Modular Auger Flight Assembly for Easy Repair and Lower Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional auger assemblies for transporting fluid-like materials are bulky, heavy, environmentally detrimental, and difficult to repair due to their metal construction and non-removable helical flights, which limits their efficiency and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The auger assembly features individually removable and replaceable flight units with cooperating lugs and recesses, a cordless electric motor with a releasable coupling, and a split head clamp for easy maintenance, allowing for efficient movement of fluid-like materials and easy repair of broken units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional metal auger assemblies with continuous helical flights are used, then high cutting torque and durability are achieved, but the assemblies become bulky, heavy, and difficult to repair
Solution Approach 1:
The auger assembly is divided into discrete flight units that can be individually removed and replaced. Each flight unit is a separate module attached to the shaft, allowing the auger to maintain structural integrity while reducing overall weight and enabling easy replacement of damaged sections without replacing the entire assembly.
2Strength
If conventional metal auger assemblies with continuous helical flights are used, then high cutting torque is achieved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters of the auger assembly by using lighter materials and discrete modular flight units instead of continuous metal construction. This parameter change reduces the environmental footprint while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength for cutting through ice and moving materials.
3Stability of the object's composition
If helical flights are fixed to the shaft in conventional augers, then structural integrity is maintained, but repairability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flight units are segmented into separate replaceable modules that attach to the shaft through reversible connections. This segmentation allows individual flight units to be removed and replaced without affecting the structural integrity of the remaining assembly, enabling easy repair of damaged sections while maintaining overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between flight units and the shaft is designed to be dynamically reversible, allowing flight units to be attached and detached as needed. This dynamic connection system maintains structural integrity during operation while enabling easy replacement of worn or damaged flight units, combining stability with repairability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If motor and auger assembly are permanently connected, then power transmission efficiency is maximized, but maintenance accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The motor connection system is segmented into separable components that allow the motor to be detached from the auger assembly for maintenance. The connection interface is designed to provide efficient power transmission during operation while enabling easy separation when maintenance is required, balancing energy efficiency with accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An auger assembly has a shaft supporting flight units having lug and recess connections allowing broken flight units to be removed from the shaft and replaced with another flight unit. The auger assembly is incorporated in an ice drill having a cordless electric motor and a cutting head. A coupling locks the auger assembly on the motor drive shaft.