Soil Compaction Device Drive Unit Suspension and Flexible Coupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Soil compaction devices face challenges in achieving efficient compaction with low wear and long service life, particularly in transferring driving force from the motor to the vibration exciter while maintaining a compact design.

Innovation Solution

The drive unit is arranged on the superstructure and connected to the vibration exciter on the undercarriage via a holder that exerts tensile force, allowing for a suspension design that decouples the drive unit from the vibrating base plate, and uses flexible couplings to transmit torque and compensate for axis offsets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drive unit is arranged on the superstructure and connected to the vibration exciter on the undercarriage, then the drive unit is decoupled from vibrations and wear is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for brackets and flexible couplings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional modules: the drive unit on the superstructure, the vibration exciter on the undercarriage, and flexible coupling elements connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Flexible coupling elements and brackets act as intermediaries between the drive unit and vibration exciter. These intermediaries transmit torque while accommodating vibrations and misalignments, protecting the drive unit from direct vibration exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the drive unit is suspended from the superstructure, then space is optimized in the superstructure, but the mounting bracket is subjected to tensile stress and potential wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace optimizationVSAvoidbracket strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is designed to dynamically accommodate vibrations and movements through flexible coupling elements. The bracket structure allows for controlled movement while maintaining structural integrity under tensile stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system likely employs composite construction combining rigid bracket elements for structural support with flexible coupling elements for vibration accommodation, optimizing both strength and vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If flexible coupling elements are used to connect the drive shaft and exciter shaft, then misalignment is compensated and wear is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidshaft alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible coupling elements change their physical parameters (flexibility, torque transmission characteristics) to accommodate misalignments. The coupling design allows for adjustable parameters to match different operational conditions and misalignment degrees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This arrangement enables a compact and efficient soil compaction device with reduced wear, allowing for space optimization in the superstructure and improved service life by decoupling the drive unit from vibrations and enabling flexible connection of drive and exciter units.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration exciter by means of which at least the base plate of the chassis can be set into vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the first shaft and the second shaft are coupled to each other with a flexible and/or elastic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the drive unit and the superstructure are connected to each other via a bracket in such a way that a weight force of the drive unit in a rest state of the soil compaction device exerts a tensile force or a bending moment in conjunction with a tensile force on the bracket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP4269696A1Soil compaction device
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 AMMANN SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP4269696A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4269696A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4269696A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a soil compaction device (1) for compacting subsoil, comprising a chassis (2) with a base plate (3), a superstructure (4), and at least one vibration exciter (5), which includes at least one drive unit (6) and at least one excitation unit (7) by means of which the base plate (3) of the chassis (2) can be set into vibration. Furthermore, the application describes a flexible element (9) for connecting two shafts (13), (14) of a soil compaction device (1) that oscillate relative to each other. According to the invention, the at least one excitation unit (7) is arranged on the chassis (2) and the at least one drive unit (6) is arranged on the superstructure (4), the drive unit (6) and the superstructure (4) are connected to each other via a bracket (8), and the weight of the drive unit (6) exerts a tensile force on the bracket (8) when at rest.Furthermore, a soil compaction device (1) is described in which a first shaft (13) driven by at least one drive unit (6) is aligned with a second shaft (14) connected to an excitation unit (7), and the first shaft (13) and the second shaft (14) are coupled to each other with a flexible and/or elastic element (9), in particular a claw coupling (16), a double claw coupling (17), a tire coupling (18), a curved tooth coupling (19) or a Hardy disc (20), also referred to as a Giubo coupling.