Dual-Compartment Bulk Cargo Trailer to Eliminate Empty Return Runs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation methods for bulk goods and pumpable materials result in significant empty runs, leading to inefficiency and high operational costs due to trucks returning empty after unloading.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a first container compartment for pumpable materials and a second container compartment for bulk goods, equipped with a fluid connection for emptying and a discharge opening, respectively, allowing simultaneous transport of both types of materials in a single trip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single container is used for transporting bulk goods, then the transport capacity for bulk materials is maximized, but the truck must return empty after delivery, reducing utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate container compartments (first and second container compartments), each capable of being loaded independently. This allows the truck to load different materials in each compartment, enabling the vehicle to return fully loaded after a single trip rather than making empty return journeys.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides multi-functionality by enabling the transport of different types of bulk goods (pumpable and non-pumpable materials) simultaneously in the same vehicle. The truck can serve multiple purposes in one trip, such as delivering construction materials to a site while also collecting demolition materials, thereby eliminating empty runs and improving overall productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container is divided into multiple compartments, then the ability to transport different materials simultaneously improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into two container compartments with distinct emptying mechanisms (fluid connection for pumpable materials, discharge opening for bulk materials). This segmentation enables the transport of different material types simultaneously while maintaining relatively simple individual compartment structures, balancing versatility with manageable complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If the container compartments are made larger to maximize load capacity, then the transport volume increases, but the difficulty of emptying each compartment thoroughly increases
Solution Approach 1:
For the first container compartment, mechanical emptying operations are replaced by using pumpable materials that can be emptied through fluid connections using pumping systems. This substitution makes it easier to empty large volumes of pumpable materials compared to mechanical scraping or manual removal, thereby facilitating thorough emptying of larger compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid connection system enables hydraulic or pneumatic emptying of pumpable materials from the first container compartment. This allows large volumes of liquid or slurry materials to be efficiently pumped out, making the emptying of large compartments practical and thorough without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for transporting bulk cargo and pumpable material, in particular a trailer for a tractor vehicle, comprises a first container compartment and a second container compartment, wherein the first container compartment comprises a fluid port for emptying the first container compartment via a pipeline, and wherein the second container compartment comprises an emptying opening for emptying bulk cargo from the second container compartment.