Portable Underwater Work Device with Segmented Waterproof Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater work devices face issues with high complexity, reliability concerns, and high manufacturing costs due to intricate sealing measures, especially in conductive or saline water environments, and lack robustness against corrosion and electrical short circuits.
Innovation Solution
A portable work device with a housing divided into waterproof and water-floodable sections, housing critical components like the electric motor and battery in a waterproof section, and hydraulic components in a water-floodable section, using a removable housing part for easy battery access and standard batteries, and a cable gland for sealing electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex sealing measures and intricate assembly steps are implemented to protect electronic components from water ingress, then water protection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a waterproof section (35) that houses electronic components and a water-floodable section (34) that houses hydraulic components. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be protected from water without requiring the entire device to be sealed, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining water protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components (electric motor, battery, electronic control unit) are extracted from the general housing space and placed specifically into the waterproof section (35). This extraction allows targeted protection of only the water-sensitive components, avoiding the need for complex sealing of the entire device.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard batteries are used without special sealing measures, then ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but water protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into waterproof and water-floodable sections, with the battery specifically placed in the waterproof section (35). This allows standard, unsealed batteries to be used while still protecting them from water through the housing segmentation, combining ease of manufacture with water protection.
3Reliability
If all components are housed in a waterproof section, then water protection capability is improved, but thermal management and accessibility of components deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into waterproof section (35) and water-floodable section (34). The water-floodable section allows water to circulate for thermal management of hydraulic components, while the waterproof section protects electronic components. This segmentation enables both water protection and effective thermal management.
4Reliability
If the housing is completely sealed to protect electronic components, then water protection capability is improved, but ease of repair and battery replacement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof section (35) is designed with a removable housing part that can be dynamically opened and closed. This allows the battery and electronic components to be accessed for replacement or repair while maintaining water protection during normal operation, combining both water protection and ease of repair.
5Reliability
If intricate sealing measures are implemented throughout the device, then water protection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and production stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into waterproof and water-floodable sections, with sealing measures implemented only where necessary (at the boundary between sections and around electrical connections). This targeted approach reduces manufacturing complexity and improves production stability compared to comprehensive sealing, while maintaining adequate water protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable gland is used as an intermediary element to provide sealing for electrical connections between the waterproof and water-floodable sections. This standardized intermediary component simplifies the sealing process and improves manufacturing stability compared to custom sealing solutions.
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
Ensures high functional reliability, economical manufacturing, and robustness against corrosion and short circuits, allowing for easy battery replacement and improved thermal management, while maintaining compactness and ergonomic design.
Implementation Method 1
a cable gland for sealing electrical connections
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic valve is provided for manually influencing the adjustment movements of a piston rod, which piston rod can be pressurized with hydraulic pressure by the hydraulic pump
Implementation Method 3
at least one electric motor and a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor are arranged in the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a portable work apparatus which is also suitable for use under water. Cutting, squeezing, spreading, lifting or pulling functions in relation to objects can be carried out with the work apparatus. The work apparatus comprises a housing (13), an electric motor (17) arranged in the housing (13), a hydraulic pump (18) which is driveable by the electric motor (17), a storage battery (16) for providing electrical energy for the electric motor (17), an electronic control device (32) for controlling and/or regulating the electric motor (17), and a hydraulic valve (28) for manually influencing adjustment movements of a piston rod, which piston rod is chargeable with hydraulic pressure by the hydraulic pump (18). The housing (13) of the work apparatus has a housing portion (34) which can be flooded with water and a waterproof housing portion (35) which is protected against water ingress. At least the electric motor (17), the storage battery (16) and the electronic control device (32) are accommodated in the waterproof housing portion (35) which is protected against water ingress. At least the hydraulic pump (18) and the hydraulic valve (28) are accommodated in the housing portion (34) which can be flooded with water.