Silo Cover Winding Device for Bulk Material Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for covering bulk materials in bunker silos, which involve using surface elements like foil or crow netting, create obstacles during component removal, requiring manual labor to remove or roll up the surface elements.
Innovation Solution
A winding device is provided to wind up the surface element in an area remote from the bulk material removal area, allowing for automated winding and guiding the surface element away from the removal area, thus facilitating easier access for removing bulk materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If surface elements are placed on bulk material to protect from elements, then protection is improved, but accessibility for removal operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surface element is divided into a first portion covering the bulk material and a second portion extending beyond the bulk material edges. This segmentation allows the second portion to serve as a handle or attachment point for mechanical removal devices, enabling easy retrieval without disturbing the protective coverage of the first portion during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface element is pre-positioned with its second portion extending beyond the bulk material before storage begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that when removal is needed, the protruding second portion is already in place to facilitate attachment of removal devices, eliminating the need for manual unwrapping or cutting during the removal operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If surface elements are weighted down with reinforcement elements, then stability against wind is improved, but ease of removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surface element is segmented into a first portion for protection and a second portion for handling. The reinforcement elements are applied selectively to the first portion while leaving the second portion free of heavy weighting, allowing the second portion to remain lightweight and easily manipulable by removal devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the surface element have different properties: the first portion has reinforcement elements for wind stability, while the second portion remains unreinforced or lightly reinforced to maintain ease of handling and removal. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and removability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If surface elements cover the entire fill, then protection is improved, but manual rolling up during removal becomes more laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The surface element is divided into a first portion that covers the bulk material for protection and a second portion that extends beyond the bulk material edges. This second portion serves as a built-in handle or attachment point, eliminating the need for manual rolling up by providing a mechanical interface for automated removal devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface element's second portion is designed to self-facilitate removal by extending beyond the bulk material to provide an automatic attachment point for removal devices. This eliminates the need for external manual intervention to initiate the removal process, as the surface element itself provides the means for its own retrieval.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an arrangement for covering at least one bulk material in at least one silo enclosed by walls, comprising at least one surface element for placing on the bulk material, at least one winding device is provided for the surface element, wherein the winding device can be arranged in an area of the silo that is remote from the area where bulk material is removed from the silo. This arrangement enables easier handling of the surface element, thus facilitating the removal of components from the bulk material.