Adjustable breath guard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breath guards for food serving systems are not easily reconfigurable between buffet and cafeteria settings, often requiring multiple operators and being inflexible for different usage scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A breath guard system with laterally offset supports, a guide rail with a rack and pawl mechanism, and a damping system, allowing for adjustable panels to be repositioned longitudinally and rotated, enabling easy conversion between configurations by a single operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed configuration breath guard is used, then the device is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to different serving situations (buffet vs. cafeteria)
Solution Approach 1:
The breath guard panel is made dynamically adjustable through a rack and pinion mechanism with multiple engagement positions. The panel can be repositioned along the guide rail to different longitudinal locations and rotated to different angular orientations, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to various serving configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable breath guard system serves multiple functions: it can be configured for buffet service with the panel in a retracted position allowing customer access, for cafeteria service with the panel extended to block access, or in intermediate positions for other serving styles. This single device replaces multiple fixed-configuration breath guards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable breath guard is used, then versatility is improved, but adjustment requires more than one operator for large area configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The manual adjustment mechanism is replaced with an electric motor-driven rack and pinion system. The motor automatically positions the breath guard panel along the guide rail and rotates it to the desired orientation, eliminating the need for manual handling and reducing the operation from requiring multiple operators to a single operator pressing buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control logic that enable automatic positioning and configuration of the breath guard panel. The device can autonomously adjust itself to pre-programmed configurations for different serving situations, reducing human intervention to minimal input actions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the breath guard covers a large area, then contamination prevention is improved, but adjustment and reconfiguration become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The breath guard system is divided into modular components: a fixed guide rail structure, an adjustable panel assembly, and independent positioning mechanisms. This segmentation allows the large-area breath guard to be adjusted in controlled increments through the rack and pinion engagement positions, making reconfiguration manageable despite the large coverage area.
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
Enables flexible and efficient reconfiguration of the breath guard for various settings, ensuring effective contamination prevention while simplifying operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment mechanism including a pawl rotatably coupled to the adjustable panel and configured to selectively engage the teeth of the rack in a series of locations. The adjustment mechanism is configured to prevent longitudinal movement of the adjustable panel relative to the guide rail in a first direction and allow longitudinal movement of the adjustable panel in a second direction opposite the first direction when the pawl engages the teeth of the rack
Implementation Method 2
a guide rail coupled to the first support and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, the guide rail including a rack defining a series of teeth, an adjustable panel extending between the first support and the second support, and an adjustment mechanism including a pawl rotatably coupled to the adjustable panel and configured to selectively engage the teeth of the rack
Data Source
AI summary
A breath guard includes a first support, a second support, a guide rail coupled to the first support and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, the guide rail including a rack defining a series of teeth, an adjustable panel extending between the first support and the second support, and an adjustment mechanism including a pawl rotatably coupled to the adjustable panel and configured to selectively engage the teeth of the rack. The adjustable panel is rotatable relative to the guide rail about an axis of rotation that extends laterally. The adjustment mechanism is configured to prevent longitudinal movement of the adjustable panel relative to the guide rail in a first direction and allow longitudinal movement of the adjustable panel in a second direction when the pawl engages the teeth of the rack, such that the adjustable panel is selectively repositionable between a series of longitudinal positions.