Silo Bag Loop Connection for Safe Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silos with rigid frames and flexible canvas bags face challenges in disassembly, leading to risks of falling crossbeams and tedious manual handling during maintenance, which can cause physical harm and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The silo design incorporates flexible fabric panels with staggered notches and alternating engagement of bars through loops, secured by anti-slip rings, allowing for secure attachment and easy assembly/disassembly without heavy lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crossbeams are individually engaged in loops of canvas panels during assembly, then the bag can be attached to the rigid frame, but the disassembly process becomes tedious and increases the risk of falling crossbeams
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into modular components: canvas panels with loops, removable bars, and retaining elements. Each crossbeam connection is divided into discrete elements that can be independently assembled and disassembled, transforming a complex manual operation into a simple modular connection system where bars are merely inserted into pre-positioned loops and secured with retaining elements
Solution Approach 2:
Retaining elements act as intermediary components between the bars and loops, serving as the active locking mechanism. These retaining elements engage with the bars to prevent accidental disengagement during operation, yet can be easily removed when disassembly is needed, thus mediating between the need for secure attachment and easy disassembly
2Strength
If crossbeams are individually engaged in loops one by one, then the attachment is secure, but heavy loads must be manually handled increasing physical risk
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy crossbeam structure is functionally segmented by introducing removable bars as intermediate connection elements. The bars are lightweight compared to crossbeams and can be easily handled, while the crossbeams themselves remain fixed to the frame structure. This segmentation allows operators to handle only the lightweight bars and retaining elements rather than the heavy crossbeams, eliminating manual lifting risks while maintaining attachment strength
Solution Approach 2:
The bars serve as intermediary elements that transfer the connection function from direct crossbeam-to-loop engagement to bar-to-loop engagement. Since bars are lightweight and easy to handle compared to crossbeams, they eliminate the need for manual handling of heavy loads while maintaining the structural connection integrity through the bar-loop-retaining element system
3Strength
If the silo structure uses traditional crossbeam attachment methods, then the frame provides rigid support, but assembly and disassembly time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The connection process is segmented into two distinct phases: structural attachment (crossbeams to frame) and functional connection (bars to loops with retaining elements). The crossbeams remain permanently fixed to the frame providing structural strength, while the bars and retaining elements form a quick-connect/disconnect system. This segmentation allows the structural framework to be assembled once for long-term use, while maintenance operations only require quick removal and reinstallation of lightweight bar components
Solution Approach 2:
The loops are pre-attached to the canvas panels during manufacturing, and crossbeams are pre-fixed to the frame structure. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex field assembly operations. During maintenance, operators simply need to insert bars into the pre-positioned loops and secure them with retaining elements, reducing assembly time from hours to minutes while maintaining full structural strength
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a silo (1) for storing a bulk material, which comprises a frame (2), as well as a flexible fabric storage bag (3) for said material, said frame (2) comprising at least four vertical corner posts (20), as well as a plurality of horizontal crossbars (22) which are fixed to two adjacent posts (20), said bag (3) comprising panels of flexible fabric (33, 34), each shaped to cooperate with said crossbars (22), so as to allow the attachment of said bag (3) to said frame (2), characterized in that said fabric (3) comprises a pair of panels (33, 34) of flexible fabric, the free end of which is shaped into a closed loop which forms a "loop", each panel partially encircling a crossbar (22), the loops of said panels (33, 34) having cutouts forming notches arranged alternately in a staggered pattern,a bar (4) being alternately engaged in the loop of one panel (33) and in the loop of the other panel (34), and so on, thus retaining said panels (33, 34).