Silo Positioner Traction Roller Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional container positioning devices for commercial vehicles, such as silo erecting devices, require large and heavy hydraulic cylinders to move and position containers, leading to a reduced payload due to the bulky and heavy structure.

Innovation Solution

A container erecting device with a traction roller system that allows for efficient transportation and positioning of containers using a compact and lightweight design, eliminating the need for large hydraulic cylinders, and incorporating a hook device and safety latch for secure handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If large and heavy hydraulic cylinders are used to move and position containers, then the container positioning function is achieved, but the payload capacity of the commercial vehicle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer positioning capabilityVSAvoidvehicle payload capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional hydraulic cylinder system with a mechanical winch system. The winch uses a drum and cable arrangement to pull the container onto the vehicle, substituting hydraulic power with mechanical advantage through cable tension and drum rotation. This eliminates the need for heavy hydraulic components while achieving the same container positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic cylinder system from the vehicle configuration. By eliminating the hydraulic power source, hoses, and control mechanisms, the design reduces vehicle weight and complexity while maintaining container handling capability through the winch system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a centrally arranged hydraulic cylinder is used to move the container in the longitudinal direction, then the container can be transported onto the trailer, but the hydraulic cylinder requires considerable overall length leading to bulky and heavy structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer transport capabilityVSAvoidvehicle payload capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the long central hydraulic cylinder with a winch-mounted cable system. The cable runs from the winch drum along the vehicle length to the container, providing the necessary longitudinal pulling force without requiring a physically long actuator. This mechanical cable system occupies minimal space compared to a hydraulic cylinder of equivalent stroke length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a linear hydraulic cylinder extending along the vehicle's longitudinal axis, the patent uses a cable that can be routed through three-dimensional space from the winch position to the container. This allows the force transmission path to bypass spatial constraints, eliminating the need for a long central actuator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 traction roller system increases payload capacity by reducing weight and complexity, allowing for greater material loading in containers and vehicles, while the hook device and safety latch ensure secure and damage-free handling.

Implementation Method 1

By means of the traction roller, the container picked up by the tipping frame can be transported from the towing vehicle onto the trailer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3170696B1Container positioner device, in particular silo positioner device, for a commercial vehicle and commercial vehicle with such a container positioner device
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 BOCK SILOSYST
  • EP3170696B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3170696B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3170696B1 patent drawingFigure 2e~2i

AI summary

The invention relates to a container erector device, in particular a silo erector device (12), for a commercial vehicle (10) with a tilting frame (14) for receiving and handling a container, in particular a silo container (42), swap body container, tank container or roll-off container, wherein the tilting frame (14) is pivotable about a pivot axis (16) by means of at least one tilting frame hydraulic cylinder (24). A driven traction roller (30) is provided at the rear end section (26) of the tilting frame (14), by means of which the container (42) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the tilting frame (14). The invention further relates to a commercial vehicle (10) with such a container erector device (12).