Retractable Agitator Screw for Slurry Container Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agitators lack stability in adjusting to different operating conditions and fail to provide adequate protection and maintenance access for the agitator screw.
Innovation Solution
The agitator screw is mounted in a pipe that allows longitudinal displacement, with a longitudinally displaceable bearing and a closure element, enabling retraction and protection, and optionally a variable drive shaft and tubular slide for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the agitator screw is mounted fixed in the container wall, then the structure is simple, but the position cannot be adjusted to different operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator screw is mounted on a drive shaft that can be longitudinally displaced within a bearing, transforming the fixed mounting into a movable configuration. This allows the agitator screw to be positioned at different locations along the container wall depending on operating conditions, while the bearing provides stable guidance during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is divided into separate components: the drive shaft, the bearing, and the agitator screw. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the agitator screw position along the drive shaft while maintaining a simple overall structure that can be easily assembled and disassembled.
2Ease of repair
If the agitator screw is exposed, then it is always accessible, but it is not protected when not in use and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator screw can be completely extracted from the container through the pipe opening when maintenance is required. The pipe acts as a guide and protection channel, allowing the agitator screw to be removed and reinstalled without disturbing the container structure or other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitator screw is nested within the pipe structure, which provides protection when the agitator screw is not in use. The pipe serves as a protective housing that shields the agitator screw from damage while allowing easy access for maintenance through the same pipe opening.
3Ease of operation
If the pipe is arranged inside the container, then the structure is compact, but the retracted agitator screw interferes with the liquid manure tank
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the pipe inside the container, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the pipe outside the container wall. The drive shaft passes through the container wall into the pipe, allowing the agitator screw to be retracted into the pipe without occupying space inside the liquid manure tank.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the bearing is fixed on the container wall, then the guidance is stable, but the drive shaft cannot be longitudinally displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is designed with longitudinal displacement capability while maintaining stable guidance of the drive shaft. The bearing can move along the drive shaft axis to accommodate position adjustments, yet provides sufficient radial support to ensure stable operation of the agitator screw during mixing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The agitator has a driving motor (6) and an agitator screw (3) located at an end of a drive shaft (4). The agitator is arranged at a vertical wall (2) of a slurry container (1). The agitator screw is retractably supported in a pipe (10) in a longitudinally adjustable manner. A catch element is provided at an open end of the pipe. An adjusting range of the agitator screw is formed such that the agitator screw is retracted behind the catch element. The catch element is designed as a sleeve valve (11). The drive shaft is provided with a firm and longitudinally adjustable support (5).