Dual Container Concrete Chute Washout System

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete mixing transport truck chute washout systems are inefficient and costly, requiring bulky hydraulic or electrical components, leading to environmental contamination and potential concrete mixture integrity issues due to the need for rinse water storage in the mixing drum.

Innovation Solution

A dual container system comprising a chute attachable funnel container and a truck mountable holding container with a material outlet connector and fluid drain valve, allowing for efficient collection and storage of rinse water without the need for expensive components, reducing the risk of contamination and maintaining concrete mixture integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic or electrical components are used in the washout system, then the washing capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes hydraulic and electrical components from the washout system, extracting the problematic elements that caused complexity and reliability issues. The system uses only gravity and simple mechanical components (funnel, container, hose) to achieve the washing function without complex systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive, non-recurring components such as a funnel container, holding container, and hose that can be easily replaced if needed. These simple mechanical parts are much cheaper and more reliable than hydraulic or electrical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Quantity of substance

If rinse water is stored in the mixing drum, then the storage capacity is improved, but the concrete mixture integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage function into a separate holding container dedicated solely to storing rinse water and washout materials. This segmentation prevents contamination of the concrete mixing drum while providing adequate storage capacity for the rinse water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding container acts as an intermediary between the washout process and the mixing drum, receiving and containing the rinse water so that it never contacts the concrete mixture in the drum, thus protecting concrete integrity while maintaining storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a simple container system is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the collection efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel container is pre-positioned at the chute exit before the washout process begins, and the holding container is pre-positioned on the truck bed. This preliminary positioning ensures that when washing begins, the system is immediately ready to collect all rinse water and washout materials efficiently without delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses gravity to automatically direct rinse water and washout materials from the chute through the funnel into the holding container without requiring active intervention. The simple design allows the system to self-regulate the collection process while maintaining high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 dual container system effectively collects and stores rinse water without environmental contamination, reducing the risk of concrete mixture integrity issues and operational costs, while being easier to use and maintain than previous systems.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the now diluted concrete to run onto the ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a fluid drain valve for draining fluid from the holding container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve closure: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS10265882B2Dual container concrete mixing transport truck chute washout system

Publication Date: 2019.04.23

AI summary

A dual container concrete mixing transport truck chute washout system with (a) a chute attachable funnel container having an open mouth with an upper rim, an attachment for detachably attaching the funnel container below an exit end of a concrete truck concrete chute, and a material outlet connector to drain liquid and debris from the funnel container, and (b) a truck mountable holding container having an upper portion that is adapted to store the funnel container when the funnel container is not affixed to the chute, a lower portion for collection of fluid and solid materials, a seat located between the upper space and the lower portion, a material inlet connector, and a fluid drain valve for draining fluid from the holding container, wherein the upper rim of the funnel container is adapted to sit on the seat of the holding container to act as a lid.