and enhances productivity by allowing for faster excavation and easier material discharge, addressing the limitations of previous technologies.

Implementation Method 1

an introduction pipe (16) for the forced introduction of pressurized air in the proximity of the excavation front to generate a pressing force able to push the excavated material (17) through the extraction pipes (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized air flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

said storage chamber (14) having a frusto-conical storage surface (21) and a side wall (18) movable upwards with respect to said plate-shaped body (7), so as to open said storage chamber (14) in the proximity of the lateral perimeter of said plate-shaped body (7) and to allow the excavated material (17) to exit from the storage chamber (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3268568B1Excavating head
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 PALMIERI SPA
  • EP3268568B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3268568B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The excavating head (1) comprises: an attachment element (2) to a driving machine to place the head (1) in rotation around a central axis (5); a plate-shaped body (7) connected to the attachment element (2) and having a first main face (8) and a second main face (10) opposite to each other, the first main face (8) being facing to the excavation front (9) and the second main face (10) being facing to the attachment element (2); - at least an excavation tool (11) associated with the plate-shaped body (7) so as to protrude at least partly from the first main face (8); and suction means (14, 15, 16) of the excavated material (17) associated with the plate-shaped body (7) and comprising: a storage chamber (14) of the excavated material (17); - at least an extraction pipe (15) of the excavated material (17) crossing from side to side the plate-shaped body (7) and terminating in the storage chamber (14).