Hummingbird Feeder Elastomeric Feed Port with Mounting Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hummingbird feeders lack adaptability for use with or without perches or other accessories, particularly in designs made of metal, where integral perches are not feasible and may not be desired.
Innovation Solution
A hummingbird feeder with a feeding basin and elastomeric feed ports that include an ornamentally-shaped head and a plug with longitudinally spaced ribs, allowing the feed port to be secured in multiple positions, enabling the attachment of perches or other accessories by capturing them between the head and the basin surface or between ribs on the plug.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perches are integrally molded with the basin or feed port assembly, then the perch structure is fixed and stable, but the feeder loses adaptability for use with or without perches and cannot accommodate different materials like metal
Solution Approach 1:
The perch is separated from the basin as an independent, removable component. The feed port assembly includes a plug with an external rib that can capture and secure the perch in various positions, allowing the perch to be installed or removed as needed. This segmentation enables the feeder to be used with or without perches and accommodates different materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The perch mounting system transitions from a fixed integral structure to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The plug can be inserted to different depths in the feed port opening, and the rib can engage the perch at different positions, allowing the perch height and position to be adjusted according to user needs and hummingbird preferences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feed port opening is made larger to receive artificial flower assemblies, then the feeder can accommodate decorative elements, but the opening becomes too large for simple small openings design
Solution Approach 1:
The feed port assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be used as a simple small opening with the plug inserted deeply, or it can accommodate artificial flower assemblies with the plug inserted to intermediate positions. The ornamental head of the plug itself can serve as decoration, and the rib provides additional functionality for perch mounting. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between opening size and design simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the plug is made without any protruding features, then the feed port installation is simple, but the feed port cannot be securely held in different positions within the feed port opening
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is simple in overall form but includes a localized external rib protruding from its side. This localized feature provides the necessary function of capturing and securing the perch and holding the plug in different positions, while maintaining the simplicity of the plug's basic structure and ease of manufacture. The rib is the only complex feature, placed precisely where needed for functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A hummingbird feeder is provided that includes a nectar container removably coupled to a feeding basin having at least one feed port opening therein and a feed port assembly fitted within the feed port opening. The feed port assembly includes an elastomeric feed port and a feed port accessory. The elastomeric feed port is preferably one molded piece including an ornamentally-shaped head having a diameter greater than the feed port opening and a plug sized to fit snugly within the opening. The outer surface of the plug has at least two ribs longitudinally spaced from one another to enable the feed port to be secured to the basin in at least two different positions including an intermediate position in which the feed port accessory is mounted on the plug and secured between the head and the upper surface of the basin adjacent the feed port opening.