Articulated Wall Panels With Flexible Membranes For Bulk Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional expansion devices for bulk material containers, such as grain tanks in combine harvesters, face limitations in volume expansion due to the need for narrow wall panels, which restricts capacity and complicates emptying, often requiring auxiliary means or complex segment movements.
Innovation Solution
An expansion device with articulated wall panels and flexible membrane elements that extend upward without increasing horizontal dimensions, allowing for increased volume without obstructing emptying, using tensioned membrane elements and actuators to pivot panels, ensuring complete emptying without auxiliary assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If wall panels are made narrow to allow folding over the frame opening, then the expansion device can be collapsed, but the volume capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion elements enable the wall panels to extend in the vertical dimension rather than being constrained by horizontal width limitations. By adding vertical expansion capability through articulated elements connected to upper edges, the container achieves increased volume without requiring wider panels that would prevent collapse.
2Volume of moving object
If wall panels are made wide to increase volume, then capacity increases, but the panels cannot be folded over the opening without overlapping
Solution Approach 1:
The wall panels are divided into stationary panel portions and movable expansion elements. This segmentation allows the expansion elements to be articulated and folded independently during collapse, while the main panel structure remains wide enough to provide sufficient volume capacity when expanded.
3Volume of moving object
If expansion elements extend wall panels horizontally, then volume increases, but regions form from which bulk material cannot flow
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion elements are designed to be movable and articulated rather than fixed extensions. During emptying, these elements can dynamically adjust their position to maintain proper flow angles and prevent the formation of dead zones where bulk material would be trapped.
4Volume of moving object
If flexible membrane elements are used to extend wall panels vertically, then volume increases without increasing horizontal dimensions, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible membrane elements are used to create the vertical extension surfaces. These thin film structures provide the necessary containment surface area for increased volume while remaining lightweight and capable of folding during collapse, avoiding the need for complex rigid structural components.
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion device for a bulk goods container includes a frame, a plurality of wall panels that are connected to the frame in an articulated manner to pivot outwardly such that a pivoted-out position delimit an interior space of the expansion device, connecting elements that are connected in an articulated manner to the wall panels at two edges of the connecting elements and first expansion elements that are connected in an articulated manner to an upper edge of the wall panels and are configured to pivot between a position resting against the wall panels and a position that extends the wall panels. The position extending the wall panels, flexible membrane elements are tensioned between the first expansion elements.