Elevatable Hopper and Pivot Throw Conveyor for Bulk Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional live bottom trailers have limited discharge capabilities due to low ground clearance, restricting their use to accessible sites, while slinger trucks, with inclined hopper bodies, can discharge materials further but have lower load capacities and stability issues. There is a need for a vehicle that combines the payload capacity of live bottom trailers with the directional discharge of slinger trucks and can handle various materials, including those that compact or clump.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a material hopper body that can be elevated near the discharge end, featuring a first endless conveyor and a pivotally mounted second endless conveyor that can be elevated to an incline, along with a metering beam that can be elevated to facilitate smooth discharge, allowing for both directional and distant material discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a traditional live bottom trailer is used with a horizontal hopper body, then the load capacity is large (19.11 to 38.23 cubic meters), but the material discharge distance is limited due to low ground clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper body is made elevatable relative to the chassis, transitioning from a fixed horizontal position to a dynamically adjustable elevated position. This allows the hopper to be raised during discharge operations to provide adequate ground clearance for the throw conveyor, enabling material to be discharged at distances greater than traditional live bottom trailers while maintaining large load capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds vertical dimensionality to the discharge system by introducing a throw conveyor that can be positioned at elevated angles. Instead of only horizontal discharge at ground level, the system uses vertical elevation of the hopper and angular positioning of the throw conveyor to achieve distant directional discharge in three-dimensional space
2Length of moving object
If a slinger truck with an inclined hopper body is used, then the material discharge distance is greater, but the load capacity is reduced (13.76 to 16.82 cubic meters) and the center of gravity is raised causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper body transitions from a fixed inclined position in slinger trucks to a dynamically elevatable position. The hopper can be raised to the optimal angle for throw conveyor alignment while maintaining a horizontal bottom configuration, combining the discharge capabilities of slinger trucks with the load capacity and stability of live bottom trailers
Solution Approach 2:
The hopper body maintains a horizontal bottom surface (like live bottom trailers) while being elevatable to achieve the discharge angle (like slinger trucks). This local differentiation allows the bottom to retain its load-bearing horizontal configuration while the entire hopper assembly can be elevated for optimal discharge positioning
3Length of moving object
If a throw conveyor is added to a live bottom trailer, then the material discharge distance increases, but the ground clearance is insufficient and the conveyor cannot be easily configured
Solution Approach 1:
The throw conveyor is designed with multi-functionality, capable of being positioned in multiple configurations including horizontal and elevated angled positions. The conveyor can serve both as a horizontal discharge mechanism and as an elevated directional discharge mechanism, adapting to different site requirements and hopper positions
Solution Approach 2:
The throw conveyor is made dynamically positionable with adjustable angles and elevations. The conveyor can be raised to various angles relative to the ground and positioned at different locations, providing flexibility in configuration to overcome ground clearance limitations and adapt to different discharge requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for transporting and discharging material from vehicles and trailers having a material hopper body. The material hopper body has generally inclined sidewalls and a substantially horizontal bottom area defined by an internal conveyor extending the length of the hopper body. A tailgate door closes the end of the hopper body to contain the load in the hopper. The tailgate door is moveable from the closed position to an open position to permit discharge of the material out the rear of the hopper. Lift and stabilizing means proximate the rear of the material hopper body elevate the hopper body. An external throw conveyor is adapted to pivot between a stored position at the side of the hopper body to an operational position behind and below the hopper body at the discharge end to directionally discharge material from the hopper body.