Bulk Material Intake Device Without Excavation Pit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional stationary bulk material intakes for walking floor vehicles require excavation for pit installation, which is time-consuming and costly, and fail to provide adequate protection for water-sensitive materials and dust reduction, while also being vulnerable to accidents.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing having an acceptance opening and a discharge chute, featuring a transport chain that conveys bulk material without needing a ground pit, allowing for weather and dust protection, and secure stationary operation with a lockable design and suction system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a pit is excavated for installing stationary bulk material intake, then the technology can be installed, but soil excavation work is time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation easeVSAvoidExcavation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of sinking the intake device into a pit as in conventional designs, the housing is installed on the surface level with the transport chain running along the bottom interior. This inversion eliminates the need for excavation while maintaining functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport chain is configured to run horizontally along the bottom of the housing and then vertically up the discharge chute, utilizing three-dimensional space within the housing to achieve material transport without requiring ground-level pits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a pit is used for bulk material intake, then the device can operate, but adequate protection for water-sensitive materials and dust reduction is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOperational capabilityVSAvoidWater and dust exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves as a protective enclosure that shields the transport chain and bulk material from environmental factors such as water and dust, while allowing the system to operate effectively on surface level without pits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The closed housing creates a protected environment that isolates the bulk material and internal components from harmful external factors like water and dust, effectively creating a controlled atmosphere within the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Productivity

If the transport chain is positioned to convey material effectively, then material transport is efficient, but the acceptance opening may be significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMaterial transport efficiencyVSAvoidAcceptance opening area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transport chain utilizes the vertical dimension by running along the interior walls and bottom of the housing, allowing efficient material conveyance while maintaining an unobstructed horizontal acceptance opening at the top.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport path is segmented into distinct sections: horizontal loading zone, vertical ascent along the discharge chute, and tensioning section. This segmentation allows the chain to efficiently transport material while the acceptance opening remains large and unobstructured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the device is designed for stationary operation, then secure footing is achieved, but vulnerability to accidents increases without proper protection

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStationary stabilityVSAvoidAccident protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing encloses the transport mechanism and bulk material, providing physical protection against accidents and unauthorized access while maintaining stable stationary operation on flat surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 bulk material handling without excavation, ensuring secure, dust-reduced, and weather-protected operation with a suitable delivery height, allowing for further processing at the same level without a pit, and secure footing on a flat surface.

Implementation Method 1

A transport chain running around the housing is provided, with the bulk material being conveyed to the discharge chute via the transport chain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the housing has additional connections for an extraction system that generates a negative pressure in the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

Dust escape is reduced by suction connections for a suction system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3275815B1Device for receiving bulk good
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 REMATEC
  • EP3275815B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3275815B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3
  • EP3275815B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for receiving bulk materials, in particular from walking floor vehicles, comprising a housing (4) with at least two openings, wherein a first opening is designed as a receiving opening for receiving bulk materials, and a second opening is assigned to a discharge chute for bulk materials, wherein the discharge chute (5) is located at a higher level than a loading edge that corresponds to the lower edge of the receiving opening (10).