Sloped Gate Chute for Tank Trailer Unloading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank trailers used for transporting meat packaging by-products face contamination issues due to splashing blood and solid components onto the undercarriage when unloading, as traditional unloading methods through hoses or ports are ineffective for solid materials.
Innovation Solution
A tank trailer with a cylindrical body featuring a sloped rear end that forms a chute, equipped with a gate and locking mechanism, allowing for secure and controlled unloading of by-products away from the undercarriage, preventing splashing and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If by-products are poured from the tank trailer through a rear opening, then the solid components can be removed effectively, but blood and bits of meat and bone splash up onto the trailer's undercarriage causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The rear opening is repositioned from a horizontal location to an elevated vertical position, and the discharge path is extended rearwardly to create a three-dimensional discharge trajectory. This dimensional change allows the material to be discharged away from the undercarriage area, preventing contamination while maintaining effective unloading capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A chute structure serves as an intermediary element between the tank interior and the external environment. This intermediate structure guides the flow of by-products along a controlled path that extends rearwardly, mediating between the need for effective solid material discharge and the requirement to prevent splashing onto the undercarriage.
2Reliability
If a gate is added to block the opening for secure sealing, then the locking mechanism adds security, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate and locking mechanism are designed as separable, modular components that can be independently installed and removed. The gate is extracted as a distinct element from the tank structure, allowing it to be selectively engaged only when sealing is required, thereby adding reliability without permanently increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be operable by the user without requiring additional auxiliary systems or complex control mechanisms. The gate and locking system serve themselves through direct manual operation, achieving reliable sealing security without adding unnecessary device complexity through automated or multi-component systems.
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
Effectively prevents contamination of the trailer's undercarriage by directing the unloading of meat by-products through a chute, ensuring a clean and efficient unloading process.
Implementation Method 1
The sloped rear end forms a chute through which meat by-products can be poured. The chute extends for a distance rearwardly of the trailer's rear wheel assembly and tends to prevent the meat by-products from splashing up onto the trailer's undercarriage.
Data Source
AI summary
The current disclosure relates to a tank trailer for transporting meat packaging by-products. The tank trailer has a cylindrical body having a sloped rear end. An opening is formed in the sloped rear end, and a gate selectively blocks the opening. A locking mechanism is provided to securely lock the gate to the cylindrical body, thereby sealing the cylindrical body. The sloped rear end forms a chute through which meat by-products can be poured. The chute extends for a distance rearwardly of the trailer's rear wheel assembly.