Multi-Stage Ram Assembly to Prevent Product Tunneling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assemblies that push products out of containers face issues such as tunneling or bridging, where product forms a tunnel around the moving body, preventing further movement, and gaps leading to product jamming and inability to move.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage ram assembly with a first ram moving along a trough surface and engaging a second ram, utilizing a single actuator to coordinate their movement, avoiding tunneling and jamming by staged movement and interlocking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single body (ram) is used to push product out of the container, then the device complexity is reduced, but tunneling or bridging occurs where product forms a tunnel around the moving body preventing further movement
Solution Approach 1:
The single ram is divided into multiple segmented rams (first ram, second ram, third ram) that move in sequence through different stages. Each ram pushes product a portion of the total distance, with gaps between rams preventing product from forming continuous tunnels or bridges around a single moving body. This segmentation maintains acceptable device complexity while eliminating the tunneling problem that compromises reliability.
2Ease of operation
If gaps exist around the moving body, then the ease of operation is improved, but product becomes stuck in gaps and jams the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple rams with controlled gaps between them allow product to be pushed in stages. The gaps are managed through the staged movement sequence where rams engage and disengage in a predetermined pattern, preventing product from becoming trapped while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rams are designed with dynamic engagement and disengagement mechanisms that allow them to move independently at different times. The first ram moves initially, then engages the second ram, which moves subsequently, and so on. This dynamic staged movement ensures product flows reliably without jamming while maintaining operational ease.
3Device complexity
If a single actuator moves the ram, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent tunneling and jamming is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A single actuator is designed with dynamic capabilities to independently control the movement of multiple rams in sequence. The actuator can engage the first ram, then the second ram, then the third ram in predetermined stages, allowing complex staged movement patterns while using only one actuator. This maintains low device complexity while achieving reliable product delivery without tunneling or jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator performs multiple functions by sequentially engaging and moving different rams through different stages of the product ejection process. This multi-functionality allows one actuator to replace what would traditionally require multiple actuators, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable controlled staged movement that prevents tunneling and jamming.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is an assembly including a first ram that can move along a surface in a trough toward an outlet of the trough to move product toward the outlet; a second ram that can be engaged by the first ram as the first ram moves along the surface in the trough, the second ram can be moved toward the outlet of the trough by the first ram; and an actuator that can move the first ram along the surface toward the outlet of the trough. In some embodiments, the first ram may be located between the surface in the trough and the second ram. Optionally, the actuator can engage with and move the first ram.