Detachable Pump Hopper Unit for Cement Mixer Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulically operated pumps mounted on cement mixer trucks are bulky and heavy, limiting the truck's capacity to transport concrete due to weight constraints, allowing only about 7 cubic meters to be transported safely, which is not utilizing the truck's full capacity.
Innovation Solution
A pump and hopper unit mounted on a frame that can be unloaded from the truck and operated independently, allowing the truck to make subsequent trips without the unit, thereby increasing the concrete transport capacity to up to 8 cubic meters, with features like quick-action connections for hydraulic operation and a frame designed for stable ground positioning with wheels and hitching lugs for easy relocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pump and hopper unit is permanently mounted on the cement mixer lorry, then the concrete can be pumped to various places, but the truck's transport capacity is reduced due to the heavy weight of the pumping unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pumping system into a separable module (hopper and pump unit) that can be detached from the cement mixer lorry. The hopper is mounted on a frame with lifting eyes, allowing it to be raised by a hoist and detached from the lorry. This segmentation enables the pumping capability to be available when needed while eliminating the weight penalty during transport, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and transport capacity.
2Reliability
If the pump and hopper unit is made bulky and heavy to ensure stable operation, then the pumping function is reliable, but the truck exceeds weight limits and incurs administrative sanctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mounting system where the hopper's position and attachment state can change. The hopper is equipped with lifting eyes and a hoist system that allows it to be dynamically raised, lowered, and detached. This dynamic capability ensures the hopper can be securely positioned during pumping operations for reliability, while also allowing it to be removed during transport to avoid exceeding weight limits and administrative sanctions.
3Reliability
If the cement mixer lorry transports less concrete to accommodate the pump unit weight, then the weight limit is not exceeded, but the truck is not used to maximum capacity and economic efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pumping system into a detachable module that can be separated from the lorry. During transport, the hopper is detached and secured separately, allowing the lorry to carry maximum concrete capacity without exceeding weight limits. During pumping operations, the hopper is attached to provide the necessary pumping function. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling full load transport when safety is the concern while maintaining pumping capability when needed, thus maximizing both safety and productivity.
4Quantity of substance
If the pump and hopper unit is designed to be removable from the lorry, then the truck capacity is maximized, but the complexity of mounting and unmounting operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mounting system where the hopper is equipped with standard lifting eyes and a hoist mechanism that can be integrated with the lorry's existing lifting equipment. The frame supporting the hopper is designed with universal mounting points that can accommodate different lorry configurations. This multi-functional design allows the same hopper assembly to be easily attached and detached from various lorries using standard procedures, reducing the complexity burden despite the removable design.
Data Source
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AI summary
Hopper and pump unit to be mounted on a cement mixer lorry for conveying over a distance concrete or other material discharged by the said mixer lorry, characterized in that said unit is mounted on a frame (3) and in that means are envisaged for being able to unload onto the ground, if necessary, this frame with the pump and hopper unit and for loading it again, so as to allow this same unit to be parked on the building site or other place of use and allow the cement mixer lorry to move independently of this unit, so as to be able to fill the mixer lorry with a greater quantity of concrete or other material, means being envisaged for allowing the said pump and hopper unit to operate also when it is on the ground.