Automatic Fluidic Sealing Tailgate Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of chain binders for sealing vessel tailgates during transport poses a risk of material leakage, especially when handling fluidic materials, as it exposes operators to contamination and fails to ensure absolute containment.
Innovation Solution
An automatic tailgate operating mechanism with a pair of arms and links that raises and lowers a tailgate plate to seal the vessel opening, allowing it to move toward a sealing surface when the vessel is lowered from a dumping position, eliminating the need for manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual chain binders are used to seal the tailgate, then the tailgate can be held shut, but operators are exposed to material contamination and absolute containment cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate sealing system operates automatically through the hydraulic mechanism that controls the dump bed. When the dump bed is lowered to transport position, the hydraulic cylinder automatically drives the tailgate against the sealing surface, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent sealing without operator exposure to contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical chain binder system is replaced with a hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic cylinder that controls the dump bed position is integrated with the tailgate sealing mechanism, using hydraulic pressure to automatically force the tailgate against the sealing surface, providing more reliable and consistent sealing force than manual chain binders.
2Ease of operation
If manual chain binders are used to seal the tailgate, then the tailgate can be held shut, but the system requires manual operation and operator positioning at the rear
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate sealing function is integrated into the automatic dump bed control system. The same hydraulic mechanism that raises and lowers the dump bed automatically performs the tailgate sealing function, eliminating the need for separate manual operation and making the system self-sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The tailgate sealing mechanism is merged with the dump bed hydraulic control system. The hydraulic cylinder serves dual purposes: controlling dump bed position and actuating tailgate sealing, thereby combining two functions into one integrated system that operates automatically.
3Productivity
If the tailgate is manually opened for dumping, then material can be emptied, but the sealing reliability during transport is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate sealing system is designed to be dynamic, automatically adjusting to the dump bed position. During dumping, the tailgate is naturally opened by the dump bed rotation. During transport, the hydraulic system automatically re-establishes sealing as the bed returns to horizontal position, providing adaptive sealing without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing action is performed automatically as part of the dump bed lowering sequence. Before the vehicle begins transport, the hydraulic system ensures the tailgate is already sealed against the sealing surface, preparing the system for reliable containment during the upcoming transport phase.
Data Source
AI summary
This present disclosure describes an automatically sealing tailgate mechanism for the transport of fluidic materials in vessels such as roll off containers and truck bodies. Currently, preventing material leakage from such vessels is ensured using manually operated locks, which put operating personnel of such vessels at risk. The automatic vessel locking system disclosed does not require manual operating intervention other than actions taken to perform a dumping operation.