Levelling Sleeve Stop Design to Prevent Spindle Thread Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing levelling devices with adjustable legs or machine feet face challenges in maintaining hygiene standards, as the sleeve can be screwed too high, exposing the spindle's thread and allowing filth and bacteria to enter, despite design instructions to prevent this, which fails to meet authority approvals like USDA and EHEDG.
Innovation Solution
The levelling device incorporates a stop surface on the sleeve and a stop item on the spindle, ensuring the sleeve cannot be screwed too high, with a mechanical locking mechanism between the insert and shielding parts, and a ledge for dual-purpose sealing and support, preventing thread exposure and ensuring hygiene compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sleeve is made adjustable to allow flexible positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of thread exposure and hygiene violation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing stop surfaces and stop items that prevent the sleeve from being positioned too high on the spindle before the harmful effect (thread exposure) can occur. The stop surface on the spindle and corresponding stop item on the sleeve create a mechanical limit that actively prevents improper positioning, ensuring hygiene compliance while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If the sleeve is made longer to ensure full thread coverage, then hygiene protection is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sleeve into functional zones with distinct features: an internal thread portion for attachment to the spindle, a stop surface for positioning limitation, and a sealing portion for hygiene protection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring the entire sleeve to be excessively long or complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop surface is preliminarily positioned on the sleeve at a specific location that corresponds to the lowest permissible position. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the sleeve is installed, the stop surface automatically engages with the stop item on the spindle, preventing further downward movement and ensuring the sealing portion remains at the correct height without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the stop surfaces are positioned to prevent thread exposure, then hygiene compliance is improved, but the risk of exposing the upper thread area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating multiple protective functions into the sleeve design: the internal thread for secure attachment, the stop surface for positioning control, and the sealing portion for hygiene protection. By combining these functions in a single integrated component, the design ensures that when the stop surface prevents lower thread exposure, the upper thread area remains protected through proper sealing engagement, eliminating the need for separate protective elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention includes a levelling device (19), which includes a top part (3) and a lower part (2), where there in the top part (3) is included a spindle (4), which includes a thread (5) and an external cylindrical surface (10), a stop item (19) and a sleeve (6), which includes at least one internal stop surface (12) and that the spindle (6) includes at least one track (20) in which the stop item (19) is placed. With the invention it is achieved that it is possible to manufacture a levelling device (1), where the sleeve (6), as a result of the stop surface (12) on the sleeve (6) and the stop item (19), which is mounted in the track (20) on the spindle (4) can not be screwed so high up that parts of the thread (5) on the spindle (4) are exposed.