Hoisting Mechanism for Microphone Elevation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio and video conferencing systems face challenges with poor audio quality due to obstructions, such as open laptop screens and other objects, which interfere with microphone pickup, and existing solutions like separate microphone stands or collar microphones are either aesthetically unappealing or impractical.
Innovation Solution
A hoisting mechanism comprising concentric circular rings and flexible links that elevate a microphone from a collapsed position to an optimal height above obstructions, ensuring a direct sound path and providing adjustable stability and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional microphone stand is used, then the microphone can be positioned above obstructions, but the stand is aesthetically unappealing and easily knocked over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static microphone stand into a dynamic hoisting mechanism that can adapt its height. The mechanism uses flexible links and concentric rings to enable the microphone to be raised above obstructions and lowered when not needed, providing both aesthetic versatility and functional stability through controlled movement rather than fixed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The hoisting mechanism employs nested concentric rings (outer ring, middle ring, inner ring) that allow compact storage when collapsed and expanded configuration when in use. The flexible links are stored within the circular path defined by the rings, enabling the mechanism to transition between a low-profile stored state and an elevated operating state, resolving the contradiction between stability and aesthetic appeal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a regular microphone stand is used, then audio quality improves, but the stand can be easily knocked over causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic hoisting mechanism allows the microphone to be elevated only when needed for audio capture, rather than maintaining a permanent elevated position that would increase vulnerability to damage. The mechanism can be lowered to a protected position when the conference is not in use, reducing the risk of damage while maintaining audio quality during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates automatic or semi-automatic hoisting control that responds to operational needs. The microphone can be automatically raised when a conference session begins and lowered when it ends, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring the microphone is in the optimal position for audio capture without requiring constant human attention, thereby improving reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the microphone is elevated above obstructions, then audio quality improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs circular rings and curved flexible links instead of straight rigid components. The concentric circular configuration allows the mechanism to achieve elevation through rotational movement of the rings, which naturally guides the flexible links through a curved path. This curved geometry simplifies the mechanical connections and allows for more compact integration compared to linear extension mechanisms, reducing overall complexity while achieving the same functional result.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible links instead of rigid mechanical arms simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the need for complex joints, bearings, and locking mechanisms. The flexible material naturally accommodates the motion requirements while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the number of discrete components and simplifying assembly. The flexible link acts as both a structural element and a motion-transmitting element, reducing overall mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevatable microphone support for an audio or videoconferencing system, including: a hoisting mechanism, which includes a base section and a top/crown section, wherein the base section includes a first circular member and a second circular member, the first circular member and the second circular member are concentric with each other, and the first circular member is freely rotatable with respect to the second circular member or the second circular member is freely rotatable with respect to the first circular member, the top/crown section includes a third circular member, and the base and the top/crown section are joined by two or more pairs of links, a first half of said two or more pairs of links are connected to said first circular member, and a second half of said two or more pairs of said links are connected to said second circular member, and all said two or more pairs of links are connected to said third circular member, by revolving joints.