Sweep Auger Drive Wheel with Segmented Blades

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Sweep augers often jam in compacted grain due to the inability of existing drive wheels to effectively move or break up such grain, leading to operator intervention and potential safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A drive wheel with peripheral blades that agitate granules at the storage bin's edge, combined with a reduction transmission and elevator housing, to propel the auger into the grain and facilitate grain movement, while the blades provide contact with the floor to prevent jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional drive wheel is used, then the structure is simple, but the wheel cannot break up or move compacted grain effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive wheel structureVSAvoidjamming resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive wheel is segmented into multiple functional elements: the wheel body and multiple radially directed blades attached to its periphery. This segmentation allows the wheel to combine rolling motion with cutting action, enabling it to break up compacted grain while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blades on the drive wheel perform preliminary action by cutting and breaking up compacted grain before the auger attempts to convey it. This preliminary breakdown prevents jamming and makes the grain easier to move, addressing the reliability issue without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the wheel rotates at the same rpm as the auger shaft, then the drive system is simple, but the wheel cannot effectively propel the auger into the grain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed transmission systemVSAvoidgrain movement efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed-ratio drive to a dynamic variable-speed system. The drive wheel rotates at a different rpm than the auger shaft, allowing optimal speed for breaking up grain while the auger operates at its optimal conveying speed. This dynamic speed differentiation improves productivity without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotational speed parameter of the drive wheel is changed relative to the auger shaft through the transmission system. This parameter change allows the drive wheel to operate at speeds optimized for grain breakdown while the auger operates at speeds optimized for conveyance, resolving the contradiction between simple drive systems and effective grain movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If no peripheral blades are added to the wheel, then the wheel structure remains simple, but the wheel cannot agitate or break up compacted grain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel structureVSAvoidcompacted grain jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel structure is segmented by adding discrete blades to the wheel periphery. These blades act as separate cutting elements that break up compacted grain, preventing jamming while keeping the overall wheel structure relatively simple and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral blades serve as an intermediary between the drive wheel and the compacted grain. They mediate the interaction by providing the cutting and agitating action needed to break up grain, while the wheel itself maintains its simple rotational function. This intermediary approach addresses the harmful jamming effect without significantly complicating the wheel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively breaks up and moves compacted grain, reducing jamming incidents and enhancing operational safety by allowing the auger to clear grain without manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

There is speed reduction transmission means for driving the elevator drive wheel in response to rotation of the auger shaft means, at an angular velocity substantially less than the angular velocity of the auger shaft.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS8210342B2Sweep auger elevator drive wheel

Publication Date: 2012.07.03 SPRINGLAND MFG

AI summary

A terminal elevator drive wheel for a grain bin sweep auger has angled spaced peripheral inward extending blades, which break up compacted grain, drive the auger forward, and pass the grain through an attached elevator housing over a deflector plate to the sweep auger flighting. A reduction drivebox with three double reduction sprocket and chain drives, rotate a drive sprocket axially engaging and rotating the elevator wheel.