Variable Scale System for Container Capacity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the capacity level of conventional containers is challenging and often requires mathematical calculations, which can be cumbersome and inaccurate due to variations in object density and size.
Innovation Solution
A variable scale system is integrated into the container's interior wall, featuring an adjustable shaft with visual indicators that adjust to indicate capacity levels, allowing for easy measurement of container capacity regardless of object density or size, using a rotating measuring arm that locks into slots to maintain consistent indicator spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional containers are used without a measurement system, then the container structure remains simple, but determining capacity level becomes challenging and requires mathematical calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is merged with the container structure by integrating the scale along the interior wall and the measuring arm that rotates to engage with the container base. This combination provides capacity measurement functionality while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring arm is designed to be manually operated by the user to rotate and engage with the container base, allowing the user to perform the measurement function themselves without requiring external measurement tools or complex automated systems. This self-service approach improves ease of operation while keeping the device structure simple.
2Measurement precision
If mathematical calculations are used to determine capacity level, then no additional measurement device is needed, but accuracy decreases due to variations in object density and size
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mathematical calculations with a mechanical measurement system consisting of a scale along the interior wall and a measuring arm that physically engages with the container base. This mechanical approach provides direct visual indication of capacity level through scale markings, improving measurement precision by eliminating the need for calculations that must account for object density and size variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If visual indicators are placed at fixed positions on the container wall, then the scale structure is simple, but the indicators cannot adapt to different container sizes or shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring arm is designed to rotate around the container base and engage with different positions along the interior wall scale, allowing the system to adapt to different container sizes and shapes. The dynamic rotation mechanism enables the same scale structure to provide accurate measurements across various container configurations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for measuring the capacity of a container. The system includes a variable scale disposed near or within the interior wall of the container with elongated body formed by an adjustable shaft including a number of visual indicators. The visual indicators are representative of a capacity of the container, and sliding the adjustable shaft adjusts an amount of space between each of the visual indicators. The system also includes a measuring arm extending from one end of the adjustable shaft and configured to rotate around an axis of rotation from a locked position, in which adjustment of the adjustable shaft is prevented, to a movable position, in which adjustment of the adjustable shaft is permitted. The measuring arm can be used to expand or compress the adjustable shaft, along with the spaces between the visual indicators.