Removable Bin Prowl for Low-Weight Bins Through Curtain Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-weight bins often get stuck on curtain strips of screening machines, causing delays and requiring manual intervention, and passengers may forget items in bins due to insufficient momentum to penetrate the strips.
Innovation Solution
A removable bin prowl is attached to the front of low-weight bins to reduce the weight required to pass through screening machines, featuring a wide proximal end and narrow distal end to easily penetrate curtain strips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If light-weight items are placed in a bin for screening, then the screening process can proceed, but the bin gets stuck on the curtain strips due to insufficient momentum
Solution Approach 1:
A prowl device is introduced as an intermediary component attached to the front of the bin. This prowl acts as a mediator that interacts with the curtain strips first, using its shape and positioning to guide the bin through the strips. The prowl's distal end contacts the curtain strips before the bin does, allowing the bin to follow through smoothly without getting stuck, thus solving the reliability issue without requiring additional weight.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to push stuck bins through curtain strips, then bins can be moved, but screening throughput decreases and requires additional time
Solution Approach 1:
The prowl device enables the bin to push itself through the curtain strips without requiring external manual intervention. The prowl's shape and positioning allow it to automatically penetrate the curtain strips and guide the bin through, making the system self-sufficient. This eliminates the need for operators to stop the conveyor and manually push bins, thereby maintaining high screening throughput while improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a prowl is attached to the bin to improve passage through curtain strips, then bin passage reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prowl is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be independently attached to or removed from the bin. This segmentation allows the prowl to be added only when needed (for light-weight items) and removed when not needed (for heavy items or automated return). The simple attachment mechanism minimizes structural complexity while maintaining the reliability benefit during use.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the prowl proximal end width is increased to connect with the bin, then connection stability improves, but the prowl may interfere with automated bin return systems
Solution Approach 1:
The prowl attachment system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable. The proximal end can be adjusted or configured to match different bin types and sizes, allowing stable connection when needed. The attachment mechanism can be easily engaged or disengaged based on whether automated return is required, providing versatility. This dynamic design allows the same prowl to serve multiple functions without compromising either connection stability or system compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a bin prowl apparatus comprises a bin prowl including a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end has a proximal width which is at least ten times larger than a distal width of the distal end. The proximal end is configured to be connected with a front wall of a bin. The proximal width of the proximal end is at least 30% of a bin width of the front wall of the bin. The distal end extends forward from the proximal end along a direction of a length of the bin and is spaced from the proximal end by a minimum distance of 10% to over 100% of the proximal width of the proximal end.