Rotating Rod Magazine for Boring Machine Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual handling of boring rods is labor-intensive, accident-prone, and inefficient, with existing machines requiring separate storage and complex handling processes, leading to slow operations and increased space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A rotating rod carousel system with a cylindrical magazine mounted on a three-dimensionally turning feed beam, featuring locking members and an automated arm for safe and efficient storage and handling of rods, allowing for automatic transfer and rotation to optimize rod placement and reduce manual labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling of boring rods is used, then labor intensity is high and accident risk increases, but existing machine solutions require separate storage and complex handling processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod handling safetyVSAvoidstorage and handling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the rod storage function and rod handling function into a single integrated magazine system. The magazine serves both as storage for multiple rods and as the mechanism for automated rod delivery to the boring line, eliminating the need for separate storage areas and transfer equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magazine is designed to perform multiple functions: storing multiple rods simultaneously, rotating to present rods at the emptying place, and enabling automated arm retrieval. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while improving safety by eliminating manual handling.

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

2Area of stationary object

If separate rod storage is used, then storage space requirements increase, but integrated magazine optimizes space utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidoperational speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The magazine utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by arranging rods vertically in multiple slots within a compact cylindrical structure. This vertical stacking approach maximizes storage capacity within a minimal footprint, optimizing space utilization without compromising accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The magazine incorporates rotational capability that allows dynamic access to different rod slots. The magazine can rotate to bring any stored rod to the emptying place, enabling quick retrieval without requiring linear movement or complex positioning mechanisms, thus maintaining high operational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If automated rod transfer is implemented, then operational speed increases, but rod security during three-dimensional movement must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational speedVSAvoidrod retention security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking members are positioned at the rod slots to prevent accidental falling before the rod needs to be retrieved. This preliminary securing action ensures rods remain stable during the magazine's three-dimensional movements and rotation, addressing reliability concerns before they arise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking members act as intermediary elements between the rod and the magazine structure. These members provide a mechanical interface that secures the rod during movement while allowing controlled release when needed, balancing security with operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3191679B1Rod magazine system and method
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 ARCTIC DRILLING COMPANY OY
  • EP3191679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3191679B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3191679B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A rod magazine system is presented, which comprises a substantially cylindrical rod magazine (110) for storing a plurality of rods (104) on different circumferences in the direction of the longitudinal axis (116) of the rod magazine (110), wherein: the rod magazine (110) is arranged to rotate around its longitudinal axis (116), and the rod magazine (110) is arranged to be attached to a three-dimensionally turning feed beam (102) of a boring machine; on its sides, the rod magazine (110) comprises a plurality of rod slots (112) extending towards the longitudinal axis (116) of the rod magazine (110), each of which is arranged to receive a plurality of rods (104) in such a manner that the rods (104) are stored parallel to the longitudinal axis (116) of the rod magazine (110) on a plurality of circumferences with different radii as seen from the longitudinal axis (116); wherein the inner length of the rod magazine (110) substantially corresponds to the length of one rod (104) being stored, whereby the stored rods (104) cannot essentially move in the longitudinal direction; and wherein the rod magazine system (110) comprises a locking member (114) which allows the rods to push into the rod slot (112) but prevents the unintentional falling of the stored rods (104) out of the rod slot (112).