Adjustable Scale Support Foot Assembly for Tool-Free Leveling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product scales require the use of tools to adjust support feet for leveling, which is cumbersome and not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A scale design featuring adjustable support feet with a threaded opening and detent stop features that allow for easy height adjustment without tools, utilizing a monolithic base casting with cast-in threaded and detent stop features for improved usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a threaded shaft with locking nut is used for adjustable support feet, then the scale can be leveled, but a tool is required to loosen and tighten the locking nut making the process cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot assembly is designed to be self-adjusting through a cam mechanism that allows the foot to be raised and lowered by simple rotational movement. The cam profile automatically engages with the adjustment slot, eliminating the need for external tools or complex locking mechanisms. The user can adjust the foot height by rotating the support foot assembly, and the cam automatically locks into position at predetermined heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from the adjustment mechanism. Instead of using a locking nut that requires tool engagement, the design uses a cam mechanism that inherently provides locking through its geometric profile. The cam's shaped surface automatically engages with the adjustment slot to provide locking at predetermined positions, separating the locking function from the adjustment function and eliminating the need for separate tool-based locking operations.
2Reliability
If adjustable support feet are added for leveling, then the scale performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the support foot itself, the cam mechanism, the adjustment slot, and the locking surface. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the assembly to achieve reliable leveling through simple geometric interactions rather than complex mechanical systems. The segmentation enables easy manufacturing and assembly while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism that requires tool engagement to adjust, the design inverts the approach by using a simple rotational movement that automatically engages a cam mechanism. The cam's geometric profile provides the locking function through its shape rather than through threaded engagement or separate locking components, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining reliable adjustment and leveling capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A scale includes a scale body, a weigh station on the scale body and at least one support foot adjustably connected to the scale body for enabling leveling. The scale body includes a base component defining a foot attachment region to which the support foot is connected, wherein the foot attachment region includes a threaded opening and a plurality of detent stop features spaced radially away from the threaded opening. The support foot includes a threaded extension threadedly engaged in the threaded opening, and at least one detent feature selectively engageable with the detent stop features to limit rotatability of the support foot.