Taphole Drill Jib Arm Segmentation for Compact Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current taphole drills for blast furnaces occupy large areas of the foundry workshop floor, hindering access to the taphole due to their substantial support structures and limited mobility, which is a constraint in the space-efficient operation of blast furnaces.
Innovation Solution
A taphole drill design featuring a jib arm divided into two parts with a pivot point, a drill guide attached to one part, and a control arm with a dual pivot position that moves from a compact 'parked' position to a wider 'drilling' position, allowing for improved access and space efficiency by altering the radial distance between the primary pivot and the drill guide as it rotates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a traditional taphole drill with a single jib arm and control arm linkage is used, then the drill can be mounted and operated, but it occupies a large area of the foundry workshop floor and hampers access to the taphole
Solution Approach 1:
The jib arm is divided into a first part and a second part at a pivot point, allowing the drill guide to be positioned on the first part while the control arm connects to an intermediate position. This segmentation enables a more compact configuration that reduces floor space occupation while maintaining operational access to the taphole.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arm is connected to a dual position pivot point that moves from a first pivot position when the drill is parked to a second pivot position when drilling. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to occupy minimal space in the parked position while providing adequate access during drilling operations.
2Ease of operation
If a substantial support structure with slewing jib arm and control arm linkage is provided, then the drill can be mounted and moved to drilling position, but it occupies large floor area and hampers access
Solution Approach 1:
The dual position pivot point allows the control arm to change its radial distance from the primary pivot, effectively utilizing the vertical and radial dimensions rather than only horizontal floor space. This enables the drill to achieve mobility and positioning capability without occupying excessive floor area.
3Area of stationary object
If the drill is designed with a compact footprint, then space efficiency is improved, but the ability to access and center on the taphole may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The movable dual position pivot point enables the control arm to dynamically adjust its position, allowing the compact drill structure to achieve the necessary reach and positioning accuracy for taphole access when in the drilling position, while maintaining a compact footprint when parked.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the jib arm into two parts and positioning the drill guide on the first part, the system achieves a compact overall footprint while maintaining the necessary reach and positioning capability for effective taphole access through strategic placement of functional components.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
A taphole drill is provided with a mounting arrangement including a jib arm which may be slewed about a primary pivot. The jib arm is pivoted itself to provide a first and a second limb and a control arm is included which is attached to the second of the limbs and the primary pivot. The control arm sets the angle of the first and second limbs as the arrangement is slewed. A pivoting link is provided to link the control arm to the primary pivot. As rotation about the primary pivot occurs the link pivots to proved two pivoting positions for the control arm. This increases the angle between the first and second limbs and extends the arrangement until the drill is in a drilling position. Rotation in the opposite direction retracts the arm until the arrangement is in a parked position. This reduces the floor area taken up by the taphole drill.