Tile Levelling Device Frustoconical Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile levelling devices cause marking or scratching on the upper surface of tiles due to the rotational action during the levelling process, which results in damage to the decorative surface of the tiles.
Innovation Solution
A tile levelling device with a pressure and levelling body that includes a flat support surface with a frustoconical shape, allowing it to rotate freely around a common vertical axis, thereby reducing the rotational force exerted on the tiles and minimizing the risk of scratching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the flat support surface is pushed against the upper surfaces of adjacent tiles during screwing motion, then the levelling function is achieved, but the rotational action causes marking or scratching on the tile surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective layer or coating on the flat support surface of the pressure body that acts as an intermediary between the levelling device and the tile surface. This protective layer prevents direct contact and friction between the metal surface and the decorative tile surface, thereby eliminating marking or scratching while maintaining the levelling function through the same screwing motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful rotational friction into a beneficial lubricated sliding motion by applying a lubricant or low-friction coating to the flat support surface. This reduces the coefficient of friction during the screwing motion, allowing the rotational action necessary for levelling to occur without causing surface damage to the tiles
Data Source
AI summary
A levelling device for tiles of the type used on a surface to level at least two adjacent tiles and comprising a base (1) designed to be arranged between at least two adjacent tiles (2) to act through contact with part of the lower surfaces of the said mutually adjacent tiles; from the base (1) there originates an elongated body (3), extending orthogonally therefrom, which is sized so as to protrude with respect to the upper surfaces of the tiles (2), is endowed with an external threaded section (31) whose task is to allow the said body to be gripped from the outside, and comprises a pressure and levelling body (4) which acts through contact with at least one of the upper surfaces of the at least two adjacent tiles (2); a handling unit (5), whose task is to allow the threaded section (31) to be gripped from the outside. The handling unit (5) is structured as at least two parts which are elastically secured but are divided in the upper area, where at least two nut screw portions (15) are formed which, once brought together in mutual contact, form a single nut screw or threaded hole (25) with which the threaded stretch (31) can be coupled. The handling unit (5) comprises a pressure surface (35), consisting of a portion of external frustoconical surface sized to couple exactly when in contact with the support surface (42), also shaped so as to generate, overall, a portion of internal frustoconical surface, which is formed integrally with and coaxially to the said pressure and levelling body (4), within which the said portion is axially positioned and sized so as to fully support the thrust exerted thereupon by the coaxial coupling with the pressure surface (35) of the handling unit (5). The said handling unit may be coupled freely so as to rotate around the axis common to the pressure and levelling body (4).