Side Grip Vibratory Pile Driver With Elastomer Jaw Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side grip vibratory pile drivers experience premature mechanical failure of bearings due to large clamping and vibrating forces, lacking durability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A side grip pile driver design featuring jaw members with elastomer members allowing relative movement between gripping heads and jaw arms, transferring clamping forces while enabling parallel vibration for improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a sliding or linear bearing is used to attach the vibration device to the arm, then clamping forces can be transferred to the vibration device, but the bearings are prone to premature mechanical failure due to large clamping and vibrating forces
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer member acts as an intermediary element between the jaw arm and gripping head. It transfers clamping forces from the jaw arm to the gripping head while allowing relative movement, thereby protecting the rigid structural components from direct exposure to large vibratory and clamping forces that would cause premature failure
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer member changes the mechanical parameters of the connection between the jaw arm and gripping head. It provides flexibility and vibration isolation, transforming the rigid force transmission path into a compliant connection that can accommodate dynamic loads without causing premature failure
2Productivity
If the vibration device is clamped directly onto the side of the pile, then driving forces align with the pile for greater performance, but the bearings experience premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer member serves as a mediator that allows the gripping head to vibrate parallel to the pile axis while still transmitting clamping forces. This enables effective pile driving performance without the bearings directly experiencing the full brunt of vibratory forces
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer member introduces dynamic flexibility to the system, allowing relative movement between the jaw arm and gripping head. This dynamic capability enables the gripping head to vibrate in alignment with the pile while the elastomer absorbs and isolates the vibratory forces from the rigid bearing structure
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
Enhances durability by allowing relative movement and effective vibration transfer, reducing shear stiffness and increasing compressive load capacity, thus improving the longevity and efficiency of the pile driving process.
Implementation Method 1
the jaw arm being attached to the gripping head via an elastomer member; wherein the elastomer member is arranged to allow relative movement between the gripping head and the jaw arm in a direction that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the object, whilst transferring the clamping force from the jaw arm to the gripping head
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the gripping heads of the jaw members comprises a vibrator device for vibrating the gripping head such that the gripping head is couplable to the object in vibratory engagement to allow mutual vibration between the gripping head and the object in a direction that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A side grip pile driver for driving elongated objects into a ground surface comprising: a body for attaching the pile driver to a working machine; a first and second jaw members each jaw member having a clamping interface for clamping onto the side of an object to be driven; and a driving means arranged to move at least one of the jaw members, wherein each jaw member has a jaw arms and a gripping head, wherein the jaw arm is attached to the body and the gripping head, the gripping head providing the clamping interface, the jaw arm being attached to the gripping head via an elastomer member; wherein at least one of the gripping heads of the jaw members comprises a vibrator device for vibrating the gripping head such that the gripping head is couplable to the object in vibratory engagement.