Adaptable Base for Bulk Material Hopper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed containers are limited in their adaptability to various support structures, such as seed carts, and lack efficient dispensing mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies in seed handling and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A bulk material container system with an adaptable base and bifurcated hopper design that allows mounting on different seed carts, featuring upper and lower openings for filling and dispensing, and an adaptable base with support frames and flanges for secure positioning, enabling the containment of multiple seed types without mixing and facilitating easy adaptation to various cart configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional sacks or bags are used for seed containers, then manual handling is required and quantity is limited, but the container weight is reduced and simplicity is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a hopper section for seed storage and a base section for mounting, allowing the container to be mounted on carts or other support structures. This segmentation enables bulk quantity storage while eliminating manual handling through mechanical support.
2Volume of moving object
If containers are designed with collapsibility for return shipment, then space utilization is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container base includes collapsible support legs that can be folded inward for compact return shipping and extended outward for stable container support during use. This dynamic structure allows the container to adapt between transport and operational states without requiring complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If containers are designed for specific cart structures, then mounting stability is improved, but adaptability to different carts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container base is designed with universal mounting features including multiple attachment point configurations and adjustable support leg arrangements. This allows the same container to be securely mounted on various cart types with different structural configurations, maintaining stability across diverse applications.
4Productivity
If single-opening containers are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but dispensing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is divided into multiple compartments with separate dispensing openings for different seed types. Each compartment can be independently filled and dispensed, enabling efficient multi-seed operations without requiring complex mechanical systems. The segmentation allows parallel dispensing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptable bulk material container system comprising a hopper having an interior for receiving the bulk material and an upper opening and a lower opening. The hopper comprises an upper portion defining an upper portion of the interior and including an upper perimeter wall about the interior. The hopper also includes a lower portion defining a lower portion of the interior and being positioned below the upper portion. The system also includes an adaptable base supporting the hopper, with the hopper being mounted on the adaptable base. The base comprises a support frame mounted on the hopper and extending downwardly from the hopper, with the support frame forming a perimeter about the lower portion of the hopper. The base also includes a support flange mounted on the support frame and extending outwardly from the support frame and having an outer perimeter surface.