Adjustable Leveling Pad for Mechanical Devices in Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of mechanical devices like furnaces in utility rooms with sloped floors poses challenges due to limited space, making it difficult to level the rear of the device accurately, leading to a time-consuming and error-prone process.
Innovation Solution
A pad with a support structure and a leveling mechanism featuring adjustable leveling legs at each corner, allowing for independent leveling during installation, including horizontal rods for adjusting rear legs from the front, facilitating precise leveling without needing to access the rear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional spacers are used to level the furnace, then the furnace can be leveled, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone due to the need for trial and error adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling legs are pre-installed on the pad at predetermined positions, allowing the installer to make adjustments after the pad is in place rather than needing to make preliminary adjustments to the furnace itself. This preliminary positioning of the leveling mechanism eliminates the trial-and-error process of removing and repositioning the furnace.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling function is segmented from the furnace and transferred to the pad. The pad becomes an independent leveling platform with adjustable legs, while the furnace simply rests on top. This segmentation allows the leveling adjustments to be made on the pad without moving the furnace, significantly reducing installation time and improving precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the furnace is placed in tight space between other mechanical equipment, then space is utilized efficiently, but it becomes difficult to reach the rear of the furnace for leveling adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling adjustment interface is moved from the rear dimension to the front dimension. By providing leveling legs at all four corners of the pad, the installer can access and adjust all leveling points from the front of the installation space, eliminating the need to reach around to the rear of the furnace in tight spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad acts as an intermediary between the floor and the furnace. The leveling legs on the pad provide the adjustment interface, while the furnace remains in its final position on top of the pad. This intermediary allows leveling adjustments to be made without direct access to the furnace's rear corners.
3Manufacturing precision
If the installer tries to approximate leveling by placing blocks under rear corners, then leveling can be achieved, but the process requires removing and repositioning the furnace multiple times
Solution Approach 1:
The pad with pre-installed leveling legs is placed on the floor first, and all leveling adjustments are made at this stage before the furnace is set in place. This preliminary leveling action eliminates the need for subsequent adjustments that would require removing and repositioning the furnace.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling function is separated from the furnace installation process and integrated into the pad. The pad becomes a self-contained leveling platform that can be adjusted independently, allowing precise leveling to be achieved without moving the furnace back and forth.
Data Source
AI summary
A pad includes a support structure for supporting a mechanical device. The support structure includes a horizontal layer supported by vertical members. The pad also includes a leveling mechanism for leveling the pad. The leveling mechanism can include first, second, third and fourth leveling legs near a first, second, third and fourth corner, respectively of the pad. The leveling legs can be screwed into or out of the pad such that during installation of the mechanical device, an installer can level the pad by screwing in or out the first, second, third and fourth leveling legs until the pad is level.