Cam-Adjusted Appliance Wheels for Leveling on Uneven Floors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household appliances often lose balance due to floor irregularities, leading to operational issues, and existing height adjustment mechanisms are not always user-friendly or efficient.

Innovation Solution

A household appliance design featuring at least two wheels with a central rod forming the rotational axis, a cam surface for height adjustment, and a motion transmitter that allows users to adjust the height without moving the appliance, using a cam surface and intermediary element configurations to support the weight and facilitate easy height changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then the appliance can be balanced on uneven floors, but the adjustment process requires moving the appliance which is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of height adjustmentVSAvoidtime for adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment mechanism is segmented into independent wheel assemblies, each with its own cam surface and rod system. This allows individual wheels to be adjusted separately while the appliance remains in place, eliminating the need to move the entire appliance for adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cam surface acts as an intermediary element between the rod and the wheel mounting. The cam surface converts rotational motion of the rod into linear extension/retraction of the wheel, enabling height adjustment without moving the appliance body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the rod directly contacts the cam surface, then the structure is simple, but the rod must support the entire body weight which increases stress and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidstress on rod
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel case serves as an intermediary element that supports the body weight and transfers it to the ground through the wheel. The rod only needs to provide lateral adjustment force against the cam surface, significantly reducing the stress and wear on the rod while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the wheel is directly mounted to the body, then the structure is simple, but the height cannot be adjusted without moving the appliance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidheight adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel mounting is made dynamic through the cam surface mechanism. The wheel's position relative to the appliance body can be continuously adjusted along the cam surface profile, allowing the appliance to adapt to different floor conditions while maintaining a simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 easy and precise height adjustment of household appliances to maintain balance on uneven floors without repositioning, ensuring stable operation and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a cam surface (6), housing the rod (4), inclined, on which the rod (4) moves by bearing on it or moving by bearing on the rod (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP1960217B1A household appliance
Publication Date: 2011.08.10 ARCELIK AS
  • EP1960217B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1960217B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1960217B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) the height adjustment of which can be done easily by means of a motion transmitter (5) that transmits the force exerted by the user.