Grain Bin Lid Assembly with 180-Degree Pivoting Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain bin lid opening linkages are limited to a 90-degree range, leading to damage from conveyor discharge and difficulty in providing mechanical advantage for opening, and often require alignment maintenance to function effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bin lid assembly with a hinge allowing 180-degree pivotal movement, a biasing member, and a four-bar linkage with an opening arm that rotates to maintain orientation and prevent interference, enabling full-range opening without damage and maintaining mechanical advantage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is opened only through a range of approximately 90 degrees using conventional linkages, then the linkage structure is simpler, but the lid extends upwardly above the bin opening and can readily become damaged by contact with conveyor discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The opening arm is designed to dynamically change its orientation relative to the lid member during the opening motion. The arm rotates from an upward extension position when the lid is closed to a rearward extension position when the lid is open, allowing the lid to achieve full 180-degree opening while the linkage adapts its configuration to maintain mechanical advantage throughout the range of motion and prevent damage from conveyor discharge
2Reliability
If the lid is opened through a full range of approximately 180 degrees, then the lid can be safely positioned away from the bin opening, but it becomes more difficult to provide mechanical advantage to the opening motion
Solution Approach 1:
The opening arm rotates relative to the lid member during the opening motion, dynamically adjusting its orientation to maintain optimal mechanical advantage. The arm folds in upon itself under the lid member as the lid opens, ensuring that the pulling force from the tether is effectively transmitted throughout the full 180-degree range of motion, making the lid easy to open despite the extended rotation range
Solution Approach 2:
The opening arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the tether and the lid member. By allowing the arm to rotate and fold during the opening motion, it mediates the force transmission from the tether to the lid, maintaining mechanical advantage and reducing the effort required to open the lid through the full 180-degree range
3Ease of operation
If a four-bar linkage with an opening arm that rotates orientation is used, then mechanical advantage is maintained throughout the opening motion, but the linkage structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The opening arm is designed to rotate relative to the lid member during the opening motion, dynamically changing its orientation from upward extension to rearward extension. This dynamic configuration allows the four-bar linkage to maintain mechanical advantage throughout the full 180-degree range of motion while using a relatively simple structural arrangement that folds compactly under the lid member
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 allows for safe and efficient opening of the grain bin lid through a full 180 degrees, preventing damage from conveyor discharge and ensuring easy operation by maintaining mechanical advantage throughout the opening motion.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member arranged to bias the lid member towards the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a hinge arranged to support the lid member on the bin for pivotal movement about a hinge axis offset to one side of the bin opening
Implementation Method 3
the operating linkage including an opening arm extending in a longitudinal direction between an inner end of the opening arm which is pivotally connected to the lid member and an outer end of the opening arm which is opposite the inner end so as to be arranged for connection to the upper end of the actuator tether
Data Source
AI summary
A bin lid assembly includes a lid member arranged to span across an opening in the roof of a grain storage bin. The lid member is supported by a hinge which is biased towards a closed position extending forwardly across the bin opening from an open position extending rearwardly. An operating linkage is pivotally connected to the lid member and includes a opening arm which is folded relative to the lid member from a first position extending upwardly in the closed position of the lid member to a second position extending rearwardly in the open position of the lid member to allow the lid member to be opened 180 degrees. The linkage also allows a mechanical advantage to be maintained when pulling the lid open using an actuator tether alongside the bin which is connected at an upper end to the opening arm.