Modular Frusto-Conical Tray for Wastewater Grit Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wastewater treatment trays are costly to manufacture and difficult to transport, and must meet specific shape and size requirements for optimal flow conditions, posing challenges in their design and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A tray unit for wastewater treatment devices with a frusto-conical profile and modular design, comprising distinct sections with connecting lugs and slots for assembly, and a method of assembling these units using support members and a jig system to form a tray assembly that is rotationally molded for improved rigidity and ease of transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trays are manufactured as single large components to meet optimal flow conditions, then flow performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and transport difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into multiple modular sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. Each section maintains the required frusto-conical profile and flow characteristics, while the modular design reduces manufacturing complexity and transport requirements compared to a single large tray component
2Reliability
If trays are manufactured as single large components to meet optimal flow conditions, then flow performance is improved, but transport difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into multiple modular sections that can be manufactured and transported separately, then assembled on-site. This segmentation reduces the size and weight of individual transport units while maintaining the overall frusto-conical profile and flow performance through proper connection of sections using flanges and fasteners
3Ease of manufacture
If trays are divided into multiple sections for easier manufacture and transport, then manufacturing cost decreases and transport ease improves, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray sections incorporate self-aligning features including flanges with bolt holes, gaskets for sealing, and interlocking mechanisms that guide proper assembly. These features reduce assembly complexity by providing built-in alignment and connection mechanisms that simplify the joining process without requiring complex external tooling or procedures
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a tray unit for a wastewater treatment device. The tray unit has a substantially frusto-conical profile defining an axis and a central aperture. The tray unit comprises a plurality of distinct tray sections arranged around the axis. Each tray section comprises a portion of the substantially frusto-conical profile of the tray unit and is connectable to one or more of the other tray sections so as to form the tray unit. There is also described a method of assembling a tray assembly for a wastewater treatment device. The method comprises the steps of: providing a plurality of tray units, the tray units each having a substantially frusto-conical profile and a central aperture and comprising a plurality of connecting lugs each defining a hole; attaching a first one of the tray units to a plurality of support members by inserting the support members through the hole of the connecting lug of the first tray unit and securing the first tray unit to the support member; and attaching a second one of the tray units to the plurality of support members by inserting the support members through the hole of the connecting lug of the second tray unit and securing the second tray unit to the support member to form an assembly of tray units.