Shovel with Base for Multi-Directional Digging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shovels require frequent position changes for different operations like digging, chopping, and moving dirt, which is inefficient and energy-consuming, especially when digging trenches of varying widths and depths.
Innovation Solution
A shovel design featuring a blade with opposite open ends and lateral edges, a base positioned between these ends, and a handle, allowing for ground engagement and operation in multiple directions without changing position, including forward, backward, and lateral movements, with optional serrated or blunt edges for different terrains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional shovel design is used, then simple structure is maintained, but frequent position changes are required for different operations increasing energy consumption and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel blade is designed with multiple functional ends - the first end for forward digging and the second end for backward digging and chopping operations. This multi-functionality allows a single shovel to perform multiple operations without requiring position changes or additional tools, directly resolving the contradiction between operational versatility and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is segmented into distinct functional zones with the first end configured for forward operations and the second end configured for backward operations. This segmentation allows each end to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining an overall simple blade structure, enabling versatile operation without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If frequent position changes are made for different operations, then operational flexibility is achieved, but energy expenditure and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple operational capabilities into a single shovel design with distinct ends for different operations, the user can perform forward digging, backward digging, and chopping without changing position. This eliminates the energy expenditure and time loss associated with frequent repositioning while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Force
If base is positioned close to front open end, then leverage for forward digging is improved, but ability to perform backward operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into two distinct ends with the first end optimized for forward digging and the second end optimized for backward operations. This segmentation allows the base to be positioned to provide optimal leverage for forward operations while the second end remains capable of performing backward digging and chopping, resolving the contradiction between force and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the blade are given different local qualities - the first end has characteristics optimized for forward digging leverage while the second end has characteristics optimized for backward operations. This local differentiation allows the base positioning to favor forward operations without compromising backward operation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A shovel includes a continuously curved blade comprising a curved central portion that extends from a first cutting edge to a second cutting edge and a first curved wing and a second curved wing disposed along a curved central portion. The shovel also includes a base operably coupled to the continuously curved blade and comprising a first side wall coupled to a concave surface of the first curved wing, a second side wall spaced from the first side wall and coupled to a concave surface of the second curved wing, and a third side wall coupled to the curved central portion, wherein the third side wall extends from the first side wall and the second side wall toward the first cutting edge.