Segmented Silo Floor for Uniform Powder Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for filling with powdery and free-flowing materials face challenges in uniform removal, especially after transportation, where the material becomes compacted, making it difficult to extract using conventional methods like screw conveyors, often requiring external vibrators for loosening.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring an intermediate floor that can be divided by a release device to allow filling material to flow into a collection area connected to a side outlet, facilitating uniform removal without additional loosening methods, and an integrated conveying system with a screw conveyor for efficient discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If free-flowing material is stored in conventional containers during transport, then the material becomes compacted and difficult to remove uniformly, but adding external vibrators increases device complexity and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into an upper storage area and a lower collection area by a separable intermediate floor. This segmentation allows the material to be divided into two zones: the upper area for storage and the lower area for easy removal. The intermediate floor can be separated to allow material to flow from the upper storage area into the lower collection area, enabling uniform removal without complex external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is pre-configured with a collection area and separable intermediate floor before transport. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when material needs to be removed, the intermediate floor can be quickly separated to allow material to flow into the collection area, eliminating the need for external vibrators or complex removal systems during operation.
2Reliability
If external vibrators are used to loosen compacted material, then uniform removal is achieved, but the system requires additional equipment and operational steps
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into upper and lower sections by a separable intermediate floor, creating distinct storage and collection zones. This segmentation allows material to be reliably transferred from the upper storage area to the lower collection area where it can be uniformly removed, eliminating the need for external vibrators.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable intermediate floor acts as an intermediary element between the upper storage area and lower collection area. By separating this intermediate floor, material can flow smoothly from one zone to another, ensuring reliable and uniform removal without requiring external loosening equipment.
3Volume of stationary object
If material is stored in a single large container, then storage capacity is maximized, but material compaction occurs during transport making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single large container is segmented into upper storage and lower collection areas by a separable intermediate floor. This maintains the large storage capacity while enabling easy removal by separating the intermediate floor to allow material to flow into the collection area designed for efficient discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The container utilizes vertical space by creating upper and lower levels separated by the intermediate floor. This vertical dimensionality allows material to be stored in the upper area and then flow downward into the lower collection area for removal, maintaining storage capacity while facilitating ease of operation.
4Device complexity
If conventional single-level containers are used, then structure is simple, but material cannot be uniformly removed after transport vibrations cause compaction
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into upper storage and lower collection areas with a separable intermediate floor. This segmentation is simple to implement but effectively solves the compaction problem by allowing material to flow from the upper to lower area for uniform removal, maintaining structural simplicity while improving reliability.
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
Enables uniform and safe removal of filling materials without complex equipment, reducing the need for external vibrators and ensuring the material is loosened and mixed for direct removal with a screw conveyor, while also allowing for on-site processing of pasty materials with minimal transport costs.
Implementation Method 1
the intermediate base splits or is torn and the filling material 'falls down one level' as a result. H. into the collection area
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate floor consists of a flexible material such as cardboard, plastic or metal foil. With these materials, the contour of the layer in the lower area is determined by the weight of the filling material, so a 'bulge' towards the collection area is to be expected here.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The container has a V-shaped collecting region (3) below an intermediate bottom (2) of the container. The collecting region is connected with a discharge opening near a casing of the container. The intermediate bottom is separated by a releasing device for filling the collecting region with a fluid, pasty, powdery and/or pourable product (7). The product is arranged in a region above the intermediate bottom. The container is circular or polygonal in horizontal cross section. The collecting region is supported by a separator or another supporting structure. The casing of the container is made of a plying material such as corrugated paper or corrugated plastic, or a sheet material such as wood, metal or plastic. The intermediate bottom is made of a flexible sheet material such as paper, plastic or metal foil, or a flexible material such as metal, sheet or wooden board. An independent claim is also included for a conveying system for supplying fluid, pasty, powdery and/or pourable product.