Temporary Storage Bins for Granular Material Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing granular material storage and distribution systems face challenges in maintaining a low center of gravity, stability, and efficient material transfer from a main storage bin to a distribution head, particularly when using pipes which are prone to high operational costs and reliability issues due to the need for flexible and durable piping.
Innovation Solution
Implementing one or two small temporary storage bins that move with the distribution head to store granular material, eliminating the need for a pipe by filling them from the main storage bin and providing material directly to the distribution head, thus lowering the center of gravity and improving stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe is used to move material from the main storage bin to the distribution head, then material transfer is possible, but the center of gravity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporary storage bins as intermediary containers between the main storage bin and the distribution head. These bins are positioned close to the distribution head, allowing material to be transferred in short bursts rather than through a long pipe. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for a flexible pipe while maintaining material flow, thereby lowering the center of gravity and improving system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the material storage system into multiple segments: a main storage bin for bulk material and multiple smaller temporary storage bins positioned near the distribution head. This segmentation allows the main bin to remain low on the vehicle (low center of gravity) while the temporary bins provide localized material supply at the distribution point, eliminating the need for a high-positioned pipe connection.
2Productivity
If a pipe is used to transfer material, then material flow is maintained, but operational costs increase due to pipe replacement needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive, durable pipe with inexpensive temporary storage bins that can be easily filled and emptied. These bins are simple containers without complex sealing or flexible connection requirements, making them much cheaper to replace when worn or damaged. The system maintains productivity by cycling between multiple bins, filling one while another is being used, thereby eliminating the high operational costs associated with pipe maintenance and replacement.
3Ease of operation
If the main storage bin is positioned high to enable material flow, then material discharge is facilitated, but vehicle stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the height contradiction by changing the spatial dimension of material transfer. Instead of moving material vertically from a high bin to a low distribution head through a pipe, the system uses temporary bins positioned horizontally near the distribution head. Material is transferred horizontally into these bins, then discharged vertically by gravity from the bin outlets positioned at the appropriate height, thereby maintaining vehicle stability while facilitating easy material discharge.
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 configuration reduces operational costs, increases reliability, and maintains stability by bringing the main storage bin to the same level as the distribution head, ensuring continuous material flow and extending the lifespan of equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a horizontal screw disposed in the hopper and configured to move the granular material out of the outlet of the hopper
Implementation Method 2
The vertical screw can have a tapered root diameter (tapered so it gets smaller as the discharge port is approached, or alternatively tapered so it gets larger as the discharge port is approached), and it can be configured to compress the granular material before it is released through the discharge port of the vertical cylinder
Implementation Method 3
an active vertical slide configured to move the vertical cylinder in a vertical direction perpendicular to a lower surface of the hopper
Implementation Method 4
an active horizontal slide configured to move the head assembly in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, machines, and methods for granular material laying are provided. A granular material laying machine can include at least one small storage bin that moves with a distribution head to temporarily store granular material. The at least one small storage bin can be filled when the distribution head brings it in front of an exit hole of a main storage bin (separate from the at least one small storage bin). While the distribution head discharges the granular material at the desired locations, the small temporary storage bin(s) provide(s) the material.