Flexible Lid Sealing for Milling Machine Material Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing milling machine transfer systems face issues with reliable sealing and high wear due to relative movement between conveying devices, leading to material leakage and component degradation.

Innovation Solution

A transfer device design featuring a lid element that connects the transfer opening of the first conveying device with the reception opening of the second conveying device, forming an enclosed channel to prevent material exit and reduce wear, with the lid element being pivotable and manufactured from flexible material to accommodate varying inclination angles without impeding movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flexible sealings are provided between the transfer device and the reception device to seal the point of transfer, then material leakage is prevented, but the sealing devices experience quick wear and tear due to relative movement between the two conveying devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of sealing device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible sealing element in the form of a lip sealing that can deform and adapt to relative movements between the transfer device and reception device. This flexible membrane structure maintains continuous sealing contact while accommodating the pivoting motions, thereby preventing material leakage without experiencing excessive wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing solution changes the physical state and properties of the sealing element by using a flexible material that can alter its shape and position in response to movement parameters. The lip sealing element deforms elastically to maintain sealing pressure despite relative displacement between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If spherical hoods are provided for sealing towards the top with sliding capability, then sealing during movement is improved, but dust and milled material collect between the spherical hoods leading to blockage and high wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing adaptability during movementVSAvoidmaterial accumulation and blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from a complex multi-component spherical hood system and implements it through a simpler lip sealing element. This single integrated sealing element eliminates the gaps and spaces between multiple components where material could accumulate, while still providing effective sealing during pivoting movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using rigid spherical hoods that slide against each other creating potential blockage zones, the invention inverts the approach by using a flexible lip sealing that actively conforms to the movement, preventing material accumulation through continuous adaptive contact rather than fixed geometric interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If shielding mats are provided in the intermediate area between the conveying devices, then material exit to the sides is prevented, but reliable sealing of the transfer point remains problematic due to relative movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial dispersion controlVSAvoidsealing reliability at transfer point

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lip sealing acts as an intermediary element between the transfer device and reception device, providing a flexible interface that maintains sealing while accommodating relative movements. This intermediary sealing element bridges the gap between fixed shielding structures and moving components, ensuring continuous material containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10227740B2Milling machine for working ground surfaces, transfer device, as well as method for the transfer of milled-off material

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 WIRTGEN GMBH

AI summary

In a milling machine for working ground surfaces, comprising a milling device mounted at a machine frame transverse to the direction of travel, comprising at least one first conveying device arranged at the machine frame which accepts the milled-off material from the milling device, at least one second conveying device pivotable, relative to the machine frame and/or the first conveying device, about a horizontal pivoting axis in a predetermined inclination angle range, and laterally about a pivoting axis extending in vertical direction, wherein the first conveying device transfers the milled-off material to the second conveying device, a transfer element with a first transfer opening essentially coaxial to the vertical pivoting axis and open towards the bottom is arranged at the first conveying device, a reception element with a reception opening open towards the top is arranged at the second conveying device, it is provided a lid element covering at least the major part of the reception opening arranged at the reception element, said lid element comprising a passage opening which connects the transfer opening with the reception opening.