Angled Spring Counterbalance for Stable Rotating Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with rotatable displays face challenges in smoothly rotating and maintaining a stable viewing angle, which affects user interaction, particularly when inputting information via touchscreens or styluses, due to inadequate counterbalancing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing angled springs, where two coil springs with different orientations and angles counterbalance the weight of the display through a range of motion, allowing for smooth rotation from vertical to horizontal orientations and back, facilitating user input and viewing at various angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional counterbalancing mechanisms are used, then the display can be rotated, but the viewing angle stability is insufficient affecting user interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing springs arranged at specific angles to offset the weight of the display assembly. The springs are positioned and tensioned to provide counterbalancing force throughout the rotation range, enabling the display to be held at various angles with minimal effort while maintaining stability for user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical or horizontal spring arrangements to an angled configuration where springs are mounted at oblique angles relative to the display assembly. This angular dimensioning allows the counterbalancing force to be distributed more effectively across the rotation range, providing both stability and ease of operation simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display rotates through large angles, then viewing flexibility improves, but maintaining counterbalance throughout the range of motion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable spring tensioning mechanisms that adapt to the display's position during rotation. The spring arrangement and mounting geometry are designed to maintain optimal counterbalancing force across the entire range of motion, from vertical to horizontal orientations, ensuring consistent performance throughout the rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses asymmetric spring mounting angles and configurations where springs are positioned at different angles relative to the display assembly. This asymmetric arrangement allows each spring to contribute optimally to counterbalancing at different points in the rotation range, maintaining reliability across diverse viewing positions.
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 apparatus enables seamless rotation and stable viewing angles, enhancing user interaction by maintaining counterbalance throughout the display's range of motion, thus improving usability and convenience for inputting information.
Implementation Method 1
two coil springs with different orientations and angles counterbalance the weight of the display through a range of motion
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an apparatus can include an arm, a cam connected to the arm, a first spring located around a first strut, where the first spring is oriented at a first angle relative to a base of the apparatus and the first strut is connected to the cam, a second spring located around a second strut, where the second spring is oriented at a second angle relative to the base of the apparatus and the second strut is connected to the cam, where the first spring and the second spring linearly compress in response to rotation of the arm from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation relative to the base of the apparatus.