Hopper Attachment Structure for Low-Scrap Weighing Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hopper attachment structures in combination scales are prone to accumulating broken pieces or scraps of items, which can lead to bacterial contamination and require labor-intensive cleaning due to the formation of steps and gaps where these pieces can get stuck.
Innovation Solution
A hopper attachment structure that allows hoppers to be removably attached using engaging and support protrusions on the driving unit, eliminating the need for a flat base portion and reducing the risk of scraps getting stuck, with the hopper being easily attachable and detachable through hook and contact portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat base portion with hangers is used to attach the hopper to the driving unit, then the hopper can be securely attached, but steps and gaps are formed where broken pieces and scraps can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic flat base portion from the attachment structure. By removing this component, the steps and gaps that caused scrap accumulation are eliminated, while the attachment function is maintained through the hook portion engaging with the engaging protrusion and the contact portion supporting on the support protrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the hopper from the front surface (which creates steps and gaps), the invention inverts the attachment approach by using lateral engaging protrusions and support protrusions. This inverted attachment method eliminates the harmful geometry while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If a flat base portion with bolts is used for attachment, then the hopper can be firmly fixed, but cleaning becomes labor-intensive due to accumulated scraps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the flat base portion that necessitated complex cleaning procedures. The extracted design allows scraps to not accumulate, making cleaning significantly easier while maintaining attachment firmness through the protrusion-based mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards the problematic flat base portion design and recovers the attachment function through a simpler protrusion-hook mechanism that is inherently easier to clean, eliminating the need for labor-intensive scraping and cleaning operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hoppers are equipped with flat base portions, then each hopper can be attached, but the cleaning process requires great labor and time
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and eliminating the flat base portion from multiple hoppers, the invention eliminates the source of scrap accumulation across all hoppers simultaneously, reducing the total cleaning time and labor required for multi-hopper systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies a universal attachment mechanism (engaging protrusion + support protrusion) that can be used across multiple hoppers, providing consistent easy-to-clean surfaces while maintaining attachment capability, thereby reducing cumulative cleaning time across the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A hopper attachment structure is provided that allows a hopper to be removably attached to a driving unit. The hopper has an outlet in a body thereof and a gate driven to open and close by the driving unit. The outlet of the hopper is allowed to open and close with the gate. The driving unit has an engaging protrusion and a support protrusion. The hopper further has an attachment bracket extending from the body. The attachment bracket has a hook portion engageable with the engaging protrusion and also has a contact portion allowed to contact the support protrusion. The hopper is attachable to the driving unit by having the hook portion of the attachment bracket engaged with the engaging protrusion of the driving unit and by further having the contact portion of the attachment bracket supportably contact the support protrusion of the driving unit.