Fluid-Driven Hatch With Sequential Pressure Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hatch opening and closing mechanisms for bulk material containers on vehicles lack efficient and remote-controlled automation, requiring manual operation and lacking seamless integration of locking and opening functions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-driven hatch system using a single fluid line to actuate both a cover actuator and a lock actuator, allowing remote operation through different fluid pressures to unlock, open, close, and lock the hatch, with a bidirectional valve and resilient member for controlled movement and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of hatch mechanisms is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and productivity are worsened due to requiring manual intervention at the container opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with a fluid-driven pneumatic or hydraulic system. Compressed air or fluid is delivered through hoses to actuators that automatically open and close the hatch, eliminating the need for manual intervention at the container opening while providing remote operation capability through controls located at safe distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces compressed air or fluid as an intermediary medium to transmit force from the remote control system to the hatch mechanism. This intermediary allows the operator to control the heavy hatch from a distance without direct mechanical contact, improving ease of operation while the complexity is managed through standardized pneumatic/hydraulic components.
2Device complexity
If separate mechanisms are used for locking and opening functions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple independent systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking and opening functions into a single integrated fluid-driven system. A single fluid line delivers compressed air or fluid to both the lock actuator and the hatch actuator in sequence, reducing the number of independent systems while maintaining reliability through coordinated sequential operation controlled by the same fluid pressure source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by first actuating the lock mechanism to unlock the hatch before delivering sufficient pressure to move the heavy hatch cover. This sequential actuation ensures that the locking function is reliably executed before the opening function begins, maintaining system reliability while using a unified fluid-driven approach.
3Productivity
If high fluid pressure is used to move the cover, then productivity is improved, but the lock actuator may be prematurely actuated causing unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic pressure control where the fluid pressure is gradually increased from a lower initial level to a higher operating level. The system first applies sufficient pressure to actuate the lock mechanism at a moderate pressure level, then continues increasing pressure to move the heavy hatch cover quickly. This dynamic pressure adjustment ensures reliable sequential actuation while maintaining high productivity during the actual opening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fluid pressure parameter in two distinct stages: first to a threshold level that triggers lock actuation, then to a higher level that provides the force needed for rapid hatch opening. This parameter change strategy allows the system to achieve both reliable control of the locking sequence and high-speed operation of the hatch cover, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables seamless remote operation of bulk material container hatches, ensuring secure closure and efficient opening with reduced manual intervention, leveraging pneumatic or hydraulic forces for reliable and convenient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid force produced from the fluid drive source can be controlled to increase the fluid pressure in the fluid conduit. When the fluid conduit reaches a first internal pressure, the lock actuator is actuated to move the latch from a locked position to an unlocked position
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid-driven hatch for a bulk material container includes a cover is opened by a fluid-driven cover actuator and secured by a fluid-driven lock actuator. A fluid conduit connects both the fluid-driven cover actuator and the fluid-driven lock actuator to a pressurized fluid source. Pressurized fluid is selectively supplied to the fluid conduit such that the fluid-driven lock actuator is actuated at a first pressure to unlock the cover, and the fluid-driven cover actuator is actuated moments later at a second, higher pressure to open the cover.