Roller Height Adjustment Assembly for Precise Instrument Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lifting devices do not facilitate the relocation and alignment of instruments, requiring manual labor and multiple people to adjust the height of each subunit in an instrument system, making the process cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A roller-based height adjustment system with a frame and wheel assembly, featuring a rotary shaft, lead screw nuts, swing levers, and wheels, allowing simultaneous height adjustment and relocation of instruments, enabling alignment by a single person.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual positioning and height adjustment using four supportive feet is used, then the instrument subunits can be positioned and aligned, but multiple people are required and the process is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment function is segmented from the instrument subunit frame and integrated into a separate wheel assembly. Each wheel assembly independently controls the height of its associated subunit through a rotary shaft and lead screw mechanism, allowing individual adjustment without affecting other subunits. This segmentation enables one person to adjust each subunit independently and efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly provides dynamic height adjustment capability, allowing the instrument subunits to be raised and lowered on demand during the alignment process. The rotary shaft with lead screw nuts enables smooth, controlled movement of the swing levers and rods, which in turn adjust the wheel position vertically. This dynamic adjustment replaces the static four supportive feet system.
2Manufacturing precision
If four supportive feet are used for height adjustment, then the instrument can be levelled, but the process requires multiple readjustment steps and multiple people
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is pre-integrated with the instrument subunit frame, so the height adjustment mechanism is already in place before the subunit needs to be positioned. The rotary shaft, lead screw nuts, and swing levers are pre-assembled, eliminating the need for manual insertion and adjustment of four separate supportive feet during the alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead screw mechanism provides continuous, smooth height adjustment by converting rotary motion of the shaft into linear motion of the lead screw nuts. This allows for fine-tuned, continuous adjustment of the subunit height without the discrete steps required by traditional supportive feet systems, reducing the need for multiple readjustment cycles.
3Ease of operation
If heavy and large instrument system subunits are manually positioned, then alignment can be achieved, but significant manual labor and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly serves multiple functions: it provides mobility for relocating heavy subunits, enables height adjustment for alignment, and ensures stable support when positioned. The wheels allow the subunit to be rolled into place with minimal effort, while the integrated height adjustment mechanism handles the levelling without requiring separate manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly acts as an intermediary between the heavy instrument subunit and the operator. Instead of directly lifting and positioning the heavy subunit, the operator rotates the rotary shaft, which through the lead screw nuts and swing levers, mediates the force to adjust the subunit height. The wheels also mediate the relocation process by converting sliding friction into rolling friction.
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 system provides robust and equal levelling of instruments on all sides, facilitating relocation and alignment of heavy and large instrument systems with increased mobility and stability, reducing the need for manual labor.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary shaft has threaded end portions and is mounted to the frame. The lead screw nuts are mounted to the threaded ends of the rotary shaft. The rotary motion of the rotary shaft is converted to a linear back and forth motion of the lead screw nuts.
Implementation Method 2
The swing levers are mounted to the lead screw nuts at their lower end portions. The back and forth motion of the lead screw nuts pivots the coupled swing levers.
Implementation Method 3
The rods are mounted to the upper part of the swing levers. The pivotal movement of the swing levers rotate the rods clockwise and counterclockwise.
Implementation Method 4
The wheels are coupled to the rods. The rotary motion of the rods result in a linear up and down motion of the wheels.
Data Source
AI summary
A roller-based height adjustment system for levelling and repositioning an instrument, which is to be relocated at a desired vertical elevation with respect to a ground reference, comprises a frame, for supporting the instrument, and mounted wheel assembly. The wheel assembly further comprises a rotary shaft with threaded end portions, lead screw nuts, swing levers, rods and wheels. The roller-based height adjustment system allows to relocate an instrument at a desired vertical elevation, where an instrument can be a subunit of a bigger interconnected instrument system. The roller-based height adjustment system facilitates height adjustment of each of the subunits, such that they are aligned in relation to one another and can be coupled accurately. Furthermore, the roller-based height adjustment system reduced the manual work needed to relocate the subunits of an instrument system.