Gliding Pivot Assembly for Roll-Off Container Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding pivot cover systems for roll-off container trucks are cumbersome and difficult to control, as they struggle to efficiently accommodate containers of different lengths and provide smooth extension and retraction of the flexible cover.
Innovation Solution
A gliding pivot assembly with a pair of oppositely disposed rails, a gliding body slidably supported on the rails, and a cylinder supported on a rod assembly with a piston element that uses pressurized fluid to move the gliding body and bail arms along the vehicle frame, allowing for smooth and controlled extension and retraction of the cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional sliding pivot mechanism is used to accommodate containers of different lengths, then the cover system can adjust to varying container sizes, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic cylinder connected to the gliding body through a rod assembly. Pressurized fluid is conveyed to the cylinder to move the gliding body and bail arms along the rails, providing smooth and controlled movement that eliminates the cumbersome manual operation of conventional sliding pivot mechanisms while maintaining adaptability to different container lengths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot mechanism is made complex to accommodate varying container dimensions, then adaptability improves, but the system becomes more cumbersome and harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The gliding assembly is segmented into distinct components: rails fixedly mounted to the frame, a gliding body that moves along the rails, and a hydraulic cylinder with rod assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining the ability to accommodate varying container dimensions through the linear movement of the gliding body along the rails.
3Device complexity
If manual sliding mechanisms are used for pivot adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but smooth extension and retraction of the flexible cover cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic cylinder is used to replace manual sliding mechanisms. The cylinder receives pressurized fluid through a fluid circuit and converts it to linear motion of the rod assembly, which smoothly moves the gliding body and bail arms. This provides controlled extension and retraction of the flexible cover while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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
The gliding pivot assembly enables efficient accommodation of containers of varying lengths by providing a smooth and controlled movement of the cover, enhancing the operational efficiency and ease of use of the cover system.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid circuit is configured to selectively supply pressurized fluid to each cylinder through the pair of rods to move the cylinder, and therefore the gliding body and bails arms supported thereon, in one of two opposite directions along the length of the vehicle frame.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover system includes a cover, two bail arms, and a fluid circuit. Each bail arm is mounted on a gliding assembly. Each gliding assembly includes a gliding body slidably supported on a vehicle frame, and a cylinder connected to the gliding body and defining first and second ends. The fluid circuit is configured to supply fluid to the first end of the first cylinder and the second end of the second cylinder. A fluid line connects the second end of the first cylinder to the first end of the second cylinder and is configured to direct the fluid between the cylinders such that a flow of the fluid to the first cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a first direction, and a flow to the second cylinder causes movement of the cylinders, gliding bodies, and bail arms in a second opposite direction.