Drain Pan Spout and Stowable Stand for Spill-Safe Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid collection devices, such as drain pans, are not designed to transport spent fluids efficiently, leading to spillage and practical issues with cleanliness and storage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a reservoir and a deployable leg, featuring a funnel plate with sloped surfaces directing fluid towards a drain and a spout for easy pouring, allowing for efficient collection and dispensing of fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a drain pan is made low profile to slide under a vehicle, then it can fit underneath the vehicle for fluid collection, but it cannot be used for transport as it is placed on the ground and becomes contaminated with spent fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two distinct segments: a low-profile drain pan for collection and a separate container with higher walls for transport. The drain pan can be detached from the container, allowing the clean container to be carried into the vehicle while the pan remains on the ground for draining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport container is extracted as a separate functional element from the drain pan. This allows the container to be removed and carried independently into the vehicle, leaving the drain pan on the ground for its collection function without contamination concerns.
2Quantity of substance
If a drain pan is used to collect spent fluid, then it can gather the fluid efficiently, but it is not practical for transport as the outside becomes greasy or too dirty to be placed inside a vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the collection function (drain pan) from the transport function (container). The container with higher walls is designed specifically for transport and can be carried into the vehicle, while the drain pan remains on the ground for efficient fluid collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary between the drain pan and the final storage location inside the vehicle. Fluid is collected in the pan, then transferred to the container which serves as a clean intermediate vessel for transport into the vehicle.
3Ease of operation
If containers for transporting spent fluid have a higher opening, then they allow easier pouring, but the user must balance the drain pan while pouring which leads to spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The spout wall is designed to be obliquely angled rather than vertical, creating a dynamic pouring surface that naturally guides fluid flow. This angled configuration allows the spout to adapt to different pouring angles and heights, maintaining stability and preventing spillage while providing easy access.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout wall has a specific oblique angle configuration at the pouring location, creating a localized optimal pouring surface. This local geometric feature provides both easy access for pouring and inherent spillage prevention through its angled design that directs fluid smoothly into the container.
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
The device enables safe and efficient transfer of spent fluids from a low-profile drain pan to a higher storage container, minimizing spillage and maintaining cleanliness, thus addressing the limitations of current fluid collection solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The funnel plate has a plurality of sloped surfaces extending towards the drain, with the sloped surfaces being angled with respect to the bottom wall to direct fluid towards the drain
Data Source
AI summary
A drain pan has a reservoir portion with a funnel plate for collecting drained fluids. The funnel plate has sloped surfaces to direct fluids towards a drain screen, with one of those surfaces spaced from the reservoir to form a spout for pouring out the collected fluids. A deployable leg is attached to the reservoir adjacent the spout for elevating the reservoir while pouring out the collected fluids. The leg has a foot portion for resting on the ground or other horizontal surface.