Excavation Shovel with Integrated Electric Field Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excavation tools, such as shovels, pose risks of injury from buried electrical cables due to the inability to accurately detect their presence and location, leading to potential damage and safety hazards during excavation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-operable excavation apparatus combining a shovel with an integrated electric field detector that senses the neutral to earth voltage gradient and alerts the user through visual, audible, and tactile feedback when approaching a buried electrical cable, ensuring safe excavation practices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a shovel with an integrated electric field detector is used, then the detection capability of buried cables is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electric field detector with the shovel handle, integrating two separate functions (excavation and detection) into a single unified tool. This merging approach improves detection capability while minimizing the increase in complexity by sharing the handle structure between both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shovel handle is designed to serve multiple purposes: as a structural component for excavation and as a mounting platform for the electric field detection system. This multi-functionality allows the device to perform both digging and cable detection without requiring separate tools, thereby improving overall capability while managing complexity.
2Reliability
If the voltage detector system continuously monitors the excavation area, then the safety is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage detector system operates by periodically scanning the excavation area rather than maintaining continuous monitoring. The detector activates during excavation cycles to check for voltage gradients, providing safety through regular monitoring while conserving energy by remaining inactive between scanning periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically conductive blade portion serves a dual function: it performs excavation and simultaneously acts as the sensing element for detecting voltage gradients. This self-service approach allows the shovel itself to perform the detection function without requiring additional active sensors, thereby improving safety while minimizing energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the blade portion is made electrically conductive for detection purposes, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the risk of electrical injury to the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating handle as an intermediary barrier between the electrically conductive blade and the user's hand. This intermediary component allows the blade to remain conductive for accurate voltage detection while preventing electrical current from reaching the user, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while eliminating the risk of electrical injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The shovel is designed with differentiated electrical properties in different regions: the blade portion is electrically conductive to enable voltage detection, while the handle is electrically insulating to protect the user. This local differentiation of material properties allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising safety or detection capability.
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
The apparatus effectively detects buried electrical cables, reducing the risk of injury and damage by providing continuous, incremental alerts as the user approaches a cable, enhancing safety and efficiency in excavation operations.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage detector system produces a search field about the electrically-conductive shovel, senses the neutral to earth voltage gradient between the electrically-conductive portion and the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-operable excavation apparatus for detecting buried electrical cable. The hand-operable excavation apparatus comprises of a unitary structure having a handle and an electrically conductive portion. At least one electric field sensor is secured to the electrically conductive portion to monitor electrical fields in proximity to the end of the device during ground breaking for activation of an alerting system when the preset value is greater than a predetermined voltage for notifying the excavator of buried electrical cable.