Removable Bow End for Container Cover Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior slidable cover systems for containers suffer from poor water drainage, tarp wear due to trapping, difficulty in integrating with tarp hold-down systems, and cumbersome replacement processes for bow ends, which are often integral with the bow assembly.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece bow end with a molded body, featuring a bow receiving portion for sliding contact and an outboard portion for vertical stabilization, includes design elements for easy attachment and detachment, low-friction surfaces, and features to prevent water accumulation and tarp tipping, along with a drive cable opening and stabilizing openings for tensioning straps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bow end is integral with the bow assembly, then structural strength is improved, but replacement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bow end is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the bow assembly without replacing the entire bow. This segmentation allows the bow end to be replaced independently, reducing repair complexity while maintaining structural integrity through proper connection mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bow end has a flat or linear section, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but water drainage performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bow end incorporates a curved surface design instead of a flat or linear section. This curvature facilitates water drainage by directing water flow along the curved surface, preventing water accumulation while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes for curved components.
3Device complexity
If the bow end structure is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but tarp wear increases due to trapping
Solution Approach 1:
The bow end features a specifically designed curved surface geometry at the contact point with the tarp. This localized curved quality prevents the tarp from becoming trapped underneath the bow end while sliding, reducing tarp wear in the critical contact area without requiring complex overall structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If the bow end lacks vertical stabilization features, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bow end includes a vertically extending outboard portion that provides stabilization in the vertical dimension. This additional vertical element prevents lateral movement and improves stability while being integrated into a single molded piece, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 solution enhances water drainage, reduces tarp wear, facilitates integration with tarp hold-down systems, and simplifies replacement of bow ends, improving the operational efficiency and durability of the cover system.
Implementation Method 1
The bow receiving portion includes a surface arranged for sliding contact with a top rail when the bow end is engaged to an arcuate bow of the cover assembly
Implementation Method 2
The bow receiving portion includes a surface arranged for sliding contact with a top rail when the bow end is engaged to an arcuate bow of the cover assembly
Implementation Method 3
The one-piece body further includes an outboard portion integral with the bow receiving portion and extending substantially vertically downward from the bow receiving portion when the bow end is engaged to an arcuate bow of the cover assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A bow end is provided for a retractable cover assembly for a container, the container having an open top and a side rail extending along each side of the container, and the cover assembly having a tarpaulin sized to cover the open top in an extended position, the cover assembly including a plurality of arcuate bows attached to the cover assembly and configured to support the tarpaulin and to span the width of the container. The bow end is engaged to the each end of each arcuate bow and comprises a one-piece body defining a bow receiving portion with a bore configured to receive an end of the arcuate bow therein, the bow receiving portion including a surface arranged for sliding contact with a top rail when the bow end is engaged to an arcuate bow of the cover assembly. The one-piece body further includes an outboard portion integral with the bow receiving portion and extending substantially vertically downward from the bow receiving portion when the bow end is engaged to an arcuate bow of the cover assembly, the outboard portion extending vertically below the top rail of the container and defining an opening for receiving a drive cable of the cover assembly.