Display Support Grip Assembly for Effortless Height Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display support structures are often difficult to adjust and lack the necessary range of movement for ergonomic positioning, requiring significant effort from users to change the height of displays.

Innovation Solution

A support structure with a post assembly and arm assembly that includes a grip assembly with a wedge component, contact surfaces, and an actuator assembly, allowing for easy height adjustment and versatile positioning of displays by using buttons to disengage the gripping pad from the post, enabling smooth sliding and secure re-engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional support structures use simple clamping mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users require great effort to adjust the height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of height adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the grip assembly with gripping pad for clamping, the wedge component for mechanical advantage, and the button assembly for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the overall effort required by the user while maintaining a manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge component serves as an intermediary between the button actuation and the gripping pad. When the button is pressed, it activates the wedge component which then translates this simple linear motion into the force required to release the gripping pad from the post. This intermediary mechanism amplifies the user's input force, making height adjustment effortless while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If support structures allow extensive range of movement for ergonomic positioning, then the adaptability improves, but the reliability deteriorates as the locking mechanism may fail to secure the display properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of movementVSAvoidsecurity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the gripping pad can transition between a locked state (when engaged with the post) and an unlocked state (when disengaged). The wedge component enables this dynamic transition through its mechanical advantage, allowing the system to maintain reliability across the full range of movement while adapting to different ergonomic positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler friction-based gripping mechanism enhanced by a wedge component. The gripping pad uses friction against the post to maintain position, while the wedge provides mechanical advantage for release. This substitution maintains reliability through the friction lock while enabling smooth, quiet operation throughout the range of movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If support structures use friction-based gripping mechanisms, then the ease of operation improves for smooth movement, but the reliability worsens as the gripping force may be insufficient to hold the display securely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoothness of movementVSAvoidsufficiency of gripping force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge component acts as a mechanical counterbalance that compensates for the limited gripping force of the friction-based mechanism. When the button is pressed, the wedge translates this small input force into a larger output force that overcomes the friction holding the gripping pad to the post. This allows smooth operation while maintaining sufficient gripping force to securely hold the display at any position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping mechanism utilizes changes in friction parameters through the wedge component. In the locked state, high friction between the gripping pad and post maintains the display position. When the button is pressed, the wedge changes the normal force parameter, temporarily reducing the gripping force to allow movement, then restoring it to secure the new position. This dynamic parameter change enables both smooth operation and reliable holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effortless height adjustment and versatile positioning of displays, improving user ergonomics by allowing easy movement and secure locking of the arm assembly along the post, accommodating various user preferences.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member that biases the retention member to a first position in which the contact surface engages the post

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The retention member includes a wedge component, a contact surface, and a channel that is defined between the wedge component and the contact surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Data Source

PatentEP3685092B1Display support structure
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 COLEBROOK BOSSON SAUNDERS (PRODUCTS) LIMITED
  • EP3685092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3685092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3685092B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support structure for supporting a display includes a post extending between a first end and a second end, an arm movably coupled to the post, and a grip assembly for moveably coupling the arm to the post. The grip assembly includes a housing, an actuator assembly, a retention component movably positioned in the housing, and a resilient member that biases the retention component to a first position, in which, the grip assembly is engaged to the post.