Articulating Conveyor Frame for Permit-Free Material Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reload conveyors for spreading materials like compost and grass seeds are inefficient in transferring bulk materials from standard delivery trucks to spreader or slinger trucks due to their rigid design, which exceeds width limitations for public thoroughfares, requiring special permits and escorts during transport.
Innovation Solution
An articulating conveyor frame that can transform between a transport configuration and a material transfer configuration, reducing overall length and width, allowing for efficient material transfer without the need for special permits, and featuring a hydraulic system to adjust the conveyor frame's angle for optimal material discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rigid straight conveyor bed or frame is used, then material transfer capacity is improved, but the overall length exceeds width limitations for public thoroughfares requiring special permits
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor frame is divided into multiple articulating sections that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the frame to be folded into a compact configuration for transport while maintaining full extension for material transfer operations, resolving the contradiction between operational length and transport width limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor frame transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulating structure with movable joints. This allows the frame to adapt its configuration between transport and operational states, enabling it to meet width limitations during transport while maintaining sufficient length for material transfer during operation
2Productivity
If the hopper is sized to exceed the width of the truck bed, then material transfer efficiency is improved, but the width exceeds limitation for travel on public thoroughfares
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is designed with adjustable width capability through articulating connections. During material transfer operations, the hopper can be positioned at full width to maximize material transfer efficiency from wide truck beds. During transport, the hopper sections can be folded or repositioned to reduce overall width and comply with public thoroughfare limitations
3Ease of operation
If the conveyor frame is elevated for material transfer, then material discharge into spreader is improved, but stability on unlevel ground deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system provides controlled counterbalancing forces to stabilize the articulating frame during elevation changes. This allows the discharge end to be elevated for proper material transfer into the spreader while the system compensates for instability on unlevel ground through active hydraulic control
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic system is integrated to control the articulation and elevation of the conveyor frame. The hydraulic actuators provide precise control over frame positioning and angle adjustment, enabling stable operation at elevated positions for material discharge while compensating for ground irregularities through active control
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
Enables efficient and permit-free transportation and material transfer, reducing the likelihood of tipping and improving maneuverability on unlevel ground, while maintaining a low center of gravity and minimizing the need for escort vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a hydraulic system to adjust the conveyor frame's angle for optimal material discharge
Data Source
AI summary
A reload conveyor is disclosed in the present disclosure. Such a reload conveyor includes a conveyor frame 14 and a material receiving mechanism 18. The conveyor frame 14 is configured to articulate to assume a transport configuration and a material transfer configuration wherein the overall length of the reload conveyor in the transport configuration can be substantially shorter than in the transfer configuration. The material receiving mechanism can be configured and arranged to assume a transfer configuration and a transport configuration wherein the width of the material receiving mechanism is substantially less in the transport configuration than in the transfer configuration.