Sliding Tilt Loader With Articulating Chute for Uniform Parcel Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional container loaders pose safety concerns due to high load heights and inefficient loading, as they typically have one fixed load position, leading to uneven filling and potential damage to parcels during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A sliding tilt loader system with multiple pivot points and a telescoping chute that allows the bucket and chute to rotate and align, enabling uniform filling and minimizing load height by allowing the chute to articulate with the bucket, thus accommodating containers of varying sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional container loader pivots above the center of mass, then the loader can rotate the container, but the load height becomes high off the ground, posing safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism is divided into multiple segments: a first pivot point located below the container's center of mass for rotation, and a second pivot point for vertical movement. This segmentation allows the loader to rotate at a lower height while maintaining rotation functionality, thereby reducing the safety risk associated with high load height.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading system is extended from a single pivot point to a two-dimensional path involving both horizontal rotation (first pivot) and vertical movement (second pivot). This dimensional change enables the chute to deliver parcels at a lower height while still achieving proper container loading orientation.
2Productivity
If a fixed position chute is used, then the loader can discharge product into the container, but the container cannot be filled uniformly, leading to product accumulation on one side and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic system that can rotate and move vertically. The chute rotates with the container during loading and can adjust its position along a vertical guide, enabling it to track the container's movement and maintain proper alignment throughout the loading process, thus achieving uniform filling distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
A vertical guide acts as an intermediary mechanism between the chute and the container. The chute engages with this guide, allowing it to move vertically in sync with the container's rotation and positioning, thereby maintaining consistent alignment and enabling uniform product distribution throughout the container.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a frame with a back rail and a ground rail. The back rail and the ground rail are positioned transverse to each other. A guide is attached to the ground rail. A sliding tilt loader apparatus includes a bucket; a chute; and a first pivot mechanism attached to a first end of a rear portion of the bucket. The first pivot mechanism is to translate along the guide. A second pivot mechanism is attached to a second end of the rear portion of the bucket. Rotation of the first pivot mechanism and the second pivot mechanism coincide with tilting of the chute and the bucket causing the chute to angularly rotate and align with the bucket upon the chute and bucket reaching a completed tilt position.