Articulated Device Holder With Lifted Link Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device holders lack a reliable mechanism to prevent finger trapping and collisions during manual operation, especially when adjusting the position of devices like monitors, which can lead to accidents and damage.

Innovation Solution

A device holder with a base part and a coupling part connected via a joint arrangement featuring a height-adjustable link and a lifting mechanism that automatically moves the link out of a potential collision area when it enters a safety zone, ensuring collision-free operation and protecting against finger entrapment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple arms and joints are added to increase adjustability, then the device holder can achieve more positioning options, but the risk of collisions between components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning optionsVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism proactively detects when a link is about to enter a collision zone and automatically initiates a lifting action to prevent the collision before it occurs. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for reactive measures after collision detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The collision prevention mechanism performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring link positions and pre-lifting links before they enter collision zones. This advance preparation ensures that when rotational movements occur, links are already positioned safely, preventing collisions proactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual operation is used for simplicity, then the device holder is easy to operate, but finger trapping hazards cannot be avoided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operationVSAvoidfinger trapping hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism acts as an intermediary safety system between the user's manual operation and the potentially hazardous moving parts. It automatically intervenes to lift links when collision risks are detected, protecting users without requiring them to manually control each movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device holder performs self-protection by automatically detecting potential finger trapping hazards and initiating corrective lifting actions without user intervention. The system monitors its own state and takes protective measures independently, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If visual grips are added to improve safety, then user awareness is enhanced, but reliability depends on user skill and recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger trapping riskVSAvoidsafety consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism provides automatic safety without requiring user awareness or skill. It independently monitors link positions, detects potential hazards, and executes protective lifting actions autonomously, making safety consistent and independent of user behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces reliance on user cognitive processes (recognizing and operating visual grips) with an automated mechanical sensing and actuation system. This substitution transforms safety from a user-dependent function to a system-inherent function, ensuring consistent protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3795883B1Device holder
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 DURABLE HUNKE & JOCHHEIM GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3795883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3795883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3795883B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device holder (200) with a base part (220) for mounting on a reference object (2) and a coupling part (210) for coupling a device (1) to be held. The invention further comprises a joint arrangement (201) coupling the base part (220) and the coupling part (210), which includes at least one height-adjustable first link (100), a first pivot bearing (202a) in which the first link (100) is rotatably mounted about a pivot bearing axis (D1), and a lifting mechanism (HM) which, when the first link (100) rotates about the pivot bearing axis (D1) within a predetermined angular range of the first pivot bearing (202a), causes a stroke (h) parallel to the pivot bearing axis (D1), at least when the first link (100) is located within a safety zone around a potential collision zone (K).