Rotatable Trough Leveler for Even Material Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overhead material handling systems face challenges in evenly distributing hazardous materials like wastewater screenings into containers without exposing personnel, while also managing odor and pest control, and protecting the contents from environmental elements.

Innovation Solution

An overhead material handling system featuring a rotatable trough with a compactor and leveler, equipped with a trigger and vent system, allows for precise and even distribution of compacted material into a container, reducing odor buildup and pest attraction, and includes a support structure for easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a leveler is used to evenly distribute material into a long container, then material distribution uniformity is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional support structures needed to lift and position the leveler

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial distribution uniformityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the leveler from a fixed position and makes it movable through a support structure that can lift and position it over the container. This allows the leveler to be removed when not needed, reducing operational complexity while maintaining distribution uniformity when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure enables the leveler to transition between different positions (raised and lowered) dynamically. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, providing even distribution when needed while simplifying the system state when the leveler is not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If personnel manually distribute hazardous materials, then equipment complexity is reduced, but personnel safety is compromised due to exposure to hazardous materials and odors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling system simplicityVSAvoidpersonnel exposure to hazardous materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The overhead handling system performs the material distribution function automatically without requiring personnel to be in proximity to the hazardous materials. The system serves itself by mechanically distributing the screened material into containers through the rotatable trough mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary overhead handling system that mediates between the screening process and container loading. This intermediary system (including the trough, support structure, and leveler) handles the hazardous materials remotely, protecting personnel while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If containers are left open for loading, then loading efficiency is improved, but odor buildup and pest attraction increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidodor buildup and pest attraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs covers (flexible shells) that can be placed over containers during the loading process. These covers create a barrier that prevents odor escape and pest entry while still allowing the loading operation to proceed efficiently through the overhead system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 system enables efficient, odor-controlled, and pest-proof distribution of materials, ensuring safe handling and transportation of hazardous materials by rotating the trough to evenly pack and discharge compacted logs into containers, maintaining container integrity and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatable trough to evenly discharge screening logs into a material hauling container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

motorized compacting means for moving, compacting and dewatering materials within the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompaction: Compression

Implementation Method 3

vent system and an air filtration system in communication with the vent system, where the vent system is configured to reduce odor buildup from within the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenting:

Implementation Method 4

a first end of the shaft and a second end of the shaft are each mounted in a roller bearing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS9688491B2Apparatus for loading and evenly distributing material into a container

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 JDV EQUIPMENT CORP

AI summary

An overhead material handling system and methods for its use are provided, where the system includes: (a) a compactor and (b) a leveler in communication with the compactor, where the leveler comprises (i) a cover, (ii) a trough, and (iii) a trigger, where the trough has a first end and a second end and the trough is rotatably-mounted between a first end of the cover and a second end of the cover.