Hoist Drum Nesting in Auxiliary Weight Box

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power shovels face a challenge in increasing ore carrying capacity without significantly increasing weight, which leads to higher fuel usage and difficulty in operating on soft ground due to the need for additional auxiliary weights.

Innovation Solution

The configuration of a power shovel with an auxiliary weight box and a hoist drum partially or fully enclosed within the weight box, where the hoist drum and its machinery serve as ballast to counteract the weight of the ore, allowing for increased load lifting without excessive weight addition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If additional auxiliary weights are added to increase ore carrying capacity, then the power shovel can lift greater loads, but the overall weight increases leading to higher fuel usage and difficulty operating on soft ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveore carrying capacityVSAvoidoverall weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hoist drum is positioned within the auxiliary weight box, nesting one component inside another. This spatial arrangement allows the hoist drum to utilize the space occupied by the auxiliary weights, eliminating the need for separate mounting space and reducing overall structural requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary weight box serves multiple functions: it provides ballast weight for counterbalancing the ore load, and simultaneously houses the hoist drum mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components and structures, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining load-carrying capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If additional auxiliary weights are added to increase ore carrying capacity, then the power shovel can lift greater loads, but fuel consumption increases due to increased weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload lifting capacityVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary weights in the weight box serve as counterweights to balance the weight of ore carried in the dipper. By positioning weights strategically and using the hoist drum within the weight box, the system achieves better force balance, reducing the net force required from the engine during lifting operations and thereby reducing fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Productivity

If additional auxiliary weights are added to increase ore carrying capacity, then the power shovel can lift greater loads, but the power shovel cannot enter areas with soft ground due to increased weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaximum load capacityVSAvoidterrain adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By nesting the hoist drum within the auxiliary weight box, the design consolidates components into a compact arrangement. This reduces the overall footprint and structural requirements, allowing the power shovel to maintain high load capacity while having a more compact configuration that can better navigate soft ground conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9702250B2Power shovel hoist machinery with auxiliary weight box

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 CATERPILLAR GLOBAL MINING LLC

AI summary

A power shovel including a tool for lifting, a machine house, a hoist drum, hoist drum machinery and an auxiliary weight box having a perimeter, the hoist drum and hoist drum machinery being at least partially disposed within the perimeter of the auxiliary weight box and the hoist drum being disposed outside of the machine house.