Pivotable Container Retention Lining for Steep-Slope Unloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Load carrying vehicles in the mining industry face issues with material displacement and loss due to steep slopes, where existing solutions like tailgates are costly and complex, and current retention systems fail to effectively retain loads on steep hills without compromising unloading efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A pivotable retention system integrated into the lining of the load carrying container, made of elastic materials like rubber, with a drive element such as an inflatable unit, mechanical hoisting elements, or hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders, allowing the retention portion to be raised to prevent load displacement and lowered for unloading, while being operable from a distance to ensure safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed tailgate is provided at the rear end of the truck box, then load retention is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload retentionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention portion is made pivotable between a raised position (providing retention) and a lowered position (facilitating unloading), transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational requirements without adding complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retention portion is made of elastic material and forms part of the lining, using flexible material properties to achieve both structural integrity and adaptability, eliminating the need for rigid, complex tailgate structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a fixed tailgate is provided, then load retention is improved, but the ease of operation during unloading deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload retentionVSAvoidunloading conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable retention portion can be lowered to create a flush surface with the container bottom, enabling complete unloading without requiring excessive tilt angles, thus maintaining ease of operation while providing retention during transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retention portion alternates between raised (during transport) and lowered (during unloading) positions, providing periodic adaptation to different operational phases without compromising either load retention or unloading efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If a suspension system is used to compensate for inclination, then load retention is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload retentionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential retention function from complex suspension systems by using a simple pivotable portion that can be raised to compensate for slope effects without requiring active suspension mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention portion uses simple elastic material and basic pivot mechanisms instead of expensive suspension systems, providing an economical solution that achieves retention through passive mechanical means rather than active control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If the retention portion is made of rigid material, then the strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture and integration with lining deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestrengthVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retention portion is made of elastic material that can be integrated directly into the lining structure, simplifying manufacturing and installation while providing sufficient strength through the material's inherent properties and the pivotable mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The retention portion uses elastic material that combines flexibility for integration with sufficient strength for load retention, creating a composite solution that satisfies both mechanical and manufacturing requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The system enhances load retention on steep slopes, maintains container levelness, and reduces material costs by integrating the retention mechanism into the container lining, facilitating smooth unloading and operation without protrusions, thus improving load capacity and unloading efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the retention portion is made of an elastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The retention system further comprises a drive element for moving the pivotable portion between the first and second positions, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3752390B1Load retention system

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 METSO OUTOTEC FINLAND OY

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4

AI summary

Retention system (1) for a load carrying container (10), comprising a retention portion (2) arrangeable at or near a rear end ofa load carrying container (10). The retention portion (2) is pivotable between a first, raised position and a second, lowered position; and a drive element (4) is used for moving the pivotable retention portion (2) between the first and second positions.