Working Machine Overlapping Ground Projections for Continuous Bulk Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing material loading procedures for working machines often result in material being discharged outside the receptacles, especially when multiple machines are loaded simultaneously, requiring intermittent distribution to prevent spills, which is inefficient and can lead to material loss.

Innovation Solution

The design of working machines with overlapping circumference projections in their load receiving areas allows for continuous material discharge from a station without spills, enabling multiple machines to be loaded simultaneously with a low risk of material being discharged outside their receptacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple working machines are loaded simultaneously from a discharge arrangement, then loading efficiency is improved, but material may be discharged outside the receptacles causing loss and mess

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by projecting the load receiving area circumference vertically onto the ground to create a circumference projection. This transforms a two-dimensional area boundary into a one-dimensional ground projection, enabling overlapping arrangements of multiple working machines while ensuring material discharged from above lands within receptacle boundaries. The vertical projection approach resolves the contradiction by allowing simultaneous loading of multiple machines without material loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by arranging working machines such that the circumference projection of one machine's load receiving area overlaps with another machine's circumference projection on the ground. This nested arrangement allows multiple machines to be positioned under a single discharge arrangement, enabling simultaneous loading while the overlapping projections ensure material discharge remains within receptacle boundaries, preventing material loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of substance

If intermittent distribution is used to prevent material discharge outside receptacles, then material loss is reduced, but loading speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial lossVSAvoidloading speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous material discharge by allowing multiple working machines to be arranged with overlapping circumference projections. This configuration permits a discharge arrangement to continuously discharge material onto multiple receptacles simultaneously without interruption or intermittent distribution. The continuous action maintains high loading speed while the overlapping projection geometry ensures material remains within receptacle boundaries, preventing loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If working machines are arranged with non-overlapping circumference projections, then material discharge control is simplified, but the number of machines that can be loaded simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge control complexityVSAvoidsimultaneous loading capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses vertical projection onto the ground to simplify discharge control while increasing simultaneous loading capacity. By projecting the load receiving area circumference vertically, the system creates ground-based circumference projections that can overlap. This dimensional transformation allows multiple machines to be arranged with overlapping projections under a single discharge arrangement, increasing productivity while the projection-based control method remains simpler than intermittent distribution systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3504081B1Working machine
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP3504081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3504081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3504081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a working machine (10) comprising a receptacle portion (12) for accommodating load. The working machine is adapted to have a load receiving condition in which the receptacle portion (12) comprises an open load receiving area (14) outwardly delimited by a load receiving area circumference (16). The working machine (10) extends in at least a vertical direction (V) and the working machine (10) comprises a circumference projection (22) being a projection of the load receiving area circumference (16) in the vertical direction (V) onto a ground (24) on which the working machine (10) is located. The working machine (10) is such that it, in the load receiving condition, can assume a position relative to a second working machine (11) of the same type in which position the circumference projections (22, 23) of the two working machines (10, 11) at least partially overlap.