Storage barrel assembly for double-hole drawing frame
By designing a storage bin assembly with rotatable inner and outer barrels and a drive shaft, the problem of cotton sliver knotting in double-eye drawing frames was solved, achieving uniform distribution of cotton sliver and improving quality. It is highly adaptable and reduces the failure rate.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520192287.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-02-07
AI Technical Summary
The existing double-eye drawing frame's storage bin design causes cotton slivers to easily knot, affecting the production process, and the number of storage bins is excessive.
Design a storage bin assembly for a double-eye drawing frame, comprising a rotatable inner bin and an outer bin, which can be moved in the height direction by a drive shaft to selectively drive the inner bin or the outer bin to rotate, and combined with a limit block and a motor to achieve precise control, reducing tangling and knotting.
It achieves uniform distribution of cotton slivers, reduces tangling and knotting, improves cotton sliver quality, adapts to different production needs, simplifies mechanical structure, and reduces failure rate and maintenance costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN223879926U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model belongs to the drawing -in machine technical field, and specifically relates to the storage barrel subassembly for double -eye drawing -in machine. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the related art, in the textile industry, the drawing-in machine is used for the process of combining multiple short fiber strips (such as cotton strips) into a thicker strip to ensure the uniformity and consistency of the fiber in the subsequent spinning process, in the prior art, the double-eye drawing-in machine outputs two cotton strips, and each cotton strip corresponds to a storage barrel, resulting in a large number of storage barrels on the production line, and moreover, the output cotton strip directly enters the storage barrel, and when the storage barrel is too full, the cotton strip is prone to knotting, affecting the subsequent production process. SUMMARY
[0003] The utility model discloses at least one of the technical problems in the prior art is solved, for this, one purpose of the utility model lies in providing a storage barrel subassembly for double-eye drawing-in machine.
[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model provides the following technical scheme:
[0005] The utility model provides a storage barrel subassembly for double-eye drawing-in machine, include: the shell is provided with the installation cavity in the shell, the outer bucket is rotatably arranged in the installation cavity, the inner bucket is rotatably arranged in the outer bucket, and the outer circumferential wall of the inner bucket and the outer circumferential wall of the outer bucket have the accommodation space, and the inner bucket and the accommodation space are used for accommodating cotton strip respectively, the drive mechanism has rotatable drive shaft, and the drive shaft is suitable for moving in the height direction to selectively drive the rotation of the outer bucket and / or inner bucket.
[0006] According to the storage barrel subassembly for double-eye drawing-in machine of the utility model, the rotation of the inner bucket and the outer bucket can ensure that the cotton strip is evenly distributed in the respective space, reduces the possibility of winding and knotting, improves the quality of the cotton strip, and moreover, since the drive shaft can move in the height direction, the drive of the inner bucket or the outer bucket can be flexibly switched as required, and different production requirements can be adapted.
[0007] Further, the bottom of the outer bucket is provided with a first rotating hole, the inner wall of the first rotating hole is provided with a first limiting part, the bottom of the inner bucket is provided with a second rotating hole, the first rotating hole, the second rotating hole and the drive shaft are coaxially arranged with each other, the inner wall of the second rotating hole is provided with a second limiting part, and the drive shaft moves in the height direction to selectively cooperate with the first limiting part and / or the second limiting part to drive the rotation of the outer bucket and / or the inner bucket.
[0008] Further, the first limiting part is configured as a first limiting block, the second limiting part is configured as a second limiting block, and the outer peripheral wall of the driving shaft is provided with a third limiting block which selectively abuts against the first limiting block and / or the second limiting block in the circumferential direction.
[0009] Further, the driving mechanism comprises a first telescopic motor provided in the shell, the first telescopic motor having a first piston rod; a first rotating motor connected with the first piston rod, the first rotating motor being provided with the driving shaft.
[0010] Further, the driving mechanism comprises a second rotating motor connected with the shell, the second rotating motor having a rotating shaft; a sleeve movably sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft, the sleeve being configured as the driving shaft; and a second telescopic motor connected with the shell, the second telescopic motor being spaced apart from the second rotating motor in the length and / or width direction, the second telescopic motor having a second piston rod connected with the sleeve.
[0011] Further, the driving mechanism further comprises a connecting rod, one end of the connecting rod being connected with the second piston rod, and the other end of the connecting rod being connected with the sleeve.
[0012] Further, the inner peripheral wall of the shell is provided with a first limiting ring extending in the circumferential direction, and the outer peripheral wall of the outer barrel is provided with a second limiting ring extending in the circumferential direction, the top of the first limiting ring being adapted to abut against the bottom of the second limiting ring.
[0013] Further, the bottom of the outer barrel is provided with a receiving groove extending in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of rotatable balls are received in the receiving groove, the top of the plurality of balls being adapted to abut against the bottom of the inner barrel.
[0014] Further, the utility model further comprises a ring-shaped fence connected with the outer barrel and arranged between the outer peripheral wall of the inner barrel and the inner peripheral wall of the outer barrel, and the ring-shaped fence and the inner peripheral wall of the outer barrel define the receiving space.
[0015] The other advantages, objects and features of the utility model will be set forth in the subsequent description, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art to some extent, or can be taught by those skilled in the art from the practice of the utility model. The objects and other advantages of the utility model can be realized and obtained by the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and beneficial effects of the utility model more clear, the utility model provides the following drawings for description:
[0017] Figure 1 It is the sectional view of the storage barrel assembly of the utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 The enlarged view of the middle circle A is shown.
[0019] Figure 3 It is the cooperation schematic view of the first telescopic motor and the first rotating motor of the utility model.
[0020] The signs in the drawings are as follows:
[0021] 1, the storage barrel assembly;
[0022] 10, the shell; 11, the first limiting ring;
[0023] 20, the outer barrel; 21, the first limiting block; 22, the second limiting ring; 23, the annular fence;
[0024] 30, the inner barrel; 31, the second limiting block;
[0025] 41, the drive shaft; 411, the third limiting block; 42, the first telescopic motor; 43, the first rotating motor; 44, the second rotating motor; 45, the second telescopic motor; 46, the connecting rod;
[0026] 50, the ball. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the utility model more clear and obvious, the utility model is further described in detail below by combining with examples and drawings, and the illustrative embodiment of the utility model and its description are only used to explain the utility model, and not as the limitation of the utility model.
[0028] In the following description, a large number of specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the utility model. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the utility model does not have to be implemented by using these specific details. In other examples, in order to avoid confusion of the utility model, well-known structures, circuits, materials or methods are not specifically described.
[0029] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "one example", or "an example", means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the application. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "in one example", or "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable
[0030] In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "front", "back", "left", "right", "up", "down", "vertical", "horizontal", "high", "low", "inner", "outer" and the like are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.
[0031] Embodiment one:
[0032] As shown in Figures 1-3 The present application provides a kind of storage barrel assembly 1 for double eye draw frame, comprising: shell 10, outer bucket 20, inner bucket 30 and drive mechanism, installation cavity is provided in shell 10, outer bucket 20 is rotatably arranged in installation cavity, inner bucket 30 is rotatably arranged in outer bucket 20, there is accommodation space between the outer circumferential wall of inner bucket 30 and the outer circumferential wall of outer bucket 20, inner bucket 30 and accommodation space are used to accommodate cotton sliver respectively, drive mechanism has rotatable drive shaft 41, drive shaft 41 is suitable for moving in height direction to selectively drive outer bucket 20 and / or inner bucket 30 rotation.
[0033] In some embodiments, the storage barrel assembly 1 has a housing 10, the housing 10 forms an installation cavity inside, the installation cavity is used to accommodate other components (outer barrel 20, inner barrel 30, etc.), the outer barrel 20 is rotatably arranged in the installation cavity in the housing 10, the inner barrel 30 is also rotatable, and the inner barrel 30 is located inside the outer barrel 20, there is a gap between the inner barrel 30 and the outer barrel 20, which is a storage space, which can be used to store cotton, and the driving mechanism includes a driving shaft 41, the driving shaft 41 can move in the height direction (i.e. up and down), and can selectively drive the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30 to rotate. That is, according to the position of the driving shaft 41, the driving shaft 41 can contact the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30 and drive the outer barrel 20 and / or the inner barrel 30 to rotate.
[0034] It can be understood that the working principle of the driving mechanism mainly depends on the vertical movement of the driving shaft 41 to realize the selective driving of the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30. When the driving shaft 41 moves to a certain position, the driving shaft 41 will contact the specific structure (such as a limiting block) at the bottom of the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30, so as to drive the corresponding part to rotate when the driving shaft 41 rotates. In this way, it can be accurately controlled which part (the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30) rotates at what time to achieve the ideal cotton management effect.
[0035] It is worth mentioning that the driving shaft 41 can be individually matched with the inner barrel 30 or the outer barrel 20 to realize the independent driving of the inner barrel 30 or the outer barrel 20 to rotate, of course, the driving shaft 41 can be matched with the inner barrel 30 and the outer barrel 20 at the same time to realize the simultaneous driving of the inner barrel 30 and the outer barrel 20 to rotate.
[0036] It should be noted that, with the discharge of the cotton and the rotation of the inner barrel 30, the discharged cotton can be stored in the inner barrel 30 in the circumferential direction, so that the storage of the cotton in the inner barrel 30 is more neat, and the phenomenon of knotting of the cotton stored in the inner barrel 30 is avoided. Of course, the storage principle of the cotton in the outer barrel 20 is the same as that in the inner barrel 30, which will not be described here. At the same time, the inner barrel 30 and the outer barrel 20 are suitable for storing cotton, which reduces the number of storage barrels on the production line.
[0037] According to the storage barrel assembly 1 for the double-eye drawing frame of the utility model, the rotation of the inner barrel 30 and the outer barrel 20 respectively can ensure that the cotton is evenly distributed in the respective space, reduce the possibility of winding and knotting, improve the quality of the cotton, and because the driving shaft 41 can move in the height direction, the driving of the inner barrel 30 or the outer barrel 20 can be flexibly switched as needed, which adapts to different production needs.
[0038] Embodiment two:
[0039] The first rotating hole is provided with a first limiting portion on the inner wall, the bottom of the inner barrel 30 is provided with a second rotating hole, the first rotating hole, the second rotating hole and the driving shaft 41 are coaxially arranged with each other, the inner wall of the second rotating hole is provided with a second limiting portion, and the driving shaft 41 is moved in the height direction to selectively cooperate with the first limiting portion and / or the second limiting portion, so that the outer barrel 20 and / or the inner barrel 30 are driven to rotate.
[0040] It can be understood that the driving shaft 41 can be moved in the height direction and can selectively cooperate with the first limiting portion or the second limiting portion, by controlling the position of the driving shaft 41, one of the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30 can be selected to rotate, or both can be driven to rotate at the same time. Specifically, when the driving shaft 41 rises and contacts the first limiting portion, the driving shaft 41 can drive the outer barrel 20 to rotate together; if the driving shaft 41 is lowered and contacts the second limiting portion, the driving shaft 41 can drive the inner barrel 30 to rotate.
[0041] According to some embodiments of the utility model, the first limiting portion is configured as a first limiting block 21, the second limiting portion is configured as a second limiting block 31, and the outer peripheral wall of the driving shaft 41 is provided with a third limiting block 411, which can selectively abut against the first limiting block 21 and / or the second limiting block 31 in the circumferential direction.
[0042] It can be understood that when the driving shaft 41 moves up and down, the third limiting block 411 will correspondingly approach or move away from the first limiting block 21 or the second limiting block 31, if the third limiting block 411 abuts against the first limiting block 21, the driving shaft 41 will drive the outer barrel 20 to rotate when rotating; if the third limiting block 411 abuts against the second limiting block 31, the driving shaft 41 will drive the inner barrel 30 to rotate when rotating; if it is required to drive the inner and outer barrels 20 to rotate at the same time, the position of the driving shaft 41 can be adjusted so that the third limiting block 411 abuts against the first and second limiting blocks 31 at the same time.
[0043] It is worth mentioning that through the abutting action of the limiting block, the rotation of the inner and outer barrels 20 can be very accurately controlled, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the driving process, compared with other possible solutions (such as using multiple independent driving devices), this single driving shaft 41 plus limiting block design greatly simplifies the mechanical structure, reduces the number of parts, improves the compactness and reliability of the system, and the above-mentioned arrangement allows flexible selection of driving which barrel to rotate or driving both barrels to rotate at the same time according to actual needs, increasing the adaptability and flexibility of the system. At the same time, since the mechanical structure is relatively simple, the potential failure points are reduced, and the maintenance cost and frequency are reduced.
[0044] Embodiment three:
[0045] The embodiment is based on embodiment two, and the driving mechanism comprises a first telescopic motor 42 and a first rotating motor 43. The first telescopic motor 42 is arranged in the shell 10, and the first telescopic motor 42 has a first piston rod. The first rotating motor 43 is connected with the first piston rod, and the first rotating motor 43 is provided with a driving shaft 41.
[0046] In some embodiments, the first telescopic motor 42 is mounted inside the shell 10, and the first telescopic motor 42 is responsible for providing the moving power in the vertical direction. The first telescopic motor 42 is equipped with a first piston rod, which can move up and down according to the instruction of the first telescopic motor 42. The first rotating motor 43 is connected with the first piston rod of the first telescopic motor 42, and the driving shaft 41 is arranged on the first rotating motor 43. When the first piston rod moves, it will drive the first rotating motor 43 and the driving shaft 41 on it to move together.
[0047] It can be understood that the first telescopic motor 42 adjusts the height position of the driving shaft 41 through the telescopic movement of the first piston rod, so that the third limiting block 411 on the driving shaft 41 can selectively contact the first limiting block 21 or the second limiting block 31. Once the driving shaft 41 reaches the appropriate position, the first rotating motor 43 starts to work, and transmits the rotating force to the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30 through the driving shaft 41, or to both.
[0048] Therefore, through the cooperative work of the first telescopic motor 42 and the first rotating motor 43, it is ensured that the driving shaft 41 can not only accurately reach the required height (through the first telescopic motor 42), but also effectively transmit the rotating motion to the target component (through the first rotating motor 43).
[0049] Embodiment four:
[0050] The embodiment is based on embodiment two, and the driving mechanism comprises a second rotating motor 44, a sleeve and a second telescopic motor 45. The second rotating motor 44 is connected with the shell 10, and the second rotating motor 44 has a rotating shaft. The sleeve is movably sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft, and the sleeve is configured as the driving shaft 41. The second telescopic motor 45 is connected with the shell 10, and the second telescopic motor 45 is spaced apart from the second rotating motor 44 in the length and / or width direction. The second telescopic motor 45 has a second piston rod connected with the sleeve. The driving mechanism further comprises a connecting rod 46, one end of the connecting rod 46 being connected with the second piston rod, and the other end of the connecting rod 46 being connected with the sleeve.
[0051] In some embodiments, the second telescopic motor 45 controls the vertical movement of the sleeve (drive shaft 41) through the second piston rod, so that the sleeve can selectively contact the first limit block 21 or the second limit block 31, and when the sleeve (drive shaft 41) reaches the appropriate position, the second rotating motor 44 starts to work, driving the sleeve (drive shaft 41) to rotate through the rotating shaft, and then transmitting the rotating force to the outer barrel 20 or the inner barrel 30, or to both.
[0052] Through the cooperation of the second rotating motor 44 and the second telescopic motor 45, it is ensured that the sleeve can not only accurately reach the required height (through the telescopic motor), but also effectively transmit the rotating motion to the target component (through the rotating motor).
[0053] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, since the second telescopic motor 45 and the second rotating motor 44 are spaced apart in the length and / or width direction, the size of the drive mechanism in the height direction can be reduced, thereby reducing the height size of the storage barrel assembly 1, or increasing the storage capacity of the storage barrel under the condition that the height of the storage barrel assembly 1 is the same.
[0054] Embodiment five:
[0055] In the present embodiment, on the basis of embodiment one, the inner circumferential wall of the shell 10 is provided with a first limit ring 11 extending in the circumferential direction, and the outer circumferential wall of the outer barrel 20 is provided with a second limit ring 22 extending in the circumferential direction, and the top of the first limit ring 11 is adapted to abut against the bottom of the second limit ring 22.
[0056] In some embodiments, the first limit ring 11 is arranged on the inner circumferential wall of the shell 10 and extends in the circumferential direction, and the first limit ring 11 provides a fixed reference surface for limiting the up-down movement range of the outer barrel 20, and the second limit ring 22 is arranged on the outer circumferential wall of the outer barrel 20 and also extends in the circumferential direction, and the bottom of the second limit ring 22 is designed to abut against the top of the first limit ring 11 to limit the downward movement of the outer barrel 20, so that the outer barrel 20 can be stably matched with the shell 10, and the stable position of the outer barrel 20 in the shell 10 is ensured, and good stability can be maintained even in the case of high-speed rotation.
[0057] It is worth mentioning that, through the above arrangement, the matching mode of the outer barrel 20 and the shell 10 is simple and stable, and the matching of the outer barrel 20 and the shell 10 can be realized only by putting the outer barrel 20 into the shell 10, and of course, when it is necessary to separate the outer barrel 20 and the shell 10, the outer barrel 20 can be taken out only in the height direction.
[0058] According to some embodiments of the present application, the bottom of the outer barrel 20 is provided with a receiving groove extending in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of rotatable balls 50 are accommodated in the receiving groove, and the top of the plurality of balls 50 is adapted to abut against the bottom of the inner barrel 30.
[0059] It can be understood that the presence of the rolling balls 50 significantly reduces the direct contact area between the inner barrel 30 and the bottom of the outer barrel 20, thereby greatly reducing the friction between the inner barrel 30 and the outer barrel 20, so that the inner barrel 30 can rotate more easily in the outer barrel 20, and moreover, the rolling balls 50 not only play a role in reducing friction, but also provide a supporting function, when the inner barrel 30 rotates, the rolling balls 50 are evenly distributed in the accommodation grooves on the bottom of the outer barrel 20, supporting the weight of the inner barrel 30, ensuring the smooth rotation of the inner barrel 30, and at the same time, since the rolling balls 50 can rotate freely, they can provide a rolling contact surface when the inner barrel 30 rotates, helping to guide the rotation path of the inner barrel 30, maintaining the smoothness and accuracy of the rotation of the inner barrel 30.
[0060] According to some embodiments of the present application, the storage barrel assembly 1 further comprises: an annular fence 23, the annular fence 23 is connected with the outer barrel 20 and is arranged between the outer circumferential wall of the inner barrel 30 and the inner circumferential wall of the outer barrel 20, and the annular fence 23 and the inner circumferential wall of the outer barrel 20 define an accommodation space therebetween.
[0061] In some embodiments, the annular fence 23 divides the inner space of the outer barrel 20 into two parts, the inner space of the inner barrel 30 and the accommodation space between the annular fence 23 and the inner circumferential wall of the outer barrel 20, which helps to manage and store different batches or types of cotton strips respectively, and moreover, through the isolation effect of the annular fence 23, it can avoid interference to the cotton strips in the outer barrel 20 when the inner barrel 30 rotates, maintaining the neatness and storage order of the cotton strips, of course, the annular fence 23 can also play a certain supporting role to help maintain the stable position of the inner barrel 30 in the outer barrel 20, reducing the shaking of the inner barrel 30 caused by rotation.
[0062] Finally, it should be pointed out that the above preferred embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not limiting, although the present application has been described in detail through the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes can be made in form and details without departing from the scope defined by the claims of the present application.
Claims
1. A hopper assembly for a double eye drawing frame, characterised in that, The utility model relates to a cotton strip processing device, comprising: a housing, a mounting cavity is arranged in the housing; an outer barrel, the outer barrel is rotatably arranged in the mounting cavity; an inner barrel, the inner barrel is rotatably arranged in the outer barrel, and a receiving space is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the inner barrel and the outer peripheral wall of the outer barrel, the inner barrel and the receiving space are used for receiving cotton strips respectively; a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism has a rotatable driving shaft, the driving shaft is adapted to move in the height direction to selectively drive the outer barrel and / or the inner barrel to rotate.
2. The hopper assembly for a double eye drawing frame according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the outer barrel is provided with a first rotating hole, the inner wall of the first rotating hole is provided with a first limiting part, the bottom of the inner barrel is provided with a second rotating hole, the first rotating hole, the second rotating hole and the driving shaft are coaxially arranged with each other, the inner wall of the second rotating hole is provided with a second limiting part, and the driving shaft moves in the height direction to selectively cooperate with the first limiting part and / or the second limiting part to drive the outer barrel and / or the inner barrel to rotate.
3. The hopper assembly for a double draw frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The first limiting part is configured as a first limiting block, the second limiting part is configured as a second limiting block, the outer peripheral wall of the driving shaft is provided with a third limiting block, and the third limiting block selectively abuts against the first limiting block and / or the second limiting block in the circumferential direction.
4. The hopper assembly for a double draw frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The driving mechanism comprises: a first telescopic motor, the first telescopic motor is arranged in the housing, and the first telescopic motor has a first piston rod; a first rotating motor, the first rotating motor is connected with the first piston rod, and the first rotating motor is provided with the driving shaft.
5. The hopper assembly for a double draw frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The driving mechanism comprises: a second rotating motor, the second rotating motor is connected with the housing, and the second rotating motor has a rotating shaft; a sleeve, the sleeve is movably sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft, and the sleeve is configured as the driving shaft; a second telescopic motor, the second telescopic motor is connected with the housing, and the second telescopic motor is spaced apart from the second rotating motor in the length and / or width direction, and the second telescopic motor has a second piston rod connected with the sleeve.
6. The hopper assembly for a double draw frame as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The driving mechanism further comprises: a connecting rod, one end of the connecting rod is connected with the second piston rod, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected with the sleeve.
7. The hopper assembly for a double eye drawing frame according to claim 1, wherein, The inner peripheral wall of the housing is provided with a first limiting ring extending in the circumferential direction, the outer peripheral wall of the outer barrel is provided with a second limiting ring extending in the circumferential direction, and the top of the first limiting ring is adapted to abut against the bottom of the second limiting ring.
8. The hopper assembly for a double draw frame as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The bottom of the outer barrel is provided with a receiving groove extending in the circumferential direction, a plurality of rotatable balls are received in the receiving groove, and the top of the plurality of balls is adapted to abut against the bottom of the inner barrel.
9. The hopper assembly for a double eye drawing frame according to claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a ring-shaped fence, the ring-shaped fence is connected with the outer barrel and arranged between the outer peripheral wall of the inner barrel and the inner peripheral wall of the outer barrel, and the ring-shaped fence and the inner peripheral wall of the outer barrel define the receiving space.