Radial Arm Scraping Mechanism for Bulk Product Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines for distributing bulk animal feed face inefficiencies in unloading and distribution, with high energy consumption and non-homogeneous distribution due to the use of helical rotating screws that lift and mix products excessively, leading to reduced unloading efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled or trailer-mounted machine equipped with rotatably mounted scraping and ejection members featuring separate radial arms with limited height, allowing for efficient unloading through lateral openings, reducing power requirements and achieving homogeneous distribution by limiting the zone of interaction with the product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a helical rotating screw is used to mix and eject product, then mixing and aeration are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single helical screw is segmented into multiple independent radial arms (at least three) distributed around a vertical axis. Each arm can be independently driven or collectively driven, allowing the system to achieve mixing and ejection functions with reduced power consumption by distributing the mechanical load across multiple smaller elements rather than one large continuous screw.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial arms perform periodic scraping and ejection actions as they rotate, creating intermittent but effective product movement and aeration. This periodic action replaces the continuous operation of a traditional helical screw, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining mixing effectiveness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a helical rotating screw extends above the discharge opening to mix product, then mixing efficiency is improved, but unloading efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous helical screw above the discharge opening is replaced by segmented radial arms that do not extend above the opening level. This segmentation allows product to be scraped and ejected more efficiently at the opening level without the resistance and complexity of a continuous screw structure extending upward, thereby improving unloading speed and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The portion of the mixing mechanism that extends above the discharge opening (which hinders unloading) is extracted or removed. The radial arms are designed to perform mixing and scraping functions at or below the opening level, eliminating the detrimental extension above the opening while retaining the beneficial mixing effects.
3Productivity
If a conveyor belt with movable bars is used to transport product, then product transport is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex conveyor belt mechanism with movable bars and side chains is replaced by a simpler radial arm system that directly scrapes and ejects product through the opening. This extraction of the overly complex transport mechanism reduces device complexity and power consumption while maintaining effective product movement and distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical conveyor belt system is substituted with a rotational scraping mechanism using radial arms. This substitution simplifies the mechanical system by replacing a multi-component conveyor assembly with a more straightforward rotational ejection system that achieves the same product transport function with fewer parts and lower complexity.
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 machine enables efficient, controlled unloading of bulk products with reduced energy consumption and improved distribution homogeneity, allowing for faster and more complete emptying of the tank without the need for extensive mixing or lifting.
Implementation Method 1
The or each mobile member is a member rotatably mounted around a vertical shaft or axis, perpendicular to the plane of the bottom and comprising at least two separate radial arms distributed around the axis and sweeping, where appropriate in cooperation with the arms of at least one other member, substantially the entire surface of the bottom
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine for the transport and distribution of bulk products, comprising a tank (2) mounted on a rolling chassis, which has at least one opening (4) located at the bottom (2') of the tank (2) and which is equipped with at least one movable element (6, 6') for scraping said bottom (2') and facilitating the ejection of the product. The agricultural machine (1) is characterized in that the movable element or elements (6, 6') are mounted to rotate about a vertical axis (7), perpendicular to the plane of the bottom (2') and comprising at least two separate radial arms (8, 8', 8"), distributed around the axis (7) and sweeping substantially the entire surface of the bottom (2'), the thickness or height relative to the bottom (2') of each arm (8, 8', 8") being less than the height of the opening (4) or of each lateral opening (4).