Water Analysis Device Tool-Free Component Carriage Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analysis devices for water and wastewater require frequent maintenance and testing, which complicates access to internal components due to their closed housing designs, often necessitating partial disassembly or the use of large doors that obstruct operational and display elements.

Innovation Solution

A tool-free, partially opening device housing with a component carriage system that allows for the removal of components through a sliding or pivoting door or flap, enabling easy access while maintaining a functional front panel for operating and display elements, and incorporating a perforated closure for air exchange and heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the housing is designed as a closed structure, then protection and stability are improved, but accessibility for maintenance and testing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing protectionVSAvoidcomponent accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a stationary outer housing and a movable inner component carriage. The carriage can be extracted from the housing through a partially opening front, allowing maintenance personnel to access components without opening the entire housing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining the protective enclosure while providing controlled access pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The component carriage acts as an intermediary between the protected housing interior and the external environment. It can be partially removed through the opening to allow testing and maintenance of components while the housing remains largely closed and protected. The carriage serves as a mediator that enables access without compromising the overall protective structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a large door is provided for component access, then accessibility is improved, but space for operating and display elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoidfront panel area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The front opening is segmented to occupy only a portion (25-75%) of the housing front, rather than using a large door. This partial opening provides sufficient access for component maintenance while preserving the majority of the front panel area for operating and display elements. The segmentation allows both functions to coexist without significant compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The component carriage is designed to be extractable in a direction that utilizes the depth dimension of the housing rather than requiring a large front opening. By moving components along the extraction path through the partial opening, the solution accesses components without needing to compromise the front panel area significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the opening occupies a large portion of the housing front, then component access is improved, but space for operating elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent removal easeVSAvoidfront panel layout
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing a full opening for complete component access, the invention uses a partial opening (25-75% of the front) that provides sufficient access for maintenance activities. This partial action approach achieves the necessary accessibility while preserving front panel space and simplifying the overall device layout compared to a fully open design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If a revolving door or flap is provided for closing the opening, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening closure easeVSAvoidclosure mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex revolving door mechanism that rotates, the invention employs a flap that pivots on a simple axis or a closure plate that can be manually positioned. This inverted approach simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the need for complex rotation while still providing easy opening and closing functionality. The closure element follows a simpler arc motion rather than full rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Facilitates convenient maintenance and testing by providing unobstructed access to internal components without compromising the front panel for operational elements, enhancing practical handling and usability of the analysis device.

Implementation Method 1

the revolving door or flap or closure plate is perforated to enable an exchange of air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir exchange: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the revolving door or flap or closure plate is perforated to enable an exchange of air and/or to dissipate heat from the interior of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3149434B1Analysis device for analyzing water and wastewater
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 LAR PROCESS ANALYZERS AG
  • EP3149434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3149434B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is an analysis device, in particular for analyzing water and wastewater, comprising a device housing that holds device components and has an opening on a housing surface, said opening being openable and closeable without using any tool; and comprising a component carriage or component insert which supports some of the device components and is configured and arranged together with said device components in such a way that at least part of the carriage or insert can be conveyed out of the housing through the opening so that the device components placed thereon are easily accessible.