Tarp Deploying Apparatus Radial Arm Obstruction Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tarp deploying apparatuses for side dump trailers face difficulties in deploying and retracting tarps when the rear of the trailer is close to obstructions, and the biasing force of radial arms diminishes over time, leading to issues with correct biasing and tarp interference.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features pivotally attached radial arms with helical torsion springs and adjustable biasing mechanisms, along with rollers with enhanced traction surfaces, allowing the tarp to deploy closer to the rear edge of the trailer and enabling adjustment of biasing force to accommodate varying loads and trailer conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the radial arms are extended to deploy the tarp across the entire trailer bed, then the tarp coverage area is improved, but the apparatus interferes with obstructions behind the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The radial arm is divided into two segments: a fixed portion attached to the trailer and a movable extension portion that can be deployed and retracted. This segmentation allows the tarp to cover the full bed area when needed while the extension can be pulled back to avoid interfering with obstructions behind the trailer.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial arm extension is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. It can be extended to maximize tarp coverage during normal operation and retracted when the trailer needs to be positioned close to obstructions, providing adaptability to different operational conditions.
2Reliability
If the radial arms are biased strongly towards the deployed position, then the tarp deployment reliability is improved, but the apparatus becomes difficult to move to storage position
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism uses adjustable spring tension that can be modified based on operational needs. When strong biasing is required for reliable deployment, the spring tension is increased. When movement to storage position is needed, the tension can be reduced to allow easier manual repositioning of the radial arm extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing force parameter of the spring mechanism is made adjustable rather than fixed. This allows the operator to change the spring tension parameter to optimize between deployment reliability and ease of repositioning depending on the specific operational context.
3Force
If the biasing force of the radial arms is increased to maintain deployed position, then the tarp stability is improved, but the spring resiliency diminishes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing system transitions from a static spring mechanism to a dynamic system where the biasing force can be adjusted and supplemented. When the spring resiliency diminishes over time, the tension can be readjusted or supplemented with additional biasing mechanisms to maintain the required force for tarp stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring tension parameter is made adjustable to compensate for resiliency loss over time. As the spring naturally loses resiliency, the tension can be increased by adjusting the spring preload or replacing the spring with one having appropriate characteristics, thereby maintaining the required biasing force for reliable tarp deployment.
4Ease of operation
If the radial arm extension is made long to reach under the side lip, then the tarp tucking capability is improved, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial arm is segmented into a fixed portion and an extendable portion. The extension is designed to reach under the side lip for effective tarp tucking when needed, but can be retracted when the full extension is not required, reducing the effective complexity of the system during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial arm extension serves multiple functions: it extends the tarp coverage area, enables the tarp to be tucked under the side lip for secure storage, and can be adjusted to avoid obstructions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
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 ensures smooth deployment and retraction of tarps, reduces interference with obstructions, and maintains consistent biasing force over time, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A helical torsion spring is provided at the lower end of the radial arms to provide a biasing force that biases the radial arms towards their deployed position
Implementation Method 2
Springs may be provided between the radial arm and the housing to bias the housing relative to the end of the arms. The biasing force applied by the springs between the ends of the radial arms and the housings is useful for articulating the housing around the lip
Implementation Method 3
rollers with enhanced traction surfaces are utilized on the tarp spool or spindle to grip the side of the trailer to aid in moving the housing in and out of the storage positions
Data Source
AI summary
A tarp deploying apparatus of the type that has radial arms pivotally attached at the front and rear of a trailer. A housing for supporting a tarp roll and a motor is pivotally attached at the free end of a radial arm such that the tarp roll and housing will tuck under a side lip at an upper portion of the side of the trailer. The rear radial arm is formed with a bend between the pivotal attachment point to the rear of the trailer and the free end of the radial arm, such that the free end of the radial arm is closer to the front of the trailer. A roller with enhanced traction characteristics helps to move the apparatus out of a storage position. A spring used to bias the radial arms can be adjusted to adjust the amount of biasing force.