Adjustable Equipment Support for Thermal Expansion and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processing equipment in the food and beverage industry lacks flexibility and robustness, making it difficult to withstand varying loads, vibrations, and thermal expansions, and is not easily or efficiently installable.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising a base plate, a top plate, an intermediate structure with threaded connections for vertical movement, and a connector structure with pivotable connections for horizontal movement, allowing for flexible and robust installation and adjustment of processing equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If processing equipment is rigidly fixed to the ground, then stability is improved, but flexibility to accommodate thermal expansion and vibrations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support device incorporates dynamic elements including a threaded intermediate structure that allows vertical adjustment and a connector structure with pivotable connections that enable horizontal movement. This dynamic design allows the equipment to adapt to thermal expansion and vibrations while maintaining stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device changes its geometric parameters through adjustable components. The threaded connection allows vertical position adjustment, and the pivotable connector allows horizontal position adjustment, enabling the system to adapt to different operational conditions while maintaining stability.
2Strength
If processing equipment is designed to withstand big loads and vibrations, then robustness is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into separate modular components: a base plate for ground attachment, an intermediate structure with threaded connections for vertical adjustment, and a connector structure with pivotable connections for horizontal movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for strength while simplifying installation through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device uses dynamic connection mechanisms including threaded fasteners for vertical adjustment and pivotable connectors for horizontal movement. These dynamic elements provide robust load-bearing capacity while enabling easy installation and positioning adjustments without requiring complex fixed installations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If processing equipment allows movement in horizontal direction, then flexibility for thermal expansion is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure employs pivotable connections that provide controlled horizontal movement capability while maintaining structural stability. The pivotable joint allows the connection to rotate and accommodate thermal expansion in the horizontal direction while still transmitting vertical loads effectively and maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector structure changes its geometric configuration through pivotable connections, allowing horizontal position adjustment to accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining adequate structural stability through its connection geometry and load-bearing design.
4Ease of operation
If processing equipment is easily adjustable for installation, then ease of installation is improved, but robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is segmented into modular components with standardized connection interfaces. The base plate, intermediate structure, and connector structure can be independently installed and adjusted, providing ease of installation while each component is designed with adequate thickness and material properties to ensure robustness and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable threaded and pivotable connections provide ease of installation and positioning while the connections are designed with adequate strength through proper thread engagement, material selection, and geometric design to maintain robustness under operational loads.
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 support device enables flexible movement of processing equipment in both vertical and horizontal directions, accommodating thermal expansions and external influences like vibrations, while facilitating easy and efficient installation.
Implementation Method 1
the lower part is attached to the base plate at a first end thereof and is connected to the upper part via threads at a second end thereof, wherein the top plate is freely arranged on the upper part, and wherein the intermediate structure is configured to move the top plate in a vertical direction in response to rotational movement of the upper part relative the lower part
Implementation Method 2
a connector structure having a base element, a top element and a connection bar and extending between the base plate and the top plate, wherein the base element is attached to the base plate, the top element is attached to the top plate and the connection bar is connected to and extending between the base element and the top element, and wherein the connector structure is configured to enable movement of the top plate in a first horizontal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A support device (100) for processing equipment, the support device (100) comprising: a base plate (107), a top plate (101), an intermediate structure (110) having a lower part (112) and an upper part (113) and extending between the base plate (107) and the top plate (101), wherein the lower part (112) is attached to the base plate (107) at a first end thereof and is connected to the upper part (113) via threads (114, 115) at a second end thereof, wherein the top plate (101) is freely arranged on the upper part (113), and wherein the intermediate structure (110) is configured to move the top plate (101) in a vertical direction (y) in response to rotational motion of the upper part (113) relative the lower part (112); and a connector structure (120) having a base element (125a), a top element (125b) and a connection bar (126) and extending between the base plate (107) and the top plate (101), and wherein the connector structure (120) is configured to enable movement of the top plate (101) in a first horizontal direction (z).