Funnel With Tipping Edge Fulcrum For Gravity-Driven Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling of liquid-filled containers, such as those used in the vehicle wash industry, is challenging due to the need to remove protective seals and the physical demands of lifting and pouring, which can be hazardous and require special safety equipment.
Innovation Solution
A funnel design that includes a receptacle for supporting the container in a declined position with a tipping edge to facilitate easy emptying, a container shelf for inclining the container, and a spout for discharging liquid into a tank, stabilizing the funnel during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the container is supported in a declined position with a tipping edge fulcrum, then the physical effort required for emptying is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is divided into distinct functional components: a receptacle for supporting the container in a declined position, a container shelf for inclining the container, and a tipping edge acting as a fulcrum. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the physical effort required to empty the container while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tipping edge fulcrum enables the container to tip automatically from an inclined position to a declined position without requiring manual lifting or pouring by the operator. The system uses the container's own weight and gravity to facilitate the emptying process, significantly reducing physical effort while the fixed fulcrum point keeps the mechanical structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If the container is tipped from inclined to declined position using a fulcrum, then spillage risk is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container shelf positions the container in a pre-inclined state before emptying, with the opening oriented toward the receptacle. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the container tips over the fulcrum edge, the liquid flows directly into the receptacle rather than spilling, minimizing spillage risk while using a simple fixed shelf and edge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle acts as an intermediary structure between the tipping container and the final discharge point. It receives the container in a controlled declined position and guides the liquid flow, preventing spillage during the tipping transition while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a basic receptacle and fulcrum mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the spout is adapted to engage the tank opening, then the stability of the funnel is improved, but the adaptability to different container types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel design incorporates a universal receptacle with a tipping edge fulcrum that can accommodate various container shapes and sizes. The spout is adapted to engage with the tank opening to provide stability during discharge, while the receptacle's open design and the fulcrum's positioning allow different container types to be tipped into the same receptacle, achieving both stability and adaptability through multi-functional design.
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
Reduces the physical effort required for emptying and minimizes the risk of spillage and exposure to hazardous liquids by allowing gravity-driven emptying without the need for seal removal, while maintaining stability and adaptability for different container types.
Implementation Method 1
a tipping edge between the receptacle and a top of the container shelf, the tipping edge adapted to act as a fulcrum for tipping the container from the inclined position to the declined position
Implementation Method 2
a receptacle configured to support the liquid-filled container in a declined position with an opening of the container at or near a lowermost point of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A funnel for facilitating emptying of a liquid-filled container includes a receptacle. The receptacle is configured to support the liquid-filled container in a declined position with an opening of the container at or near a lowermost point of the container. The receptacle has an outlet for liquid. The funnel also includes a container shelf, adjacent to the receptacle, configured to support the liquid-filled container in an inclined position in which the container is inclined towards the receptacle. A tipping edge between the receptacle and a top of the container shelf is adapted to act as a fulcrum for tipping the container from the inclined position to the declined position. The receptacle may be formed within an insert that is removable from a base section of the funnel. A piercing element for piercing a protective seal on the opening may protrude inwardly into the receptacle on an angle.