Concrete Surface Finisher Segment Design for Vibration and Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete pavers face challenges in adapting to varying surface profiles and widths, with issues related to power supply management, contamination of drive components, and rigidity due to complex cable arrangements and shaft design, leading to inefficiencies and surface defects.
Innovation Solution
A concrete paver composed of segments with a built-in supply channel for energy lines, adjustable connections, and a tubular space frame structure that allows for flexible power distribution and reduced contamination risk, along with synchronized unbalance weights for efficient vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If segments are connected with adjustable connections to adapt to different surface profiles and widths, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete paver is divided into multiple segments that can be connected and disconnected. Each segment has standardized connecting means with energy supply lines, allowing the paver to be configured in different lengths and widths to adapt to various surface profiles and working widths while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting means are designed with universal energy supply lines (for electricity, compressed air, and water) that serve multiple functions: powering vibration elements, providing compressed air for formwork, and supplying water for concrete mixing or cooling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall device structure
2Ease of operation
If power supply lines are arranged freely on or in the frame structure, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to cable entanglement and surface defects
Solution Approach 1:
The energy supply lines are merged into a single integrated connecting means that is built into the segment structure. The connecting means houses multiple energy lines (electricity, compressed air, water) in a unified configuration, eliminating the need for separate cable arrangements and preventing entanglement while maintaining ease of power distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The energy supply lines are nested within the connecting means structure. The connecting means acts as a protective housing that contains and organizes the energy lines, shielding them from external damage and preventing them from interfering with the concrete surface or becoming entangled during operation
3Productivity
If shaft and bearings are arranged directly above the concrete surface for vibration transmission, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination and freezing
Solution Approach 1:
A bearing housing acts as an intermediary between the concrete surface and the shaft bearings. The bearing housing elevates the bearings above the concrete surface while maintaining close proximity for effective vibration transmission. This intermediary structure protects the bearings from direct contact with concrete contamination and prevents freezing by exposing them to ambient air temperature rather than cold concrete surface
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
Enables easy adaptation to different surface profiles and widths, reduces cable entanglement and contamination, enhances rigidity, and improves the quality of the concrete surface finish by ensuring efficient power supply and vibration transmission.
Implementation Method 1
If the imbalance weights are driven via the motor and the shaft, vibrations are transmitted to the smoothing surfaces in order to compact the concrete
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a segment for a concrete surface finisher having a smoothing surface (3) designed in one or multiple parts for treating a concrete surface to be finished by pulling the segment transversely to the longitudinal extension thereof over the concrete surface, and comprises connecting means arranged on both longitudinal ends in the region of the smoothing surface (3) for connecting to further segments that can be rotated about a horizontal transverse axis in relation to the longitudinal extension. A frame structure (9) is arranged above the smoothing surface and comprises means for a longitudinally adjustable connection (21) to further segments on both longitudinal ends in order to set the angle for the connection to the further segments. In the region of the frame structure (9), a supply channel (4) for energy supply lines for vibration elements (15, 25) is provided.