Pivoting Clamping Arms for Bulk Bag Spout Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanisms struggle to securely attach short discharge spouts of bulk storage bags to process interface connections, leading to increased costs due to the need for longer non-standard spouts, and there is a risk of spout slippage during material discharge.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system with pivoting clamping arms and a manually-operable latching mechanism that securely grips the discharge spout against the process interface connection, allowing for easy attachment of short spouts and reducing slippage by using resilient materials and a serpentine path for better sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional mechanisms are used to attach discharge spouts, then longer non-standard spouts are required, but this increases costs and complicates the system
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arms are designed to pivot between a first position for clamping the discharge spout and a second position for accessing the discharge spout. This dynamic positioning allows the system to accommodate short discharge spouts while maintaining secure attachment, eliminating the need for longer non-standard spouts and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism operates in multiple dimensions by pivoting the clamping arms between different positions. This dimensional movement allows the system to apply clamping force effectively to short discharge spouts that would be difficult to attach using conventional fixed mechanisms, thereby solving the length versus cost contradiction.
2Reliability
If conventional attachment mechanisms are used, then discharge spouts are difficult to secure, but this leads to slippage during material discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting clamping arms provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the operator to easily position the arms for attachment and then secure the discharge spout firmly in the clamping position. This dynamic mechanism ensures reliable attachment without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping arms serve as an intermediary mechanism between the attachment device and the discharge spout. They provide a reliable connection by pivoting into position and securing the spout, thereby preventing slippage during material discharge while maintaining ease of attachment through manual operation.
3Reliability
If the clamping arms are positioned to clamp the discharge spout, then secure attachment is achieved, but access to the discharge spout becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arms are designed to pivot between a first clamping position where they securely grip the discharge spout and a second position that provides easy access to the spout for attachment operations. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between achieving secure clamping and maintaining ease of access during operation.
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 clamping system enables secure attachment of short discharge spouts without additional bag length requirements, reduces slippage, and facilitates ergonomic and cost-effective operation by ensuring efficient material discharge.
Implementation Method 1
each inner clamping surface has a substantially resilient material
Implementation Method 2
each inner clamping surface and corresponding mating section on the outer surface of the process interface connection can be contoured so as to produce a serpentine path
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping system secures a discharge spout of a bulk storage bag to an outer surface of a process interface connection. The clamping system includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm. Each clamping arm has a fixed end and a free end arranged such that the free end can pivot about the fixed end between a clamping position and an open position. Each clamping arm has an inner clamping surface configured to clamp a portion of the discharge spout against a portion of the outer surface of the process interface connection when the clamping arm is in the clamping position. The inner clamping surfaces are arranged such that when the first and second clamping arms are in the clamping position, the inner clamping surfaces cooperate to clamp the discharge spout against substantially the entire outer surface of the process interface connection.