Top-Mounted Levelling Sleeve Stop for Hygienic Thread Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing levelling devices with adjustable legs for high hygiene requirements face issues where the sleeve can be screwed too high, exposing the spindle's thread and allowing filth and bacteria to enter, despite design intentions to shield the thread.
Innovation Solution
A levelling device design featuring a spindle with a thread and a sleeve that includes an internal stop surface and a stop item mounted in a track, preventing the sleeve from being screwed too high and ensuring the thread remains shielded, with additional features like insert and shielding parts for mechanical locking and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sleeve is allowed to be freely adjustable on the spindle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the thread can be exposed to filth and bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a stop surface and stop item that preemptively prevent the sleeve from being adjusted beyond the safe position where the thread would be exposed. This counter-measure is built into the structure before any potential misuse can occur, ensuring the thread remains protected while maintaining adjustability within safe limits.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sleeve is mounted from above, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the lower sealing item can be led up over the thread exposing it to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The stop surface and stop item are designed to preemptively prevent the sleeve from being screwed too high, which would cause the lower sealing item to be led up over the thread. This preliminary protective measure ensures that even during assembly or adjustment, the thread remains covered and protected from contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop mechanism acts as a protective buffer that prevents excessive adjustment of the sleeve. By providing this mechanical limit beforehand, the design cushions against potential assembly errors or misuse that would otherwise expose the thread to filth and bacteria.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If authority approvals require complete thread shielding, then the object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional stop mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing thread protection only where needed - the stop surface and stop item are localized features that specifically prevent thread exposure without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire device. This targeted approach meets hygiene requirements while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a levelling device, which includes a top part and a lower part, where there in the top part is included a spindle, which includes a thread and an external cylindrical surface, a stop item and a sleeve, which includes at least one internal stop surface and that the spindle includes at least one track in which the stop item is placed. With the invention it is achieved that it is possible to manufacture a levelling device, where the sleeve, as a result of the stop surface on the sleeve and the stop item, which is mounted in the track on the spindle cannot be screwed so high up that parts of the thread on the spindle are exposed.