Endless Belt Loading Mechanism for Solid Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum systems are inadequate for efficiently collecting and removing solid, semi-solid, or frozen materials from large animal husbandry facilities, as they are more suited for liquid and semi-liquid materials.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a housing with a loading conduit and return conduit, an endless belt with loading devices, and a drive system that powers the belt to collect and expel materials, along with a material moving system and a material carrying device for efficient material handling and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vacuum type systems are used for material collection, then liquid and semi-liquid materials can be collected effectively, but solid, semi-solid, and frozen materials cannot be collected at the desired operational level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vacuum-based pneumatic system with a mechanical conveyor system featuring an endless belt with loading devices. This mechanical substitution enables effective collection of solid, semi-solid, and frozen materials that vacuum systems cannot handle, while maintaining efficiency for liquid and semi-liquid materials.
2Ease of operation
If scraper blades or front-end bucket systems are used to transfer material, then material can be moved in large facilities, but the quantity of accumulated material becomes too great to transfer to one end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the material removal process by using multiple loading devices distributed along the endless belt, allowing material to be collected from various points along the facility and transported to different discharge locations. This segmentation enables handling of large quantities of accumulated material that cannot be effectively moved to a single endpoint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from linear material transfer (one end to another) to multi-dimensional material handling by distributing loading devices along the conveyor path and enabling discharge at multiple locations. This dimensional change allows efficient removal of large material quantities from extensive facilities.
3Device complexity
If vacuum systems are used for material collection, then the system structure can be relatively simple, but the system cannot handle solid and frozen materials effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the endless belt loading mechanism to perform multiple functions: collecting solid materials through loading devices, handling semi-solid materials, and transporting frozen materials. This universal design achieves versatility across different material consistencies while maintaining reasonable system complexity through the use of a single continuous belt structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for loading material comprising: a housing defining a loading conduit and a return conduit wherein the loading conduit and return conduit are operatively connected at a first location configured for material intake and a second location configured for material output; a loading mechanism operative within the housing, said loading mechanism including an endless belt having a plurality of loading devices anchored thereto, the loading mechanism configured to travel within the loading conduit from the first location to the second location and subsequently within the return conduit from the second location to the first location, said loading mechanism picking up material at the material intake and expelling material at the material output; and a drive system operatively connected with the loading mechanism, the drive system configured to provide power to the loading mechanism.