Suction Excavator Tank Cover Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum excavators face challenges with height restrictions during operation, dust re-deposition, and impractical filter maintenance due to the large cover design, which complicates emptying and maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
The design replaces the large cover with a smaller longitudinal cover and adds a hinged protective cover for the filter insert, allowing for easier tilting and access, along with uncoupling mechanisms for the suction arm and pumping members, and an air suction channel with a U-shaped section to manage dust and facilitate cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large cover is used to close the upper part of the tank, then the tank is fully sealed, but the height requirement increases and access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The large cover is divided into multiple smaller covers: a first cover for the storage compartment and a second cover for the filter compartment. This segmentation allows each cover to be independently opened for maintenance access while maintaining overall tank sealing when closed, resolving the contradiction between full sealing and maintenance accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If a large cover is lifted before tilting the tank, then waste and rubble can be evacuated, but the height requirement increases which is not always available
Solution Approach 1:
The first cover is designed to be movable relative to the tank body, capable of opening to a first position and closing to a second position. This dynamic design allows the cover to clear the suction arm during tilting operations without requiring excessive height, enabling waste evacuation while maintaining compact vehicle dimensions.
3Device complexity
If the articulated suction arm is directly connected to the large cover, then the suction circuit is integrated, but the cover becomes complex and maintenance becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The suction circuit is segmented between two separate covers: the first cover houses the waste and rubble pumping channel, while the second cover houses the air suction channel and filters. This segmentation simplifies each individual cover design and allows independent access to filters for maintenance without handling the entire suction system.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If dust is retained on the cover, then dust management is simplified, but the cover and filtering insert become contaminated when dust falls back onto them
Solution Approach 1:
The second cover is specifically designed to close the filter compartment and extract the filters from exposure to falling dust. By providing dedicated coverage for the filter area separate from the main tank cover, the design prevents dust re-deposition on the filtering insert while maintaining dust retention capabilities of the main cover.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Vacuum excavator consisting of a carrier vehicle (1) on which are mounted a machine compartment (2) equipped with pumping elements and a tank (3) subdivided into a filter compartment (5) and a storage compartment (6) equipped with an articulated vacuum arm (9) connected to a suction circuit connected to the suction side of the pumping elements, this tank (3) being able to tilt transversely around a horizontal tilting axis (10) between an upright position or working position and a draining position, characterized in that the upper part of the tank (3) is subdivided longitudinally into a closed part (11) and an open part sealed by an articulated longitudinal cover (12) which opens when the tank (3) is transferred from the working position to the draining position and by a filter protection cover (13) which remains closed.