Siphon-Based Drainage for Aquatic Animal Basins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current basin systems for experimental aquatic animals face issues with space optimization, maintenance, and automation, particularly due to clogged drainage systems from organic material and algae growth, and manual feeding processes that are labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A basin system with a front housing compartment for organic material collection, an equipment compartment with a siphon-based drainage device, and a housing system featuring adjustable water distribution and a piston switch for automated water flow, along with a wedge mechanism to enable or disable the siphon, optimizing space use and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drainage devices are used in basin systems, then waste removal function is provided, but drainage passages become clogged with organic material and algae growth over time, requiring periodic manual servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The siphon-based drainage device automatically removes organic material and waste from the basin without requiring manual intervention. The system uses water flow itself to drive the siphon mechanism, creating a self-cleaning effect that prevents clogging and eliminates the need for periodic manual servicing of drainage passages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a siphon mechanism that utilizes hydraulic principles to create automatic drainage. The siphon uses water pressure and flow to automatically evacuate organic material from the basin, providing a reliable waste removal system that resists clogging by design rather than requiring manual clearing
2Area of stationary object
If basins are placed on high shelves to optimize space, then space utilization is improved, but operator difficulty increases when removing and rehousing basins, especially when water inlet pipes need to be reconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The basin system is divided into separable components including the basin, lid with water inlet pipe, and housing system. This segmentation allows the basin to be easily removed and repositioned on high shelves while maintaining connection capabilities through standardized interfaces, reducing operator difficulty when handling basins at elevated positions
Solution Approach 2:
The water inlet pipe is designed with flexible or movable connection capabilities that allow easy attachment and detachment. This dynamic connection system enables operators to quickly reconnect pipes when rehousing basins on high shelves, significantly reducing the time and difficulty of the operation
3Productivity
If manual feeding is used to introduce feed into basins through holes in the lid, then feeding function is provided, but labor intensity increases significantly requiring up to three feeding operations per day
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding system is designed to automate feed delivery through mechanisms such as automated feeders or dispensing systems that operate without manual intervention. The system can deliver feed to multiple basins simultaneously or on scheduled intervals, maintaining high feeding frequency while dramatically reducing the labor intensity associated with manual feeding operations
4Ease of operation
If multiple faucets are installed for each basin to control water inlet flow, then water flow rate adjustment is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single multi-functional faucet or valve system is designed to handle water flow control for multiple basins or to perform multiple functions including flow rate adjustment, on/off control, and potentially drainage activation. This universal device reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining full flow control capabilities, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively automates water flow and waste removal, reduces maintenance needs by enhancing drainage efficiency, and simplifies animal feeding through improved design and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage device, in said equipment compartment, which comprises an overflow pipe fixed to a siphon, in which there is a small, calibrated hole around the top of said siphon; said drainage device being capable of moving down in order to operate said siphon
Data Source
AI summary
A basin including: a front housing compartment (1) in which there is a lower point (3) for collecting the organic material to be removed; an equipment compartment (4) at the back of the basin, connected to the housing compartment; a drainage device, in the equipment compartment (4), which includes an “overflow” pipe (6) fixed to a siphon (7); the drainage device being capable of moving down in order to operate the siphon (7); and, a partition (8) between the housing compartment (1) and the equipment compartment (4), the partition being capable of keeping the animals inside the housing compartment and letting the water pass into the equipment compartment.