Inspection Chamber Spigot-Socket Structure for Modular Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection chambers, both monolithic and modular, face limitations in configuration flexibility and part compatibility, which restricts their adaptability and versatility in installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a spigot-socket structure that allows for easy modification of inspection chamber parts by converting between spigot and socket ends, enabling the transformation of monolithic chambers into modular components and vice versa, with guiding means like scores or notches for precise cutting, facilitating in-situ adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic inspection chamber is manufactured by rotation moulding, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but configuration flexibility deteriorates due to fixed design
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic inspection chamber is divided into multiple separate sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be manufactured individually and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be produced using simple rotation moulding while the final assembled structure achieves configuration flexibility through modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spigot-socket connection structure serves multiple functions: it enables assembly of modular sections, allows for easy disassembly and reconfiguration, provides alignment guidance through integral guides, and facilitates sealing between sections. This multi-functional connection mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling both simple manufacturing and flexible configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular inspection chambers use spigot-socket connections, then configuration flexibility is improved, but part compatibility limitations worsen the available combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The spigot-socket connection structure is designed with integral alignment guides that provide both connection and alignment functions in a single integrated component. This universal connection design can be applied to various section combinations without requiring specialized connection details for each pair of parts, thereby increasing the number of compatible part combinations while maintaining configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spigot-socket connection acts as an intermediary element that standardizes the interface between different inspection chamber sections. By providing a uniform connection mechanism with integral guides, it mediates between different section designs and enables their compatible assembly, overcoming the limitation of restricted part combinations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spigot-socket structure is severed to create modular portions, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity worsens due to additional cutting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The spigot-socket connection structure is pre-formed with integral alignment guides during the rotation moulding process. This preliminary formation of the connection structure with built-in guidance features eliminates the need for complex post-manufacturing alignment operations, making the severing and reassembly process simpler while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral alignment guides within the spigot-socket structure enable the severed portions to self-align during reassembly without requiring external alignment tools or complex positioning procedures. This self-aligning capability simplifies the manufacturing and assembly process while preserving modular adjustability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an inspection chamber part (3,4,5;103,104,105) comprising a spigot-socket structure (10;110). This spigot-socket structure comprises a spigot shaped first section (11;111) and a socket shaped second section (12;112). The sections are integrally connected to each other, at least initially and at least one of the sections is integrally connected to the inspection chamber part. The first and second section have a compatible shape, such that if the integral connection between the first and second section were to be severed, the first section could closely fit into the second section so as to establish a spigot-socket connection. The inspection chamber part may be integral part of a monolithic inspection chamber or be a separate part, such as a base, a shaft or a cone from which a modular inspection chamber can be assembled.