Funnel Assembly With Curved Rim And Support Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beekeepers face difficulties in transferring and pouring liquid food supplements into bee hive division board feeders without spilling, as conventional funnel assemblies require strength and often fail to maintain their position during filling.
Innovation Solution
A funnel assembly with a curved rim and a rod assembly that includes support legs and plate anchors, allowing the funnel to be securely positioned on the division board feeder, adjustable in angle, and capable of stabilizing the transfer of liquid from a container into various types of feeders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional funnel assemblies are used for filling bee hive feeders, then the filling process can be performed, but the funnel often fails to maintain its position and requires significant mechanical effort from the beekeeper
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel assembly is divided into separate functional components: a funnel body for pouring, a support structure with legs for positioning, and a securing mechanism with plate anchors. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, with the support legs providing stable positioning and the securing mechanism ensuring the funnel remains in place during filling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs and plate anchors are positioned and secured to the hive structure before the funnel body is attached. This preliminary action ensures that the positioning framework is already in place and stable, allowing the funnel to be quickly attached without requiring the beekeeper to simultaneously manage positioning and securing, thereby reducing mechanical effort.
2Ease of operation
If conventional funnel assemblies are used for filling bee hive feeders, then the filling operation can proceed, but the beekeeper cannot use both hands and spillage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel assembly is designed to be self-supporting through its integrated support legs and securing mechanism with plate anchors. Once attached to the hive structure, the funnel stabilizes itself without requiring the beekeeper to hold or support it, enabling hands-free operation and allowing the beekeeper to use both hands for controlled pouring, thereby minimizing spillage.
3Reliability
If a stable funnel position is achieved through additional support structures, then spillage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure consists of discrete legs positioned at specific locations around the funnel base, providing stability only where needed rather than requiring a complete framework. The plate anchors are positioned at strategic points on the hive structure, offering localized securing that achieves overall stability without unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the funnel directly to the hive and adding support elements, the design inverts the approach by first establishing the support structure with legs and plate anchors on the hive, then attaching the funnel body to this pre-established framework. This inversion simplifies the attachment process and reduces overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is a funnel assembly comprising a funnel body having a curved rim formed at a first portion of the funnel body, the rim being contoured to hold an external object. An upper end of the funnel body is provided with an opening. A second portion of the funnel body is formed with a lower end terminating in an aperture. A third portion of the funnel body is supported by at least one assembly that securely holds the funnel upright to allow food or food supplement to flow from the external object and into the funnel and then into a division board feeder of a beehive.