Trailer Container with U-Shaped Dividers for Cleanable Hopper Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer-mounted pneumatic containers for particulate materials are difficult to clean due to internal rings that trap product, leading to potential contamination and increased drag, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a shell with U-shaped divider plates between hoppers, reinforcement plates, and external shell inserts, eliminating internal supports and enhancing aerodynamics, making it easier to clean and assemble.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If internal rings are used to support the container, then structural strength is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases due to product trapping in crevices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes internal rings from the container structure entirely. Instead of modifying the rings to be cleaner, the solution extracts the problematic internal support elements completely, replacing them with external reinforcement plates that do not interfere with cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin-walled shell structure that maintains structural integrity without requiring thick internal supports. The shell is designed with appropriate stiffness through its geometry and material selection, eliminating the need for internal rings while preserving strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If external rings and rails are added for support, then structural stability is improved, but drag coefficient increases reducing fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved, aerodynamic contours on the external shell structure rather than sharp edges and flat surfaces. The streamlined shape reduces air resistance and drag coefficient, improving fuel efficiency while maintaining structural stability through the curved geometry's inherent strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a streamlined thin-walled shell structure that provides both structural stability and aerodynamic efficiency. The external shape is optimized for reduced drag while the shell thickness and curvature provide necessary structural support without requiring additional bulky reinforcement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If internal rings are removed for easier cleaning, then contamination risk is reduced, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes internal rings that create contamination risks while maintaining structural integrity through alternative design approaches. The internal space is completely opened up to eliminate crevices where contamination could occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relies on a carefully engineered thin-walled shell structure that provides sufficient strength without internal supports. The shell's geometry, material properties, and external reinforcement plates work together to maintain structural strength while keeping the internal volume clear and cleanable.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for particulate materials that is adapted to be mounted on a trailer for transport on a roadway includes a plurality of hoppers, a shell that is disposed over the plurality of hoppers, and an internal U-shaped divider plate between each pair of adjacent hoppers.