Contoured Paddle Particle Retention in Bin Sweep Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bin sweep systems struggle to effectively retain particles on the paddles during movement, leading to particle loss as they move across the floor surface of a bin, particularly due to the lack of a structure to prevent particles from slipping by the outboard side of the paddle.
Innovation Solution
The bin sweep system employs contoured paddles with a front surface design that includes a pushing section and a diverting section, where the diverting section is angled to urge particles toward the rearward side of the paddle, ensuring that particles are directed toward the central area of the bin, reducing particle loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional paddles are used in bin sweep systems, then the structure is simple, but particles slip by the outboard side of the paddle during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle is divided into distinct functional sections: a pushing section that contacts particles and urges them backward, and a diverting section that is angled to redirect particles away from the outboard side. This local differentiation of structure and function prevents particle escape while maintaining overall paddle simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverting section of the paddle is angled at a specific contour (approximately 45 degrees) to effectively redirect particles. This curved/angled geometry creates a natural flow path that directs particles toward the rearward side of the sweep assembly, preventing them from slipping by the outboard side.
2Loss of substance
If particles are not effectively retained on paddles, then particle loss occurs during sweeping, but adding retention structures increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding a complete retention structure to the entire sweep assembly, the invention applies localized contouring only to the paddle surfaces that interact with particles. The pushing and diverting sections are integrated directly into the paddle geometry, providing particle retention functionality without complicating the overall sweep assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled diverting section creates a geometric flow path that naturally guides particles along the paddle surface and redirects them backward. This contour-based approach provides effective particle retention through geometry alone, avoiding the need for additional mechanical retention structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the paddle front surface is flat, then manufacturing is easy, but particles can escape from the forward side during paddle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle front surface is differentiated into a pushing section and a diverting section with distinct geometries. The pushing section has a contour that contacts particles, while the diverting section is angled to redirect particles. This local variation in surface geometry prevents particle escape while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverting section incorporates an angled contour (approximately 45 degrees) that creates a natural particle flow path. This geometric feature is simple to manufacture using standard fabrication methods while effectively preventing particles from escaping the forward side of the paddle during movement.
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
The contoured paddle design enhances particle retention by minimizing the escape of particles from the paddle's influence, allowing more particles to be carried along the bin sweep with minimal loss, as the angled diverting section effectively directs particles toward the rearward side, improving the overall efficiency of the sweeping process.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the paddles may have a front surface contoured in a manner to urge particles located forward of the paddle toward the rearward side of the sweep assembly as the paddle moves toward the inboard end of the sweep assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A storage bin sweep system including a sweep assembly having an inboard end, an outboard end, a forward side and a rearward side and including a sweep housing extending between the inboard and outboard ends, a plurality of paddles movable on a path extending along at least a portion of the sweep assembly between the inboard and outboard ends, and an endless loop member mounted on the sweep housing and on which the plurality of paddles are mounted at spaced locations along the endless loop member. At least one of the paddles may have a front surface contoured in a manner to urge particles located forward of the paddle toward the rearward side of the sweep assembly as the paddle moves toward the inboard end of the sweep assembly.