Integrated Soil Sieve Assembly for Portable Wet Sample Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle size screening devices for soil samples are large, complex, and motorized, lacking portability and efficiency, especially for small sample volumes, and the process of wet sieving is labor-intensive and prone to contamination and sample loss due to the need to manually supply water and handle multiple components.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sieve device with a detachable and adjustable structure that combines a sieve and collector, allowing for tilting and water supply control, facilitating efficient sieving and collection while minimizing manual handling and sample loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional particle size screening devices are used, then particle size separation can be achieved, but the devices are large, complex, and motorized, lacking portability
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a sieve unit with multiple stacked sieves and a collection container. This segmentation allows the device to be assembled and disassembled easily, enhancing portability while maintaining functional complexity for particle size separation
Solution Approach 2:
The collection container serves multiple functions: it collects particles that pass through the sieve, provides structural support for the stacked sieves, and enables portability through its handheld design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall device
2Use of energy by moving object
If manual shaking of the sieve is performed, then particle size screening can be done without external power, but the process is labor intensive and difficult to do for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables periodic shaking motion to be applied to the stacked sieves, which efficiently separates particles through repeated mechanical action. This periodic action achieves effective particle size separation with minimal manual effort compared to continuous manual processing
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sieves with different mesh sizes are stacked vertically within the collection container, creating a nested structure. This allows simultaneous separation of multiple particle size ranges in a single operation, reducing the number of manual processing steps required
3Ease of operation
If the sieve is held in one hand and brush in the other to loosen sediment, then wet sieving can be performed, but the user cannot continuously supply distilled water and must put down the sieve or brush, leading to contamination or sample loss
Solution Approach 1:
The sieve unit and collection container are merged into an integrated assembly where the sieves are securely positioned within the container. This integration eliminates the need to handle the sieve separately, allowing continuous water supply and brushing operations without risking sample loss or contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The collection container acts as an intermediary structure that supports the stacked sieves and provides a stable base for the sieving operation. This intermediary structure enables the user to perform brushing and water supply operations without directly handling the sieves, maintaining sample integrity
4Quantity of substance
If beaker is supported under the sieve to recover samples, then sample collection can be performed, but a large amount of sediment loss occurs because the beaker and sieve are not stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is merged with the sieve support structure, creating a stationary integrated assembly. This ensures that all particles passing through the sieves are reliably collected in the container below, eliminating sediment loss that occurs with separate, movable beaker and sieve components
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated sieve device for particle size screening of a soil sample is provided, the device comprising: a particle size screening unit having at least one sieve and configured to screen the soil sample by particle sizes and to drop the soil sample; a body housing in a cylindrical shape, wherein a part of a lateral surface of the body housing is open, wherein the particle size screening unit is detachably coupled to an inner lateral surface of the body housing; a sample reception unit mounted at a lower portion of the particle size screening unit coupled to the body housing and configured to collect soil and water discharged below the particle size screening unit by being screened by the sieve; and a water supply unit mounted at an inlet formed on an upper end of the body housing and configured to supply water into the particle size screening unit.