Concrete Waste Skip Wedge Unloading Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete dumpsters face challenges in efficiently unloading solidified concrete blocks due to reduced friction, which can lead to slipping and increased mechanical effort, affecting the longevity of unloading mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A concrete dumpster equipped with a sliding wedge tool at the front wall, operated by a lever mechanism, that moves the wedge from a low to high position to push the concrete block backwards, facilitating unloading and lifting, with optional friction-reducing materials and adjustable mounting for efficient concrete removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the front of the skip is raised to make the concrete slip, then the unloading process is simplified, but the friction reduction is insufficient and the concrete block slips causing increased mechanical effort and reduced mechanism longevity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunloading processVSAvoidmechanism longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A tool consisting of a support face and a thrust face is introduced as an intermediary between the concrete block and the skip's front wall. The support face rests against the front wall while the thrust face contacts the concrete block, allowing controlled pushing without direct mechanical stress on the skip's lifting mechanism. This mediator enables effective concrete evacuation while protecting the mechanism from excessive wear and damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The function of pushing the concrete block is extracted from the skip's lifting mechanism and assigned to a separate, dedicated tool. By removing this pushing function from the main mechanism, the lifting mechanism is no longer subjected to the additional mechanical effort and stress that would otherwise reduce its longevity, while still achieving effective concrete unloading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Force

If a lever mechanism is used to operate the wedge, then the unloading effort is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunloading effortVSAvoidmechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates the wedge tool for pushing the concrete block, and simultaneously serves as the attachment point for the lifting arm. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by combining what could have been separate mechanisms into a single integrated lever system, while still achieving reduced unloading effort through mechanical advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lever for maneuvering the wedge and the lifting arm attachment are merged into a single structural element. The lever serves both to operate the wedge mechanism and to provide the attachment point for lifting, combining two functions into one component and thereby minimizing the overall device complexity while maintaining force reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances the unloading process by reducing the effort required, improving the longevity of the mechanism, and ensuring effective concrete evacuation without slipping, even when the concrete block is at an angle.

Implementation Method 1

Tool 6 is a sliding wedge on the inside face of the front wall to cause the concrete block to move backwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

the lever 7 for maneuvering the corner is equipped with a means 10 for attaching thereto the lifting arm of the truck which is used to lift the bucket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 3

One or more jacks can be used to operate the wedge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 4

A layer of friction-reducing material can be provided on this corner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2363261B1Concrete waste skip equipped with a tool to aid in unloading it
Publication Date: 2012.11.28 LEBREQUIER DANIEL
  • EP2363261B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2363261B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2363261B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The dumpbody has lateral walls (4) moving toward top for defining a trapezoid section, and a small base arranged corresponding to a base (2). A disbanding tool e.g. slip wedge (6), is located at front of the dumpbody, where the disbanding tool is provided on an internal face of the front wall for provoking displacement of the tool wedge toward a concrete waste block. The disbanding tool is suspended at a lever (7) articulated on an axle (8).