Grain storage leveling machine and grain storage method

Abstract

The application discloses a grain leveling machine and a grain storage method, wherein a leveling hopper is arranged at the discharging end of a conveyor, the leveling hopper is surrounded by a surrounding plate to form a material cavity, the bottom side of the material cavity is a leveling surface, and the discharging end of the conveyor extends into the material cavity; during operation, the leveling hopper is always in a horizontal state, the leveling hopper moves together with the conveyor to distribute the material, and the grain is scraped by the surrounding plate of the leveling hopper after falling from the conveyor to level the top surface of the grain pile. The leveling hopper is integrated on the discharging port of the conveyor, the space utilization rate is higher, the leveling coverage is wider, the leveling effect is better, the storage efficiency is greatly improved, the grain distribution error is small due to the accurate grain storage, and the high-precision grain storage requirement of a high-standard grain storage can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of grain loading and unloading equipment technology, and in particular to a grain loading leveling machine and a grain loading method. Background Technology

[0002] Grain conveying equipment is mainly used for bulk grain loading operations in flat warehouses and is suitable for loading operations in large and medium-sized grain warehouses.

[0003] Conventional grain storage equipment typically uses a throwing device to deliver grain into the grain silo, which can lead to excessive grain accumulation in a certain area. In existing technologies, to address the problem of grain accumulation, leveling equipment is typically used to level the grain upon entering the warehouse. However, this approach has several drawbacks. First, leveling equipment is complex and expensive, requiring additional space within the grain warehouse for installation and movement, thus reducing the utilization rate of the grain storage space. Second, existing leveling equipment is usually movable within or on top of the grain warehouse via a sliding mechanism, leveling by scraping and leveling. This sliding mechanism is complex, requiring a large overhead crane, and its effectiveness is not ideal. Furthermore, some mobile leveling equipment cannot reach all areas, such as corners, resulting in localized grain accumulation and inadequate leveling. Finally, leveling typically occurs after the grain has been fed by the throwing device, requiring multiple switching processes—laying, leveling, laying, leveling—to complete the entire grain storage process, which is cumbersome and inefficient. Existing equipment fails to meet the high-precision requirements for minimal grain storage volume errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the aforementioned shortcomings of existing grain warehousing equipment, the applicant provides a grain leveling machine and grain warehousing method with a reasonable structure. The leveling hopper is integrated into the discharge port of the conveyor, which has a simple structure, does not occupy grain warehousing space, improves the space utilization rate of grain warehousing for grain storage, has a wider coverage area, and has a better leveling effect. Moreover, the grain is leveled as soon as it is thrown out, without the need for multiple feeding and leveling switching, thus improving the warehousing efficiency.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: A grain leveling machine for grain storage has a grain leveling hopper installed at the discharge end of the conveyor. The grain leveling hopper is surrounded by a partition to form a material cavity, and the bottom side of the material cavity is a flat material surface. The discharge end of the conveyor extends into the material cavity. During operation, the grain leveling hopper is always in a horizontal state. The grain leveling hopper moves with the conveyor to distribute the grain. After the grain falls from the conveyor, the top surface of the grain pile is leveled by the movement of the partition of the grain leveling hopper.

[0006] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: The leveling hopper is rotatably connected to the conveyor. The leveling hopper is equipped with a rotating mechanism that can drive the leveling hopper to rotate and adjust its angle, so that it always remains horizontal during operation. The leveling hopper can also be equipped with a limiting structure to limit the leveling hopper and keep it in a specified position.

[0007] The parabolic trajectory of the conveyor's entry parabola is within the material cavity space of the grain hopper. The highest point of the entry parabola is located in the middle of the material cavity, and the height of the highest point is less than the height of the hopper's surrounding plate. The hopper's surrounding plate is located outside the falling section of the entry parabola's trajectory or at the end of the falling section's trajectory point.

[0008] The flat surface of the grain hopper is equipped with scrapers, which are V-shaped plates with the opening facing downwards. The bottom edges of the side plates are flush with the bottom edges of the surrounding plates. The bottom of the surrounding plates of the grain hopper is turned outwards and has flanges.

[0009] The grain hopper is equipped with several sensors on its side panels, including one or more of the following: level sensor, measurement sensor, and vision sensor. These sensors can monitor the condition of the grain pile and adjust the grain hopper in a timely manner based on the measured data. The side panels also have mounting holes for installing anti-clogging switches.

[0010] The flat grain hopper has surrounding panels on three adjacent vertical surfaces. The surrounding panels include a front panel and side panels on both sides. The three panels enclose the material cavity. The open surface facing the front panel is the feeding surface, and the open surface on the bottom side is the flat surface. Alternatively, the flat grain hopper can be cylindrical.

[0011] The front panel and the side panels on both sides are connected by rounded corners; between the two side panels, a support plate is connected on the side near the feed surface, and several support rods are spaced apart on the side near the top open surface; several reinforcing ribs are arranged crisscrossingly on the outer wall surface of the front panel and the side panels.

[0012] The conveyor frame is equipped with a conveyor belt that transports grain from the feed end to the discharge end; the frame is equipped with casters and swivel casters; the conveyor is equipped with a lifting device that can adjust the conveying angle θ of the conveyor belt; the conveyor adjusts the working position of the grain hopper through its directional movement.

[0013] A method for grain storage using the aforementioned grain leveling machine involves the grain leveling machine distributing grain from bottom to top in a self-leveling manner. During each layer of grain distribution, a conveyor moves the leveling hopper back and forth and left and right. After the grain is thrown out by the conveyor, it is leveled by the moving leveling hopper. After the conveyor completes the distribution of one layer of grain, the surface of the grain in that layer is also leveled into a flat plane by the moving leveling hopper. The discharge height of the conveyor is gradually increased until the set height of the grain storage operation is completed.

[0014] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: The granary is divided into several grain distribution zones. After the grain is distributed in one distribution zone, it is distributed layer by layer from bottom to top, starting from the level grain surface. Then the distribution continues in the next distribution zone.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention integrates a leveling hopper into the discharge port of a conveyor. Firstly, the leveling hopper has a simple structure and is directly installed on the conveyor, eliminating the need for additional space in the grain silo. This allows for more space to be used for grain storage, resulting in higher space utilization. Secondly, the leveling hopper is moved by the conveyor, reaching all areas of the grain silo, even the corners, providing wider coverage and better leveling effect. Thirdly, the integration of the leveling hopper into the conveyor discharge port enables layer-by-layer grain distribution from the leveling surface upwards, completing the leveling process simultaneously with each layer. This eliminates the need for a separate distribution-leveling procedure, simplifying the distribution process and significantly improving silo loading efficiency. Because it ensures precise leveling, the distribution error is small, meeting the high-precision grain storage requirements of high-standard grain silos. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the elevation structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a standard grain hopper.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram from one perspective of Embodiment 2 of the grain hopper.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram from another perspective of Embodiment 2 of the grain hopper.

[0021] In the picture: 100. Grain warehouse; 101. Grain distribution zone; 1. Conveyor; 11. Frame; 12. Conveyor belt; 13. Wheels; 14. Casters; 2. Flat grain hopper; 21. Side panel; 211. Front side panel; 212. Side side panel; 213. Flanged edge; 214. Rounded corner; 215. Support rod; 216. Mounting hole; 217. Reinforcing rib; 22. Material cavity; 23. Feed surface; 24. Flat material surface; 25. Support plate; 26. Rotating mechanism; 27. Bracket; 28. Rotating shaft; 29. ​​Scraper; 3. Sensors; 200. Grain pile; 201. Plane; 300. Entry parabola; 301. Highest point; 302. Rising segment; 303. Falling segment. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the grain leveling machine of the present invention includes a conveyor 1 and a grain leveling hopper 2, the grain leveling hopper 2 being connected to the discharge end of the conveyor 1.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, conveyor 1 is a mobile belt conveyor, with a conveyor belt 12 mounted on its frame 11. The conveyor belt 12 transports grain from the feed end to the discharge end. A traveling wheel 13 is located in the middle of the frame 11, and a caster wheel 14 is located at the feed end of the frame 11. Conveyor 1 moves back and forth and left and right within the grain silo 100 via the traveling wheel 13 and the caster wheel 14. Conveyor 1 is equipped with a lifting device (not shown in the figure), which allows adjustment of the conveying elevation angle θ of the conveyor belt 12, thereby adjusting the lifting height of the output end to meet different discharge height requirements.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the leveling hopper 2 is rotatably connected to the frame 11 of the conveyor 1. During operation, the leveling hopper 2 rotates to a certain height to a horizontal position, and the flat material surface 24 on the bottom side of the leveling hopper 2 is in a horizontal (parallel to the ground) position and remains horizontal throughout the operation. When not in operation, the leveling hopper 2 rotates back towards the conveyor 1 to a position close to the conveyor 1. A limiting structure can be provided on the leveling hopper 2 to limit the leveling hopper 2 when it is opened (rotated to a horizontal position) or retracted (closed to the conveyor 1), keeping it in the working position or the retracted position and preventing the leveling hopper 2 from swinging.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, several sensors 3 are installed on the enclosure 21 of the grain leveling hopper 2. These sensors 3 may include one or more of the following: material level sensor, measurement sensor, and vision sensor. The sensors 3 can monitor the condition of the grain pile 200 in real time, analyze the measured data, and adjust the position, height, levelness, and other parameters of the grain leveling hopper 2 in a timely manner through the forward, backward, and tilting movements of the conveyor 1. This ensures that the hopper 2 remains parallel (horizontal) to the ground during operation, guaranteeing the leveling effect and ensuring that the plane 201 of the grain pile 200 is uniformly flat after leveling.

[0027] Example 1 of Level Grain Hopper 2: like Figure 3As shown, the grain-leveling hopper 2 of this embodiment adopts a "匚"-shaped hopper, which is provided with enclosing plates 21 on three adjacent vertical surfaces; the three-surface enclosing plates 21 include a front enclosing plate 211 and side enclosing plates 212 on both sides. The three-surface enclosing plates 21 define a material cavity 22 with three open surfaces, wherein the open surface directly facing the front enclosing plate 211 is a feeding surface 23, and the open surface on the bottom side is a grain-leveling surface 24. During the movement of the grain-leveling hopper 2, the bottom edges of the enclosing plates 21 serve as grain-scraping edges to scrape the grain surface flat, realizing automatic leveling of the grain surface during material falling. At the bottoms of the front enclosing plate 211 and the side enclosing plates 212, outward turned-over edges 213 are provided. The turned-over edges 213 can, on the one hand, improve the strength of the enclosing plates 21, and on the other hand, increase the grain-scraping area at the bottom of the enclosing plates 21, which is more conducive to scraping the grain surface flat during the movement of the grain-leveling hopper 2. A support plate 25 is connected between the two side enclosing plates 212 on the side close to the feeding surface 23. The support plate 25 is supported on the two side enclosing plates 212 on the other side opposite to the front enclosing plate 211, which can increase the strength of the side enclosing plates 212 and improve the strength and stability of the grain-leveling hopper 2. The grain-leveling hopper 2 is provided with a rotating mechanism 26, which is arranged on a bracket 27. Two ends of the bracket 27 are connected to the side enclosing plates 212. The rotating mechanism 26 can drive the grain-leveling hopper 2 to rotate for angle adjustment, so that it always remains horizontal with the grain-leveling surface 24 parallel to the ground during operation, and is retracted to one side of the conveyor 1 when not in operation.

[0028] Second embodiment of the grain-leveling hopper 2: As shown in Figure 4 , Figure 5 different from the first embodiment, the grain-leveling hopper 2 of this embodiment adopts a "U"-shaped hopper, and the front enclosing plate 211 and the side enclosing plates 212 on both sides are transitioned by rounded corners 214. The rotating mechanism 26 is arranged on a rotating shaft 28, and two ends of the rotating shaft 28 are connected to the side enclosing plates 212. The grain-leveling surface 24 of the grain-leveling hopper 2 is provided with a scraper 29. The scraper 29 is parallel to the front enclosing plate 211 and transversely arranged between the bottoms of the two side enclosing plates 212. The scraper 29 is a V-shaped plate with a downward opening, and the bottom edges of its two side plates are flush with the bottom edges of the enclosing plates 21. The scraper 29 can, on the one hand, add additional grain-scraping edges to improve the grain leveling effect, and on the other hand, improve the strength and stability of the grain-leveling hopper 2. A plurality of support rods 215 are arranged at intervals between the two side enclosing plates 212 of the grain-leveling hopper 2 on the side close to the top open surface, which can increase the strength of the side enclosing plates 212 and improve the strength and stability of the grain-leveling hopper 2. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 217 are arranged in a crisscross pattern on the outer wall surfaces of the front enclosing plate 211 and the side enclosing plates 212, which can improve the strength of the enclosing plates 21 and improve the strength and stability of the grain-leveling hopper 2. The front enclosing plate 211 and the side enclosing plates 212 are respectively provided with mounting holes 216, which are used for installing an anti-clogging switch. When the grain in the material cavity 22 of the grain-leveling hopper 2 reaches a certain volume, the equipment will execute an alarm or shutdown instruction, and the anti-clogging switch will open to discharge the material.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2 As shown, the feed surface 23 of the flat grain hopper 2 is the connecting surface of the conveyor 1. The discharge end of the conveyor 1 extends from the feed surface 23 into the front of the material chamber 22. After the grain is thrown out by the conveyor 1, it falls from the flat surface 24 onto the grain pile 200. When the flat grain hopper 2 is rotated to the working position, that is, the horizontal state (the flat surface 24 is horizontal), the parabolic trajectory 300 of the grain thrown out from the conveyor belt 12 of the conveyor 1 is within the space of the material chamber 22 of the flat grain hopper 2. The grain entering the warehouse parabolic trajectory 300 includes the highest point 301, the rising section 302, and the falling section 303. The highest point 301 of the parabola 300 entering the warehouse is located in the middle of the material cavity 22. The height of the highest point 301 is less than the height of the side plate 21 of the leveling hopper 2. Therefore, when the grain is thrown from the conveyor 1 to the highest point 301, it will not exceed the height of the side plate 21. This ensures that all the grain falls from the material cavity 22 of the leveling hopper 2 onto the grain pile 200 and is then leveled by the movement of the side plate 21. The front side plate 211 of the leveling hopper 2 is located outside the trajectory of the falling segment 303 of the parabola 300 entering the warehouse, or at the end of the trajectory of the falling segment 303. This ensures that all the grain falls inside the side plate 21, making it easier for the side plate 21 to level the grain during its movement, thus ensuring the consistency and flatness of the leveled grain.

[0030] When the grain leveling hopper 2 is in operation, it must first maintain balance with the ground at all times, and secondly, it must maintain the same height from the ground when distributing grain at each layer. The grain leveling hopper 2 moves back and forth and left and right. The grain leveling machine completes the grain leveling work when both of these conditions are met.

[0031] When the grain leveling machine described in this invention is used to load grain into a grain silo 100, the grain leveling machine loads the grain into the silo by dropping it from the leveling surface and layering it from bottom to top: First, the conveyor 1 moves into the grain silo 100, and the lifting device adjusts the conveying elevation angle θ of the conveyor belt 12 to the angle of the first layer of fabric.

[0032] Then, open the leveling hopper 2 to the horizontal state (i.e., the working position) to keep the leveling surface 24 of the leveling hopper 2 horizontal.

[0033] Afterwards, the drive mechanism of the conveyor belt 12 is started, and the conveyor belt 12 runs in a cycle to start feeding material into the grain silo 100. During each layer of grain distribution, the conveyor 1 moves back and forth and left and right to feed material to the front, back, left and right parts of the grain silo 100. The leveling hopper 2 moves back and forth and left and right with the conveyor 1. The leveling hopper 2 is always in a horizontal state during the operation, and its leveling surface 24 is always horizontal. After the grain is thrown out from the conveyor belt 12 and falls from the material cavity 22 of the leveling hopper 2, it is immediately scraped flat by the moving leveling hopper 2. Therefore, after the conveyor 1 completes the distribution of grain for one layer, the grain surface of that layer is also scraped flat into a flat and uniform plane 201 by the moving leveling hopper 2.

[0034] After the first layer of grain is laid, the lifting device adjusts the conveying elevation angle θ of the conveyor belt 12 and raises the discharge end of the conveyor belt 12 to the angle of the next layer of grain laying. Then, on the upper plane 201, the next layer of grain is laid according to the above steps. This cycle is repeated from bottom to top to lay the grain layer by layer until the entire grain silo 100 is filled.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, if the grain warehouse 100 is too large, it can be divided into several grain distribution zones 101. After the grain is distributed in one grain distribution zone 101 in the manner described above, from the bottom up, the next grain distribution zone 101 is then distributed in the same manner, and so on, until the grain storage work of the entire grain warehouse 100 is completed.

[0036] After the grain silo 100 is put into storage, the conveyor 1 can be lowered and the grain hopper 2 can be retracted.

[0037] This invention integrates the leveling hopper 2 onto the discharge port of the conveyor 1. Firstly, the leveling hopper 2 has a simple structure and is directly installed on the conveyor 1, eliminating the need for additional space in the grain silo 100. This allows the grain silo 100 to have more space for grain storage, resulting in higher space utilization. Secondly, the leveling hopper 2 is moved by the conveyor 1, reaching all areas of the grain silo 100, even covering the corners, resulting in wider leveling coverage and better leveling effect. Thirdly, the integration of the leveling hopper 2 into the discharge port of the conveyor 1 enables layer-by-layer grain distribution from the leveling surface upwards, completing the leveling process simultaneously with each layer of distribution. This eliminates the need for a separate distribution-leveling procedure, simplifying the distribution process and significantly improving silo entry efficiency. Because it can accurately level the grain, the distribution error is small, meeting the high-precision grain storage requirements of the high-standard grain silo 100.

[0038] The above description is an explanation of the present invention and not a limitation thereof. The present invention can be modified in any way without departing from its spirit. For example, the grain hopper 2 does not necessarily have to be rectangular or square; it can also be cylindrical, as long as it can achieve leveling of the grain from the bottom.

Claims

1. A grain leveling machine for warehousing, characterized in that: A flat grain hopper (2) is installed at the discharge end of the conveyor (1). The flat grain hopper (2) is surrounded by a partition plate (21) to form a material cavity (22). The bottom side of the material cavity (22) is a flat material surface (24). The discharge end of the conveyor (1) extends into the material cavity (22). During operation, the flat grain hopper (2) is always in a horizontal state. The flat grain hopper (2) moves with the conveyor (1) to spread the grain. After the grain falls from the conveyor (1), the partition plate (21) of the flat grain hopper (2) moves to flatten the top surface of the grain pile (200).

2. The grain leveling machine for warehousing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flat grain hopper (2) is rotatably connected to the conveyor (1). The flat grain hopper (2) is equipped with a rotating mechanism (26). The rotating mechanism (26) can drive the flat grain hopper (2) to rotate and adjust the angle so that it always remains horizontal during operation. A limiting structure can be set on the flat grain hopper (2) to limit the flat grain hopper (2) and keep it in a specified position.

3. The grain leveling machine for warehousing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The parabolic trajectory of the inlet parabola (300) of the conveyor (1) is within the space of the material cavity (22) of the flat grain hopper (2). The highest point (301) of the inlet parabola (300) is located in the middle of the material cavity (22), and the height of the highest point (301) is less than the height of the surrounding plate (21) of the flat grain hopper (2). The surrounding plate (21) of the flat grain hopper (2) is located outside the trajectory of the falling section (303) of the inlet parabola (300), or at the end trajectory point of the falling section (303).

4. The grain leveling machine for warehousing according to claim 1, characterized in that: A scraper (29) is provided on the flat surface (24) of the flat grain hopper (2). The scraper (29) is a V-shaped plate with the opening facing downwards. The bottom edge of the two side plates is flush with the bottom edge of the surrounding plate (21). The bottom of the surrounding plate (21) of the flat grain hopper (2) is turned outwards and has a flange (213).

5. The grain leveling machine for warehousing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several sensors (3) are installed on the enclosure plate (21) of the flat grain hopper (2). The sensors (3) include one or more of the following: material level sensor, measurement sensor, and vision sensor. They can monitor the condition of the grain pile (200) and adjust the flat grain hopper (2) in a timely manner based on the measured data. The enclosure plate (21) is provided with mounting holes (216) for installing anti-blocking switches.

6. The grain leveling machine for warehousing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flat grain hopper (2) has a surrounding plate (21) on three adjacent vertical surfaces. The surrounding plate (21) includes a front surrounding plate (211) and side surrounding plates (212) on both sides. The three surrounding plates (21) enclose the material cavity (22). The open surface facing the front surrounding plate (211) is the feeding surface (23), and the open surface on the bottom side is the flat material surface (24). Alternatively, the flat grain hopper (2) is cylindrical.

7. The grain leveling machine for warehousing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The front panel (211) and the side panels (212) on both sides are connected by a rounded corner (214); between the two side panels (212), a support plate (25) is connected on the side near the feed surface (23), and a number of support rods (215) are spaced apart on the side near the top open surface; a number of reinforcing ribs (217) are arranged in a crisscross pattern on the outer wall surfaces of the front panel (211) and the side panels (212).

8. The grain leveling machine for warehousing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (11) of the conveyor (1) is equipped with a conveyor belt (12), which transports the grain from the feed end to the discharge end; the frame (11) is equipped with a traveling wheel (13) and a universal wheel (14); the conveyor (1) is equipped with a lifting device, which can adjust the conveying elevation angle θ of the conveyor belt (12); the conveyor (1) adjusts the working position of the grain hopper (2) through its directional movement.

9. A grain warehousing method using the grain leveling machine described in claim 1, characterized in that: The grain leveling machine for grain storage adopts a self-leveling method of feeding grain into the warehouse from bottom to top, layer by layer. During each layer of grain distribution, the conveyor (1) moves back and forth and left and right with the leveling hopper (2). After the grain is thrown out by the conveyor (1), it is leveled by the moving leveling hopper (2). After the conveyor (1) completes the distribution of one layer of grain, the grain surface of that layer is also leveled into a plane (201) by the moving leveling hopper (2). The discharge height of the conveyor (1) is gradually increased until the set height of the grain storage operation is completed.

10. The grain storage method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The grain warehouse (100) is divided into several grain distribution zones (101). After the grain is distributed in a grain distribution zone (101) by dropping the grain from the flat grain surface and distributing it layer by layer from bottom to top, the next grain distribution zone (101) will continue to distribute grain.

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