Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CHUTE OPENER
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to chute openers and in
particular to
chute openers for grain trailers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Chutes on grain trailers can be opened by the rotation of a
crank to
allow discharge of the contents of the trailer. The opening of the chute can
be
performed by manual rotation or can be opened by a powered chute opener. When
chute openers are utilized manual operation of the chute can be difficult once
the
chute opener is installed and not provide convenient transition between
automatic
and manual operation. In addition manual operation can impact the automatic
operation of the chute opener as manual operation can impact the calibration
of the
chute opener. Accordingly, an improved chute opener remains highly desirable.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is
provided a chute opener comprising: a motor; a first gear coupled to the
motor; a
second gear on a shaft for rotating a crank shaft coupled to a chute wherein
the
second gear can be rotated by the first gear when driven by the motor, and
wherein
the second gear can be disengaged from the first gear so that the shaft can be
manually rotated; and a position sensor coupled to the second gear for
determining
a value associated with rotation of the second gear either by the motor or by
manual
rotation of the shaft, wherein the position sensor is used to determine a
position of
the crank shaft, which is coupled to the chute.
[0004] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure
there
is provided a chute opener assembly comprising: a shaft gear on a shaft for
rotating
a crank shaft coupled to a chute, the shaft gear supported by a frame; a motor
bracket for supporting: a motor; a motor gear coupled to the motor; the motor
bracket pivotally coupled to a frame of the chute opener assembly rotating
about an
axis; wherein the motor gear engages the shaft gear when the motor bracket is
pivoted towards the frame and the motor gear is disengaged when the motor
bracket is pivoted away from the frame wherein the shaft gear can be rotated
by the
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motor when engaged with the motor gear or rotated by manual operation when
disengaged from the motor gear.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will
become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with
the
appended drawings, in which:
FIGs. 1A & 1 B shows a chute opener installed on a trailer in a closed and an
open
state;
FIG. 2 shows a side view of a chute opener installation;
.. FIGs. 3A to 3D show a top, perspective, front and side views of the chute
opener;
FIG. 4 shows a first exploded view of the chute opener;
FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the chute opener assembly;
FIGs. 6A to 6E shows a top, front, bottom, perspective and side assembled
views of
the chute opener assembly;
.. FIGs. 7A to 7C shows top, cross-sectional and rear perspective views of the
chute
opener in the engaged position;
FIGs. 8A to 8C shows top, cross-sectional and rear perspective views of the
chute
opener in the disengaged position;
FIGs. 9A to 9C show operation of a locking pin and motor handle to engage and
disengage the chute opener between automatic and manual operation;
FIG. 10 shows a wireless remote and the chute opener; and
FIG. 11 shows system diagram of the wireless remote and controller of the
chute
opener.
[0006] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features
are identified by like reference numerals.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] Embodiments are described below, by way of example only, with
reference to Figures 1-11.
[0008] A chute opener can be connected to the chute of a grain
trailer as
shown in FIGs. 1A & 1B. The chute opener 100 can be mounted to the trailer 110
by a bracket 102 to facilitate the opening and closing of chute 150 of hopper
120. A
crank shaft 106 couples the chute opener 100 to the chute crank to operate the
chute which can be rotated to transition between a closed position shown in
Fig. 1A
to an open position shown in Fig. 1B.
[0009] As shown in the side view of the chute opener 100 in Fig. 2, the
chute
opener is coupled to the crank shaft 106 by rear output shaft 202 of the chute
opener 100 to a u-joint 206 coupling the opening mechanism for chute opener
100
to the chute 150. The crank shaft 106 may be connected at the output shaft
202.
[0010] Referring to FIGs. 3A to 3D, top, perspective, front and side
views of
the chute opener 100 are shown. The chute opener 100 has a front output shaft
302 axially connected to output shaft 202. Shaft 106 may pass from the output
shaft
202 to front output shaft 302 or may be communicatively coupled there between.
A
handle may be attached to front output shaft 302 to enable manual operation,
or to a
crank shaft 106 passing there through. A lock pin 306 is provided to retain
the chute
opener 100 in an engaged position or automatic operation position. When the
lock
pin 306 is removed manual rotation of the front output shaft 302 is enabled.
The
motor handle 308 can be used to re-engage the motor of the chute opener from
disengaged position by connecting a motor gear to a gear for rotating the
crank
shaft 106 as described below. The chute opener 100 may be operated by buttons
310 on the chute opener 100 or by a wireless remote. The locking pin 306 may
be
secured linchpins placed through a hole in the end of the pin on the back of
the
chute opener 100.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a first exploded view of the chute opener 100
showing
the working components of chute opener assembly 400. A front housing 402
couples to a rear housing 404 for covering the chute opener assembly 400
having a
frame 440. The front housing 402 has an opening 403 for receiving output shaft
302
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and rear housing 404 has a matching opening 405 for receiving output shaft
202. A
direct current (DC) motor 410 is coupled by a motor gear (not visible) to a
crank
shaft gear 422 for rotating the output shaft 202 coupled to the frame 440.
[0012]
Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the
chute opener assembly 400 and FIGs. 6A to 6E shows a top, front, bottom,
perspective and side assembled views of the chute opener assembly 400. The
front
output shaft 302 is coupled to the rear output shaft 202 provided by shaft 522
on
having gear 422. A worm gear 524 is provided on the shaft 522 for rotating a
gear
of a position sensor 530 such as a potentiometer.
Although a rotational
potentiometer is depicted a liner potentiometer or other position sensor may
be
utilized to determine distance travelled. A position sensor 530 which can
determine
absolute or relative position of the gear, or can generate a value that it can
be
determined the position of the gear can be utilized. The position sensor 530
can
generate a value that is used to determine a position even if the gear is
manually
rotated and then reengaged. The position sensor 530 may be provided by a
potentiometer where the position is changed by rotation of the shaft to
translate
rotation of an electrical value. Alternatively the position sensor 530 may
utilize other
positioning sensors such as inductive position sensors or rotary encoders. The
shaft 522 may be contained within the frame 440 by flangettes 526 and bearings
528. As the shaft 522 rotates the rotation is translated by the position
sensor 530 to
determine the amount of movement chute 150 based upon a calibration of the
sensor to determine open and closing positions. A reverse DC contactor 550
connects power to the motor 410 which is controlled by a controller 570
providing
forward and reversing functions of the motor 410. The motor 410 is connected
to a
motor bracket 560 and drives a motor gear 566 by shaft 510 for matting with
gear
422. The bracket 560 is pivotally connected to frame 440 by motor handle 308.
The
gear 422 and motor gear 566 may be spur gears. Other types of gear profiles or
orientations may be utilized based upon the orientation of the motor 410 and
motor
gear 566 relative to main gear 422. The motor bracket 560 has a locking pin
sleeve
564 for receiving the locking pin 306 to keep the motor gear 566 engaged with
gear
422 when rotated towards the frame 440. The motor bracket 560 may also have
motor handle sleeve 562 for receiving the motor handle 308 to enable movement
of
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the motor bracket 560 to engage or disengage the gears and coupling the
bracket
560 to the frame 440.
[0013] FIGs. 7A to 7C shows top, cross-sectional and perspective
views of
the chute opener in the engaged position. In top view of FIG. 7A, a sectional
line EE
is shown in side view in FIG. 7B. In the operational or engage position the
gear 422
is meshed or engaged with gear 566. Referring to FIG. 7C, the locking pin 306
maintains engagement of the gears through locking pin sleeve 564 engaging
frame
440 as shown in the front view of Fig. 9A. The motor bracket 560 is rotated
around
motor handle 308 to enable meshing of the gears. In Fig. 9A the motor drive
handle
308 is in an engaged position 902.
[0014] FIGs. 8A to 8C shows top, cross-sectional and perspective
views of
the chute opener in the disengaged position. In top view of FIG. 8A, a
sectional line
DD is shown in side view in FIG. 8B. In the disengaged position the pin 306 is
removed from the locking pin sleeve 564 as shown in FIG. 9B and may be
inserted
in a secondary position to support the motor 410 when not engaged as shown in
FIG. 9C. As shown in FIG 8B when gears are not engaged a space 802 is provided
between the gear 422 and gear 566. When the gears are not engaged, the drive
handle 308 is in position 902. The gears may be re-engaged by removing the
locking pin 306 and rotating handle 308 to position 900 to move the motor and
gear
.. forward for re-engagement and re-inserting locking pin 306 in sleeve 564.
When the
gears are re-engaged a value can be determined from the position sensor as the
manual movement of the gear 422 would change the position of the potentiometer
therefore enabling chute position always to be determined. The position sensor
such as the potentiometer does not need to be re-calibrated when switching
between manual and remote operation as the position of the position sensor
changes with any movement of the gear 422.
[0015] FIG. 10 shows a wireless remote 1000 and the chute opener 100.
The
wireless remote 1000 has display 1002 for providing information on the status
of the
chute opener 100. The operation of the chute opener can be controlled by a
close
button 1004 and open button 1006. Input buttons 1008 may also be provided to
interface with the wireless controller 1000 and the chute opener 100. The
display
1002 can identify a chute opening status of the chute and present information
such
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as an open percentage. The position sensor 530 used to determine the amount of
rotation of the gear 422 and therefore can be used to determine the opening
position
of the chute 150 and an open percentage. The wireless remote 1000 can be
wirelessly paired with the chute opener 100 having a teach button 1050.
[0016] FIG. 11 shows system diagram of the wireless remote and controller
of
the chute opener. The chute opener 100 controller 570 has chute processor 1102
for controlling operation of the chute. The chute processor 1102 is coupled to
a
chute wireless transceiver module 1104 providing wireless communication
through a
chute transceiver antenna 1106. The wireless transceiver can utilize short
range
radio frequency two-way communication technologies or IEEE 802.15 personal
area
networks (PAN) wireless technology such as but not limited to Xbee TM,
ZigBeeTM, Z-
WaveTM, ISA100.11a, WirelessHARTTm, MiWiTM, or 6LoWPAN or 802.11 local area
network (LAN) technologies such as Wi-Fi Tm or proprietary or non-proprietary
wireless technologies. The chute processor 1102 is coupled to a non-volatile
memory 1108 containing instructions for the operation of the chute opener 100.
An
output display 1130 may be provided to display a status of the state of the
chute
opener. An input interface 1132 such as a keypad, buttons, or touch interface,
buttons or manual entry keys 1134 may be provided to allow configuration if
the
wireless remote 1000 is not utilized. A power source 1114 interfaces with the
processor 1102 and power regulator 1116, which may regulate power to for
example
to 3.3 V. A potentiometer 1118 provided by a position sensor module 530
interfaces
to the processor 1102. The potentiometer 1118 is adjusted by rotation of the
worm
gear 524. The output of the potentiometer 1118 is provided to an analog to
digital
converter (ADC) 1122 to provide a digital output value to the processor 1102.
The
potentiometer 1118 can be calibrated to associate an opening position and a
closing
position with a voltage value. An ADC 1120 may also be provided to determine
state of the power source 1114. Output 1110 to control reversing contactor 550
for
the operation of the motor 410. The reversing contactor 550 can be utilized to
engage the motor 410 in the forward or reverse direction depending on the
received
command to open or close the chute 150. The potentiometer 1118 can be
calibrated against the position of the chute 150 to provide a percentage to
determine
the state of the chute 150.
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[0017] The
wireless remote 1000 has a wireless remote processor 1150
coupled to wireless remote transceiver module 1152 to communicate with the
chute
opener 100 via antenna 1154. The communication may be one-way or two-way
communication. Non-
volatile memory 1156 is provided for storing operating
instructions for generating a user interface on display 1160, receiving input
via
interface 1162, generating commands to be sent to the chute opener controller
and
receiving feedback or information from the controller. A power supply 1158
such as
a battery can be provided to enable portability. Alternatively the remote may
be
hardwired to power supply. The wireless remote 1000 may be paired with the
controller 570 by a pairing or learning process. The wireless remote 1000 may
be
configured to control multiple chute openers or other accessories.
[0018] It
would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the
system and components shown in Figures 1-11 may include components not shown
in the drawings. For simplicity and clarity of the illustration, elements in
the figures
are not necessarily to scale, are only schematic and are non-limiting of the
elements
structures. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of
variations
and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention as
defined in the claims.
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