Four-Section Articulated Link Mechanism for Smooth Display Tilt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information apparatuses with slide and tilt mechanisms suffer from a non-smooth transition from a closed to a tilted state and lack the ability to adjust the tilt angle of the display part with respect to the main body, compromising operability.

Innovation Solution

A four-section articulated link mechanism is employed, featuring a mounting plate system with joints and links that allow the display part to slide and tilt smoothly, with adjustable tilt angles facilitated by a tilt angle setting mechanism, enabling seamless transformation between configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a two-stage operation (slide then tilt) is used, then the slide and tilt functions are achieved, but the operation feeling from closed state to tilted state is not smooth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation smoothnessVSAvoidmechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the slide mechanism and tilt mechanism into a single integrated four-bar linkage mechanism. The link mechanism simultaneously achieves both sliding and tilting motions through coordinated movement of its components, eliminating the need for separate two-stage operations and providing smooth continuous motion from closed to tilted state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic four-bar linkage mechanism where the connections between the display part and main body are not fixed but can dynamically adjust their positions and angles. This allows the mechanism to adapt its configuration during operation, enabling smooth transition and variable tilt angles rather than rigid fixed-angle tilting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed tilt angle mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the tilt angle of the display part cannot be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilt angle adjustabilityVSAvoidmechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The four-bar linkage mechanism is designed with dynamic degrees of freedom that allow the tilt angle to vary during operation. The connections between links permit angular adjustment, enabling the display part to achieve different tilt angles based on the operational requirements rather than being constrained to a single fixed angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism is divided into multiple independent links and joints that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall motion, enabling variable tilt angles through coordinated movement of the segmented links while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2696255B1Information apparatus and link mechanism of information apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP2696255B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP2696255B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2696255B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A link mechanism which links a main body and a display part of an information apparatus with a display part which can be opened and closed with respect to a main body is made a four-section articulated link mechanism which arranges first and second joints on the main body and arranges third and fourth joints on the display part. The first joint is fixed in position, the second joint is made slidable with respect to the first joint, and the third and fourth joints are positioned at two ends of a slide block which can slide on the display part. Due to this, the four-section articulated link mechanism can make the display part simultaneously slide and tilt with respect to the main body from the closed position.