Adjustable Grain Wagon Discharge Chute Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gravity discharge grain wagons require tools and time to adjust the height of the discharge chute, making it inconvenient for accommodating grain elevator auger hoppers with varying inlet heights.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable discharge chute assembly with horizontally spaced vertical support brackets and pivot pins that allow for easy height adjustment of the chute without tools, using elongated slots and notches to position the chute at different elevations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adjusting bolt or screw with locknut is used to adjust the discharge chute height, then the chute can be positioned at different elevations, but the adjustment requires tools and significant time
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is segmented into multiple discrete height positions using notches cut into the bracket structure. These notches provide predetermined adjustment positions, eliminating the need for continuous adjustment mechanisms like bolts and locknuts. The discharge chute can be quickly repositioned by aligning it with different notches, enabling tool-free and time-efficient height adjustment while maintaining adaptability to various grain elevator auger hopper heights.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjusting bolt or screw mechanism is used, then the discharge chute height can be modified, but tool-free operation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket incorporates notches at predetermined heights that allow the discharge chute to be positioned at discrete elevations. This segmented approach eliminates the need for threaded adjustment mechanisms, enabling operators to quickly change chute height by simply repositioning the chute onto different notches without requiring wrenches or other tools, thus achieving both adaptability and ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a fixed discharge chute is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate various grain elevator auger hopper heights
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is designed with multiple notches at different heights, creating a segmented structure that provides discrete adjustment positions. This maintains relative structural simplicity compared to continuous adjustment mechanisms while enabling the discharge chute to accommodate various grain elevator auger hopper heights. The notched design adds minimal complexity but delivers significant adaptability improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel supported grain wagon includes a container with sloping side walls extending to an incline bottom wall, and a gravity discharge opening is formed within one of the side walls adjacent the bottom wall. A door panel is supported by tracks for movement between an upper open position and a lower close position covering the opening. A grain discharge chute extends from the opening and has opposite side walls connected by a bottom wall. The chute is adjustably supported by a pair of horizontally aligned pivot pins projecting into corresponding slots within a pair of side support brackets secured to the container. The slots extend generally perpendicular to the side wall and have longitudinally spaced bottom notches which selectively receive the pivot pins in response to manually lifting and shifting the discharge chute for selectively positioning the outer edge of the discharge chute at different elevations.