Scale having an adjustable foot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scales with adjustable feet are complex in design and assembly, requiring additional components like leveling wheels, which increase construction height and costs.
Innovation Solution
The scale features a snap-in connection mechanism between the adjustable spindle and mount, eliminating the need for a leveling wheel, with a snap-in connection section at the spindle's upper end that engages an undercut in the mount, allowing for axial and rotational movement, and an actuation section accessible from above for easy adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a leveling wheel is used to connect the adjustable spindle to the housing, then the spindle can be axially held and rotated, but the construction height increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the leveling wheel component entirely and replaces it with a snap-in connection mechanism. The adjustable spindle connects directly to the housing mount through a simplified insertion and locking system, eliminating the intermediate leveling wheel structure that increased height and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism is divided into distinct functional sections: a snap-in connection section with hooks for engagement, an actuation section for operation, and a threaded section for adjustment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring the complex integrated structure of a leveling wheel.
2Ease of operation
If a leveling wheel is used for actuation, then the spindle can be adjusted, but the assembly becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling wheel is completely removed from the design. Instead, the actuation section of the spindle itself serves as the operating interface, allowing direct manual adjustment without requiring a separate wheel component.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation function is merged into the spindle structure itself. The actuation section extends through the mount and can be directly manipulated, combining the adjustment mechanism with the spindle assembly rather than requiring a separate leveling wheel interface.
3Ease of manufacture
If the foot piece and mount use circular cross-sections, then assembly is simpler, but rotational fixing is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-circular cross-sections (such as square or rectangular with rounded edges) for the foot piece and corresponding mount. This asymmetric geometry prevents rotation by providing geometric interference, ensuring the foot piece remains fixed in its inserted orientation while still allowing straightforward linear insertion and removal.
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
This design simplifies the assembly and reduces costs by eliminating the need for a leveling wheel, providing a reliable and easy-to-install adjustable foot mechanism while maintaining vertical adjustability.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustable spindle has a threaded section at its lower end with which the adjustable spindle engages into a counter-thread formed in the foot piece, and wherein a rotational movement of the adjustable spindle effects a longitudinal movement of the foot piece relative to the adjustable spindle.
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable spindle has a snap-in connection section at its upper end that engages an undercut formed in the respective mount while forming a snap-in connection, in particular a releasable snap-in connection.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a scale having a housing and one or more adjustable feet, wherein the housing has a respective mount into which the respective adjustable foot is inserted, wherein the respective adjustable foot can be introduced into the respective mount from below, wherein the adjustable foot has a foot piece that is supported in the mount in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner and has an adjustable spindle connected to the housing in an axial fixed and rotationally movable manner, wherein the adjustable spindle has a threaded section at its lower end with which the adjustable spindle engages into a counter-thread formed in the foot piece, and wherein a rotational movement of the adjustable spindle effects a longitudinal movement of the foot piece relative to the adjustable spindle. The adjustable spindle has a snap-in connection section at its upper end that engages an undercut formed in the respective mount while forming a snap-in connection.