Adjustable Scale Support Foot Assembly for Tool-Free Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product scales require the use of tools to adjust the 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 the need for tools, utilizing a threaded extension and detent features to limit rotatability, and are either cast-in or molded-in components for a monolithic base casting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded shaft with locking nut is used for adjustable support feet, then the support foot can be fixed in position, but a tool is required to loosen and tighten the locking nut for height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot assembly enables the user to adjust the height and lock the position without requiring external tools. The detent feature on the support foot automatically engages with the detent stop features on the base component to lock the foot in position, and can be easily released by applying rotational force, allowing tool-free operation while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent feature acts as an intermediary mechanism between the support foot and the base component. Instead of directly threading the foot into the base, the detent feature engages with detent stop features to provide locking functionality, enabling tool-free adjustment while maintaining secure positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (threaded shaft, locking nut, base component) are used for adjustable support feet, then adjustment functionality is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot assembly integrates multiple functions into fewer components. The support foot includes both the threaded extension for height adjustment and the detent feature for locking, combining what were previously separate components (threaded shaft and locking mechanism) into a single integrated assembly, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support foot assembly serves multiple functions: the threaded extension enables height adjustment, while the detent feature provides locking capability. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate locking nuts and tools, reducing the number of parts while maintaining adjustable height functionality.
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
Enables simple and tool-free leveling of the scale, improving user experience and aesthetics with a low-profile design.
Implementation Method 1
The support foot includes a threaded extension threadedly engaged in the threaded opening
Implementation Method 2
at least one detent feature selectively engageable with the detent stop features to limit rotatability of the support foot
Data Source
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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.