Counterbalanced Display Support Assembly for Smooth Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional support assemblies for large and heavy display devices require significant force for adjustment and often result in abrupt movements due to uneven articulation, making it difficult for users to smoothly position these devices.

Innovation Solution

A support assembly that incorporates a rotatable cam mechanism with a non-circular cross-sectional profile and a combination of linear and torsional biasing elements, allowing for smooth articulation across a wide range of angles with minimal user force, by using cables and springs to counterbalance the weight of the display device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional support assemblies are used for heavy display devices, then the device can be supported, but significant force is required for adjustment and movement is abrupt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidforce required for adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies counterbalance springs (both linear and torsional) that generate upward and rotational forces to counteract the downward weight of the display device. This creates a near-equilibrium state where the user only needs to apply minimal force to initiate movement, and the device remains suspended in position without requiring continuous force to maintain it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The support assembly is designed to create equipotential conditions through the biasing elements, where the gravitational potential energy of the display device is balanced by the elastic potential energy stored in the springs. This allows the device to move smoothly through its range of motion with minimal energy input from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Ease of operation

If traditional support assemblies are used for heavy display devices, then the device can be supported, but movement is abrupt due to uneven articulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoothness of movementVSAvoidarticulation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of linear springs counteracting gravitational weight and torsional springs counteracting rotational inertia creates balanced forces throughout the range of motion. This eliminates the uneven articulation and abrupt movements characteristic of traditional assemblies, enabling smooth and controlled adjustment across all positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Area of moving object

If display devices increase in size, then more screen real estate is available, but weight increases making adjustment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The counterbalance mechanism directly addresses the weight increase problem by providing springs sized to counteract the specific weight of larger display devices. This allows even very heavy, large-format displays to be easily adjusted and repositioned by a single user despite their increased mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 smooth adjustment of large and heavy display devices by applying a consistent and even force, reducing the effort required for positioning and ensuring smooth movement across various angles.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

using cables and springs to counterbalance the weight of the display device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2915014B1Support assembly for a device

Publication Date: 2021.04.28 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

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AI summary

Provided are a support assembly for a device and a method of forming the support assembly. More specifically, the method comprises the steps of: pivotably attaching a base to an arm that is for attachment to a device; providing a rotatable cam with a cross-sectional profile having a non-circular shape at a hinge that allows for pivoting of the arm with respect to the base; and linking the cam to a biasing assembly using a link having a portion windable on the cam.