Boot Unloader Auger Retention for Jam-Resistant Feed Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing livestock feed systems are prone to obstruction and damage due to clumps of grain or foreign objects entering the auger, leading to disrupted feed flow and potential system damage.
Innovation Solution
A boot unloader with an auger retention mechanism and agitator ball to prevent upward deformation of auger flighting, combined with a modular design for easy maintenance and cleaning, ensuring consistent feed delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the auger is exposed in the boot unloader, then the auger can be easily accessed for maintenance, but the flighting may deform upwards when encountering clumps of grain or foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The boot unloader is divided into modular components including the auger, retention mechanism, and boot unloader body. The auger can be easily removed from the boot unloader body for maintenance while the retention mechanism remains in place, enabling easy repair without compromising the structural integrity of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
An auger retention mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the auger and the boot unloader body. This retention mechanism prevents the auger flighting from deforming upwards when encountering obstructions, while still allowing the auger to be accessed for maintenance by removing it from the retention mechanism.
2Productivity
If the boot unloader is designed with a closed structure, then feed grain flow is controlled, but clumps of grain or foreign objects can still enter the auger and cause obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The auger retention mechanism is positioned to engage with the auger flighting before obstructions can cause deformation. This preliminary protective action prevents clumps of grain or foreign objects from causing auger obstruction, while the closed structure of the boot unloader continues to control feed grain flow efficiently.
3Reliability
If the auger retention mechanism is added to prevent flighting deformation, then auger reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auger retention mechanism is designed with localized features that provide specific protective functions at critical points along the auger flighting. This targeted approach prevents flighting deformation without requiring a complete redesign of the entire boot unloader structure, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity to only the necessary components.
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
Prevents auger deformation and maintains consistent feed flow by preventing jamming, reducing system damage and facilitating easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one auger partially received in the unloader body and extending from the unloader body into the conveyor tube, the auger secured to the rear panel with an end bearing, where each at least one auger has a helical flighting configured to rotate about an auger axis
Implementation Method 2
The auger retention mechanism is positioned above the auger axis so that the auger retention mechanism prevents the flighting from deforming upwards within the boot unloader
Implementation Method 3
a generally rectangular receiving portion into which feed grain flows from the feed tank
Data Source
AI summary
A feed supply system used in distributing feed grain from a feed tank includes a boot unloader coupled to an upstream end of at least one conveyor tube in fluid communication with a downwardly opening aperture of the feed tank. The boot unloader includes an unloader body formed of a front panel and a rear panel to form a receiving portion into which feed grain flows from the feed tank. At least one auger is partially received in the unloader body and extends from the unloader body into a respective conveyor tube. The auger is secured to the rear panel with an end bearing and has a helical flighting configured to rotate about an auger axis. An auger retention mechanism extends between the front panel and the rear panel of the boot unloader and positioned above the auger axis so that the auger retention mechanism prevents the flighting from deforming upwards within the boot unloader.