Pile Driver Magazine Feed and Guidance Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for driving driven piles into the ground require extensive manual labor and trained personnel, as they demand precise guidance and placement, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to the need for direct personnel involvement in the pile-driving process.

Innovation Solution

A ramming device equipped with a magazine device for storing and automatically feeding additional piles, a pivotable and rotatable coupling system for quick-action attachment to excavators, and a gripping device with a sleeve-like bearing mechanism for precise pile guidance and contact rollers to maintain directional control, along with a logging unit for penetration speed and position recording, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual guidance and placement methods are used for driven piles, then precise pile placement can be achieved, but extensive personnel and trained operators are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepile placement precisionVSAvoidpersonnel requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-aligning mechanisms where the pile automatically centers itself on the driving head through guide rails and alignment features, eliminating the need for manual positioning by trained operators. The feeding device automatically orients and places piles, making the system self-servicing rather than requiring human skill intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical guidance by operators is replaced with automated mechanical guidance systems including guide rails, alignment mechanisms, and automated feeding devices that mechanically ensure precise pile placement without requiring human operators to perform manual positioning tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If extensive personnel are used for attaching and positioning piles, then proper placement can be ensured, but the driving speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepile placement accuracyVSAvoidpile driving speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Piles are pre-positioned in a magazine device in ready positions before the driving operation begins. The automated feeding device has already oriented and positioned the next pile while previous piles are being driven, eliminating waiting time and enabling continuous high-speed operation without sacrificing placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous pile driving operation by having multiple piles ready in the magazine device and an automated feeding mechanism that continuously supplies piles to the driving head without interruption. This eliminates the stop-start nature of manual pile handling and maintains continuous productive action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If manual handling of piles is performed, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but operational safety is compromised due to personnel working near heavy equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs all pile handling, positioning, and feeding operations automatically without human intervention in the hazardous zone. The automated feeding device and magazine system serve themselves, eliminating the need for personnel to work near heavy equipment while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

An automated feeding device acts as an intermediary between the magazine storage system and the driving head, handling all interactions with piles in the hazardous zone. This intermediary mechanism transfers piles automatically, eliminating direct human contact with heavy equipment while maintaining operational control and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If a magazine device with multiple piles is implemented, then driving speed increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepile driving speedVSAvoidmagazine and feed device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magazine device is segmented into multiple independent storage positions, each capable of holding a pile ready for immediate feeding. This segmentation allows parallel preparation of multiple piles while simplifying the feeding mechanism, as each position can be independently accessed and fed without complex coordination between positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3269882B1Pile driver device
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 HUG TORSTEN
  • EP3269882B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3269882B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3269882B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a driving device for driving a pile, preferably comprising ductile cast iron, in particular made of ductile cast iron, into a ground, wherein the driving device comprises a hammer device configured to subject the pile to impact forces in a driving direction during a driving operation, a holding device configured to hold the pile in a driving position during the driving operation, and a guide device configured to guide the hammer device and the holding device during the driving operation, characterized in that the driving device comprises a magazine device in which at least one further pile can be received in a provision position, wherein the driving device comprises a feed device configured toto move the next pile from the staging position in the magazine facility to the driving position.