Self-leveling Excavation Apparatus for Reduced Flexural Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Excavation apparatuses face reduced functional reliability due to excessive flexural stresses on drums and excavation wheels, leading to a short operational life cycle.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features a high-strength design with a self-leveling body and adjustable abutment runners that distribute excavation forces evenly, reducing wear and maintaining consistent excavation depth across varying angular positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional excavation drums or wheels are used, then excavation functionality is achieved, but functional reliability deteriorates due to enormous flexural stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidstrength of excavation tool
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the excavation tool rotatable about a rotation axis that is offset from the center of gravity of the tool. This dynamic configuration allows the tool to adapt its orientation during operation, distributing flexural stresses more evenly across the drum or wheel structure. The offset rotation axis enables the excavation elements to engage the ground at varying angles, reducing concentrated stress points and thereby improving functional reliability while maintaining excavation strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If excavation forces are concentrated on specific components, then excavation effectiveness is improved, but wear increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation effectivenessVSAvoidoperational life cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the excavation tool into multiple independent excavation elements arranged around the periphery of the drum or wheel. Each excavation element can independently engage with the ground, distributing the total excavation force across multiple contact points rather than concentrating it on a single component. This segmentation allows the tool to maintain high productivity through parallel engagement of multiple elements while reducing wear on individual components, thereby extending the operational life cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If abutment runners are fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but excavation depth consistency deteriorates with varying angular positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcavation depth consistencyVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the abutment runners adjustable rather than fixed, allowing their position to be modified according to the angular position of the excavation tool. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that the abutment runners maintain proper contact with the ground surface regardless of the tool's orientation, preserving excavation depth consistency. The adjustment mechanism, while adding some complexity, enables the system to adapt to varying operational conditions and maintain ease of operation through consistent performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3587671B1Excavation apparatus for an operating machine
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 SIMEX SRL
  • EP3587671B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3587671B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3587671B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Excavation apparatus (1) for operating machine comprising: an apparatus body (2) comprising a portion (4) for coupling to the operating machine and delimiting a first body compartment (6) wherein an excavation tool (8) of said apparatus (1) is partly housed, rotating around a rotation axis (R); a self-leveling body (10), comprising a pair of abutment runners (12, 14) with a working surface (Z) and rotatably mounted in an idle manner with respect to the apparatus body (2), so that the coupling portion (4) may assume different angular positions with respect to the abutment runners (12, 14). The apparatus body (2) is mechanically connected to the self-leveling body (10) so as to weigh in a balanced manner on the transverse walls (16, 18) and on the abutment runners (12, 14).