Vacuum Hose Handling Arm for Safer Remote Material Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual handling of vacuum hoses in industrial vacuums requires significant physical strength and poses safety and regulatory concerns due to the need for operators to be close to the collection area, leading to inefficient material collection and increased time and energy expenditure.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum hose handling system comprising a base, a support arm, and a collection tube that can move relative to a collection vessel, allowing for the attachment of a vacuum hose to eliminate manual handling and enable safe, efficient collection of materials without the operator needing to be close to the collection area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling of vacuum hoses is used, then the operator can directly control the collection process, but the physical strength and energy required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of hose handlingVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical arm system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the vacuum hose, allowing remote manipulation of the collection tube. The mechanical arm includes a base, support arm, and collection tube that can be positioned and moved without direct manual handling of the heavy vacuum hose, thereby reducing physical energy expenditure while maintaining control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct manual mechanical handling with an automated mechanical arm system that can be controlled remotely or automatically. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically exert force to position and move the vacuum hose and collection tube

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual handling of vacuum hoses is used, then the operator can maintain position and angle, but the time and energy to complete collection increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoidcollection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical arm system provides dynamic positioning capability with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the collection tube to be quickly and precisely positioned at various angles and locations. The system can rapidly adjust to optimal collection positions without the time-consuming manual repositioning required by operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical arm system can be equipped with sensors and control systems that enable automatic positioning and optimization of collection parameters, allowing the system to self-adjust to maintain optimal collection efficiency without continuous manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual handling of vacuum hoses is used, then the operator can control suction proximity, but safety risks and regulatory concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction controlVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the operator from the hazardous collection area by using a mechanical arm to perform the actual suction operation. The operator controls the system from a safe remote location, eliminating exposure to harmful factors such as hazardous materials, confined spaces, or dangerous environmental conditions while maintaining precise suction control through the mechanical interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical arm system serves as a safety intermediary, physically separating the operator from hazardous collection zones. The arm transmits control forces and movements from the operator to the collection tube without requiring the operator to be physically present in dangerous environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system reduces the need for manual handling of vacuum hoses, enhancing safety and efficiency by allowing operators to collect materials more effectively and safely, reducing the time and energy required for the collection process while minimizing exposure to hazardous areas.

Implementation Method 1

Vacuum trucks and other industrial vacuums are designed to pneumatically collect solids, liquids, sludge or slurry through vacuum hoses and into a tank or canister

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20130269150A1Vacuum hose handling systems and apparatuses

Publication Date: 2013.10.17 HARTLEY DWIGHT

AI summary

Vacuum hose handling apparatuses and systems are disclosed herein. One exemplary implementation of the present disclosure includes a vacuum handling apparatus comprising a base, a support arm operatively coupled to the base, a connection hose configured to connect to an open end of an industrial vacuum hose, and a collection tube attached to the support arm and in fluid communication with the connection hose. In addition, the vacuum hose handling apparatus may be configured to allow movement of the collection tube relative to a corresponding collection vessel. Additional vacuum hose handling apparatuses and systems are also disclosed herein.