Dump Truck Tailgate Pivot Mechanism for Large Debris Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tailgates on dump trucks and trailers limit the size of the rear opening, restricting the transportation and discharge of large debris such as tree stumps and rocks due to their design, which does not allow for complete clearance of the discharge path.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate apparatus with pivotally coupled side arms and linkages that enable the tailgate to pivot between a closed and open position, allowing it to be positioned closer to the front wall, thus clearing the path for large debris to be discharged without obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the tailgate is elevated above the side walls when open, then the opening size is increased, but the tailgate still limits the discharge path for large debris
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate is moved from a vertical elevation path to a horizontal rotation path about a front vertical axis. This dimensional change allows the tailgate to clear the discharge path completely by rotating forward, rather than merely elevating above the side walls, thus solving the contradiction between opening size and discharge path clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of elevating the tailgate upward from the rear (conventional approach), the invention inverts the motion by rotating the tailgate forward about a front vertical axis. This inverted motion path allows the tailgate to clear the discharge path while maintaining or increasing the effective opening size.
2Device complexity
If the tailgate pivots about a horizontal axis at the top rear portion, then the structure is simple, but the rear opening size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis is changed from horizontal (conventional) to vertical at the front portion. This dimensional change in the pivot axis orientation and position allows the tailgate to rotate into a position that clears the discharge path while maximizing the rear opening size, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and opening size.
3Device complexity
If the tailgate remains in the rear position when open, then the structure is simple, but large debris cannot be discharged effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate motion is changed from vertical elevation to horizontal rotation about a front vertical axis. This dimensional change enables the tailgate to clear the discharge path completely, allowing large debris to be discharged effectively while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical linkage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tailgate is designed with a dynamic rotation mechanism about a vertical axis rather than a static elevated position. This dynamic capability allows the tailgate to adapt its position to clear the discharge path for large debris while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward rotational mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A tailgate apparatus for a dump body is described herein. The dump body includes a floor, a front wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the floor and two opposing side walls coupled to and extending upwardly from the floor. Each side wall is coupled to the front wall. The two side walls define an opening at a rear end of the floor. The tailgate apparatus includes a tailgate sized to cover the opening and two opposed side arms extending from the tailgate towards the front wall. Each side arm is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the side walls. The tailgate apparatus also includes a pair of linkages for linking the side arms to the side walls. The linkages enable the tailgate to pivot between a closed position where the tailgate covers the opening and an open position where the tailgate is positioned closer to the front wall than the opening.