Reconfigurable Wire Saw Cutting Lines for Tunnel Rock Excavation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tunnel excavation methods using wire saws are inefficient due to the need for multiple segmented areas and fixed entry arms, leading to increased time consumption and reduced work efficiency, especially when cutting sections need to be changed.

Innovation Solution

A wire saw excavation apparatus with multi-directional pulleys on entry arms that can be inserted into selectively drilled entry holes, allowing for simultaneous cutting of rock sections in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions, with the ability to adjust the number of pulleys and entry arms based on cutting environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wire saw excavation is performed using fixed entry arms for each segmented area, then cutting can be completed, but the number of entry holes and installation time increase geometrically with the number of segmented areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexcavation speedVSAvoidarm installation and removal time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The entry arm is designed as a universal component that can perform multiple functions: it can be inserted into different entry holes at various locations around the tunnel perimeter, and each entry arm can accommodate multiple pulleys to handle different cutting configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated entry arms for each segmented area, reducing installation time while maintaining excavation productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from fixed, dedicated entry arms to dynamic, reconfigurable entry arms that can be moved and repositioned as needed. The entry arms are not permanently fixed but can be inserted and removed from different entry holes according to the specific cutting requirements, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to varying excavation needs without geometric increase in installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed entry arms are used for wire saw excavation, then cutting operation can be performed, but the apparatus cannot adapt when cutting sections need to be changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to change cutting sectionsVSAvoidfixed entry arm structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The entry arm structure is made dynamic and reconfigurable rather than fixed. Each entry arm can have pulleys added or removed depending on the cutting configuration needed, and the entry arms themselves can be repositioned to different entry holes. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to changing cutting sections without requiring a complex fixed structure for each possible configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting system is segmented into independent, modular components: individual entry arms with detachable pulleys that can be configured independently based on cutting needs. This segmentation allows flexible reconfiguration of the cutting apparatus by adding or removing pulleys from specific entry arms, enabling adaptation to different cutting sections without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple entry holes are drilled for each segmented area, then complete cutting coverage is achieved, but work efficiency is reduced due to increased drilling and installation time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting line coverageVSAvoidwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A reduced number of entry holes are drilled, and each entry hole receives a universal entry arm that can handle multiple cutting lines through multiple pulleys. This universal entry arm design ensures complete cutting line coverage is achieved despite fewer entry holes, thereby improving work efficiency without sacrificing cutting precision or coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cutting functions are merged into a single entry arm by equipping it with multiple pulleys that can accommodate different wire saws for different cutting lines. This merging reduces the total number of entry holes needed while maintaining complete cutting coverage, thereby improving productivity without compromising manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enables efficient cutting of rock sections with minimal time consumption, improving work efficiency and adaptability to varying cutting sections and rock types, while reducing the number of entry holes and installation time.

Implementation Method 1

the wire saw excavation apparatus operates to cut one segment of the segmented area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS11472063B2Wire saw excavation apparatus capable of changing cutting line in accordance with cutting section and tunnel excavation method using same

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 CHOI ICK JUN

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wire saw excavation apparatus that is installed on a plurality of entry holes, where the plurality of entry holes are drilled according to a cutting section of a target surface of rock to be excavated so that the target surface is excavated by using wire saws. The wire saw excavation apparatus mounts N number of pulleys on one entry arm to cut the rock in N number of directions all at once.