Adjustable Carriage Unit for Dividing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable carriage units for suspending dividing elements, such as door panels, require high precision machined parts and are complex to install and adjust, with vertical dimensions often being cumbersome and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable carriage unit with a base part and connecting part, featuring an adjustment lever hinged about a first axis of rotation, where an adjustment screw acts on the lever to adjust the connecting part's position relative to the base part, allowing for easy and precise adjustment without the need for precision machined components and minimizing vertical dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precision machined parts (such as inclined plane or wedge couplings) are used in the adjustment device, then the adjustment can work properly, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces precision machined parts with a threaded rod and nut mechanism that uses standard, easily manufactured components. The threaded connection provides reliable adjustment without requiring precision machining of inclined planes or wedge couplings, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a bracket or pin with inclined plane actuator is used, then adjustment is easier than manual screwing, but the base part becomes vertically cumbersome requiring deep recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the adjustment mechanism from a vertical inclined plane actuator to a horizontal threaded rod arrangement. The threaded rod extends horizontally within the base part, allowing the adjustment screw to operate in a horizontal dimension rather than requiring vertical space, thus eliminating the need for deep recesses while maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a threaded pin with shaped head is used for adjustment, then the structure is simple, but the adjustment process is complex and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nut as an intermediary element between the threaded rod and the adjustment screw head. The nut translates the rotational motion of the screw into linear movement of the connecting part, providing a simple mechanical advantage that reduces adjustment labor while maintaining structural simplicity. The screw head can be any convenient shape (Allen, Phillips, flathead) rather than requiring a complex shaped head.
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 solution enables easy and precise adjustment of the carriage unit, reducing the need for complex components and minimizing vertical space, making it easier to install and use, while maintaining stability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment lever (5) hinged either in the base part (2) or on the base part (2) about a first axis of rotation (50)
Implementation Method 2
The adjustment screw (6) acts, either directly or through an actuating device (7), on the first lever arm (51) to make the adjustment lever (5) rotate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
In an adjustable carriage unit (1), a base part (2), fixable to the top of a dividing element, and a carriage part (4), capable of connection to and movement along a guide rail by which the dividing element is suspended, are connected to each other by a connecting part (3) whose upper portion (31), associated with the carriage part (4), is adjustable in position relative to the base part (2) along an axis transversal to the line of movement of the carriage part (4). An adjustment screw (6) acts, either directly or through an actuating device (7), on a first lever arm (51) of an adjustment lever (5) which is hinged on the base part (2) about a first axis of rotation (50) perpendicular to the line of movement of the carriage part (4), causing the adjustment lever (5) to rotate either clockwise or anticlockwise about the first axis of rotation (50) and thereby moving the connecting part (3), which is engaged by its lower portion (30) to a second lever arm (52) of the adjustment lever (5).