Low Profile Rucker Wheels for Fixed Diameter Coverings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ruckers are not suitable for shirring fixed diameter materials, delicate compression fit netting, or non-cylindrical chutes, and often require excessive space and operate at undesired speeds.
Innovation Solution
The development of low-profile ruckers with rotatable wheels that travel in different directions to snugly abut and pull covering materials onto chutes, featuring a variable speed drive and non-rotational movement in one direction, along with computer program products to control the movement and rotation of wheels, and elongate tapered loading caps with non-circular shapes to accommodate various chute profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional ruckers are used to load netting onto chutes, then the rucking function is performed, but the device requires excessive space and operates at undesired speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The rucker employs a dynamic wheel mechanism where wheels rotate during the return stroke to pull netting onto the chute, while moving forward during the loading stroke without rotating. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maintain high operational speed while compacting the overall structure to reduce space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rucker operates through periodic cycles of forward movement (loading stroke) and return movement (unloading stroke). During each cycle, the wheels selectively rotate only during the return stroke to advance netting, creating a rhythmic periodic action that increases productivity while maintaining a compact footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ruckers are used, then they can handle standard netting, but they are not suitable for fixed diameter materials, delicate compression fit netting, or non-cylindrical chutes
Solution Approach 1:
The rucker uses variable speed control of the wheels to adapt to different material types. The system can adjust wheel rotation speed and movement parameters to handle fixed diameter materials, delicate compression fit netting, or non-cylindrical chutes, ensuring reliable handling across diverse material types without compromising adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rucker design incorporates universal features including variable speed drives, adjustable wheel configurations, and programmable control systems that enable the same device to reliably handle multiple material types and chute geometries, from fixed diameter pipes to non-cylindrical profiles.
3Speed
If the wheels rotate continuously during movement, then netting can be pulled onto the chute, but the device cannot achieve low-profile operation and increased speed
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel control mechanism dynamically switches between rotating and non-rotating states based on the operational phase. During the forward loading stroke, wheels move without rotating to maintain low profile; during the return stroke, wheels rotate to pull netting. This dynamic control increases speed while managing complexity through phase-dependent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rucker incorporates feedback control systems that monitor wheel position, rotation state, and netting tension to automatically adjust wheel rotation timing and speed. This feedback mechanism coordinates the complex wheel control to achieve optimal operational speed while maintaining precise control over when rotation occurs.
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
Enables efficient rucking of fixed diameter materials and non-circular chute profiles with increased operational speed and reduced space requirements, effectively handling delicate and inelastic materials while maintaining chute stability.
Implementation Method 1
the wheels are rotated to pull additional lengths of the covering material onto the chute body
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus and associated devices for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a plurality of spaced apart rotatable wheels having a primary axis of movement, wherein, in operation, the plurality of wheels have an automated stroke cycle whereby each is configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of a chute body and remain in contact with the chute body while the wheels travel in a first direction about the primary axis of movement and in an opposing second direction about the primary axis of movement.