Front-Mounted Hopper Carrier With Power Tilt Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current front-mounted load carrying devices for motorized vehicles do not allow for easy unloading of materials, as they are typically rear-mounted and lack power actuation to tilt the carrier for efficient unloading.
Innovation Solution
A power-actuated load carrying apparatus is designed for front-mounting on motorized vehicles, featuring a hingedly connected hopper that can be moved between horizontal and vertical positions using a power actuation assembly, allowing for easy unloading of materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the carrier is mounted to the rear of the motorized vehicle, then the carrier can be hauled easily, but it becomes difficult for the operator to monitor the condition of the carrier and the materials in the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional rear-mounted carrier configuration by mounting the carrier to the front of the motorized vehicle. This inversion allows the operator to directly observe the carrier and its contents while operating the vehicle, eliminating the monitoring difficulty associated with rear-mounted carriers while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the carrier is mounted to the rear of the motorized vehicle, then the carrier can be hauled, but once near the desired location the operator must manually unload the materials from the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a power actuator that enables the carrier to dynamically change its orientation from a horizontal transport position to a vertical unloading position. This dynamic adjustment allows materials to be easily discharged under gravity when the carrier is tilted vertically, eliminating manual unloading efforts and significantly improving unloading efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the carrier lacks power actuation to tilt, then the carrier structure remains simple, but the operator cannot easily unload materials from the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tilting operations with a power actuator system that automatically tilts the carrier between horizontal and vertical positions. This substitution of mechanical systems significantly reduces the physical effort required for unloading materials while adding controlled complexity through the actuation mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation.
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 efficient unloading of materials by allowing the hopper to be tilted vertically, reducing physical labor and improving operational convenience during yard and garden work.
Implementation Method 1
a hopper (150) attached to the second supporting frame (130)
Implementation Method 2
The actuator (201) is configured to move the second supporting frame (130) between the first position and the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A load carrying apparatus for attachment to a motorized vehicle having a first supporting frame, a second supporting frame, a wheel, a hopper, a frame extension, and a pivot support. The wheel is connected to the first supporting frame, and the hopper is connected to the second supporting frame. The second supporting frame is hingedly connected to the first supporting frame and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The frame extension is configured for attachment to the motorized vehicle. The pivot support is pivotally connected to one of the frame extension or the first supporting frame and fixedly connected to the other of the frame extension or the first supporting frame.