Enclosed Modular Support Column for Hygienic Terminal Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular mounting systems for electronic data terminal equipment, such as video display screens and printers, do not meet the sanitary requirements of the NSF/ANSI 2 standard, particularly in food environments, due to difficulties in cleaning caused by exposed fasteners and cable routings.
Innovation Solution
A modular support column with completely enclosed mechanical connector elements, fasteners, and electrical signal- and power-transmitting lines, designed as hollow cylindrical modules with internal projections and recesses to prevent exposure and facilitate easy cleaning, ensuring compliance with NSF/ANSI 2 standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If modular mounting systems use exposed fasteners and cable routings for structural integrity and functionality, then the support column can be assembled and equipped with electronic devices, but the exposed joints and seams create cleaning difficulties and bacterial infestation risks in food environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing mechanical connector elements, fasteners, and cable routings inside the hollow cylindrical pole modules. The connectors are nested within the pole structure, and cables are routed through internal pathways, creating a nested configuration that protects these elements from external exposure while maintaining their functional integrity for assembly and device mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the hollow cylindrical pole modules as protective shells that enclose the mechanical and electrical components. These cylindrical shells act as barriers that prevent bacterial infestation while allowing the internal components to perform their functions, effectively using the shell structure to resolve the contradiction between exposure and protection.
2Use of energy by moving object
If modular mounting systems use visible cable routings for electrical connections, then power and signal transmission can be established, but the visible cables create entry points for water and cleaning supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the electrical cable routings within the hollow cylindrical pole modules, creating internal pathways that conduct power and signal transmissions while keeping the cables hidden from the external environment. This nesting prevents water and cleaning supplies from accessing the cable connections during normal cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow cylindrical pole modules serve as protective shells that enclose the cable routings. These shells provide a barrier that allows electrical functionality while preventing water ingress, effectively isolating the electrical components from the food environment's moisture and cleaning agents.
3Strength
If modular mounting systems use protruding fasteners for module assembly, then mechanical connections can be securely established, but the protruding elements create recesses and crevices that prevent efficient cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the mechanical connector elements within the hollow cylindrical pole modules, allowing fasteners and connection mechanisms to be positioned inside the pole structure rather than protruding from it. This nesting maintains secure mechanical connections between modules while eliminating the crevices and recesses that would otherwise trap food residues and prevent efficient cleaning.
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A modular support column (1; 2) for data-processing devices associated with weighing scales and point-of-sale terminals such as a video display screen, a touchscreen panel, a keyboard or a printer, and wherein said modular support column (1; 2) includes a foot module (5; 6), at least a primary pole module (10), at least one adapter module (20, 50) to connect one of said data processing devices to the modular support column (1; 2), mechanical connector elements (70, 80) and fasteners (55, 75) to secure the modules to each other, as well as electrical signal- and power-transmitting lines to the data-processing devices.