Vertical Feed Mixer Pivotable Conveyor and Segmented Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical mixers face inefficiencies in processing bales and mixing additives due to single screw designs, which lead to longer processing times and material loss, and side-mounted conveyor systems that hinder maintenance access and tire size, limiting terrain handling capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A vertical mixer design featuring a rotatable screw assembly within a tub and a pivotably mounted conveyor assembly with a positioning system that allows the conveyor to rotate between stowed, conveying, and maintenance positions, ensuring efficient material processing and maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single screw design is used in the vertical mixer, then the device complexity is reduced, but the processing speed decreases and material loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single screw assembly is divided into multiple segments or sections along its length, with each segment having specific functional characteristics. This segmentation allows the screw to efficiently move and process material through different zones of the mixer without requiring a completely separate screw for each function, thus improving processing speed while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a side-mounted conveyor is positioned to discharge material, then the discharge function is achieved, but maintenance access to frame and wheel assemblies is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor assembly is designed with movable and adjustable components that can be repositioned or removed as needed. This dynamic design allows the conveyor to be moved out of the way during maintenance activities, providing access to frame and wheel assemblies, while still maintaining its material discharge function during normal operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If smaller tires are used to accommodate side conveyor positioning, then the conveyor placement is feasible, but the terrain handling capability and tub capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor assembly is positioned and oriented in three-dimensional space to optimize both tire size and access. By utilizing vertical and angular positioning rather than only horizontal placement, the design allows for larger tires to be used while still providing adequate access for maintenance and maintaining discharge functionality.
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
The design enhances processing efficiency by quickly handling bales and mixing additives, while also providing improved maintenance access and the ability to handle rugged terrains with larger tires.
Implementation Method 1
The screw assembly moves material towards the conveyor assembly as the screw assembly rotates
Implementation Method 2
A conveyor assembly is pivotably located along the outer surface at the discharge opening
Implementation Method 3
The positioning system is configured to rotate the conveyor between a stowed position, a conveying position, and a maintenance position
Data Source
AI summary
A feed mixer for mixing material. The feed mixer includes a tub that defines a tub interior. A rotatable screw assembly is located in the tub interior. A conveyor assembly is pivotably located along an outer surface of the tub at a discharge opening. The screw assembly moves material towards the conveyor assembly as the screw assembly rotates. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor and a positioning system configured to move the conveyor between a conveying state, a stowed state, and a maintenance state.