Controller for monitor

[0054] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055]FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor according to the present invention. As shown therein, a monitor 10 is attached at a base 24 at an upper side of a support 22 of a stand 20 using a monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30. With the above construction, an inclination angle θ of the monitor 10 can be adjusted.

[0056] A monitor ward support member 32 is a plate shaped member, with a back surface of the monitor 10 being engaged at the monitor ward support member 32. A base ward support member 34 is a plate shaped member attached to the base 24. An upper connection member 36 and a lower connection member 38 are engaged at the upper and lower sides of the monitor ward support member 32 and the base ward support member 34. A certain engaging plate member (not shown) may be adapted between the monitor ward support member 32 and the monitor 10 for an easier attachment.

[0057] The both ends of each of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are hinged at the upper and lower ends of the monitor ward support member 32 and the base ward support member 34. The center axis points of the hinged portions are indicated by B, C, D and E. Namely, the center point of the lateral side, in which the monitor ward support member 32 and the upper connection member 36 are hinged, is indicated by the point B, and the center point of the lateral side, in which the monitor ward support member 32 and the lower connection member 38 are hinged, is indicated by the point C, and the center point of the lateral side, in which the lower side engaging member 38 and the base ward support member 34 are hinged, is indicated by the point D, and the center point of the lateral side, in which the base ward support member 34 and the upper connection member 38 are engaged, is indicated by the point E.

[0058] In the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30, the monitor ward support member 32, the base ward support member 34, and the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member are linked in a rectangular shape. With the above construction, it is called a rectangular hinge structure.

[0059] According to the structure in which four members are linked with each other for supporting the monitor and adjusting the inclination, various movement characteristics can be obtained by adjusting the length and length ratio of each member. Namely, a certain support function well adapted to each user can be implemented by properly amending the length of each member.

[0060]FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an inclination angle of a monitor according to the present invention. Namely, FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the line connecting the points B and C is called a monitor ward line, and the line connecting the points C and D is called a lower side line. The line connecting the points D and E is called a base ward line. The line connecting the points E and B is called an upper side line.

[0061] In the drawings, the point G represents the weight center of the monitor, and a relative horizontal distance from the center point “a” of the monitor ward line BC is “v”, and a vertical distance from the same is “u”. Here, the reference character α is an included angle between the base ward line and the vertical line. A relative height value of the weight center G is “z”.

[0062] Variables, which meet different conditions, can be searched by setting each variable in the drawings. For example, even when the inclination angle θ of the monitor is changed, when it is needed to make the height “z” of the weight center of the monitor lower, a certain condition can be searched by changing part of the monitor ward line, lower side line, base ward line or upper side line. The above condition searching procedure is called a characteristic condition determination of a rectangular hinge structure.

[0063]FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a length ratio of FIG. 3. As shown therein, a certain method is disclosed in order to minimize the movement of the height of the weight center among the characteristics of the rectangular hinge structure. This method is called an isosceles triangle chart method.

[0064] The isosceles triangle ABC consists of the points B and C with respect to the apex A. A similar shape isosceles triangle AED is formed by extending the lines AB and AC. As shown in FIG. 3, “α” is set “0”, and the upper line BE and the lower line CD are made same. With the above condition, the position of the weight center G of the monitor is changed by increasing the inclination angle θ by 10°, 20°, 30°, etc. or decreasing the same by −10°, −20°, −30°, etc. The above movements are shown in the graphs.

[0065]FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the changes of the weight center G in which the inclination angle of the monitor ward line BC of FIG. 4 is changed with the horizontal distance “v” as a variable. As shown therein, the position of the weight center G of the monitor is changed by increasing the inclination angle θ by 10°, 20°, 30°, etc. or decreasing the same by −10°, −20°, −30°, etc.

[0066] The vertical distance “u” is set 0, and the length of the line BC is set 4, the length of the line ED is set 8, the height of the triangle ABC is set 5, and the height of the triangle AED is set 10. Since the movement characteristic is determined only based on the length ratio of each line, the units are omitted.

[0067] In the case that the horizontal distance “v” is 4 (numbers indicated at the sides of each trajectory represent horizontal distance), the position of the weight center G is changed along the trajectory formed in a shape of “α” as the inclination angle θ is changed. In the case that the horizontal distance “v” is 6, the loop drawn by the trajectory of the weight center G gets small with a shape that a front side of the loop is thin, with the entire shape being longitudinal. When the inclination angle θ is 0, the dots are formed at the horizontal position with respect to the apex A. When the inclination angle θ is increased by 10°, the dots are formed at the upper sides, and when the inclination angle θ is decreased by 10°, the dots are formed at the lower side.

[0068] In the case that the horizontal distance “v” is 8, a cusp is drawn with respect to the apex A of the triangle. A curve shaped trajectory, which is similar with an inclined straight line I-I, is drawn at the upper and lower sides. When the horizontal distance “v” increases, exceeding 8, the inclination angle θ gets smoother at an angle of 0°. As it is distanced from the angle 0°, a trajectory similar with a straight line is drawn.

[0069] Namely, the portion, which has a certain movement similar with the straight line among the trajectories of the weight center G when the horizontal distance “v” is above 8, may be used for achieving a constant position of the weight center G of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a graph when the movement of the weight center G is expressed with the inclination angle θ adapted as a variable.

[0070]FIG. 6 is a graph in which the changes of the height of the weight center of FIG. 5 are expressed with an inclination angle θ which is adapted as a variable. As shown therein, “z” represents the vertical height of the weight center G, which is expressed with a reference point 0 determined when the inclination angle θ is 0. In the graph, the number indicated beside “z” represents the horizontal distance “v”.

[0071] The curves of the functions z, v, (θ) will be described. The inclination is smooth in a section in which the inclination angle is −20° through +20°. When the horizontal distance “v” is 6, 7 or 8, the inclinations are small, and a changed range is less.

[0072] In the ranges of the inclination angle, and horizontal distance, since the height of the weight center does not change, the monitor is not tilted down only when there is less friction force, so that the monitor can be stably fixed in place. More efficient effects can be obtained by adjusting the included angle α of the base ward line ED.

[0073]FIG. 7 is a graph in which the changes of the height of the weight center G are expressed with an inclination angle θ , which is adapted as a variable, in the case that the included angle α of the base ward line ED is 30°. As shown in FIG. 7, when the angle α is 30°, the movements of the function z′, v, (θ) are not changed between 30° and 100°.

[0074] Namely, the trajectories formed near the straight line I-I of FIG. 5 can be horizontally inclined by adjusting the included angle α, so that there are no changes in the height of the weight center G. In the case that the horizontal distance “v” is 6, the inclination angle θ is between 0° and 70°. In the case that the horizontal distance “v” is 8, the height “z” of the weight center G is constant between 25° and 105°.

[0075] Therefore, in the case that the base ward line is inclined at a certain angle, it is possible to more easily maintain the fixed weight center height of the monitor, so that the monitor can be prevented from being tilted forwards, moving down and having a sharply changing height by changing the angle of the base ward line. The operations that the above advantages are obtained even when the rectangular hinge structure is changed in various structures will be described.

[0076]FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D are graphs of the movements of the weight center G when the size of the triangle AED is changed in a state that the triangle ABC is not changed in the similar isosceles triangle of FIG. 4. In a state that the angle α is set 0, FIG. 8A is a graph when the length ratio of the lines AB and BE is 1:0.25, and FIG. 8B is a graph when the length ratio of the same is 1:0.5, and FIG. 8C is a graph when the length ratio of the same is 1:1, and FIG. 8D is a graph when the length ratio of the same is 1:2.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D, the trajectory of the weight center G forms the apex A (v is 8). When the horizontal distance “v” is less than 8, a α-shaped curve is formed. When the horizontal distance “v” is larger than 8, a convex curve having an apex is formed. As the length ratio of the line BE gets increased, the size of the loop increases, and the apex gets sharp.

[0078] In the hinge structure, as the inclination angle θ increases, the angle CBE increases. When the angle CBE becomes 180°, the monitor or object installed at the monitor ward line BC contacts with the point E. In this case, since it does not change the inclination angle θ anymore, the range of the angle θ is determined. As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D, the inclination angle θ is limited within a range of 17°, 27°, 39°and 50°, which angles are indicated as a small circle in the trajectory of the drawing. As the length ratios of the lines AB and BE increase, the limiting range of the inclination angle θ increases.

[0079] In the case that the length ratio of the lines AB and BE increase, the range of the inclination angle is advantageously widened. Here, the lengths of the upper line and the lower line should be extended. The conditions of the range of the inclination angle and the installation position of the monitor may be properly selected based on a user's demand.

[0080] For example, in the apparatus for attaching a flat panel monitor, it is enough when the inclination angle is adjusted within a range of −10° to +10°. In the case that the monitor is installed near a wall, as shown in FIG. 8A, it is needed to decrease the length ratio of the lines AB and BE, and the horizontal distance “v” is set 6. In the case that it is needed to adjust the monitor within a wider range of −50° to +50° (for example, when the monitor is mounted on a ceiling), as shown in FIG. 8D, it is needed to increase the length ratio of the lines AB and BE, and the horizontal distance “v” is set 8.

[0081]FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are graphs illustrating the movements of the weight center G when the apex angle of the apex A is changed in a state that the length ratio of the lines AB and BE is set 1:0.5 in the similar isosceles triangle of FIG. 4. In FIG. 9A, the apex angle is 8.96°, and in FIG. 9B, the apex angle is 17.98°, and in FIG. 9C, the apex angle is 6.42°, and in FIG. 9D, the apex angle is 77.36°.

[0082] As a result, the trajectories of the weight center G as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are same. Namely, the movements are performed in the same ways even though there are significant differences in the rectangular structures each having four hinges. If the length ratio of the lines AB and BE changes, the above same phenomenon may occur.

[0083] The movements of the rectangular hinge structures change based on the values of the length ratio of the lines AB and BE, but do not change based on the apex angle of the apex A. In the case that the rectangular hinge structure having the above characteristics is used, the user can save time needed for designs and has many conveniences. As described above, the inclination angle θ is limited within a range of 42°, 33°, 27° and 18° as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D.

[0084]FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs illustrating the movements of the weight center G in a different rectangular hinge structure. As shown in FIG. 10A, there is shown a graph illustrating the movements of the weight center G in a state that the lengths of the lines BE and CD are same, and the line ED is vertical. As shown in FIG. 10B, there is shown a graph illustrating the movements of the weight center G in a state that the lengths of the lines BE and CD are different, and the line ED is inclined at an inclination angle α with respect to the line ED.

[0085] As shown therein, in a range of the inclination angle from −30° to +30°, the orbit curves of FIG. 10B are very similar with the orbit curves when the rectangular hinge using the rectangular structure of FIG. 10A are inclined at an angle α.

[0086] In the case that the inclination angle θ is out of the range, as the absolute value is increased, the orbit curves of FIG. 10B get similar with the trajectories of the movements of the orbit curves. Since almost needs are met in a range of −30° to +30° in an actual adaptation, it is preferred to tile the line CD at a certain angle as shown in FIG. 10B.

[0087] For example, in the case that the horizontal distance “v” is 8 at the curve of FIG. 10B, the inclination angle has a horizontal orbit in a range of −10° to +30°, and the inclination angle of the range corresponds to the inclination angle which is most common when using the flat panel monitor. As shown in FIG. 6, the changes of “z” may be expressed like z′, 8, (θ) in accordance with the conditions of the rectangular hinge structure. The height is constant in a state that the inclination angle θ is in a range of −10° to +30°.

[0088]FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the trajectories of the weight center G when the vertical distance “u” of the weight center G of FIG. 4 is not 0. As shown therein, the position of the line BC decreases by 10° with respect to the position 5 (in which the inclination angle θ is 0°). In addition, the position of the same is inclined towards the positions 4, 3, 2, and 1 or increases by 10°. When the position of the same is inclined toward the positions 6, 7, 8 and 9, the trajectories drawn along the horizontal distance “v” are expressed by numbers corresponding to each position.

[0089] For example, in the case that the vertical distance “u” is 4, the weight center G point moves as shown in FIG. 10B. As shown in FIG. 11, the curve having the horizontal distance “v” of 8 advantageously has a wider range for maintaining more horizontal states as compared to the trajectories. The apparatus of FIG. 10B is installed, with the line DE being inclined at a certain angle. As shown in FIG. 11, it is advantageously possible to make the line DE vertical. As described above, the rectangular hinge apparatus is constituted using an isosceles triangle. With the above construction, an inclination angle adjusting apparatus, which operates with many different movements, may be constituted by adjusting length ratio, inclination angle, included angle, horizontal length, vertical length, etc.

[0090]FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an apparatus for adjusting an inclination for a monitor according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 engaged at the monitor ward support member 32 are longitudinally extended, and the base ward support member 34 is contacted with the base surface of the floor.

[0091] The upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are preferably bent at intermediate portions so that they don't contact with the monitor 10. A thin panel shaped support 34a is preferably attached to a lower surface of the base ward support member 34.

[0092] The upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are extended, and the base ward support member 34 is contacted with the floor base surface, so that the monitor 10 can move in a big angle range. When pulling the monitor 10, the upper connection member 36 and the upper connection member 38 move down along an arc line, so that the inclination angle of the monitor can increase.

[0093] When pulling the monitor 10 forwards, the monitor 10 lies down. In this case, the monitor 10 can be used in a digital note mode. When the monitor 10 has a touch screen, it can be more efficiently used in the digital note mode.

[0094] The flat panel monitor, which has recently been developed, has a digital note function using the touch screen. It is needed to develop the monitor having both a viewing function and a digital note function. In the viewing mode, the monitor preferably has an inclination angle in a range of −5° to +45° and is installed away from a user at a certain higher height “z”. In the digital note mode, the monitor preferably has an inclination angle in a range of +45° to +90° and is installed not away from a user at a certain lower height “z”.

[0095] Since the conventional monitor fixing apparatus is independently adjusted because the inclination angle and the position of the weight center do not cooperatively operate, it is needed to disadvantageously adjust various conditions whenever the user selects the digital note mode or the viewing mode. The conventional monitor fixing apparatus with a ball mount cannot support a large weight, so that the position may be easily moved when a certain weight is applied to the monitor in the digital note mode.

[0096] However, in the case that the monitor is changed into the digital node mode or the viewing mode using the rectangular hinge structure according to the present invention, various conditions may be adjusted at one time, so that easier and quicker mode conversions are achieved. In addition, even when a certain weight generated during the use of the digital note is applied, each support member can fully support the weight, so that the positions cannot easily change.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 12, the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 includes an extended support 34a, so that the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 does not fall down in the digital note mode. The support 34a does not have an important role in the viewing mode of the monitor. As shown in FIG. 13, even when the support 34a may be removed, the same functions are performed.

[0098]FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus according to further another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower connection member 38 and the base ward support member 34 are crossed downwards, and the support parts 38a and 34b of the lower side support the floor base surface.

[0099] The principles of the rectangular hinge structure are adapted in the same manner. Namely, the support parts 38a and 34b of the lower connection member 38 and the base ward support member 34 are crossed downwards, so that the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 can be stably supported.

[0100] Here, a friction force between the support part 38a of the lower connection member 38 and the floor surface is adjusted larger than the friction force between the support part 34b of the base ward support member 34 and the floor surface, so that only the support part 34b of the base ward support member 34 of the front side is moved in a state that the support part 38a of the lower connection member 38 of the back surface is fixed. A rubber member may be covered on the support part 38a of the lower connection member 38 of the bask surface or wheels may be installed at the support part 34b of the base ward support member 34.

[0101]FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are views illustrating various constructions of the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus according to the present invention. As shown therein, various constructions may be adapted in order to constitute the rectangular hinge apparatus.

[0102]FIG. 14A is a view illustrating a monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 in which the monitor ward support member 32 includes two parallel elongated support parts 32a, and the base ward support member 34 includes two parallel elongated support parts 34c. The upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are inserted between the elongated support parts 32a and 34c of the monitor ward support member 32 and the base ward support member 34.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 14B, the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 include two parallel elongated support parts 36a and 38a, respectively. The monitor ward support member 32 and the base ward support member 34 are inserted into the same.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 14C, the monitor ward support member 32 and the base ward support member 34 are arranged in a Y-shape, and the upper connection member 36 is inserted into the upper side, and two elongated support parts 38a are inserted into the lower side.

[0105]FIG. 15 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating the constructions of the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a lateral cross sectional view illustrating an engaged state of each element according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the plate 40, which engages the monitor (not shown), includes a protrusion engaging part 42 at the center of the back surface, and the protrusion engaging part 42 is engaged, passing through the monitor ward support member 32 of the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30.

[0106] The protrusion engaging part 42, which passes through the monitor ward support member 32, is engaged using a bolt 62 through an elastic member 60. Here, the elastic member 60 is preferably formed of a plate spring, with the elastic member 60 being adapted to pull the protrusion engaging part 42, so that the plate 40 and the monitor ward support member 32 get closer from each other.

[0107] The upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are engaged at the lateral side of the monitor ward support member 32. The ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are extended a little and are protruded toward the plate 40. The plate 40 and the monitor ward support member 32 get closer from each other using the elastic member 60, so that the back surface of the plate 40 contacts with the ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38.

[0108] The ends, which contact with the back surface of the plate 40, of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 do not easily move due to friction force. When the elastic member 60 pulls the plate 40 as the bolt 62 is tightened, with the bolt 62 being adapted to tighten the elastic member 60, the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 36 do not rotate, so that the plate 40 is prevented from being naturally tilted forwards or being fallen downwards,

[0109] The rotation plate 50 is further provided between the plate 40 and the monitor ward support member 32, so that the plate 40 can be more smoothly rotated. A back surface groove 52 may be formed at a back surface of the rotation plate 50, with the back surface groove 52 corresponding with the shapes of the ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38. Here, it is preferred that the back surface groove 52 of the rotation plate 60 contacts with the ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 at wider surfaces. Here, the back surface groove 52 may be formed at the back surface of the plate 40 in a state that the rotation plate 50 is not provided.

[0110]FIG. 17A is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a monitor inclination adjusting apparatus according to still further another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17B is a side cross sectional view illustrating an engaged state of the present invention. As shown therein, the plate 40 is engaged at the monitor ward support member 32 having a circular or arc shaped rim, and a ring 80 is inserted thereinto. Here, the plate 40 is engaged at the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30 and is rotatable. The ring 80 rotates along the rim of the monitor ward support member 32.

[0111] The ring 80 and the plate 40 are engaged using a bolt, etc. A pad 70 is provided at an inner side of the ring 80 and contacts with the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38, respectively. An elastic member 60 is inserted between the outer end of the guide pad 70 and the plate 40.

[0112] Here, the elastic member 60 is a plate spring capable of transferring an elastic force in a direction that the plate 40 pushes the guide pad 30 in an opposite direction, so that the guide pad 70 is pushed in a direction of the monitor inclination adjusting apparatus 30, and the ends of the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are pressurized. A friction force inhibits the pressurized upper connection member 36 and lower connection member 38 from rotating, with the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 being fixed in place.

[0113] Here, the ring 80 and the monitor ward support member 32 closely contact at a certain inclination angle. Adjusting the direction of the inclination allows the ring 80 and the plate 40 to become closer with the monitor ward support member 32, so that with one element of the elastic member 60, it is possible to tighten each element.

[0114] The plate spring may be installed at the base ward support member 34 or at both sides. Here, the upper connection member 36 is moved along a downward curve, and the lower connection member 38 is moved along an upward curve, so that it does not contact with the tapered inner surface of the ring 80. In the case that the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 are moved along straight lines, the upper connection member 36 and the lower connection member 38 contact with the inner side of the ring 80, so that there is a certain limit in the movements of the upper and lower connection members 36 and 38.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0115] As described above, the monitor inclination angle adjusting apparatus according to the present invention is able to stably support the monitor, with the inclination angle of the monitor being easily adjusted.

[0116] Changing the inclination angle of the monitor due to the weight of the monitor is minimized in the present invention.

[0117] The present invention is directed to minimizing the changes of the height of the weight center of the monitor even when the inclination angle changes.

[0118] In the present invention, the monitor is designed to be rotatable. The monitor is stably supported without movements.

[0119] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.