Fluid Container Sloped Bottom Wall Drainage Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid containers with drains fail to provide adequate drainage, leading to pockets of fluid at the bottom, which increases cleaning time and reduces drainage efficiency without manual lifting or tilting.
Innovation Solution
A fluid container design featuring a main body with a bottom wall and sidewall that define a fluid holding cavity in communication with a passageway, allowing for gravitational drainage without manual manipulation, and a support leg for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a drain is added to the fluid container, then drainage function is provided, but fluid pockets remain at the bottom reducing drainage efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sloped bottom wall configuration that creates a directional flow path for fluid, transforming the static drainage problem into a dynamic flow system. The slope angle and orientation guide fluid toward the drain opening, ensuring complete evacuation without requiring container manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom wall is designed with different local properties - a sloped region leading to the drain and a fluid holding cavity region. This local differentiation optimizes fluid flow dynamics, directing all fluid toward the drain while maintaining structural integrity and container functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If the container structure is simplified for easy manufacturing, then manufacturing cost decreases, but drainage performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise geometric parameters for the bottom wall slope (e.g., 30-60 degree angles) and drain opening dimensions that can be directly implemented in manufacturing. These parameter definitions balance manufacturing simplicity with optimal drainage performance, allowing standard fabrication processes to produce high-efficiency drainage containers.
3Quantity of substance
If manual lifting or tilting is required for complete drainage, then drainage completeness improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container design enables self-drainage through its geometric configuration - the sloped bottom wall and strategically positioned drain opening work together to automatically evacuate all fluid under gravity when the drain is opened. This eliminates the need for user intervention such as lifting or tilting, making the container truly hands-free draining.
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 design achieves 90-100% drainage efficiency, reducing cleaning time and eliminating fluid pockets, while allowing for easy support and stability of the container.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom wall first internal surface extends from the sidewall second internal surface toward the passageway at a downward slope
Data Source
AI summary
An example fluid container includes a main body and a support leg. The main body has a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends from the bottom wall. The bottom wall has a bottom wall first internal surface and the sidewall has a sidewall first portion, a sidewall second portion, and defines a passageway. The bottom wall first internal surface extends from the sidewall second portion toward the passageway at a downward slope. The support leg extends from the main body and is sized and configured to support the fluid container.