Shovel Spade with Reversible Edging Profiles for Bulk Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shovels and spades have limited loading volume when shoveling bulk materials due to their design, requiring multiple movements and increasing acquisition, maintenance, and storage costs, while being unsuitable for efficient digging or shoveling due to flat edges and high friction resistance.
Innovation Solution
The shovel spade features reversible polygonal edging profiles that can be attached to the blade, increasing the loading volume and allowing for efficient shoveling without compromising digging capabilities, with the edging profiles being easily attachable and detachable to reduce friction resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shovel blade has a flat design to reduce friction resistance for digging, then the digging capability is improved, but the loading volume when shoveling bulk materials is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The edging profile is divided into multiple detachable segments that can be attached to or removed from the shovel blade. When shoveling, the segments are attached to increase loading volume; when digging, they are removed to maintain a flat blade design with reduced friction resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The edging profile transitions from a static flat blade design to a dynamic configuration that can be adjusted based on the task. The reversible attachment mechanism allows the blade to dynamically change its geometry - flat for digging and elevated-edged for shoveling - optimizing performance for each specific operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate spades and shovels are used to fulfill different functions, then the suitability for specific tasks is improved, but the acquisition, maintenance, and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shovel blade is designed with universal functionality to perform both digging and shoveling tasks. By attaching the edging profile segments, the same blade becomes suitable for shoveling bulk materials; by removing them, it becomes suitable for digging, eliminating the need for separate specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional capabilities of separate spades and shovels are merged into a single tool by combining a base shovel blade with detachable edging profile segments. This integration allows one tool to replace multiple specialized tools while maintaining task-specific performance.
3Volume of moving object
If the shovel blade has high sides to increase loading volume, then the loading capacity is improved, but the frictional resistance increases requiring great effort to drive the shovel into the soil
Solution Approach 1:
The edging profile is segmented into detachable parts that can be configured based on needs. For shoveling operations requiring high loading capacity, the segments are attached to create elevated edges; for digging operations, they are removed to minimize friction and allow easy blade insertion into the soil.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the shovel blade - specifically the edge height and blade profile - are changeable rather than fixed. The blade can be transformed between a low-friction flat profile for digging and a high-volume profile with elevated edges for shoveling, optimizing the balance between loading capacity and insertion force for each task.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a spade (1) with a spade blade (11) arranged on a handle (10) for picking up, loosening and/or transporting materials, which comprises upstand profiles (111', 111") on its at least two outer edges (110', 110") which can be reversibly arranged on the spade blade (11).