Spreader Discharge Disc Assembly Pivoting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for spreading granular materials like sand and salt on roadways are inefficient, leading to waste and increased costs due to lack of control over the dispensing pattern, resulting in material being applied to non-target areas and requiring more trips and equipment to replenish.
Innovation Solution
A spreader apparatus with a selectively movable discharge disc assembly that allows for controlled, patterned dispensing of granular materials, featuring a spinner disc, shroud, and rotational drive, enabling adjustment of the dispensing pattern through a pivoting mechanism and variable speed control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional spinner disc method is used to spread granular material, then material can be distributed over wide area, but material is wasted on non-roadway surfaces and application precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader apparatus divides the material distribution function into multiple discharge openings arranged in specific patterns, allowing selective targeting of different roadway zones. Each opening can be controlled independently to deposit material precisely where needed, preventing waste on non-roadway surfaces while maintaining wide area coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs adjustable discharge openings and variable speed control of the spinner disc to dynamically adapt the spread pattern to different roadway conditions and requirements. This dynamic control enables precise material placement by adjusting the dispersion characteristics in real-time, reducing material waste while maintaining application flexibility.
2Quantity of substance
If higher application rates are used to compensate for material loss, then roadway coverage is maintained, but material costs and fuel costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the discharge into multiple controlled openings with selectable patterns, the system achieves complete roadway coverage through precise targeting rather than excessive application. Material is deposited only where needed on the roadway surface, eliminating the need for over-application and reducing the frequency of replenishment trips.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the distribution parameters by adjusting the spinner disc speed and selecting different discharge opening configurations to optimize material placement efficiency. This allows maintaining effective roadway coverage at lower application rates by improving placement precision, thereby reducing both material consumption and fuel costs for replenishment trips.
3Productivity
If conventional spreader methods are used, then equipment and labor can be deployed, but more trips and equipment are needed to cover roads within same time period
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamically adjustable discharge system allows a single vehicle to adapt its spread pattern to match varying roadway widths and conditions, maximizing the effective coverage per trip. This dynamic optimization enables one piece of equipment to cover more road per trip, reducing the number of trips and equipment needed while maintaining high productivity.
4Quantity of substance
If pre-wetted materials are used to improve adhesion and reduce bounce, then material application efficiency improves, but equipment complexity and capital cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves improved material adhesion and reduced bounce by changing the physical parameters of material delivery through controlled discharge patterns and optimized drop zones. By precisely controlling where and how material is deposited on the roadway surface, the system achieves efficient adhesion without requiring complex pre-wetting equipment, maintaining simplicity while improving performance.
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
This solution reduces material waste and costs by allowing precise application of granular materials directly behind or adjacent to the vehicle, optimizing the spread pattern and reducing the need for additional trips and equipment, while also enabling efficient use of pre-wetted materials.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge disc assembly which includes a spinner disc adapted to receive granular material from the feed chute, a shroud disposed in at least partial covering relation to the spinner disc... the spinner disc is rotatable within the shroud about a rotational axis
Data Source
AI summary
A material spreader is adapted to dispense granular material from a vehicle. The material spreader includes a feed chute having a discharge opening and a discharge disc assembly disposed below the feed chute. The discharge disc assembly includes a spinner disc adapted to receive granular material from the feed chute, a shroud disposed in at least partial covering relation to the spinner disc, and a rotational drive operatively connected to the spinner disc such that the spinner disc is rotatable within the shroud about a rotational axis. The shroud includes a pass-through opening disposed in substantially aligned relation with the discharge opening of the feed chute at a position radially removed from the central rotational axis. The discharge disc assembly is rotatably mounted in pivoting relation about a pivot axis extending through the pass-through opening and the discharge opening of the feed chute.