Rotating Claw Mine-Clearing Device for Secure Explosive Seizure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mine clearance devices, such as the 'Buffalo' demining vehicle, are limited in their ability to safely and efficiently handle explosive devices, as they can only perform basic actions like bleeding and lifting, and struggle with cutting control wires, leading to increased risk and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A demining device with a fork and bleeding claw that can adopt an open position for scraping and lifting, and a closed position for gripping, allowing for simultaneous scraping, removal, and cable cutting, along with a blow gun for air expulsion, enhancing operator safety and operation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mine clearance device uses a fixed fork and bleeding claw configuration, then the device structure is simple, but the device can only perform basic actions (creeping and lifting) and cannot securely grip explosive devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the bleeding claw movable relative to the fork through a rotation mechanism. The bleeding claw can rotate between a retracted position (for scraping/creeping) and a gripping position (for securing explosive devices). This dynamic configuration allows the device to perform multiple functions with a single movable component, increasing functional versatility without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If the device moves explosive devices directly after lifting, then the operation speed is fast, but the objects can fall from the fork which reduces effectiveness and increases explosion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by enabling the bleeding claw to grip the explosive device immediately after the fork lifts it, before the device is moved to a safe location. The rotation mechanism allows the bleeding claw to quickly transition from the retracted position to the gripping position, securing the explosive device in place. This preliminary gripping action prevents the explosive device from falling during handling, ensuring safety without significantly delaying the operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the device uses a scarifier to cut control cables, then the device can cut cables, but the cutting precision is poor due to strong pressure on the cable on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a dedicated cable cutting device as an intermediate component between the fork and the explosive device. This cable cutting device includes a cutting blade positioned to precisely cut control cables before the explosive device is fully lifted or moved. The intermediary cutting mechanism provides controlled, precise cutting action without the excessive pressure and imprecision associated with using a scarifier on the ground, while maintaining the overall cable cutting capability of the system.
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 device enables safer and faster mine clearance by allowing for the secure seizure and removal of explosive devices in a single movement, optimizing operator safety and operation speed.
Implementation Method 1
the demining device comprises a blow gun expelling air at a free end of the bleeding claw; the bleeding claw comprises an internal conduit leading the air expelled by the blow gun to the free end of the bleeding claw
Data Source
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AI summary
A mine-clearing device (220) comprising a fork (222) and at least one claw (223a) for making cuts, the fork comprising claws for lifting objects, the lifting claws being spread apart, the mine-clearing device being able to adopt an open position in which the fork and the cutting claw are spread apart, the fork and the cutting claw being rotationally mobile relative to each other between the open position and a closed position of the mine-clearing device in which the cutting claw crosses a plane (222f) defined by the set of lifting claws of the fork, a position for grasping an explosive device between the fork and the cutting claw being able to be adopted by the mine-clearing device between the open position and the closed position.