Powered Hammer Rod Attachment with Angled Side-Load Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for driving long metal ground rods into the ground using powered hammers are inefficient and require multiple attachments, leading to increased time and effort.
Innovation Solution
An attachment for powered hammers featuring a body with an impact portion and a driving portion, including a side load driving axis angled relative to the impact axis, a one-way collet, and a retention device to secure the drive shank, allowing efficient driving of rods without the need for multiple attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional methods are used to drive ground rods, then multiple attachments are required, but this increases time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the impact portion and driving portion into a single integrated attachment, eliminating the need for multiple separate attachments. The impact portion receives blows from the powered hammer while the driving portion engages the rod, merging two functional components into one unified device that performs both impact transmission and rod engagement simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment is designed with universal functionality to handle both the impact transmission and rod engagement functions through a single device. The body structure serves multiple purposes: providing structural support, transmitting impact forces, engaging the rod, and accommodating the drive shank, thereby eliminating the need for multiple specialized attachments.
2Reliability
If the drive shank is securely locked in the bore, then reliability is improved, but axial movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It provides secure locking during normal operation to prevent shank displacement, but allows controlled axial movement when needed for shank replacement or adjustment. The mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states based on operational requirements, balancing security with operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the drive shank and the bore. It provides a controlled interface that allows the shank to be securely held during operation while enabling easy removal and replacement when required, mediating between the conflicting requirements of security and operational flexibility.
3Productivity
If the driving force is transmitted directly to the rod, then productivity is improved, but marring and fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The driving portion is designed with specific local characteristics to distribute the driving force. The geometry and material properties of the driving portion are optimized to concentrate forces at appropriate locations on the rod while distributing loads to prevent localized damage, marring, or fatigue at critical stress points.
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
The attachment significantly reduces driving time by over half compared to traditional methods, enhances rod engagement, and minimizes marring and fatigue, while allowing for quick shank replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The one-way collet is configured to transmit a driving force generated by impacts from the powered hammer to the rod
Implementation Method 2
The driving portion further includes a biasing member disposed between the collet and the end cap
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment configured for use with a powered hammer to drive a rod into the ground includes a body and an impact portion defining an impact axis. The impact portion includes a bore configured to receive a drive shank that is coupled to the powered hammer. The impact portion is configured to receive repeated impacts from the powered hammer. The attachment also includes a driving portion in which the rod is receivable. The driving portion includes a side load driving portion defining a side load driving axis. The side load driving axis is non-parallel to the impact axis.