Excavator-Mounted Rock Splitting Apparatus with Wedge Tether
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for splitting or cleaving rock, such as the use of explosives or hand-held drills and splitters, are inefficient and costly, especially in densely populated areas due to the need for cumbersome tools and large workforces, and can cause damage to nearby structures and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A combined rock splitting apparatus that integrates a drilling and splitting mechanism, allowing for efficient drilling and splitting of rock using a single apparatus mounted on an excavator, which includes a drill assembly and a splitter assembly with a wedge and tether that can be moved longitudinally to split the rock without requiring separate tools or extensive workforce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hand-held drills and splitters are used sequentially to split rock, then rock can be split effectively, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple heavy tools and personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drilling function and rock splitting function into a single integrated apparatus. The drill assembly drills a hole in the rock, and the splitter assembly (with wedge and tether) is then advanced into the same hole to split the rock, eliminating the need to remove and replace between tools. This merging of functions directly resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining effective rock splitting while eliminating the time loss associated with sequential tool operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single apparatus performs multiple functions: drilling (via the drill assembly with rotating shaft and drill bit) and rock splitting (via the splitter assembly with wedge and tether). This multi-functionality allows one apparatus to replace what previously required two separate hand-held tools and multiple personnel, thereby improving productivity without increasing time loss.
2Productivity
If explosives are used to remove rock, then rock removal is fast and efficient, but nearby structures and infrastructure can be damaged by vibrations and shockwaves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful explosive method into a beneficial mechanical method. Instead of using explosives that create damaging shockwaves and vibrations, the apparatus uses mechanical drilling followed by mechanical splitting with a wedge and tether. This converts the harmful explosive energy into controlled mechanical energy that achieves rock removal without damaging nearby structures, while still maintaining relatively high productivity.
3Reliability
If multiple heavy hand-held tools are used for rock splitting, then rock can be effectively split, but the tools are cumbersome and require a larger workforce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drilling tool and the splitting tool into a single integrated apparatus mounted on an excavator. The drill assembly and splitter assembly work together in sequence within the same hole without requiring removal or replacement of tools. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate heavy hand-held tools and the larger workforce that would be required to operate them, while maintaining reliable rock splitting effectiveness.
4Ease of manufacture
If sequential drilling and splitting operations are performed with separate tools, then rock can be split, but the process requires multiple discrete steps and tool transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drilling operation and splitting operation into a single continuous process using one integrated apparatus. The drill assembly drills the hole, then the splitter assembly is advanced into the same hole without removing the drill. This merging eliminates multiple discrete steps and tool transitions, simplifying the operation while maintaining the effectiveness of rock splitting.
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
This solution enables efficient and cost-effective rock splitting by reducing the need for multiple tools and personnel, minimizing disruption to surrounding structures, and allowing for faster and more precise rock removal without the use of explosives.
Implementation Method 1
the wedge is driven into the tether so as to cause the tether to bear against the side walls of the hole and split the rock
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for splitting rock, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a drill assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the drill assembly comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive element for selectively rotating the shaft and a drill bit mounted to the distal end of the shaft for drilling a hole into rock; a splitter assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the splitter assembly comprising a tether and a wedge, the tether and the wedge being configured to be moved independently relative to one another; wherein the wedge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wedge being wider than the distal end of the wedge; wherein the tether comprises a radially-reduced profile when the wedge is disposed proximal to the tether, and wherein the tether comprises a radially-expanded profile after the wedge is moved distally relative to the tether.