Leveling assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliance leveling systems fail to efficiently adjust the gap between the user interface's front panel and the frame, leading to inconsistent alignment and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A leveling assembly comprising a bracket housing with orthogonal portions, a leveler with a threaded shaft, and a knob, which allows for adjustable alignment by translating a carrier and engagement feature within the bracket housing, enabling precise adjustment of the gap between the user interface and the appliance frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional fixed leveling system is used, then the structure is simple, but the gap adjustment precision between the front panel and frame is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a bracket housing containing a carrier, a leveler with threaded shaft, and an engagement feature. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while collectively achieving precise gap adjustment. The carrier can move independently within the bracket housing, and the leveler provides fine-adjustment capability through its threaded mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is disposed within the bracket housing, creating a nested structure where the carrier moves inside the housing boundaries. The engagement feature extends through openings in both the carrier and bracket housing, allowing the nested components to interact mechanically. This nesting enables compact design while maintaining adjustment functionality.
2Ease of repair
If the leveling assembly allows upward or downward movement of the user interface, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling assembly transitions from a fixed connection to a dynamic, adjustable connection. The leveler enables the carrier to move vertically within the bracket housing through rotation of the threaded shaft. This dynamic capability allows the user interface to be positioned at different heights for maintenance while maintaining stable connection through the threaded locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary component between the bracket housing and the user interface. It provides a movable connection point that can be adjusted vertically while maintaining structural integrity. The engagement feature extends through the carrier to connect with the user interface, mediating the connection and allowing controlled movement while preserving stability.
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 allows for precise adjustment and maintenance of the gap between the user interface and the appliance frame, enhancing alignment consistency and facilitating maintenance by enabling upward or downward movement of the user interface, thus addressing the inefficiencies of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A leveler has a shaft and a knob that is coupled to the shaft. The leveler extends through a second portion of the bracket housing and defines threads along a length of the shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
A leveling assembly for a user interface includes a bracket housing that defines an aperture. A carrier is disposed within the bracket housing. The carrier defines an opening proximate to the aperture defined by the bracket housing. An engagement feature is coupled to the carrier and extends through the opening and the aperture. A leveler is operably coupled to the carrier and is configured to translate the carrier between a first position and a second position relative to the aperture defined by the bracket housing.