Adjustable Telescoping Axle for Grain Auger Cantilever Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grain augers experience instability and increased stress during transport due to a lengthy cantilevered conveyor tube, and excessive load forces when unloading grain, as the support location is closer to the inlet end, leading to potential damage and reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An improved grain auger with a frame featuring an adjustable, telescoping axle with angular sides and a two-part conveyor support assembly that minimizes cantilever length during transport, allowing for easier height adjustment and increased clearance for grain discharge, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing bounce and instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the support location is closer to the inlet end than the outlet end to increase the reach of the auger tube in the use position, then the reach for unloading grain is improved, but the load forces on the conveyor tube during use increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support location is made adjustable along the conveyor tube, allowing the operator to optimize the position based on specific operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt between maximizing reach and minimizing load forces depending on the grain bin configuration and operational conditions.
2Length of moving object
If a lengthy cantilevered portion of the conveyor extends rearwardly from the support member during transport, then the reach for unloading grain is improved, but bounce and instability of the tube during transport increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support location is made adjustable along the conveyor tube, allowing the operator to optimize the position based on specific operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt between maximizing reach and minimizing load forces depending on the grain bin configuration and operational conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axle width is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but the auger cannot be moveable from a narrow transport position to a wide use position
Solution Approach 1:
The axle width is made adjustable through telescoping arms that can extend or retract based on operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the auger to transition from a narrow transport configuration to a wide use configuration, providing versatility while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through the use of telescoping mechanisms.
4Length of moving object
If the axle is linear, then the structure is simpler, but the height of the conveyor outlet cannot be increased for discharge of grain
Solution Approach 1:
The axle is designed with opposite angled portions that can be adjusted between parallel and non-linear configurations. This dynamic adjustment allows the axle to transition from a linear transport position to a non-linear use position, increasing the height of the conveyor outlet for better grain discharge clearance while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A grain auger has a frame, a conveyor mounted on the frame for movement between a lowered transport position and a raised use position, and an axle with a pair of wheels to rollably support the auger. The axle has angular disposed hollow members with telescoping arms extending therefrom so that the length and height of the axle is adjustable. A cradle is provided on top of the axle, with a support block at the top of the lift assembly for nesting in the cradle when the conveyor is in the lowered transport position, to minimize the cantilever of the conveyor during transport.