Vehicle Mounted Gate Remote Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large cattle feedlots, operators must frequently stop and manually open or close swinging gates to allow equipment to pass through, disrupting the cleaning process and requiring constant supervision.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted gate system with a hydraulic power source and remote control capability, featuring a pivotally movable gate mechanism attached to a tractor via a multiple-point hitch, allowing the gate to be operated from a distance and moved between open, closed, and transport positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual swinging gate is used in cattle feedlots, then the gate can be opened and closed to allow equipment passage, but the operator must frequently stop and manually operate the gate, disrupting the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
The gate system operates autonomously through remote control, allowing the operator to open and close gates without leaving the vehicle. The hydraulic motor and control system enable the gate to service itself by automatically moving between open and closed positions based on operator commands, eliminating the need for manual gate operation and maintaining continuous cleaning workflow
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic motor serves as an intermediary mechanism between the operator's control inputs and the gate's movement. The motor converts hydraulic power into rotational motion to drive the gate between positions, acting as a mediator that eliminates direct manual intervention while maintaining controlled operation
2Reliability
If someone stands and watches the gate while equipment passes through, then the gate can be monitored and operated, but this requires additional personnel and reduces overall operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The remote-controlled gate system provides self-supervision capabilities, allowing the operator to monitor and control the gate from the vehicle's control station. The system reliably manages gate operations independently without requiring additional personnel to physically supervise gate passage events
3Extent of automation
If the gate is mounted on the vehicle with hydraulic power means, then the gate can be remotely controlled and automatically operated, but the device complexity increases with additional hydraulic and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic motor and control system serve multiple functions: they power the gate's movement between open and closed positions, enables remote operation from the vehicle, and provide controlled positioning capabilities. By making these components multi-functional, the system achieves high automation without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing hydraulic power means to drive the gate motor, leveraging an already-present fluid power system. This approach integrates the gate control into the vehicle's existing hydraulic infrastructure rather than requiring a completely separate power system, thereby reducing overall complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A gate is operatively secured to the three-point hitch of a vehicle such as a tractor or the like and is movable between a forwardly extending transport position at one side of the vehicle, a substantially vertically disposed second position, and a third rearwardly extending position to close an opening in a fence or the like. The gate may be moved by an electrical motor/gearbox or a hydraulic motor/gearbox and is radio controllable.