Leveling knob system and mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supports and vises often fail to maintain perfect levelness due to imperfect mounting surfaces or locking mechanisms, leading to tilting and hindering effective maintenance or construction tasks.
Innovation Solution
A leveling system with a clamping device and a leveling knob that allows for minor adjustments of up to plus or minus three degrees from a neutral position, providing continuous or fixed integer adjustments through a compression spring mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If locking mechanisms are activated to provide sufficient support, then support stability is improved, but the support device becomes tilted and loses levelness
Solution Approach 1:
A leveling knob with adjustment mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the support device and the workpiece. This mediator allows for fine-tuning of the support device's orientation after the locking mechanism has engaged, enabling the system to maintain both stability and levelness simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling system incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows dynamic modification of the support device's angle. The adjustment range of plus or minus three degrees provides the flexibility needed to compensate for tilting caused by locking mechanism engagement, surface irregularities, or mounting variations.
2Measurement precision
If the support device is made rigid to maintain position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but minor adjustments for leveling become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into two independent segments: a primary positioning mechanism that provides rigid, accurate positioning, and a secondary leveling mechanism that enables fine angular adjustments. This segmentation allows both high positioning accuracy and ease of leveling adjustment to coexist without interference.
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 precise leveling of supports and vises, ensuring stable clamping and torque application during maintenance or construction activities.
Implementation Method 1
the leveling knob further comprises a compression spring that provides tension between the leveling knob and the base
Data Source
AI summary
A leveling system for a clamping device can include a base having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides; and a leveling knob positioned on one of the plurality of sides of the base and comprising a spring, a pin, and a knob connected at an outer end of the shaft. The spring can be compressible when the knob is pulled away from the base. In a locked configuration, the leveling knob can be at a neutral angle and in a home position with the pin positioned within the base. The pin can be removable from the base when the spring is compressed. The leveling knob can be twistable in at least one of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations when the pin is removed from the base.