Folding Base With Torque Hinges For Stable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boom stands require large, massive bases for stability, making them difficult to transport and store compactly, and lack flexibility in positioning and arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A folding base with torque hinges that couple solid legs to a hinge body, allowing for adjustable and stable support of devices like microphones and cameras, with legs that lock securely and fold for transport, and a design that enables easy setup on irregular surfaces without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a large and massive base is used to provide stability during movement and adjustment of the boom, then stability is improved, but portability and ease of transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple legs that can be folded together, allowing the structure to be segmented for compact storage while maintaining stability when deployed. The legs can be arranged in a compact configuration for transport and expanded for use, resolving the contradiction between stability and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base incorporates movable joints and folding mechanisms that allow it to dynamically change its configuration. When in use, the legs are extended to provide a wide stable base; when transported, the legs fold together to reduce size and weight impact, enabling the base to adapt to different operational requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a large and massive base is used to provide stability, then stability is improved, but ease of storage and compact arrangement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The legs of the base are designed to nest within each other when folded, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows the base to occupy minimal storage space while maintaining its full functional size and stability when deployed, effectively resolving the contradiction between stability and storage compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure utilizes dimensional transformation by folding legs along multiple axes. The legs can be folded parallel to the central axis and arranged in a compact vertical or horizontal configuration, changing the spatial arrangement from a wide horizontal base to a compact linear form for storage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the boom extends some distance from the base, then reach and versatility are improved, but stability during movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates damping mechanisms and friction elements in the leg joints that provide dynamic stability control. During movement, these mechanisms allow smooth adjustment while providing sufficient friction to prevent unwanted shifting, maintaining stability even when the boom extends to greater distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The base design allows adjustment of leg spread and angle parameters to optimize stability for different boom positions. When the boom extends further, the legs can be adjusted to a wider configuration, changing the geometric parameters of the base to compensate for the increased moment arm and maintain stability.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, portable, and stable support for higher weight loads, allowing easy setup and tilting without tools, while ensuring the stand remains balanced and compact for storage and transport.
Implementation Method 1
At least one torque hinge pivotally couples the at least one of the plurality of legs to the hinge body
Data Source
AI summary
A folding base has a hinge body, and a stand emanates vertically from adjacent a center of the hinge body. A plurality of legs radiate from the hinge body and provide ground contact. Between and pivotally coupling each leg to the hinge body is one of a plurality of torque hinges, so that individual ones of the legs are rotationally coupled to the hinge body through a torque generating member. Preferably the torque required to pivot a leg with respect to the hinge body is greater than that generated solely by lifting a leg from the ground or supporting surface. The torque hinge may also be knurled to permit a secure and permanent press fit to the associated leg and the hinge body.