Spreader Liquid Tank Inclined Sliding Surface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winter service vehicle spreaders have limited variability and inefficient volume utilization due to the need for additional tanks for liquid brine, which are not suitable for solid spreading materials and require a funnel-shaped container for complete emptying.
Innovation Solution
A spreader design featuring a spreading-material container with a horizontal floor surface and a liquid tank that forms an inclined sliding surface, allowing for variable volume utilization by filling and emptying the liquid tank, enabling optimal use of the container volume for different spreading methods without external tanks or complex piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional tanks are firmly installed outside the spreading-material container for liquid brine, then the system can perform wet-salt spreading and pure brine spreading, but the volume utilization is inefficient and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid tank is inserted into the spreading-material container, with the liquid tank (containing brine) nested within the container for solid spreading materials. This nesting arrangement allows the liquid tank to occupy only the space needed for brine storage while the remaining space in the spreading-material container is fully available for solid materials, achieving efficient volume utilization while maintaining the capability for multiple spreading methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading-material container serves multiple functions: it stores solid spreading materials and simultaneously accommodates the liquid tank for brine storage. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate external tanks, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility for dry-salt spreading, wet-salt spreading, and pure brine spreading operations.
2Ease of operation
If a funnel-shaped spreading-material container is used for complete emptying, then solid spreading materials can slide by gravity onto the conveying device, but the volume of the spreading-material container is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid tank acts as an intermediary element that forms a sliding surface between the horizontal floor of the spreading-material container and the conveying device. When the liquid tank is filled, it creates an inclined surface that enables solid spreading materials to slide by gravity onto the conveying device, achieving complete emptying without requiring the container itself to be funnel-shaped, thus maximizing container volume.
3Device complexity
If external additional tanks are removed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to perform wet-salt spreading and pure brine spreading is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading-material container is designed to serve multiple functions: it stores solid spreading materials and simultaneously accommodates the liquid tank for brine storage. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate external tanks, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility for dry-salt spreading, wet-salt spreading, and pure brine spreading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid tank is inserted into the spreading-material container, creating a nested configuration where the liquid tank occupies only the space needed for brine storage while the remaining space in the spreading-material container is fully available for solid materials. This nested arrangement maintains the capability for multiple spreading methods while simplifying the overall device structure.
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 design allows for complete emptying of the container, increased capacity for solid spreading materials, and efficient use of space, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the system by eliminating the need for external tanks and complex piping, while maintaining flexibility for different spreading methods.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid tank (10) for insertion into the spreading-material container (3) so as to form, upon an at least partial filling of the liquid tank (10), a sliding surface for the solid spreading materials to be spread out that is inclined toward the conveying device
Data Source
AI summary
A spreader, in particular for winter service vehicles, for spreading out solid spreading materials includes a spreading-material container for receiving the solid spreading materials to be spread out, and at least one liquid tank arranged within the spreading-material container and having an at least partly flexible sheath and variable volume for receiving liquid. The spreader furthermore comprises a conveying device in a floor surface of the spreading-material container for conveying the spreading materials out of the spreading-material container. The floor surface of the spreading-material container is horizontal or almost horizontal, with the at least one liquid tank being arranged on or above the floor surface such that, upon an at least partial filling of the liquid tank, there is formed a sliding surface for the solid spreading materials to be spread out that is inclined toward the conveying device relative to the floor surface.