Agricultural Tank Closure With Pressure-Reinforced Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machine supply tanks face pressure loss and contamination due to internal pressure dislodging seals on large tank lids, leading to poor operation and material loss during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly with a lid, lift, and latch mechanism that supports the lid off the tank opening, allowing it to move between closed and open positions, using handles for manual operation and a foot-operated latch to enhance seal integrity and facilitate easy opening, while leveraging internal pressure to reinforce the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If large tank lids are used to cover tank openings, then ease of access for filling is improved, but seal integrity deteriorates due to internal pressure dislodging the lids
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: a movable lid for access, a stationary sealing surface on the tank, and a latch mechanism for securing. This segmentation allows the lid to be large for easy access while the seal is maintained at the stationary tank opening where pressure acts favorably to enhance sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent the lid from moving under pressure, the design inverts the approach by using the pressure itself to force the lid against the sealing surface. The latch mechanism then secures this pressure-enhanced contact, converting the harmful pressure effect into a beneficial sealing force.
2Reliability
If lids are secured tightly to maintain seal integrity, then pressure loss is reduced, but ease of opening for access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism serves as an intermediary device that mediates between the conflicting requirements of tight sealing and easy opening. It provides a simple mechanical interface that requires minimal effort to engage and disengage, while maintaining secure closure during operation. The foot-operated latch allows operators to secure and open lids without excessive physical effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system is designed to be self-securing through the latch mechanism that automatically engages when the lid is closed. The internal pressure itself contributes to maintaining the sealed state by pressing the lid against the seal, reducing the need for additional complex locking mechanisms while ensuring reliable sealing.
3Device complexity
If manual handling of large lids is required, then device complexity is reduced, but operator safety and ease of operation deteriorate due to heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism acts as an intermediary that reduces the effort required to operate large lids. By providing a mechanical advantage through the latch leverage and foot-operated release, the system allows operators to secure and open heavy lids without excessive force, distributing the operational effort across multiple simple mechanical elements rather than requiring direct manual lifting against full weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure assembly is disclosed for a work machine having a supply tank with a tank opening. The closure assembly has a lid and lift, actuator and latch mechanisms. When the closure assembly is attached to the tank, the lift mechanism is configured to support the lid off of the tank opening. The actuator mechanism mounts to the lid to move the lid with respect to the tank opening between first and second positions in which in the first position the lid overlies the tank opening and in the second position the lid is substantially clear of the tank opening. The latch mechanism may be moved into a latched orientation in which when the lid is in the first position the latch mechanism latches the lid into engagement with the tank opening.