Spring-Loaded Appliance Leveling Assembly for Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional leveling systems for appliances like washing machines are cumbersome and require tedious manual adjustment, often leading to improper leveling and excessive vibration noise due to the need for manual adjustment of rear feet, which are difficult to access.
Innovation Solution
A leveling assembly featuring a base with a spring and sleeve configuration that automatically adjusts to changes in weight and movement, using a compressively biased spring to dampen vibrations and ensure proper leveling without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional threaded leveling feet are used, then the appliance can be leveled, but the adjustment process is tedious and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling foot assembly automatically adjusts itself through the interaction of the spring mechanism and threaded sleeve. The spring compresses and expands based on appliance weight and floor irregularities, while the threaded sleeve rotates to extend or retract, all without manual intervention. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for consumers to manually level the appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling foot incorporates dynamic elements including a compressible spring and a rotatable threaded sleeve that can extend and retract. These components work together to automatically adapt to changing conditions such as appliance weight, load distribution, and floor variations, providing continuous automatic adjustment rather than static positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of rear leveling feet is required, then proper leveling can be achieved, but the process becomes extremely tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic leveling mechanism performs the precise adjustment task automatically. The spring-loaded threaded sleeve self-adjusts to the correct height by compressing the spring to the appropriate degree, eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process while maintaining accurate leveling.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-compressed during assembly to provide immediate leveling force. When the appliance is placed on the leveling foot, the pre-compressed spring automatically pushes the threaded sleeve to the correct height, performing the leveling action in advance before the user even installs the appliance.
3Ease of operation
If the appliance is moved to access rear leveling feet, then adjustment is possible, but the heavy and cumbersome appliance becomes difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic adjustment mechanism eliminates the need to move the heavy appliance for accessing rear leveling feet. The self-adjusting feet work automatically regardless of their position on the appliance, so the appliance can remain in its final position during installation without requiring the user to relocate it for adjustment access.
4Reliability
If conventional leveling feet are used, then the appliance can be supported, but vibration and noise are not dampened
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-compressed to provide cushioning force before vibration occurs. When the appliance operates and generates vibrations, the pre-compressed spring absorbs and dampens these vibrations, preventing them from being transmitted to the floor and reducing noise. The cushioning effect is already in place before harmful vibrations occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism converts the harmful vibrations and movements into beneficial damping effects. As the appliance vibrates during operation, the spring compresses and expands, transforming the vibrational energy into heat through internal friction, thereby dampening the vibrations and reducing noise rather than amplifying them.
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
The solution effectively dampens vibrations and automatically adjusts to ensure the appliance is properly leveled, reducing noise and simplifying the installation process by allowing the appliance to adapt to changing loads and operational forces.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is compressively biased between the sleeve and the ledge... effectively dampens vibrations
Implementation Method 2
The spring is compressively biased between the sleeve and the ledge... automatically adjusts to changes in weight and movement
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a leveling assembly configured to be secured to an appliance. The leveling assembly supports the appliance on a floor, and includes a base having a column integrally connected to a ledge, which is integrally connected to a stem. The assembly also includes a spring positioned around the stem, and a sleeve secured to the stem and positioned around the spring. The spring exerts equal and opposite forces into the sleeve and the ledge, respectively.