Rotational Molded Spreader Assembly with Integrated Liquid Pre-wetting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spreader devices for road surfaces lack efficient mechanisms for simultaneously dispensing solid and liquid materials, such as salt and anti-icing agents, which can lead to uneven distribution and reduced effectiveness in treating snow and ice.
Innovation Solution
A spreader assembly with a one-piece plastic hopper formed through rotational molding, featuring a receptacle for solid materials and chambers for liquid materials, along with mechanisms like an auger for solid material dispensing and a pump for pre-wetting, integrated with a chute assembly for controlled application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If separate hoppers are used for solid and liquid materials, then material storage capacity is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate hoppers for solid and liquid materials into a single integrated hopper assembly. The hopper includes a receptacle for solid material and a chamber for liquid material, both accessible through the same opening. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the capacity to store both types of materials, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hopper assembly serves multiple functions: it stores both solid and liquid materials, provides access to both materials through a common opening, and integrates the dispensing mechanisms for both material types. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate access points and simplifies the overall device structure.
2Measurement precision
If solid and liquid materials are dispensed separately, then material application control is improved, but productivity and effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary wetting of solid material by dispensing liquid material onto the solid material within the hopper before both are discharged. This preliminary action occurs while both materials are still accessible through the single opening, allowing for better control of material properties before application, thereby improving both control and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hopper structure acts as an intermediary chamber where liquid material can be applied to solid material before discharge. This intermediate step allows for controlled interaction between the two materials, improving application effectiveness while maintaining the ability to control dispensing rates through the unified access point.
3Ease of operation
If a single opening is used for both solid and liquid material access, then ease of operation and maintenance are improved, but material distribution uniformity may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
While using a single opening for access, the hopper internally segments the space into distinct receptacle and chamber areas for solid and liquid materials. This segmentation allows each material type to be stored and dispensed in a controlled manner through the common opening, maintaining ease of operation while preventing mixing issues and ensuring uniform distribution.
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
Enables efficient and even application of both solid and liquid materials onto road surfaces, improving material distribution and adhesion, and simplifying maintenance and installation processes.
Implementation Method 1
forming an insert hopper into a one piece plastic component in a rotational molding operation
Data Source
AI summary
A spreader assembly may include a hopper having a receptacle for holding salt, or the like, and at least one chamber formed between the receptacle and an outer surface of the hopper. The chamber may hold a liquid used to pre-wet the salt before it contacts a ground surface. The hopper may be an insert hopper formed as a one piece plastic component in a rotational molding operation.