Scale Base with Columnar Projections for Carpet Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable scales used in home healthcare settings face accuracy issues when placed on carpeted surfaces due to deflection of independently acting feet and interference from carpet pile, leading to inaccurate weight readings and instability.
Innovation Solution
A scale system with a base that includes a plate with columnar projections and angled ramps to penetrate carpet pile, along with locators and ribs for stability, ensuring accurate readings on various surfaces by preventing carpet interference and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the feet are made larger to prevent penetration into carpet pile, then measurement precision is improved, but stability deteriorates due to floating or sliding feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple columnar projections (typically three or four) that are separately positioned to contact the carpet surface. Each projection independently penetrates the carpet pile to reach the stable floor beneath, distributing the load and preventing the floating sensation while maintaining alignment with the load cells for accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional flat base to a three-dimensional structure with columnar projections extending downward. This vertical dimension allows the base to reach through the carpet pile to contact the stable floor surface, simultaneously improving measurement accuracy and stability without requiring a larger footprint.
2Measurement precision
If a flat piece of material is used on carpet pile, then carpet interference is reduced, but stability deteriorates due to floating or sliding feeling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single flat contact surface, the base employs multiple discrete columnar projections that separately penetrate the carpet. This segmentation allows each projection to independently reach the stable floor while distributing the scale's weight, eliminating the floating sensation and maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The columnar projections act as intermediaries between the scale and the carpeted surface. They penetrate through the unstable carpet pile to contact the stable floor beneath, transferring the scale's load to a firm surface and ensuring both accurate measurements and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independently deflectable feet are used, then adaptability to surfaces is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to imbalanced loads
Solution Approach 1:
The base merges the adaptability function with the alignment function by integrating columnar projections that are precisely positioned to align with the load cells. This combination ensures that the base adapts to carpeted surfaces while maintaining proper load distribution and alignment for accurate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The columnar projections serve as intermediaries that transmit forces from the scale feet through the carpet to the stable floor. Their fixed positioning relative to the load cells ensures that adaptability to surface conditions does not compromise measurement precision, as the projections maintain proper alignment regardless of carpet variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A scale system includes a scale and a base. The scale includes a plurality of feet and a plurality of load cells, wherein each of the plurality of load cells is associated with one of the plurality of feet. The base includes a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of supports extend from the lower surface. Each of the plurality of supports includes a columnar projection.