Dump System With Curved Track And Motorized Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material handling systems for lifting and dumping materials into containers are time-consuming and pose a risk of bodily injury due to the physical effort required to lift and deposit materials.
Innovation Solution
A material handling system featuring a vertically disposed track system with a curved upper portion, a moveable carriage powered by a motive device, and a holder that can be elevated and inverted over a container for efficient dumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual lifting and dumping methods are used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but physical effort and injury risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical lifting with an automated track-based carriage system powered by a motor. The carriage travels along vertical tracks to elevate the holder, eliminating the need for manual lifting and reducing physical strain and injury risk to workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service material handling where the automated carriage and holder mechanism performs the lifting and dumping operations without requiring human physical intervention. The motor-driven carriage automatically transports the holder to the dumping position and returns it, making the system self-operating.
2Productivity
If manual material deposition is used, then device complexity is reduced, but time consumption and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual material deposition with an automated inclined chute mechanism. As the holder is elevated by the motor-driven carriage, materials automatically slide down the inclined chute into the container, eliminating manual deposition and significantly improving dumping efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inclined chute with a curved surface that guides materials smoothly into the container. The curved geometry of the chute facilitates automatic material flow and deposition, enhancing the speed and efficiency of the dumping operation without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If holder elevation is performed manually, then equipment complexity is reduced, but physical effort and injury risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual holder elevation with a motor-driven carriage system that travels along vertical tracks. The motor automatically elevates the holder to the required height, eliminating manual lifting efforts and reducing the risk of back injuries and other physical harms to workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a motor-driven carriage as an intermediary mechanism between the ground level and the elevated dumping position. The carriage serves as a mediator that transports the holder vertically along the tracks, reducing the need for direct manual handling and minimizing injury risks associated with heavy lifting.
4Reliability
If automated lifting system is implemented, then injury risk is reduced, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automated lifting system into distinct functional components: vertical tracks, motor-driven carriage, holder, and inclined chute. This modular segmentation allows for easier maintenance, troubleshooting, and replacement of individual parts, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high safety reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a motor-driven carriage as an intermediary device that mediates between the power source and the holder. This intermediary mechanism isolates the complex motorized components from direct contact with materials and workers, enhancing safety while containing the complexity within a dedicated subsystem.
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 system significantly reduces the physical effort needed to handle materials by automating the lifting and dumping process, thereby minimizing the risk of injury and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a motive power device, such as a motor, is provided on the carriage which powers the carriage upwardly along the track system
Implementation Method 2
a curved upper portion transitioning into the generally vertically extending lower portion... rotating the holder along the curved upper portion to invert the holder
Data Source
AI summary
A material handling system for lifting and dumping material into a container. Material handling systems for lifting and dumping material into a container are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise at least one horizontal rail connected to the container, at least one vertical track slidably mounted to the horizontal rail, the vertical track defining a generally vertically extending lower portion and a curved upper portion transitioning into the generally vertically extending lower portion, a holder, the holder being connected to the vertical track in a manner permitting movement between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and a motive power device operable to raise and lower the container along the vertical track between the uppermost position and the lowermost position, wherein the holder is rotated greater than about 90 degrees in the uppermost position relative to the lowermost position.