Internal Loader Gate Lock With Sensor-Guided Frame Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inloaders experience instability and difficulty in closing the door due to frame distortion on uneven ground, leading to the conical notches failing to engage with the recesses, preventing the door from being locked.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped vehicle frame with individually adjustable wheel suspensions and a sensor-guided lifting device to align the centering devices, allowing precise alignment and automatic closure of the door using a control device and locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gate is closed using conical notches and recesses, then the door can be locked when the frame is stable, but the door cannot be locked when the frame distorts on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lifting device with height-adjustable support elements that can dynamically adapt the gate's position relative to the vehicle frame. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the gate to be properly aligned and locked even when the frame distorts on uneven ground, resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and adaptability to varying ground conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device changes the vertical position parameter of the gate relative to the vehicle frame by adjusting the height of support elements. This parameter adjustment compensates for frame distortion caused by uneven ground, enabling the conical notches to properly engage with recesses and achieve reliable door locking under varying conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle frame is left open for loading, then loading is accessible, but the frame becomes unstable and can twist on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The gate is divided into functional segments including the gate body, hinge device for pivotal movement, and a lifting device with multiple independently adjustable support elements. This segmentation allows the gate to perform multiple functions: providing loading access when open and actively stabilizing the frame when closed by compensating for distortions through individual support element adjustment.
3Device complexity
If manual alignment is used for the centering device, then the structure remains simple, but the alignment precision is insufficient under unfavorable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor device that detects the relative position between the centering device on the gate and the receptacle on the vehicle frame. This feedback mechanism provides position information to a control device, which then actuates the lifting device to achieve precise alignment, ensuring accurate door locking even under unfavorable ground conditions while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
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
Ensures stable and secure closure of the door even on uneven ground by compensating for frame distortions, enabling easy and safe locking through sensor-guided alignment and hydraulic or mechanical mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The inloader according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises at least one sensor device (25) that detects the position of the centering device (20) relative to the position of the receptacle (30)
Implementation Method 2
The wheels are coupled to the vehicle frame via a wheel suspension. The wheel suspensions are individually or jointly height-adjustable using a lifting device provided on the legs
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an in-loader 100 according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for closing a gate 15 on an in-loader 100. The in-loader (100) comprises a U-shaped vehicle frame (10) with two legs (11, 12) oriented in the longitudinal direction (R) of the vehicle and a loading chute (13) arranged between the legs (11, 12), which can be closed by a gate (15). The gate (15) is pivotably attached to one of the legs (11, 12) on a first outer side (16) by means of a hinge (18) and has at least one centering device (20) on a second outer side (17) which coincides with a receptacle (30) attached to the other leg (11, 12) and, when the gate (15) is closed, aligns the gate (15) in a closed position (P1) relative to the other leg (11, 12).Since sufficient stabilization of the vehicle frame is lacking when the gate (15) is open, under unfavorable conditions, especially on uneven ground, the twisting in the vehicle frame (10) can be so great that the gate (15) and the vehicle frame (10) have such a large height difference that the gate cannot be locked. In order to be able to close the gate (15) easily and securely even under unfavorable conditions, it is proposed that the legs (11, 12) of the vehicle frame (10) be individually or jointly height-adjustable by means of a lifting device (23) attached to the vehicle frame (10), and that at least one sensor device (25) be provided that detects the position (PZ) of the centering device (20) relative to the position (PA) of the receptacle (30).