Threaded Rod Height Adjustment for Bathtub Support Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathtub supports face challenges in easily adjusting the height of individual upright profiles, which can hinder the smooth insertion of tubs due to deviations in horizontality.
Innovation Solution
A height adjustment mechanism for upright profiles using a threaded rod with an external thread and a through-hole in cross-connecting profiles, featuring notches for easy adjustment and a quick-release nut for rough positioning, allowing precise height adjustment without rotating the rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual upright profiles are height-adjustable to accommodate deviations in horizontality, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The upright profile is segmented into a standardized main body and an adjustable threaded rod extension. The threaded rod can be independently adjusted and trimmed to compensate for horizontality deviations, while the main upright profile remains standardized. This segmentation allows height adjustment without redesigning the entire upright profile structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded rod is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be trimmed to the required length and then discarded or replaced. The notches provide predetermined breaking points for easy trimming with basic tools. This approach avoids the need for complex, expensive adjustable mechanisms while achieving the same functional goal.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized lengths of upright profiles are used before measurement and adjustment, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision decreases due to post-production adjustments required
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded rod is pre-equipped with notches at predetermined intervals that serve as breaking points. These notches are created during manufacturing at standardized positions, allowing the rod to be trimmed to precise lengths later. The notches ensure that even after trimming, the remaining length maintains sufficient thread engagement for proper fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective length of the threaded rod is changed after the standardized production phase through simple trimming at the notched breaking points. This allows the same standardized rod to be adapted to different height requirements by removing portions beyond the required length, achieving precise positioning without requiring different manufacturing batches.
3Ease of operation
If the threaded rod can be sheared at notches for easy trimming, then the ease of operation is improved, but the strength of the connection may be reduced due to shortened rod length
Solution Approach 1:
The notches are pre-positioned at strategic locations along the threaded rod that ensure sufficient thread engagement length remains after trimming. The notches are placed such that breaking the rod at any notch still leaves enough threaded portion to properly engage with the nut and maintain structural strength for the required load-bearing application.
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 easy and precise adjustment of upright profiles to ensure smooth tub insertion by allowing standardized lengths and fine-tuning of height, accommodating deviations in horizontality without hindering the tub's placement.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded rod with an external thread as the upright profile and a through-hole for the threaded rod in a cross-connecting profile. The through-hole has an internal thread corresponding to the external thread of the threaded rod
Implementation Method 2
the threaded rod has a plurality of notches transverse to its longitudinal axis that allow shearing above the through-hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A height adjustment mechanism for upright profiles (20) of a tub support (10) with a plurality of upright profiles (20), wherein cross-connecting profiles (30) are arranged between the upright profiles (20), comprises as an upright profile (20) a threaded rod (22) with an external thread and in a cross-connecting profile (30) a passage (40) for the threaded rod (22). The passage (40) has an internal thread corresponding to the external thread of the threaded rod (22) and the threaded rod (22) has a plurality of notches (23) transverse to its longitudinal axis that allow shearing above the passage (40).