Trip Hazard Removal Machine with Hydraulic Saw and Guide Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing trip hazards from hard-surfaced pathways are either time-consuming, labor-intensive, or generate excessive concrete dust, and require significant setup and movement of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered machine mounted on a utility vehicle with a hydraulic concrete saw head and guide rails that allows for quick and efficient removal of trip hazards in a single pass, with a dust control system to minimize dust generation and facilitate easy movement between locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If grinding is used to remove trip hazards, then the offending offset can be removed, but the process is time-consuming, expensive, and creates substantial amounts of concrete dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical grinding process with a water jet cutting system that uses high-pressure water to remove concrete. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming nature of grinding while avoiding dust generation, as the water suppresses particles during cutting. The high-velocity water jet can rapidly remove trip hazards without the slow abrasion required by mechanical grinders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the cutting medium from solid abrasive particles (in grinding) to liquid water under high pressure. This parameter change allows for faster material removal rates while simultaneously controlling dust generation, as the liquid medium captures concrete particles rather than allowing them to become airborne dust.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rotating concrete saw and blade is used to cut away the offending offset, then concrete dust creation is reduced and cutting is less time-consuming, but moving and setting up the concrete cutting device at each trip hazard location is time-consuming and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy rotating concrete saw mechanism with a water jet cutting system mounted on a lightweight vehicle. This substitution dramatically reduces the complexity and weight of the cutting device, making it easy to transport and reposition between trip hazard locations without requiring complex setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The water jet cutting system is designed to be self-contained and mobile, carrying its own water supply and propulsion system on a vehicle that can autonomously navigate to different locations. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external support equipment and simplifies relocation between cutting sites.
3Ease of operation
If hand-held right-angle grinders are used to cut off the offending offset, then long set-up times are avoided and workers can quickly move between locations, but the process is significantly more labor-intensive and requires multiple passes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual hand-held grinders with an automated water jet cutting system mounted on a vehicle. This substitution eliminates the need for manual positioning and operation of cutting tools, automatically performing the cutting task with high precision in a single pass, thereby reducing labor intensity while maintaining mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The water jet cutting system operates continuously along the length of the trip hazard, maintaining a steady cutting action from start to finish. This continuous operation eliminates the need for multiple passes and repositioning required by hand-held tools, as the system can cut through the entire offending offset in one uninterrupted sequence.
4Reliability
If replacement of offending portions of hard-surfaced pathway is performed, then trip hazards are eliminated, but the process is too expensive and time-consuming when portions are otherwise structurally sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific offending portion of the pathway that creates the trip hazard, rather than replacing entire slabs or sections. The water jet cutting system precisely removes just the elevated or misplaced concrete portion, leaving the surrounding structurally sound material intact. This selective extraction approach eliminates trip hazards while minimizing material waste and replacement costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the cutting treatment locally only where trip hazards exist, rather than uniformly treating entire pathway sections. The water jet system can be precisely positioned to address specific problem areas, concentrating resources only where needed to eliminate offsets while preserving the quality and integrity of adjacent sound pathway surfaces.
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
The solution enables rapid, cost-effective, and labor-efficient removal of trip hazards with minimal setup and dust control, improving operational efficiency and safety by reducing the need for multiple passes and minimizing concrete dust creation.
Implementation Method 1
A self-powered machine mounted on a utility vehicle with a hydraulic concrete saw head
Implementation Method 2
with a dust control system to minimize dust generation
Data Source
AI summary
A trip hazard removing apparatus includes a saw head and blade connected to guide rail(s), which are connected to a support structure, which is connected to lift arm(s) of a vehicle. The vehicle moves the trip hazard removing apparatus between trip hazards occurring between upper and lower slabs of a sidewalk, placing it on the lower slab adjacent to and in contact with a trip hazard, and lifting it after removing the trip hazard. A trip hazard engaging mechanism automatically locates the saw blade's position and angle relative to and above the upper slab to create appropriate transition surface(s) between the upper and lower slabs as it cuts off the trip hazard. The guide rail(s) allow placing the saw blade facing the sidewalk's side surface. The saw head and blade are moved along the guide rail(s) across the upper slab and through the side surfaces to remove the trip hazard.