Spreading Device Disc Wings Vertical Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spreading devices for granular materials, such as road salt, face challenges in controlling the spreading pattern and area due to manual adjustment limitations and potential corrosion and wear from hydraulic or pneumatic systems, leading to inefficient distribution and material waste.

Innovation Solution

A spreading device with flexible means between an inner disc and radially extending disc parts allows vertical adjustment of wings based on rotation speed, using centrifugal force to lower wings at higher speeds, flattening the parabolic trajectory and improving control over the spreading pattern and reducing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of the disc is used, then the structure remains simple, but the spreading area cannot be adjusted during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capability during operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disc structure transitions from a static manually-adjusted configuration to a dynamic self-adjusting configuration. The flexible means allow the disc parts to automatically change position in response to rotation speed variations, enabling real-time adaptation of the spreading area without manual intervention or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If hydraulic or pneumatic systems are used for adjustment, then automatic adjustment is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and susceptible to corrosion and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic adjustmentVSAvoidcorrosion and wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The disc parts automatically adjust their own position through the flexible means in response to centrifugal force generated during rotation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external hydraulic or pneumatic systems, thereby avoiding the corrosion and wear problems associated with those systems while maintaining automatic adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of substance

If the wings remain at fixed position when rotation speed increases, then the structure remains simple, but the material is thrown higher causing increased spreading area and material waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial wasteVSAvoiddisc structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disc parts with attached wings dynamically adjust their vertical position based on rotation speed. At higher speeds, centrifugal force causes the flexible means to deflect the disc parts downward, lowering the wings. This dynamic adjustment flattens the material throw parabola, reducing the height material is thrown and minimizing spreading area and material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If the wings are lowered at higher rotation speeds, then the spreading pattern is controlled and material waste is reduced, but the disc structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespreading pattern controlVSAvoiddisc structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible means act as flexible elements connecting the inner disc part to the radially extending disc parts. These flexible means enable the disc parts to deflect vertically in response to centrifugal force, providing precise control over wing position and spreading pattern while maintaining a relatively simple disc structure without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The solution enables controlled and efficient distribution of granular materials by automatically adjusting the disc's position, reducing material loss and enhancing spreading pattern precision compared to prior art.

Implementation Method 1

the wings will be lowered due to the centrifugal force acting on the disc parts, and a flexible means allows the disc parts, and thereby the wings, to change the position downwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2778289B1A spreading device
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 EPOKE
  • EP2778289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2778289B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP2778289B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3

AI summary

A spreading device for spreading granular material, said spreading device comprising a disc (2)with a central bore adapted to rotate around an axel/shaft. The disc supports a number of wings (5) and comprises further flexible means (8) placed between an inner part of the disc and an in the periphery radially extending disc parts (10), said flexible means being adapted to allow a change of position of the disc parts in upwards and downwards direction to said disc parts the wings (5) are related, said change in position being adapted to take place when the rotation speed of the disc is changed.