Bunk Cleaner Scoop Assembly with Adjustable Pitch Roll Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bunk cleaners lack the ability to selectively adjust pitch, roll, and height for effective debris removal from feed bunk troughs, limiting their versatility and efficiency in cleaning various bunk configurations.

Innovation Solution

A bunk cleaner assembly with a frame portion, swinging arm assembly, and scoop assembly that includes a hinge assembly for rotational movement, adjustable vertical sliding assembly for height adjustment, and pitch axes for altering the scoop's position, allowing for selective adjustments in pitch, roll, and height to effectively clean troughs of different configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing bunk cleaners are used, then they can perform basic cleaning functions, but they lack the ability to selectively adjust pitch, roll, and height for effective debris removal from feed bunk troughs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of scoop assemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scoop assembly is made dynamically adjustable through multiple degrees of freedom. The swing arm assembly enables lateral movement (roll adjustment), the vertical sliding assembly enables height adjustment, and the pitch mechanism enables angular adjustment. This dynamic configuration allows the scoop to adapt to various trough configurations and cleaning requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by providing necessary adjustments only where needed for effective debris removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment system is segmented into independent functional assemblies: the swing arm assembly for roll adjustment, the vertical sliding assembly for height adjustment, and the pitch mechanism for pitch adjustment. Each assembly handles a specific degree of freedom, allowing complex multi-dimensional adjustment capability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high adaptability without requiring a monolithic complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the scoop assembly is made adjustable for different configurations, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris removal efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of adjustment mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic adjustment capabilities across three degrees of freedom (pitch, roll, height) to optimize debris removal efficiency. The swing arm assembly provides lateral positioning, the vertical sliding assembly provides height control, and the pitch mechanism provides angular adjustment. These dynamic adjustments enable the scoop to effectively access and remove debris from various trough configurations, achieving high productivity while the modular architecture keeps device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable scoop assembly serves multiple functions: it can clean different trough shapes and sizes, adjust to various debris locations, and adapt to different cleaning requirements. This multi-functionality is achieved through the combined pitch, roll, and height adjustment capabilities, allowing a single device to handle diverse cleaning scenarios efficiently, thereby improving productivity without requiring multiple separate cleaning devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the scoop assembly can be adjusted for various bunk configurations, then complete cleaning is achieved, but the risk of damage to bunk and cleaner increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of cleaningVSAvoiddamage risk to bunk and cleaner
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic adjustment capabilities allow the scoop assembly to adapt its position and orientation to match the specific bunk configuration, ensuring complete cleaning coverage. The swing arm assembly enables lateral adjustment to reach different trough positions, the vertical sliding assembly adjusts height to match trough depth, and the pitch mechanism angles the scoop for optimal contact. This adaptability ensures complete cleaning while the controlled adjustment mechanisms maintain safe operating parameters to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes geometric parameters (pitch angle, roll position, height) of the scoop assembly to match different bunk configurations. By adjusting these parameters within designed ranges, the system achieves complete cleaning coverage for various trough shapes and sizes while preventing excessive forces or positions that could cause damage to the bunk structure or the cleaner itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11040375B2Bunk cleaner system and method of use
Publication Date: 2021.06.22 VAN SCHALKWYK WILLEM
  • US11040375B2 patent drawing
  • US11040375B2 patent drawing
  • US11040375B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A bunk cleaner assembly for selectively adjusting a pitch, a roll and a height adjustment of a scoop assembly for cleaning a trough of a feed bunk. The bunk cleaner assembly comprises a frame portion, a swinging arm assembly, the scoop assembly, and a utility vehicle. The frame portion is configured in attaching the swinging arm assembly and the utility vehicle to one another. The swinging arm assembly comprise a hinge assembly.