Dump System Curved Track Holder Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 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, as they often necessitate manual lifting and uneven distribution of materials within the container.
Innovation Solution
A material handling system featuring a holder connected to a vertical track with a curved upper portion, powered by a motive device, allowing the holder to pivot and invert for efficient dumping, and automatically reverse to a lowermost position for reloading, with moveable foot members to deactivate the power upon contact with the ground, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
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 significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical lifting with an automated mechanical system comprising a motor-driven winch, pulley system, and controlled holder mechanism. The motor (20) winds and unwinds the cable (14) to automatically lift and lower the holder (10), eliminating the need for manual physical effort while reducing injury risk through systematic automation of the lifting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated mechanism performs the lifting and dumping functions without requiring human physical intervention. The motor-driven system automatically controls the holder's movement through the curved track (18), positioning it for dumping and returning it to the starting position, making the operation self-sufficient and eliminating manual labor requirements.
2Ease of operation
If automated lifting systems are implemented, then physical effort is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved track (18) design allows the holder (10) to move along a predetermined arc that utilizes gravity and momentum to facilitate smooth transitions between lifting and dumping positions. This geometric design reduces the complexity of the motor control system by allowing the mechanism to follow a natural motion path, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved upper portion (16) of the track (18) enables the holder (10) to pivot and invert smoothly during the lifting cycle. This curved path simplifies the mechanical design by eliminating the need for complex articulation joints and multiple actuators, as the curvature itself provides the necessary motion transformation, thus reducing device complexity while improving operational ease.
3Productivity
If manual material distribution is performed, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but time consumption and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system maintains continuous useful action by automatically returning the holder (10) to the lowermost position after dumping through the same curved track (18), ready for the next loading cycle. This continuous automated operation eliminates idle time and manual intervention between dumping cycles, significantly improving productivity while reducing overall time consumption compared to manual methods.
4Reliability
If worker entry into container is required for material distribution, then safety risks increase, but manual control precision is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual material distribution performed by workers entering the container with an automated mechanical system. The motor-driven holder (10) automatically positions and dumps materials with precise control through the curved track (18), eliminating the need for workers to enter the container and thereby removing the associated injury risks while maintaining reliable material distribution control.
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 physical effort and injury risk by automating the lifting and dumping process, enabling quick and even material distribution within containers, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a motive power device, the motive power device being operable to raise and lower the holder along the vertical track between the uppermost position and the lowermost position
Implementation Method 2
the holder is configured to pivot with respect to the carriage when being moved into its dumping position
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
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.