Sealed Adjustable Levelling Pad for Load Capacity and Thread Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable levelling pads have a limited load capacity due to shear strength limitations in screw threads and are prone to foreign particle ingress, which can lead to seizing and loss of rotational movement.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable levelling pad with a protection cap that seals the screw threads to prevent foreign particle entry, combined with a shear plate to reduce bending forces and enhance load-bearing capacity, and optional features like annular sealing elements and mechanical limiters for increased friction and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If screw threads are used to provide vertical adjustment capability, then height adjustability is improved, but foreign particles can enter the threaded joint causing seizing and loss of rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
A protection cap is introduced as an intermediary element between the external environment and the threaded joint. The cap seals the joint area, preventing foreign particles from entering while allowing the screw threads to maintain their adjustment function. This mediator protects the critical interface without interfering with the adjustment mechanism's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection cap is designed to be removable, allowing the threaded joint to be accessed for initial assembly and adjustment. After assembly, the cap is installed to isolate the joint from contaminants. This extraction approach separates the adjustment function from the protection function, enabling both reliability and adjustability.
2Strength
If larger diameter pads are used to increase load capacity, then strength is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pad employs a composite structure combining a metallic base component with a polymeric protection cap. This composite approach allows the metal to provide structural strength and load-bearing capacity while the polymer cap provides protection and reduces overall complexity by integrating multiple functions into a unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad is segmented into distinct functional components: a base component for load bearing and a protection cap for sealing and contamination prevention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall efficiency without requiring a single oversized component.
3Reliability
If protection cap is added to seal screw threads, then foreign particle ingress is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cap is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: sealing the threaded joint from contaminants, providing a grip surface for adjustment operations, and acting as a mechanical stop. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable levelling pad includes a first component having first screw threads, a second component having second screw threads cooperating with the first screw threads of the first component, a bearing element having a bearing surface cooperating with the first component and a protection cap fastened to the first component and extending towards the second component. The protection cap at least partially surrounds the second component and is configured to cooperate in a sealing manner with the second component.