Sliding Door Material Control Device for Pavers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional material control devices with pivoting doors suffer from reduced ground clearance, susceptibility to damage, manual operation, human error, and inability to automatically control or meter the material discharge rate, leading to inefficient and unresponsive operation.

Innovation Solution

The use of sliding doors with central axis movement, actuated by sensors and linkages, allowing for automatic control and adjustment of material discharge without reducing ground clearance, minimizing human error, and ensuring smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pivoting doors are used to control material discharge, then the device can be manually operated to control discharge, but the ground clearance is reduced and the doors are susceptible to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation capabilityVSAvoiddoor damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional pivoting door mechanism by using sliding doors that move horizontally along tracks instead of rotating on hinges. This inversion eliminates the structural weaknesses of pivoting doors while maintaining the ability to control material discharge effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pivoting system with an automated sliding door system actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. This substitution eliminates manual operation requirements while improving reliability through automated control and reduced mechanical stress on door components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If pivoting doors are used, then the structure is simple, but the doors bend, flex, or warp over time and fail to fully close

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor mechanism structureVSAvoiddoor closure accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the motion parameter of the door from rotational movement (pivoting) to linear sliding movement. This parameter change eliminates the bending and flexing issues associated with pivoting doors while ensuring precise and consistent door closure through guided linear motion along tracks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual operation is used, then the operator can control discharge, but the operator must adjust doors while controlling other functions leading to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator control capabilityVSAvoidhuman error susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation where the sliding door system automatically adjusts and controls material discharge based on sensor feedback and control signals. The system serves itself by eliminating the need for manual door adjustment, allowing the operator to focus solely on controlling other paver functions without the distraction of manual door management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that monitor door position, material flow rate, and discharge conditions. This feedback is transmitted to the control system which automatically adjusts door position to maintain optimal material discharge, eliminating human error while preserving operator control capability for overall system management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If conventional devices are used, then the structure is straightforward, but they do not automatically control or meter the discharge rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system structureVSAvoidautomatic discharge control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into the sliding door control system including automatic door actuation, material discharge rate metering, flow rate sensing and adjustment, and coordinated control with paver operations. This multi-functional integration achieves automatic discharge control while managing system complexity through a unified control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that monitor door position, material flow rate, and discharge conditions. This feedback is transmitted to the control system which automatically adjusts door position to maintain optimal material discharge, enabling automatic control and metering of discharge rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10619402B2Apparatus and method for a material control device with a sliding door

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 CARLSON PAVING PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

A material control device having a housing, a material discharge door that has a left end, a right end, and a central axis and is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an open position, and a means for moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position. The means for moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position slidingly moves the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position. A method for controlling material discharge including providing a material control device and moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position.