Bucket Elevator Alignment Bracing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The erection of agricultural square bucket elevators is hazardous and difficult due to the need for manual alignment with hand-held pins, and the structures often experience unwanted vibration leading to wear and durability issues.
Innovation Solution
An alignment and bracing assembly with cross braces and plates that secure trunking members in a square configuration, using alignment pins to facilitate safe and precise alignment, and reducing vibration through stabilizing diagonal members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alignment with hand-held pins is used during erection, then alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes hazardous and difficult requiring one hand to hold the pin while guiding the trunking member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment pins as intermediary elements that are pre-attached to templates. These pins serve as mediators between the template and the trunking member, enabling precise alignment without requiring workers to manually hold alignment tools during the guiding process. The pins transfer the alignment function from a manual operation to a passive mechanical feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pins are pre-attached to the templates before the erection process begins. This preliminary action ensures that when the template is positioned against the trunking member, the alignment pins are already in place to guide the positioning, eliminating the need for workers to manually hold alignment tools during the critical positioning phase.
2Ease of manufacture
If trunking members are erected without bracing, then erection is simpler, but twisting occurs causing undesired operational vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the template and cross-bracing elements into a single integrated assembly. The template serves dual purposes: as a positioning guide and as a bracing structure. By merging these functions into one component, the system provides both alignment and structural stability without requiring separate complex bracing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The template is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an alignment guide, a bracing element, and a positioning reference. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment tools and bracing components, simplifying the erection process while ensuring structural stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cross braces are added to prevent twisting, then vibration is reduced, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cross-bracing function with the template into a single integrated assembly. The template includes built-in cross-bracing elements that provide structural stability without requiring separate bracing components. This integration reduces the number of parts and simplifies the assembly process while effectively preventing trunking member twisting.
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment and bracing assembly and method of using the same to erect a bucket elevator. The assembly has first and second cross braces that are attached to trunking members of a bucket elevator in spaced relation where a plate is secured to each of the cross braces. The plate includes diagonal sections for additional bracing and in addition alignment openings so that alignment pins can be disposed therethrough to align additional sets of trunking members with one another during the erection process.