Rotating Vacuum Sweeper for Drum Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for unloading particulate materials from rigid containers like drums, barrels, and Gaylords are inefficient, often requiring manual intervention and leaving significant amounts of material behind due to the inability to reach all areas, especially concave angular corners.
Innovation Solution
A container emptying apparatus utilizing a vacuum system with a rotating suction tube and sweeper assembly that can reach and remove granular materials from the corners and sides of containers, eliminating the need for operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a stationary vacuum wand is used to remove particulate material from a container, then the vacuum system can remove material from around the wand, but the operator must manually reposition the wand to ensure all material is removed, increasing labor costs and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum wand is transformed from a stationary component to a dynamic one by mounting it on a robotic manipulator that can automatically position and reposition the wand throughout the container. This dynamic positioning system enables automated coverage of all material areas without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between automation extent and device complexity by integrating the wand into a coordinated robotic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control algorithms that enable the robotic manipulator to autonomously navigate the container space, detect material locations, and adjust wand positioning accordingly. The system serves itself by making independent decisions about wand placement and movement patterns, eliminating the need for operator monitoring and manual adjustment while managing complexity through intelligent automation.
2Quantity of substance
If manual methods are used to remove material from containers with concave angular corners, then material can be removed from accessible areas, but significant amounts of material remain in corners and hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator adds dimensional freedom by operating in three-dimensional space above and within the container, allowing the vacuum wand to reach into concave corners and areas inaccessible to manual tools. The system moves the wand along multiple axes to access all material regions, including hard-to-reach corners, thereby achieving complete material removal while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamically positioned vacuum wand can adapt its orientation and position to match the complex geometry of the container interior, including concave corners. The robotic system continuously adjusts the wand's spatial coordinates and angular orientation to maintain optimal contact with material surfaces, enabling complete removal from irregular geometries without complicating the operator's task.
3Productivity
If operator intervention is required to reposition the vacuum wand, then material removal can be adjusted manually, but labor costs increase and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of repositioning the vacuum wand is replaced with an automated robotic system that uses programmed motion control and sensor feedback. The robotic manipulator substitutes human operators in the task of wand positioning, enabling continuous automated operation that increases productivity while managing system complexity through standardized robotic components and control software.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by incorporating autonomous navigation and material detection capabilities that allow the robotic manipulator to independently determine optimal wand positions and execute repositioning without human intervention. This self-managing capability increases productivity by eliminating idle time for manual adjustment while containing complexity through integrated sensing and control systems.
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 apparatus effectively removes nearly all granular material from containers without manual adjustment, reducing labor costs and increasing production efficiency by ensuring thorough emptying of containers with concave right angle interior corners.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the suction force from a vacuum system to remove particulate material or bulk resin stored within a container
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a container emptying apparatus including a frame, a first and second tube, a suction tube, a motor, and a sweeper. The frame is adapted to be positioned over an opening of the container. The first tube is mounted on the frame and is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The second tube is rotatably connected to the first tube and is also in fluid communication with the first tube. The sweeper assembly is connected to the second tube. The suction tube extends from the second tube such that, when the frame of this invention is placed over a container, the second tube, the suction flexible tube, and the associated sweeper assembly are lowered into the container and rotated by the motor such that, when the vacuum source is activated, the suction tube suctions the contents from the container.