Grain Spreader With Adjustable Chutes for Uniform Bin Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Grain bins are often loaded unevenly, leading to imbalances and non-uniform distribution of grain sizes, particularly due to the lateral component of grain flow from conveyers, which can cause structural stress and inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

A grain spreader apparatus with an adjustable leveling band and radially extending chutes that can be adjusted to compensate for the direction of grain flow, ensuring uniform loading and distribution by altering the roll and pitch of the leveling band and the angle of the chutes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If grain is delivered directly from the conveyer into the grain bin, then the loading process is simple and fast, but the grain bin becomes loaded unevenly causing structural stress and non-uniform grain size distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading speedVSAvoiduniformity of grain distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The grain flow is segmented by directing it through multiple radially extending chutes that distribute grain to different locations in the bin. The leveling band divides the grain stream into multiple controlled flows, ensuring even distribution across the bin cross-section while maintaining continuous loading operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The leveling band and chutes act as intermediary devices between the conveyer and the grain bin. These components redirect and redistribute the grain flow, transforming the direct lateral flow from the conveyer into a uniform radial distribution pattern that eliminates uneven loading while preserving loading efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the conveyer delivers grain with a lateral flow component, then the loading mechanism is simple, but the grain concentrates on one side of the bin causing imbalance and stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading mechanism simplicityVSAvoidstructural stress on grain bin

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attempting to correct the lateral flow direction, the system inverts the approach by using the leveling band to redirect grain flow radially outward through chutes positioned around the bin. This transforms the problematic lateral flow into a beneficial radial distribution pattern, eliminating structural stress while maintaining simple conveyer operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If grain is loaded uniformly from a radial direction, then the grain bin achieves even vertical and radial loading, but the fines in the grain concentrate in the center rather than being uniformly distributed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of grain distributionVSAvoiduniformity of grain size distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by using the adjustable leveling band to control grain flow characteristics at different radial positions. The band can be tilted to create specific flow patterns that promote mixing of different grain sizes as they descend through the chutes, ensuring fines are distributed uniformly throughout the bin rather than concentrating in the center.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12441563B2Grain spreader for loading grain bin

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 EXTRON CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus to facilitate the loading of a grain bin such that the level in the grain bin increases generally uniformly and the distribution of grain size in the grain bin is generally uniform as well. The method includes redirecting the flow of the grain from the conveyer as it flows into the grain bin. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable leveling band for redirecting the grain uniformly to a plurality of radially extending chutes. In one embodiment, the angle of the chutes can also be easily adjusted.