Adjustable Sweep End Wheel for Grain Bin Powersweep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain bin powersweep conveyor end wheels struggle to traverse bins with protruding objects and height variations without human intervention, as they require complex adjustments that can lead to unbalanced weight distribution and inefficient grain removal.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an adjustable sweep end wheel with radially positionable tread brackets, allowing for customizable diameter and height adjustments to navigate bin floor irregularities while maintaining balanced weight distribution, and features a non-continuous contact surface to effectively move grain without getting stuck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the end wheel uses fixed tread brackets mounted directly onto the gearbox, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to bin floor height variations and protruding objects
Solution Approach 1:
The end wheel structure transitions from fixed to adjustable tread brackets. The tread brackets can be radially positioned at different distances from the wheel center, allowing the wheel diameter to be dynamically adjusted to accommodate varying bin floor conditions and protruding objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The end wheel is divided into modular components: the wheel plate, multiple tread brackets, and adjustable coupling mechanisms. This segmentation allows individual tread brackets to be positioned independently, providing adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized modular elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gearbox is pivoted forward or backward to adjust auger height, then the sweep conveyor can clear bin floor irregularities, but the weight distribution becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pivoting the entire gearbox which shifts weight distribution, the invention dynamically adjusts the effective wheel diameter by radially positioning tread brackets. This maintains the gearbox in a fixed, balanced position while achieving the same goal of clearing bin floor irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is localized to the tread brackets rather than the entire gearbox assembly. Only the contact points with the bin floor are adjusted radially, while the gearbox mounting position and overall weight distribution remain fixed and balanced.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tread brackets are positioned at maximum radial distance to increase wheel diameter, then the conveyor can clear higher obstacles, but the wheel becomes larger and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The end wheel operates with variable diameter rather than a fixed large diameter. The tread brackets can be positioned at any radial distance from the wheel center, allowing the wheel to assume only the diameter necessary for current operating conditions, thereby minimizing weight while maintaining clearance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective wheel diameter parameter is changed dynamically by adjusting the radial position of tread brackets. This allows the system to optimize between wheel size and obstacle clearance capability, using larger diameter only when necessary and smaller diameter when obstacles are minimal, thus managing weight effectively.
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 solution enables the grain bin sweep conveyor to efficiently clear grain from bins with varying heights and protrusions, maintaining stability and increasing the conveyor's ability to break up packed grain clumps, while allowing for adjustable speed and minimizing the need for frequent wheel replacements.
Implementation Method 1
The contact surfaces 58 of the tread portions 40 can be inclined inwardly, so that grain contacting the leading edge 62...is pushed inwardly
Implementation Method 2
an auger drivingly coupled to an input shaft of a wheel reduction gearbox. The wheel reduction gearbox can drivingly couple the input shaft to an output shaft of the wheel reduction gearbox
Data Source
AI summary
An auger can be drivingly coupled to an input shaft of a wheel reduction gearbox. The wheel reduction gearbox can drivingly couple the input shaft to an output shaft of the wheel reduction gearbox. The output shaft can be drivingly coupled to a sweep end wheel. The sweep end wheel can include a plurality of tread brackets, a wheel plate, and an adjustable coupling corresponding to each of the tread brackets. Each adjustable coupling can selectively couple one of the tread brackets to the wheel plate in one of a plurality of radial positions. Each of the plurality of radial positions can correspond to the tread bracket being located at a different radial distance from a central axis of rotation of the wheel plate.