Pivoting Dump Apron Seals Tailgate Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
End-dumping dump trucks experience material leakage due to loose tolerances and mechanical failures, leading to damage, material loss, and safety issues during transportation of particulate materials.
Innovation Solution
A pivotally mounted dump apron with a powered actuator mechanism that automatically raises and lowers to secure the tailgate, utilizing an adjustable linkage for mechanical advantage and triggered by the dump body's position, forming an acute angle to collect and seal leaking material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a stationary metal apron is secured to the rear edges of the dump body, then material flow is channeled away from the rear of the truck and side spill is limited, but material leaks through spaces between the tailgate and dump opening
Solution Approach 1:
The apron is transformed from a stationary component to a dynamic one that can pivot between a lowered position during dumping and a raised position during transport. This dynamic configuration allows the apron to adapt its function: channeling material during dumping while sealing the tailgate area during transport to prevent leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The apron serves multiple functions by combining material flow channeling with tailgate sealing capability. When raised, it acts as a seal against the tailgate to prevent particulate leakage; when lowered, it channels material flow away from the truck rear. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sealing and channeling components.
2Loss of substance
If the apron is raised to secure the tailgate against particulate leaks, then material loss is prevented, but the apron must be manually operated and cannot respond automatically to dumping conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the dump body tilt angle sensor to automatically control apron position. When the dump body is tilted beyond a threshold angle indicating dumping operation, the apron is automatically lowered; when returned to horizontal position, the apron is automatically raised to sealing position, eliminating manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The apron system serves itself by automatically responding to dumping conditions without external intervention. The tilt-angle-responsive actuator mechanism enables the apron to self-adjust its position based on the operational state of the dump body, raising itself to seal during transport and lowering itself to channel during dumping.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If tight tolerances are used between the tailgate and dump body floor and sidewalls, then material leakage is reduced, but the tolerances are worn away over time by the abrasiveness of the material being carried
Solution Approach 1:
The movable apron provides a dynamic sealing solution that compensates for wear in the fixed tolerance gaps between tailgate and dump body. By raising the apron to contact the tailgate, it creates an additional sealing barrier that protects against leakage even when original tolerances are worn, effectively cushioning against the degradation over time.
4Reliability
If the apron is raised to an essentially vertical position against the closed tailgate, then secondary locking function is maximized, but the ability to collect and seal leaking particulate material is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The apron's bottom surface is configured with specific local geometry including an angled portion that creates a containment area for particulate material. This local quality difference between the angled material-collecting surface and the vertical tailgate-contact surface enables the apron to simultaneously perform both functions: collecting leaking material in the angled region while providing secure tailgate locking when raised vertically.
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
Effectively prevents material loss and provides a secondary locking mechanism to ensure the tailgate is secure, reducing road damage and material loss while allowing easy inspection and efficient unloading of collected material.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator is coupled to the apron through an adjustable linkage that provides a mechanical advantage
Data Source
AI summary
A dump apron for a dump truck, the apron pivotally mounted around a lower end of the dump opening at the rear of the dump body, and movable in response to the tilt position of the dump body between a lower flow-channeling position and a raised tailgate-securing position. In the tailgate-securing position the apron serves to seal leaks of the loaded material around the tailgate, and to function as a secondary lock to back up the tailgate's primary latching or locking mechanism. In the preferred form, the apron is held at an acute angle to the closed tailgate in the raised tailgate-securing position, forming a trough for collecting particulate material leaking around the tailgate from the loaded dump bed, and allowing visual inspection of the lower end of the tailgate and the tailgate's primary lock.