Quick Fill Port System for Agricultural Product Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk product tanks for agricultural implements are inefficient for filling and sealing, requiring manual operation and lacking quick access for filling from ground level, which slows down farming operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'Quick Fill' port system with a spring-loaded lid and sensor systems that automatically open and close to allow filling from ground level, using a funnel extension, and communicate with control systems for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional bulk product tank is used, then the tank can store and transport agricultural products, but the filling process requires manual operation and cannot be performed from ground level, which slows down farming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The tank opening is segmented into two functional components: a large outer opening for rapid product insertion and a smaller inner port for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows the large opening to enable quick ground-level filling operations while the smaller port maintains controlled product flow, resolving the contradiction between filling speed and operational complexity.
2Productivity
If the tank opening is made larger to allow ground-level filling, then filling efficiency improves, but the sealing and protection of the tank interior becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is divided into a large outer opening structure and a smaller inner port, where the outer opening accommodates ground-level filling equipment while the inner port maintains adequate sealing dimensions. This hierarchical segmentation enables both large opening benefits for efficiency and small port benefits for reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner port acts as an intermediary element between the large outer opening and the tank interior. It mediates the conflict by providing a controlled interface that maintains sealing reliability while allowing the outer opening to serve its ground-level filling function, thus resolving the contradiction between filling efficiency and sealing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an agricultural implement system includes a product tank configured to carry a product during farming operations. The product tank includes a quick fill port system. The quick fill port system includes a first wall defining a first opening leading to an inside of the product tank. The quick fill port system further includes a first cover member disposed on the first opening and configured to at least partially cover and to uncover the first opening, wherein the first opening comprises a first size larger than a diameter of a product dispenser configured to be inserted into the first opening.