Self-Balancing Flat Panel Mount Using Gravity-Centered Spherical Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting systems for flat panel displays require significant effort to adjust and often limit the range of positioning, necessitating two operators and being costly and maintenance-intensive, with limited adjustability and requiring substantial force to lift and reposition the display.
Innovation Solution
A self-balancing mounting system featuring a semi-spherical shell with a constant radius of curvature centered at the display's center of gravity, allowing for virtually infinite positioning by rotating about this center, with low-effort operation and single-operator capability, using a guide structure with bearing portions for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional friction based devices or mechanical latches are used to hold the flat panel display, then the display can be positioned at different angles, but one person must hold the display while another adjusts it, and substantial force is required to lift and reposition the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the rotation axis at the center of gravity of the display device, creating a self-balancing system where the display's weight is counteracted by its own gravitational force around the pivot point. This eliminates the need for substantial lifting force and allows one person to easily adjust the display to any angle within the range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the rotation axis at the center of gravity, the system creates an equipotential condition where the display can be held at any angular position without requiring continuous force to counteract gravity. The gravitational potential energy remains constant throughout the range of motion, enabling easy positioning and holding at any angle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple joints are added to increase the degree of display position adjustability, then more positioning options are available, but the device becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical shell interface with a rotation axis at the center of gravity, allowing the display to rotate freely in multiple directions around a single pivot point. This spherical geometry provides infinite positioning possibilities within the range of motion without requiring multiple joints, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotation axis at the center of gravity serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables rotation in multiple directions, provides self-balancing, allows positioning at any angle, and eliminates the need for multiple separate joints. This multi-functional design achieves high adjustability without increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical linkages with springs are used to support the display, then the display can be positioned easily, but the system becomes expensive to build and maintenance-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the display's own weight and gravitational force to provide self-balancing and positioning capabilities. The spherical interface with the center-of-gravity rotation axis allows the display to automatically balance at any angle without requiring external springs, motors, or active control mechanisms, thereby eliminating complex components and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for expensive mechanical linkages, springs, and biasing devices by using a simpler spherical rotation mechanism. The essential function of easy positioning is achieved through the self-balancing property of having the rotation axis at the center of gravity, removing unnecessary complex components.
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, low-effort adjustment of flat panel displays to any desired angle by a single user, providing high adjustability and reducing maintenance costs, as the system balances the display's weight, allowing for smooth rotation in multiple directions.
Implementation Method 1
The center of the radius of curvature is disposed proximate the center of gravity of the flat panel display with the display interface attached
Implementation Method 2
a bearing portion engaging the outer surface of the semi-spherical shell, and a second bearing portion engaging the inner surface of the semi-spherical shell
Data Source
AI summary
A self-balanced adjustable mounting system for a flat panel display. A display interface having a hollow, semi-spherical shell portion is attached to the flat panel display. The semi-spherical shell is formed with a generally constant radius of curvature. The center of the radius of curvature is disposed proximate the center of gravity of the flat panel display with the display interface attached. The display interface is received in a guide structure that has a bearing portion engaging the outer surface of the semi-spherical shell, and a second bearing portion engaging the inner surface of the semi-spherical shell through an aperture formed in the semi-spherical shell. The semi-spherical shell is guided between the first and second bearing portions so that the flat panel display and device interface are generally rotatable about the center of the radius of curvature of the semi-spherical shell. The display is self balancing in virtually any position in the range of travel of the device due to the location of the center of rotation proximate the center of gravity.