Foldable Layered Laptop Stand for Ergonomic Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices with graphic user interfaces, such as laptops and tablets, often suffer from ergonomic drawbacks due to insufficient display height and difficulty in maintaining a suitable viewing angle, leading to neck complaints and inadequate support.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, foldable stand with a layered structure that allows the device to be supported at an oblique angle, featuring a first and second panel hinged for pivotability and an angle setting tongue for adjustable positioning, which maintains the desired angle without adding significant thickness or requiring additional stiffening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional laptop support is used to elevate the display for better ergonomics, then the display position is improved, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments including a base segment, an intermediate segment, and a display support segment that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the support to provide ergonomic elevation when deployed while collapsing into a compact, portable form when not in use, resolving the contradiction between providing structural support and maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates hinges and movable joints that allow dynamic adjustment between a flat, portable configuration and an elevated, ergonomic configuration. The display support segment can be dynamically positioned at different angles to achieve optimal viewing height while maintaining ease of transport when flattened.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain display angle, then viewing angle stability is improved, but the overall thickness and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure utilizes thin, flexible connection elements and layered panels that provide sufficient structural stability to maintain display angle while keeping the overall thickness minimal. The flexible hinge connections and thin panel construction allow the support to achieve angle stability without requiring bulky rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure employs a multi-layered panel arrangement where panels are stacked and angled relative to each other, creating stability through three-dimensional geometry rather than through increased thickness in a single dimension. This dimensional arrangement provides angular stability while maintaining a slim profile.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable angle mechanism is added to the stand, then viewing angle adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The angle adjustment mechanism utilizes dynamic hinge joints that allow smooth rotation and positioning of the display support segment relative to the base. These hinges provide inherent mechanical advantage and natural stopping positions, enabling angle adjustment without complex motors, sensors, or control systems, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge-based adjustment mechanism allows the user to directly manipulate the display angle through simple manual operation. The mechanical design of the hinges provides natural resistance and positioning that guides the user through adjustment, eliminating the need for additional controls, buttons, or electronic systems to manage the complexity of angle adjustment.
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 stand effectively elevates the display for improved ergonomics, allowing for adjustable viewing angles and easy transport, while maintaining a slim profile and avoiding additional thickness or manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a second panel hinged so as to be pivotable relative to the first panel about a first hinge axis
Implementation Method 2
an angle setting tongue hinged so as to be pivotable relative to the first panel or the second panel about a second hinge axis spaced from the first hinge axis
Data Source
AI summary
A stand for a portable device such as a laptop computer or a tablet computer has a first panel, a second panel hinged to the first panel for supporting the first panel and an angle setting tongue hinged to the first panel or the second panel and connectable to the other one of these panels for setting an angle between these panels. First and second panel members of a first layer define the first and second panels and are attached to a relatively flexible second layer. Portions of the angle setting tongue opposite parts of the first layer when the stand is in a flat folded transport position, are free from material of the first layer. A method for manufacturing such a stand is also disclosed.