Extendible Auger Hopper Alignment in Confined Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain auger systems face difficulties in aligning the inlet hopper with the discharge hopper of transport containers due to limited movement and space constraints, leading to inefficient material transfer and potential loss.
Innovation Solution
An auger assembly comprising a main auger and an extendable loading auger with a U-trough, where the extendable loading auger is mounted on top of the U-trough and can pivot relative to the main auger, allowing greater reach and alignment flexibility by extending or retracting along a rail system, enabling the inlet hopper to be positioned below the source area without requiring multiple vehicle position adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a swing auger is used for alignment with the source area, then the auger can be positioned to receive material, but the inlet hopper is restricted to positioning along an arched path which is difficult to align with the discharge hopper of a transport container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the auger assembly movable through multiple degrees of freedom: the swing auger can pivot horizontally to align with the source area, while the entire auger assembly can be positioned along the transport container using the extendable feed auger section. This dynamic positioning capability allows the inlet hopper to move along a linear path rather than being restricted to an arched path, significantly improving alignment flexibility and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the auger assembly into multiple independent sections: a main auger section, a swing auger section, and an extendable feed auger section. This segmentation allows each section to move independently - the swing auger can pivot to align with the source area while the extendable feed auger section can be positioned along the transport container, resolving the contradiction between alignment flexibility and hopper positioning capability.
2Device complexity
If the swing auger is restricted to arched path positioning, then the structure is simpler, but multiple steps of advancing and subsequent reversal of the vehicle position are required for proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by equipping the auger assembly with movable components that can adjust their position dynamically. The extendable feed auger section can be extended or retracted to position the inlet hopper at different locations along the transport container, while the swing auger can pivot to align with the source area. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for multiple steps of advancing and reversing the vehicle position, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the auger assembly with pre-configured movable components that can be adjusted before material transfer begins. The extendable feed auger section and swing auger are positioned and aligned in advance, allowing the system to achieve proper alignment quickly without requiring multiple vehicle position adjustments during the setup process.
3Device complexity
If the swing auger is used with limited movement, then the device is simpler, but the inlet hopper can not reach all outlet hoppers under long transport containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auger into multiple sections with independent movement capabilities. The extendable feed auger section can be extended to reach distant outlet hoppers under long transport containers, while the swing auger section maintains its pivoting capability for alignment. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both extended reach and alignment flexibility without requiring excessive complexity in the movement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the auger assembly adaptable through movable components. The extendable feed auger section can change its length to reach different distances, while the swing auger can pivot to align with the source area. This dynamic adaptability allows the inlet hopper to reach all outlet hoppers under long transport containers without requiring an overly complex mechanism, as each component moves independently to achieve the desired position.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the auger assembly is designed with fixed positioning, then the structure is more stable, but the inlet hopper must be manually positioned by advancing and reversing vehicle position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by providing movable components that can be adjusted during operation. The extendable feed auger section can be extended or retracted to position the inlet hopper, and the swing auger can pivot to align with the source area. These dynamic adjustments are made through mechanical linkages and pivot points that maintain stability during operation while allowing easy alignment operation, eliminating the need for manual positioning by advancing and reversing vehicle position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by designing the auger assembly with self-positioning capabilities. The movable components allow the inlet hopper to automatically adjust its position and alignment without requiring external intervention to advance or reverse the vehicle position. The swing auger can pivot to align with the source area, and the extendable feed auger section can position itself along the transport container, making the alignment operation easy and eliminating the need for complex manual positioning procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An auger assembly transfers particulate material from a source area to a target area using a main auger, an open top swing auger or U-trough, and an extendable loading swing auger connected to one another. The main auger is supported on a wheeled frame similar to conventional grain augers while the U-trough is pivoted thereon, and the extendable loading swing auger is mounted on a rail system on the top of the U-trough. The inlet hopper of the extendable swing auger can be extended out to reach away from the main auger thus can be more easily positioned for proper alignment with the discharge hopper of a particulate material container even when the discharge hopper is within a confined space.