Telescoping Salt Bag Splitter for Water Softener Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for opening and emptying large bags of materials, such as salt for water softener brine tanks, are cumbersome and hazardous due to the need for manual cutting and lifting, which can lead to spills, injuries, and instability of the tank sidewall under heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A universal bag splitting device with a telescoping rod assembly and interchangeable brackets that securely attach to the tank, allowing for adjustable length and stable support, enabling easy and safe splitting of bags directly into the tank without removing the splitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cutting and lifting methods are used to open and empty salt bags, then the process is simple and requires no additional equipment, but it is cumbersome, hazardous, and leads to spills and injuries
Solution Approach 1:
A rod assembly with cutting blade acts as an intermediary tool between the user and the salt bag. The rod extends through the tank opening to cut the bag from a safe distance, eliminating the need for users to manually handle sharp cutting tools near the tank edge and preventing salt spills during the cutting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blade is positioned and secured to the rod assembly before use. The rod is inserted through the tank opening and the blade is positioned to cut the salt bag before the user needs to manually intervene, performing the cutting action in advance safely and efficiently.
2Device complexity
If the tank sidewall is used to support heavy salt bags during emptying, then no additional support structure is needed, but the sidewall becomes unstable and buckles under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The rod assembly serves as a mediator that transfers the weight of heavy salt bags from the fragile tank sidewall to the sturdy tank bottom. The rod is positioned vertically with the cutting blade extending horizontally, allowing the bag to rest on the rod's vertical support rather than directly on the sidewall, preventing buckling while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-length rod assembly is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate various tank sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The rod assembly incorporates telescoping sections that allow it to dynamically adjust its length. The rod can be extended to reach across larger tank openings or retracted for smaller tanks, providing versatility across different tank sizes while maintaining a relatively simple manufactured structure through standardized telescoping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod assembly is divided into multiple segmented sections that can be extended or retracted independently. This segmentation allows the rod to adapt to various tank diameters by adjusting the number of extended sections, while each individual segment remains simple to manufacture using standard telescoping rod components.
4Ease of operation
If the cutting blade is positioned high above the tank opening for easy access, then the user can easily reach and operate it, but it cannot effectively support heavy bags and maintain stability
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade is positioned in a horizontal plane extending from the vertical rod, creating a two-dimensional positioning system. The vertical rod provides height and stability for load-bearing, while the horizontal blade extension provides accessibility for cutting operations. This dimensional separation allows the blade to be both easily accessible and structurally supported.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a water softener brine tank salt bag splitter with a blade and telescoping mounting rod positioned below the tank lid to accommodate a variety of tank sizes and stiffen the lateral flexibility of the tank sidewall. Looped vertical mounting brackets secure over and around the upper edge of the tank sidewall to preserve the seal between the tank sidewall and lid. The mounting rod and brackets form a platform to support the weight of a salt bag when pouring salt pellets into the tank. The configuration of the brackets and the weight of the bag locks the bracket in place to prevent the blade from rotating when the bag drops down onto the blade. The device includes a rod assembly with an adjustable length, a cutting blade attached to a surface of the rod assembly, and brackets connectable to first and second ends of the rod assembly.