Collecting Device for Soil Mixture Control in Foundation Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing civil engineering methods for creating foundation elements in the ground often result in uncontrolled soil mixture emergence at the surface, leading to disposal or laborious return to the hole, which is resource-intensive and costly, especially in contaminated soil scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A collecting device is positioned above the hole to control and collect the soil mixture, forming a receiving chamber that surrounds the hole, allowing for efficient collection and return of the mixture, reducing uncontrolled drainage and transport costs through a design that includes adjustable walls and linkage devices for stabilization and volume adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If soil material is removed by drilling to create foundation elements, then the foundation element can be formed in-situ, but uncontrolled soil mixture emerges at the surface requiring disposal or laborious return to the hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil mixtureVSAvoidreturn of soil mixture to hole
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A collecting device with a receiving chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the drilling system and the ground surface. This device collects the emerging soil mixture in a controlled manner and facilitates its return to the hole, eliminating the need for laborious manual operations while preventing uncontrolled disposal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed so that the soil mixture collected in the receiving chamber automatically flows back into the hole through gravity when the drilling device is retracted, reducing the need for additional energy input or complex mechanical systems for material return

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If soil mixture emerges at the surface during drilling, then the hole can be cleared, but the emerging mass must be disposed of or laboriously returned to the bottom hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidtime for disposal or return of soil mixture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting device with receiving chamber is positioned and ready before drilling begins, allowing the soil mixture to be collected and returned during the drilling process itself rather than requiring separate post-drilling operations for material disposal or return

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The collecting device serves as a mediator that streamlines the soil mixture management process, enabling continuous drilling operations without interruption for material disposal or return, thereby maintaining high productivity while eliminating time losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If the collecting device surrounds the hole, then the removal device can be guided through and soil mixture can be collected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil mixture collectionVSAvoidcollecting device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting device is segmented into a modular framework structure with multiple walls that can be assembled around the hole. This segmentation allows the device to be constructed from simple, standardized components rather than requiring a complex monolithic structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The walls of the collecting device are designed as slender, wall-like structures that provide the necessary containment function with minimal material and structural complexity, allowing the device to surround the hole effectively while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution enables a 10-40% reduction in soil mixture remaining on the surface, significantly reducing landfill costs and enhancing resource efficiency by allowing controlled collection and recycling of the soil mixture during the foundation element creation process.

Implementation Method 1

a removal device for creating a hole in the ground by removing soil material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the removal device being designed to mix the removed soil material with the additional mass in the hole to form a soil mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 3

a collecting device, which is arranged on an upper side of the hole... With a receiving chamber for the soil mixture being formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3081699B1Civil engineering device and method for creating a foundation element in the ground
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 BAUER SPEZIALTIEFBAU GMBH
  • EP3081699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3081699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3081699B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a civil engineering machine, a collection device for a civil engineering machine, and a method for creating a foundation element in the ground. The civil engineering machine comprises an excavation device for creating a hole in the ground by removing soil material, and the excavation device is vertically adjustable on a support structure of the civil engineering machine. The excavation device is designed to mix the removed soil material with an additive, which is fed into the hole by a feed device, to form a soil mixture within the hole. To collect soil material that emerges from the top of the hole, a collection device is provided, which is arranged at the top of the hole and at least partially surrounds it. A receiving chamber is formed by the collection device to receive the emerging soil material.