Movable Pivot Assembly for Variable Ratio Beam Scale
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam scale assemblies for proportioning components in baking recipes lack flexibility in accommodating different container sizes and proportions without altering the balance beam's length.
Innovation Solution
A pivot assembly is movably connected to the beam between the balancing areas, allowing for adjustment of a variable pivot distance relative to the center axis, enabling proportioning of components without altering the balance beam's length, and concurrently varying the pivot distances to achieve desired ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the balance beam length is altered to accommodate different container sizes and proportions, then the proportioning flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot assembly is made movable along the balance beam, allowing the pivot point to be dynamically repositioned to different locations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same balance beam to accommodate various container sizes and proportioning requirements without requiring multiple fixed-length beams, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of pivot position along the balance beam to achieve different proportioning ratios. By varying the pivot distance from the center axis, the system can adapt to different container sizes and recipe proportions without altering the physical dimensions of the balance beam itself, thus maintaining device simplicity while improving versatility
2Measurement precision
If the pivot assembly is made movable to adjust pivot distance, then the proportioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable pivot assembly allows for dynamic adjustment of the pivot point position along the balance beam. This enables precise control over the pivot distance, which directly determines the proportioning accuracy. The simplicity of the movable mechanism compared to alternative precision-adjustment systems resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The balance beam is segmented with multiple marked positions indicating different proportioning ratios. The pivot assembly can be positioned at these discrete locations, providing precision through segmentation rather than requiring continuous adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining device simplicity while achieving accurate proportioning
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
Facilitates precise and flexible proportioning of components by allowing adjustment of the pivot assembly's distance without altering the balance beam's length, ensuring accurate and reliable measurement across various container sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a balance beam having a center axis between the first and second balancing areas, and a pivot assembly connected to the beam for balancing the components in the containers
Data Source
AI summary
A pivot assembly (24) is movably connected to a balance beam (22) between a first and second balancing area (34, 36). The pivot assembly (24) defines a pivot axis (B) being movable relative to a center axis (A0) to define a first variable pivot distance (Pd1) and a second variable pivot distance (Pd2) for proportioning a first and second component according to the concurrently and inversely variable first and second pivot distances (Pd1, Pd2). The balance beam (22) presents a proportioning scale (60) which includes a plurality of identical ratios (62) in scale of the first variable pivot distance (Pd1) to the second variable pivot distance (Pd2) for aligning the pivot assembly (24) with a desired ratio of the first and second components. A first and second pair of retainer walls (38, 40) extend upwardly from the respective balancing areas (34, 36) and diverge from one another for abutting and centering a variety of container sizes on the respective balancing areas (34, 36).