Rotating Rod Guiding Device for Drill Anchor Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for inserting drill anchors into the ground require human guidance, exposing workers to high risks of injury due to unpredictable rod deflection and equipment instability, especially in hard and stony ground conditions.

Innovation Solution

A device with two carrier elements and holding elements, aligned in a common plane with the axis of rotation, that securely attaches to a drive motor, allowing the drill anchor to be inserted without human guidance, preventing lateral break-out and ensuring alignment with the drive shaft, thus minimizing the risk of accidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If human workers guide the drill anchor during insertion, then the rod can be manually positioned, but the workers are exposed to high injury risks from unpredictable rod deflection and equipment instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual positioning capabilityVSAvoidinjury risk to workers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-guidance of the drill anchor through the self-aligning mechanism. The holding elements with longitudinal supports automatically center and guide the rod during insertion without requiring human operators in the danger zone. The system serves itself by using the mechanical interaction between the holding elements and the rod to achieve proper alignment and stable insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the drill anchor is driven into hard and stony ground with high pressure, then insertion depth is achieved, but the rod may deflect unpredictably and cause safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion depth achievementVSAvoidrod stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides preemptive stabilization through its holding elements that engage the rod before insertion begins. The longitudinal supports and joints create a cushioning effect that absorbs and distributes the high insertion forces, preventing sudden deflections and stabilizing the rod throughout the insertion process into hard and stony ground.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements incorporate joints that allow dynamic adjustment during insertion. The longitudinal supports can adapt their position and orientation in response to varying ground resistance, maintaining optimal engagement with the rod and providing continuous stabilization as insertion depth increases and forces vary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If the loading arm drops suddenly during operation, then the drill anchor insertion force is maintained, but the equipment and workers are exposed to damage and injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion forceVSAvoidequipment durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The holding elements and joints provide a cushioning mechanism that absorbs sudden force changes. If the loading arm drops suddenly, the mechanical system gradually dissipates the impact energy through the joint movements and structural flexibility, preventing catastrophic failure of equipment and protecting workers from injury while maintaining insertion force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If a device with multiple carrier elements and holding elements is added to stabilize the rod, then safety and alignment are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod stabilizationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing device is divided into separate modular components: carrier elements mounted on the drive motor housing and holding elements with longitudinal supports. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying assembly, maintenance, and adjustment. The modular structure reduces overall complexity by making the system more manageable and easier to understand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they center the rod, guide its insertion, stabilize it against lateral forces, and maintain proper alignment with the drive shaft. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while achieving comprehensive rod stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3358123B1Device for holding and guiding a rotating rod
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 LTB LEITUNGSBAU
  • EP3358123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3358123B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3358123B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for holding and guiding a rotating rod (2), which is detachably attached to a drive shaft (4) of a drive motor via a fastening means (3). The axes of rotation of the drive shaft (4) and the rod (2) are arranged coincidentally. The device (1) has at least one support element (6a, 6b) and at least one retaining element (7a, 7b). The at least one support element (6a, 6b) is mounted at a first end on a housing (5) of the drive motor and has a joint at a second end distal to the first end. The at least one retaining element (7a, 7b) has a longitudinal member (10a, 10b) which is movably connected at a first end to the support element (6a, 6b) via the joint.The retaining element (7a, 7b) has a profile (11) at a second end distal to the first end, which in the closed state of the device (1) surrounds the rotating rod (2) in such a way that the rod (2) is only movable about the axis of rotation and the arrangement of the axes of rotation of the rod (2) and the drive shaft (4) is fixed relative to each other.