Rotating Spacer Body for Chute Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chutes face challenges in height adjustment, as precise and tedious operations are required for screw-based adjustments, and multiple spacer sets are necessary for spacers-based designs, making them cumbersome and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A chute design featuring a bowl and lid with height-adjustable spacer bodies that can switch between two contact positions by rotating 90°, allowing easy and quick height adjustment without high precision, utilizing spacer bodies with distinct face orientations and tabs for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If screw-based height adjustment is used, then height adjustability is achieved, but the adjustment operation becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete spacer bodies with predetermined heights, allowing selection rather than continuous adjustment. Each spacer body is a self-contained unit with specific dimensional characteristics, eliminating the need for tedious screw adjustments while maintaining height adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of height adjustment from continuous (screw-based) to discrete (spacer-based with predetermined heights). The spacer bodies have fixed heights corresponding to different installation scenarios, transforming the adjustment process into a simple selection and positioning operation rather than precise manual adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spacer sets are provided for different heights, then height adaptability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each spacer body is designed with multiple functional faces: two opposite faces for contacting the bowl and lid, and two other opposite faces for alternative positioning. This multi-functionality allows a single spacer body type to serve multiple height adjustment needs by rotating 90 degrees, eliminating the requirement for multiple dedicated spacer sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer body incorporates rotational capability (90-degree rotation) to dynamically change its effective height. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical component to provide different height adjustments based on its orientation, reducing the total number of components needed while maintaining adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise screw adjustment is required, then height precision is improved, but manufacturing and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer bodies are pre-manufactured with precise predetermined heights and dimensional characteristics. The precision work is performed during manufacturing rather than during installation, allowing quick selection and positioning during installation without requiring precise adjustment operations on-site. The tabs and receiving orifices are also pre-formed for accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer bodies are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed. Their simple geometry (parallelepipedal portion with tabs) makes them cost-effective to manufacture, and their predetermined precise dimensions provide accurate height adjustment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or significant installation time.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a chute (1) that comprises a bowl (2), a lid (3) with at least one opening for the flow of liquid into the bowl, and height adjustment members provided between the lid and the bowl, characterised in that at least one of said height adjustment members includes a spacing body (8) having two first surfaces (9, 10) separated by a first distance and two second surfaces (11, 12) separated by a second distance different from the first distance, wherein said spacing body can assume a first position in which said first surfaces are in contact with the bowl and the lid, respectively, and a second position in which the second surfaces are in contact with the bowl and the lid, respectively.