Two-piece wedge diverter gate with interference fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-piece diverter gates with dovetail designs and short screw fasteners tend to loosen during use, requiring the entire gate and solenoid assembly to be replaced when worn, leading to inefficiencies in maintenance and operational downtime.
Innovation Solution
A diverter gate design featuring a bracket and flag with a positive interference fit engagement system, using tabs and receptacles for secure attachment and allowing for easy removal and reattachment without disconnecting from the actuator, enabling conversion between left- and right-handed configurations without altering the bracket or solenoid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dovetail design with clearance fit is used to join solenoid assembly portion with diverter portion, then assembly is simplified, but diverter portion loosens during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw fastening system with a magnetic field-based retention system. The solenoid assembly includes a magnet that magnetically retains the diverter portion, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners while providing secure connection during operation and enabling easy removal when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If short screw fasteners are used to attach diverter portion, then assembly is simplified, but diverter portion loosens during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw fastening system with a magnetic field-based retention system. The solenoid assembly includes a magnet that magnetically retains the diverter portion, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners while providing secure connection during operation and enabling easy removal when needed.
3Reliability
If entire gate and solenoid assembly is replaced when worn, then reliability is restored, but maintenance time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gate assembly into separable components: the solenoid assembly portion and the diverter portion. This segmentation allows the diverter portion to be independently removed and replaced without replacing the entire assembly, reducing maintenance time and cost while restoring gate functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables extraction of the diverter portion from the solenoid assembly portion through magnetic release. The magnet in the solenoid assembly holds the diverter portion during operation, but allows for easy removal when maintenance is needed, separating the wear-prone component from the valuable solenoid assembly.
4Ease of repair
If dovetail design is used for two-piece gate, then independent replacement is enabled, but connection loosens during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dovetail and screw fastening system with a magnetic retention system. The magnet in the solenoid assembly provides secure holding during operation while allowing easy removal for replacement, maintaining component replaceability while eliminating loosening issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A diverter gate generally includes a bracket which connects to an actuator and a flag which releasably engages with the bracket via cooperating engagement members. The cooperating engagement members may be symmetrical, and may comprise one or more tabs and one or more corresponding receptacles. The tabs may be dimensioned slightly larger than the receptacles so as to create a positive interference fit. The bracket and the flag may include openings to receive a fastener extending substantially across the length of the gate. Tightening the fastener compresses the tab(s) against the receptacle(s) to result in a compression fit between the flag and the bracket. The two-piece design allows the flag to be easily removed and reversed or replaced, without disassembling or removing the bracket or the actuator.