Material Collection Power Split Between Drive and Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Material collection systems require significant power to operate, often necessitating heavy-duty vehicles and auxiliary engines, which increase weight, size, and operational complexity, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in navigating narrow spaces and requiring commercial driver licenses.
Innovation Solution
A material collection system with a single engine that uses a variable power divider to selectively distribute power between the vehicle's transmission and vacuum generator based on operational modes, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for auxiliary engines, allowing for a compact and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single engine is used to power both transmission and vacuum generator, then device complexity and weight are reduced, but power distribution efficiency becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable power divider that dynamically adjusts power distribution between the transmission and vacuum generator based on operational modes. The system transitions between a first mode (high power to transmission, low power to vacuum generator) and a second mode (low power to transmission, high power to vacuum generator), allowing the single engine to efficiently meet varying power demands without requiring multiple engines or complex auxiliary power sources.
2Power
If heavy-duty vehicles with auxiliary engines are used, then sufficient power is available for material collection, but vehicle weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the vehicle engine and vacuum generator power source into a single engine system. The variable power divider enables one engine to perform the work that traditionally required two separate power sources, eliminating the need for auxiliary engines and significantly reducing vehicle weight while maintaining sufficient power for material collection operations.
3Ease of operation
If manual power control of vacuum generator is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but power usage efficiency is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that automatically manages power distribution based on operational conditions. The system monitors the operational mode and automatically adjusts the power split between transmission and vacuum generator through the variable power divider, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while optimizing power usage efficiency. The control system provides feedback-based automated management that maintains both flexibility and efficiency.
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
This approach maximizes power usage efficiency, reduces the overall weight and size of the vehicle, enables operation by non-commercially licensed drivers, and minimizes environmental impact by allowing the system to operate within commercial vehicle width limits.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum generator can include a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into a material inlet of a conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A material collection system is provided. The system can include a vacuum generator having a fan to develop an airflow and draw material into a conduit. The system can also include a transmission, a power source to selectively power at least one of the vacuum generator and the transmission, a variable power divider to divide a power output from the power source to the transmission and the vacuum generator, and a control system to control the variable power divider in a first mode and a second mode.