Distribution Box with Front and Rear Outlet Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing effluent distribution systems for filter beds are limited by the placement of outlet openings only on the rear wall, leading to inefficient distribution and longer pipe lengths, which can result in reduced effluent flow to lateral areas, and cannot accommodate a central placement of the distribution box without elongating the filter bed.

Innovation Solution

The distribution box is designed with outlet openings on both the rear and front walls, and the ramp configuration is adjusted to ensure a more uniform effluent distribution by controlling the angle and position of the effluent flow, allowing for a more compact filter bed arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If outlet openings are provided only in the rear wall of the distribution box, then the effluent distribution system is simple to design, but the filter bed must be elongated and pipe lengths increase leading to reduced effluent flow to lateral areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution box designVSAvoideffluent flow distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution box is divided into an upper portion with inlet and a lower narrower portion with outlet openings. This segmentation allows the outlet openings to be positioned in the front wall, enabling more efficient effluent distribution to lateral areas of the filter bed without requiring excessive pipe lengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet openings are positioned in the front wall of the distribution box rather than only in the rear wall. This spatial repositioning in another dimension allows for more efficient effluent distribution to lateral areas of the filter bed, reducing pipe lengths and improving flow distribution.

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

2Area of stationary object

If the distribution box is placed in the center of the filter bed to achieve compact arrangement, then the filter bed can be more square and compact, but outlet openings must be located on opposite sides requiring complex flow distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter bed footprintVSAvoidoutlet opening configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp is configured with specific geometric parameters (angle between 15° and 45° with vertical plane, lower edge positioned above outlet openings) to create localized flow control. This allows effluent to be distributed uniformly to outlet openings on opposite sides when the distribution box is centrally positioned, enabling compact filter bed arrangement without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If the ramp directs effluent flow at high velocity towards outlet openings, then effluent flows longer distance in pipes, but lateral areas receive less effluent due to flow preferential direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffluent flow velocityVSAvoidlateral area effluent distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp's geometric parameters are optimized: the angle between the plane containing the pivot axis and lower edge and the vertical plane is between 15° and 45°. This parameter change balances effluent velocity with distribution uniformity, ensuring lateral areas receive adequate effluent while maintaining sufficient flow velocity for adequate distribution distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration ensures a uniform distribution of effluent across all outlet openings, with variations in flow rates minimized to less than 25%, allowing for a more compact and efficient wastewater treatment system.

Implementation Method 1

It then rotates automatically due to the weight of the effluent it contains to discharge the effluent from the tipper into the distribution box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The ramp is configured to receive the effluent that is discharged from the tipper and to direct this effluent towards the rear wall of the distribution box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3864229B1Device for distribution of sewage to plurality of outlets leading to filter bed
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 ELOY WATER GRP
  • EP3864229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3864229B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3864229B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for distributing effluent from a septic tank to a number of pipes that feed the effluent to a filter bed. The device comprises a distribution box having a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and an inlet. It also comprises a tipper mounted in said distribution box in order to pivot about a pivot axis. The distribution box has a lower part and an upper part. The front wall of the upper part forms a ramp, which has a lower edge situated at the transition between the upper part and the lower part. The ramp in the distribution box is configured such that a plane containing said pivot axis and said lower edge forms an angle of between 15° and 45° with a vertical plane containing said pivot axis, and said plurality of outlet openings comprises at least one outlet opening in said front wall and at least one outlet opening in said rear wall.