Grain Bin Unload Auger Hanger Assembly for Centered Trough Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain bin unload trough conveyor systems face challenges in maintaining proper auger alignment and reducing friction during installation and removal, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in grain conveyance.
Innovation Solution
A grain bin unload trough conveyor auger hanger assembly with a curved lower wall and angled shelf portions, supported by T-shaped members with friction-reducing pads, allows for central positioning and easy alignment of the auger shaft within the trough, reducing friction and misalignment issues during installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the auger is pushed into the trough from the end, then the auger can be installed or removed for maintenance, but the auger hanger may rotate and become misaligned with the support ramps, causing installation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The auger hanger is pre-positioned on the shelf portion of the side walls at the open end of the trough before the auger is pushed in. This preliminary positioning ensures the hanger is correctly aligned with the support ramps from the start, preventing rotation and misalignment during the subsequent auger insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf portion of the side walls acts as an intermediary structure that supports the auger hanger in a fixed, pre-determined position. This intermediate support structure ensures proper alignment between the hanger and the support ramps on the trough brackets, facilitating smooth auger installation without rotation or misalignment
2Productivity
If the auger extends a long distance in the trough, then the conveyance capacity is sufficient, but the auger shaft bows or bends, compromising proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The auger shaft is divided into multiple sections or segments that can be assembled in sections within the trough. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain structural integrity and straightness, while the overall long-distance conveyance capability is achieved through the combined length of multiple segments
Solution Approach 2:
The auger shaft segments are pre-assembled and pre-aligned outside the trough before insertion. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment and straightness is established before the auger is installed in the trough, preventing bowing or bending even when the total conveyance distance is long
3Ease of operation
If the auger flight slides along the bottom of the trough during insertion, then the auger can be positioned, but friction and potential part damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf portions of the side walls serve as intermediary support structures that bear the weight and guide the auger hanger during insertion. This intermediary support system transfers the loading from the auger flight sliding on the trough bottom to the shelf portions, significantly reducing friction and preventing damage to the auger and trough components
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 solution ensures proper auger positioning and reduced friction, facilitating easier maintenance and improved grain conveyance efficiency by minimizing contact with the trough walls, thus preventing damage and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
T-shaped members with friction-reducing pads
Data Source
AI summary
A grain bin unload conveyor trough can have a wall profile including a lowermost curved wall portion. Lower portions of a pair of side walls can be spaced laterally from each other at a first interior lateral width, and upper portions of the side walls can be spaced laterally from each other at a second interior lateral width that is greater than the first interior lateral width. A shelf portion of each side wall can extend laterally outwardly from the lower to the upper portion of the side walls. An auger hanger can extend laterally across the conveyor trough and can be supported on the shelf portions of the side walls. The auger hanger can extend down to hold an auger shaft of a grain bin unload conveyor auger in the conveyor trough centrally within the first interior lateral width between the lower portions of the side walls.