Lightweight Hinged Mold for Concrete Water Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concrete water filter molds are heavy, expensive, and difficult to transport, making it impractical to provide water filtration solutions to economically disadvantaged regions and remote locations lacking access to potable water.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight mold made from laminated particle board or marine-grade plywood, featuring a hinged inner body and dagger board mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing for the efficient transportation and use of concrete water filters in remote areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional steel molds are used for making concrete water filters, then the mold strength and durability are improved, but the weight and transportation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into multiple separate panels that can be assembled together to form the complete mold structure. This segmentation allows the mold to be transported in disassembled state, reducing effective transportation weight, while maintaining full strength when assembled for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold uses composite construction combining wood panels with metal reinforcement elements and plastic components. This composite approach provides sufficient structural strength for concrete pouring while maintaining lower weight compared to all-steel construction.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional steel molds are used, then the mold durability is improved, but the assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented panel design with standardized connection points enables simple assembly and disassembly procedures. Each panel is equipped with alignment features and connection mechanisms that facilitate quick joining without requiring complex tools or procedures, thus reducing assembly complexity while maintaining durability through reusable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold incorporates movable panels and adjustable support structures that can be easily configured and reconfigured. This dynamic design allows for simple assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity during use, resolving the contradiction between durability and assembly complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional steel molds are used, then the structural integrity is improved, but the transportation cost and practicality in remote areas worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the mold into transportable panels that can be carried separately, the system maintains structural integrity when assembled but becomes easy to transport when disassembled. This resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and transportation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold design incorporates thin but structurally sufficient panels that provide necessary structural integrity when assembled, while their thin nature and modular construction enable easy transportation. The panels are designed to be rigid during use but flexible enough for handling and transport.
Data Source
AI summary
An inner mold body includes a first pair of side walls opposite one another, each of the first pair of side walls having a pair of engagement members attached thereto, a second pair of side walls opposite one another; wherein each of the second pair of side walls is adjacent to each of the first pair of side walls, and a separation mechanism in contact with each of the second pair of side walls.