Modular Spiral Chute with Side Entry Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastic chute designs require a fixed length stanchion and an elaborate frame structure, leading to high costs and long lead times due to custom engineering needs. Additionally, existing designs often lack side entry points, limiting the number of products that can be fed into the chute.
Innovation Solution
A modular spiral chute design featuring a center column assembly with support arm mounting brackets in a spiral configuration, allowing for removable and adjustable chute segments with side entry capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed length stanchion and elaborate frame structure are used, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is divided into multiple detachable segments that can be assembled in different configurations. Each segment includes a support arm with mounting brackets that attach to the stanchion, allowing the chute to be constructed in modular units rather than as a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm mounting brackets are designed with universal attachment capabilities that can accommodate different chute segment configurations. The same bracket design can be used at various positions along the stanchion, providing flexibility without requiring custom engineering for each configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom engineering is performed for each customer's unique needs, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segment design allows customers to configure their chute systems by selecting and assembling standard segments in different arrangements, eliminating the need for custom engineering while still accommodating unique site requirements through flexible combination of standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable and reconfigurable nature of the segments allows the chute system to be dynamically adapted to different applications by simply repositioning or reconfiguring existing standard components, providing customization without requiring new manufacturing processes.
3Device complexity
If all products must enter from the top, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is divided into segments with side inlets that can be positioned at different elevations and radial positions around the stanchion. This segmentation allows multiple products to enter the chute system from different locations without requiring a completely different structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The side inlet configuration adds a radial dimension to product entry, allowing products to enter not only from the top (vertical dimension) but also from the sides (radial dimension) at various elevations, significantly increasing flexibility in how multiple products can be fed into the chute system.
4Manufacturing precision
If chute segments are permanently assembled in the factory, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation and shipping efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is manufactured as separate detachable segments with standardized connection interfaces. These segments can be individually handled and shipped in compact configurations, then precisely assembled on-site using the standardized mounting brackets and connection mechanisms, combining the benefits of precision manufacturing with easy handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A spiral chute includes a center column assembly having a column. The spiral chute further includes a plurality of support arm mounting brackets affixed to an exterior of the column in a spiral configuration. The spiral chute also includes a plurality of chute segments. Each chute segment includes a support arm having a distal end and a proximal end, a stiffener coupled to the distal end of the support arm, and a chute section operatively coupled to the support arm and the stiffener. The proximal end of each of the plurality of support arms is removably coupled to a respective support arm mounting bracket. A method of constructing a spiral chute is also disclosed.