Bin Sweep System With Independent Rotation And Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multiple bin sweep systems, unequal resistance to forward movement of sweeps can lead to stress and potential damage due to rigid connections or collisions when sweeps move at different paces, and maintaining uniform spacing is crucial to distribute stress on bin walls effectively.

Innovation Solution

A bin sweep system with independently rotatable sweeps about a common center, utilizing an alignment detecting apparatus and operational control device to monitor relative positions and control sweep movement, ensuring maximum separation and preventing collisions by discontinuing operation when sweeps are outside their operational zone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sweeps are rigidly connected to rotate together, then they maintain uniform spacing and distribute stress effectively, but they cannot move independently when encountering unequal resistance, leading to stress and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress distributionVSAvoidindependent movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid connection between sweeps is divided into independent rotational units. Each sweep can now rotate independently about the center post while maintaining operational coordination through the control system that monitors relative positions and manages operational zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If sweeps are allowed to move independently, then they can adapt to unequal resistance, but they may collide or create stress due to lack of coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent movementVSAvoidcollision and stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment detecting apparatus continuously monitors the relative angular positions of sweeps and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection when a sweep enters or exits its operational zone, allowing the control system to adjust operation and prevent collisions or excessive stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If sweeps operate continuously without monitoring, then productivity is maximized, but undetected misalignment can lead to collisions and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidcollision prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment detecting apparatus and control system proactively monitor sweep positions before collisions can occur. By detecting when a sweep approaches the boundaries of its operational zone, the system can preemptively adjust operation to prevent harmful interactions, allowing continuous productivity without sacrificing safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9864344B2System and method for multiple sweep proximity sensing and control

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 SIOUX STEEL CO

AI summary

A bin sweep system for a bin which may comprise at least two sweeps independently rotatable about a center of the bin, an alignment detecting apparatus for monitoring a relative position of a first one of the sweeps with respect to a second one of the sweeps, and an operational control device configured to selectively discontinue and resume operation of at least one of the sweeps to move the sweeps toward a maximum separation condition.