Scrap Loading Device with Stationary Tilting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for loading scrap into metallurgical melting vessels are inefficient and complex, requiring costly energy for hydraulic or electrical actuation and necessitating a pit for container filling and storage, which prolongs the loading cycle.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a container with a discharge flap, a guiding system, and a pivotally mounted tilting mechanism with rigid retaining elements for secure transport and unloading, eliminating the need for electrical or hydraulic actuation and a pit, allowing for multiple filled containers to be transported and decoupled from filling and transport processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hydraulic or electrically actuated locking element is arranged on the transport carriage to secure the container, then the container can be securely fixed during transport, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase due to the need for power supply systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer securityVSAvoidpower supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging the locking mechanism on the moving transport carriage, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the locking elements (retaining elements) on the stationary guide system. This eliminates the need for power supply to the moving carriage while maintaining secure container fixation during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If a pit is provided for receiving and filling containers with scrap, then containers can be filled and stored, but the loading cycle time increases and the guide system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrap storage capacityVSAvoidloading cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-filling containers with scrap at the scrap yard before transport to the melting plant. This eliminates the need for on-site filling operations and the associated pit infrastructure, thereby reducing loading cycle time and guide system complexity while maintaining adequate scrap supply capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the container is tilted using a movable hydraulic or electric actuator on the transport carriage, then the container can be emptied into the melting vessel, but the device complexity and energy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer unloadingVSAvoidenergy for actuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the actuating mechanism from the moving transport carriage and relocates it to the stationary guide system. The tilting device remains fixed while the transport carriage moves, eliminating the need for power supply to moving components while maintaining the ability to tilt and empty containers efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a long guide system is used to transport containers from the pit to the loading opening, then containers can be delivered to the melting vessel, but the loading time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer deliveryVSAvoidtransport time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By pre-filling containers at the scrap yard and transporting them to the melting plant before the loading operation begins, the invention eliminates the need for a long guide system extending to a pit. The guide system can be shorter since containers are already prepared and positioned closer to the loading point, reducing transport time within the loading cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution reduces technical complexity and energy costs by enabling quick loading cycles with reduced energy consumption and eliminating the need for a pit, allowing for efficient and rapid scrap loading into metallurgical melting vessels.

Implementation Method 1

a tilting device 30 with at least one locking device for producing a releasable form-fitting connection, one in a pivot bearing about a transverse to a longitudinal direction of the guide system extending pivot axis on the guide system pivotally mounted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

one in a pivot bearing about a transverse to a longitudinal direction of the guide system extending pivot axis on the guide system pivotally mounted tilting device with at least one locking device for producing a releasable form-fitting connection by engaging in at least one counter-element arranged on the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

rigid retaining elements which engage in one another to secure the placed container against slipping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3027780B1Device for loading a metallurgical melting vessel with scrap
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 PRIMETALS TECH AUSTRIA GMBH
  • EP3027780B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3027780B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3027780B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for loading a metallurgical melting vessel (8) with scrap, comprising: a) a container (12) for receiving the scrap for the transport thereof to a melting installation, said container having an unloading opening (26) on a front side for unloading the scrap; b) a guide system (2), which leads to a loading opening (6) of the melting vessel (8), for a carriage (4), which is mounted such that it can be moved from a starting position (A) to a loading position (B) in the guide system (2) and onto which the container (12) can be placed; c) rigid retaining elements (16, 18, 20, 22), which are arranged on the carriage (4) and on the container (12) and interlock when the container (12) is placed on the carriage, for preventing the container (12) from slipping once it has been placed on; d) a tilting device (30), which is mounted in a pivot bearing (32) such that it can pivot about a pivot axis (28) on the guide system (2), said pivot axis running transversely to a longitudinal direction of the guide system (2), and has at least one locking device (52) for producing a detachable form-fitting connection by engaging in at least one mating element (40) arranged on the container (12).