Rotatable Setting Frame for Excavating Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trench excavation equipment experiences unstable operation due to incomplete surface contact and unintended depth variations, leading to reduced excavation efficiency, additional costs, and equipment damage from vibrations and material accumulation.

Innovation Solution

The equipment features a rotatable setting frame coupled to the main supporting frame via a pivotally fixed arm, allowing for independent rotation and translation to maintain consistent surface contact and set the working depth, with guiding pins and slots enabling precise positioning and depth adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the setting frame is rigidly fixed to the main frame, then the structure is simple and stable, but the excavation depth cannot be adjusted and surface contact is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation depth adjustmentVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting frame is made rotatable relative to the main frame through a pivot connection, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This enables the frame to adapt to different excavation depths and surface conditions while maintaining structural simplicity, as the rotation mechanism is more straightforward than rigid adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure is divided into two independent parts: the main frame and the setting frame. This segmentation allows each frame to function independently - the main frame provides stable support while the setting frame can rotate to adjust excavation depth and maintain surface contact, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the setting frame is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but surface contact is incomplete leading to unstable operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable setting frame can dynamically adjust its position to maintain complete surface contact during operation. This dynamic adjustment ensures stable operation by keeping the setting frame properly positioned on the surface, eliminating vibrations and instability without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The setting frame automatically adjusts its position through rotation to maintain surface contact and proper alignment. This self-adjusting capability ensures complete surface contact and stable operation without requiring external control systems or complex mechanisms, as the frame serves itself by rotating into the correct position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the excavation depth is not properly controlled, then the equipment structure is simpler, but material accumulates under the setting frame causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment protectionVSAvoiddepth control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable setting frame dynamically adjusts to maintain the correct excavation depth by rotating into the appropriate position. This prevents material from accumulating under the frame by ensuring proper depth control, while the rotation mechanism remains simpler than active depth control systems with sensors and actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The setting frame's rotation provides passive feedback on excavation depth - when the frame rotates to maintain surface contact, it automatically indicates the correct depth is achieved. This feedback mechanism protects the equipment from damage by preventing material accumulation, without requiring complex electronic depth control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If the frame rotates during operation, then surface contact is maintained, but unintended depth variations occur reducing excavation precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation efficiencyVSAvoidexcavation depth precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the main frame and setting frame with a pivot connection, the system allows the setting frame to rotate independently for surface contact while the main frame maintains stable positioning. This segmentation enables surface contact without unintended depth variations, as each frame performs its designated function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot connection acts as an intermediary between the main frame and setting frame, allowing controlled rotation while maintaining relative position stability. This intermediary mechanism enables surface contact through rotation without transmitting unintended movements that would cause depth variations, thus preserving excavation precision while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3191647B1Excavating equipment for excavating surfaces, in particular solid surfaces, and operating machine equipped with said excavating equipment
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SIMEX ENGINEERING SRL
  • EP3191647B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3191647B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3191647B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Equipment (10) for excavating solid surfaces S such as for example made of asphalt or cement or similar solid material, in particular for obtaining or excavating trenches in said solid surfaces, said equipment (10) comprising working or excavating means (16) rotatably supported by a main frame (11), and a setting frame (30) which defines at least one contact portion (33) substantially flat and adapted to be put into contact with a corresponding portion of the surface S to be worked on, wherein the position of said setting frame (30) with respect to said main supporting frame (11) may be set so as to set the working depth K of said working means (16); wherein the said setting frame (30) is rotatably not constrained to said main supporting frame (11) in such a way that the setting frame, regardless of the particular working conditions, always perfectly lies on the surface to be worked on S.