Wave-Dissipating Block Grapple for Radial Leg Grasping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave dissipating block grapple-machines struggle to stably grab and move wave dissipating blocks when leg portions are not directly upward or obstructed, requiring large and heavy machinery, and pose safety risks due to manual slinging operations.
Innovation Solution
A wave dissipating block grapple-machine with a first and second holding mechanism that radially grasp two leg portions of a wave dissipating block, supported by a base member on a work machine, allowing for reliable and safe handling without manual slinging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional grapple-machine grabs the barycentric portion of a wave dissipating block, then the wave dissipating block can be stably grabbed and moved, but the grapple-machine is unable to grab the block when leg portions are not directly upward or when obstacles are around the barycentric portion
Solution Approach 1:
The grapple-machine is divided into multiple independent holding members (first holding members and second holding members) that can independently grasp different leg portions. This segmentation allows each holding member to independently target specific legs, enabling the system to adapt to various block orientations and configurations rather than requiring a single centralized grabbing point.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point grabbing approach to a multi-point radial grabbing approach. By distributing holding members in different directions around the block's center, the system adds dimensional versatility, allowing it to effectively grasp blocks regardless of their orientation in space, thus solving the limitation of conventional single-point grabbing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the grapple-machine is designed to embrace an entire leg portion, then it can grab wave dissipating blocks with leg portions in various positions, but the grapple-machine becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large holding structure that must accommodate entire leg portions, the invention segments the grasping function into multiple smaller holding members. Each holding member is compact and designed to grasp only the necessary portion of a leg, significantly reducing the overall size and weight of the grapple-machine while maintaining the ability to handle blocks in various orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding members are designed to grasp only the essential portions of the leg portions rather than embracing the entire leg. This partial action approach provides sufficient gripping force for stable transport without requiring the excessive size and weight of a full-leg-embracing design, achieving the right balance between adaptability and compactness.
Data Source
Figure 1~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
Figure 4~5(D)
AI summary
A wave dissipating block grapple-machine (110) is supported by a work machine (100) and can grab a wave dissipating block (CB) having leg portions (LP). The wave dissipating block grapple-machine (110) includes: a first holding mechanism (116) and a second holding mechanism (140) configured to radially hold respective two (LP) of the four leg portions (LP); and a base member (114) that is rotatably supported by the work machine (100), the base member (114) being configured to support the first holding mechanism (116) and the second holding mechanism (140). The first holding mechanism (116) includes a pair of first holding members (118) that are rotatably supported by the base member (114) and can grab one (LP) of the two leg portions (LP) by bringing their end portions close to each other, and a first driving device (122) configured to drive the pair of first holding members (118) to rotate. According to this, a small-sized lightweight wave dissipating block grapple-machine and a wave dissipating block moving method capable of grabbing and moving a wave dissipating block safely and more reliably can be provided.