Intercepting Arm Positioning for Floating Cleanup Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating object cleanup devices face interference and reduced speed and endurance due to poor positioning of the intercepting arm when not in use.
Innovation Solution
The floating object cleanup device includes a collection vessel, two towing vessels with built-in power systems, and two intercepting arms. The device features an intercepting arm tightening assembly with rotating shaft sleeves, positioning blocks, a rotating shaft, and tightening arms, which securely clamp and position the intercepting arm on the side surface of the collection vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intercepting arm is fixed to the side wall of the collection vessel, then the intercepting arm can be positioned adjacent to the side wall, but the positioning effect is poor and the arm cannot remain stable due to water flow causing it to hang down and move away from the side wall
Solution Approach 1:
The intercepting arm is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and fixed. The arm can be segmented into a fixed portion attached to the collection vessel and a movable portion that can be adjusted to maintain proper positioning despite water flow, allowing stable positioning without interfering with vessel operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The intercepting arm is pre-positioned and pre-fixed to the side wall of the collection vessel at optimal locations. By preliminarily securing the arm in the correct position before operation, the system ensures proper positioning is maintained during cleanup operations, preventing the arm from hanging down or moving away due to water flow while minimizing interference with vessel maneuverability.
2Area of stationary object
If the intercepting arm is made long and flexible to reach the side wall, then the collection port can be large, but the arm moves far away from the side wall under water flow action
Solution Approach 1:
The long flexible intercepting arm is divided into multiple rigid or semi-rigid segments connected by joints. This segmentation allows the arm to maintain its extended length for large collection port area while providing multiple fixation points along its length, ensuring each segment can be independently positioned and secured to maintain accuracy despite water flow forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the intercepting arm have different structural properties. The portion near the collection vessel is rigid and firmly fixed to maintain positioning accuracy, while distal portions can be more flexible to reach the side wall and form a large collection port. This local differentiation allows the arm to maintain both reach and positioning accuracy under water flow conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A floating object cleanup device includes a collection vessel, two towing vessels with built-in power systems, and two intercepting arms. The collection vessel and the two towing vessels are hooked together by the two intercepting arms. Each of both sides of the collection vessel is provided with an intercepting arm tightening assembly and an arm supporting member. The intercepting arm tightening assembly includes rotating shaft sleeves, positioning blocks, a rotating shaft, and tightening arms. Multiple rotating shaft sleeves are fixed to positions, adjacent to the top, on a side surface of the collection vessel through the positioning blocks. The rotating shaft penetrates all the rotating shaft sleeves located at one side of the collection vessel, and an elastic member is positioned at a position where the rotating shaft contacts with the rotating shaft sleeve.