Leaching Chamber Locking Swivel Latch for Angular Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaching chambers require tedious hand labor or auxiliary fasteners to prevent inadvertent movement during machine backfilling, especially when installed in non-straight rows or following natural terrain contours, and lack a mechanism for locking at various angles.
Innovation Solution
A leaching chamber design with overlapping end flanges and locking features, including male and female pins and grooves, allows for angular adjustment and secure locking without manual intervention, using locking pins to engage with grooves for maintaining selected orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If swivel-end chambers are buried to allow angular adjustment, then adaptability to non-straight rows and terrain contours is improved, but the chambers can inadvertently be pushed out of alignment during machine backfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The swivel feature allows the chamber to rotate to different angular orientations during installation, and the locking mechanism can be engaged at any position within the swivel range to maintain stability once the desired angle is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be engaged before machine backfilling occurs. The operator manually activates the locking feature to secure the chamber at the desired angular orientation prior to machine backfilling, preventing inadvertent movement during the backfilling process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual hand labor is used to hold chambers in place during backfilling, then chamber alignment stability is improved, but installation time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is self-activating through a simple manual action. The operator presses a button or actuates a lever that automatically engages the locking feature, securing the chamber without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex fastening procedures throughout the backfilling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from the general chamber structure and implemented as a separate, dedicated locking mechanism. This specialized feature performs the alignment stabilization function independently, eliminating the need for manual holding operations during backfilling.
3Stability of the object's composition
If external screws or fasteners are used to fix relative chamber position, then chamber alignment stability is improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is integrated directly into the chamber structure, merging the alignment and stabilization functions into the chamber itself. The locking feature is formed as part of the chamber body or end flange, eliminating the need for separate external fasteners and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables angular adjustment during installation, maintains alignment stability during backfilling, and provides a permanent locked position. This single integrated feature replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components and operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A leaching chamber for implementation in a leaching field is provided. The leaching chamber may include a first end with a first end flange and a second end with a second end flange. The first end flange may be configured to overlap and rotatably connect with a complementary end flange of a second leaching chamber such that the leaching chamber is configured to rotate with respect to the second leaching chamber and to be disposed at a selected angular orientation relative to the second leaching chamber. A first locking feature on the first end flange may be configured to engage with a locking feature on the complementary end flange to lock the leaching chamber in the selected angular orientation relative to the second leaching chamber.