Gritting Device Tank Bag Arrangement for Volume Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spreaders for winter service vehicles face inefficiencies in optimizing the ratio of solid spreading material to liquid, leading to suboptimal use of capacity and increased material usage, which affects road safety and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The spreader design features a tank bag arrangement where at least 90% of its volume is above the side tanks, allowing for hierarchical filling and emptying, with a pivoting partition wall that actively adjusts to optimize volume usage, and includes a ventilation system to prevent deformation and ensure reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If tank bags are arranged inside the spreading material container without specific positioning, then liquid storage capacity is provided, but the volume available for solid spreading material is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tank bags are positioned in the upper region of the spreading material container, utilizing vertical space above the side tanks rather than horizontal space. This dimensional arrangement allows liquid storage without significantly reducing the volume available for solid spreading material in the lower region.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank bags are nested within the spreading material container structure, specifically arranged in the upper region above the side tanks. This nesting arrangement integrates liquid storage into the overall container structure without compromising the primary function of solid material storage.
2Quantity of substance
If tank bags are filled to maximum volume, then liquid capacity is maximized, but the hierarchical extraction system cannot function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is made pivotable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the compartment volume. This enables the system to adapt between maximizing liquid capacity and maintaining proper hierarchical extraction functionality, as the partition can be positioned to leave appropriate free space above the tank bags.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume of the tank bag compartment can be changed by pivoting the partition wall to different positions. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of both liquid capacity and operational functionality depending on the specific requirements.
3Device complexity
If a fixed partition wall is used to define tank bag compartment, then structure is simple, but volume optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, adding minimal mechanical complexity while enabling significant volume optimization. The pivotable design allows the compartment volume to be adjusted to match the actual needs of the tank bags.
4Shape
If tank bags are allowed to deform freely, then flexibility is high, but operational reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank bags are made from flexible material that can deform, but their movement is constrained by the compartment boundaries defined by the partition wall and container walls. This provides a balance between flexibility for volume adaptation and constraints for operational reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A gritting device, in particular for winter maintenance vehicles, comprises a gritting material container (2) which is delimited by rigid walls and which includes a bottom gritting material delivery unit (3) extending in the longitudinal direction of the gritting device; the gritting device further comprises a gritting material dispensing mechanism that is fed by the gritting material delivery unit, and a liquid system. The liquid system comprises at least one rigid lateral tank (10) that is placed laterally outside the gritting material container, and at least one tank bag which has a variable shape and volume and is located in the interior of the gritting material container. At the maximum volume of the tank bag, at least 90 percent of the volume thereof are located at a level above the at least one lateral tank (10).