Hollow Support Member Gear Drive for Silent Display Pixels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatus with mechanical pixel elements face challenges in providing a silent and rapid response mechanism for displacing support members, which is essential for efficient color control and display.
Innovation Solution
The use of a hollow support member with a longitudinally extending series of projections and a drive mechanism comprising a gear and motor, where the gear is engaged with the projections, allowing for precise longitudinal movement, and optionally using two motors to increase drive power without increasing the motor's lateral extent, with the drive mechanism and motor positioned within the support member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an individual electric motor is positioned beyond the end of the support member to drive a screw mechanism, then the support member can be displaced rapidly, but the motor increases the lateral extent and complexity of the drive mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism (motor and gear) is nested within the hollow support member. The motor is positioned inside the hollow cavity of the support member, and the gear mechanism is contained within the same space, eliminating the need for external motors and reducing lateral extent while maintaining rapid response capability
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism transitions from a lateral/external arrangement to a longitudinal/internal arrangement. By placing the motor and gear inside the hollow support member, the design utilizes the longitudinal space along the support member's axis rather than extending laterally beyond its end
2Ease of repair
If the drive mechanism is positioned outside the support member, then it is easier to access and maintain, but it increases the lateral extent and may interfere with pixel element operation
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is nested within the hollow support member, utilizing the internal cavity space. This containment approach reduces the overall lateral footprint of the assembly while keeping the motor and gear accessible through the open end of the hollow support member
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is segmented into functional zones: the hollow cavity houses the drive mechanism, while the external surface accommodates the pixel element. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function without interference
3Area of stationary object
If a hollow support member with internal gear engagement is used, then the lateral extent is reduced and drive power is increased, but the manufacturing precision required for projection-gear engagement is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The series of projections on the interior surface of the hollow support member engage with the gear teeth through self-aligning mechanical contact. The rigid mechanical engagement provides inherent positioning and alignment, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing while ensuring reliable drive transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The interior surface of the hollow support member features localized projection elements at specific engagement points. These projections are precisely positioned only where gear engagement is needed, concentrating manufacturing precision requirements to critical locations rather than the entire structure
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
This solution enables improved control over the color and spatial position of pixel elements, allowing for rapid and silent operation, enabling vivid three-dimensional displays with adjustable pixel positions and colors, suitable for various applications including information display and art.
Implementation Method 1
the means for displacing each support member individually comprises a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism comprising a gear which is engaged with the projections, and a motor for rotating the gear, rotation of the gear causing longitudinal movement of the support member with respect to the drive mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus is provided that includes an array of pixel elements, a control arrangement, and a drive mechanism. Each array can display a selection of colors. Each pixel element is mounted at one end of an individual support member. Each support member can be displaced in forwards and reverse directions, and is hollow and has a longitudinally extending series of projections on an interior surface thereof. The control arrangement is operable to control the color that is displayed by each individual pixel element. The drive mechanism includes a gear which is engaged with the projections, and a motor for rotating the gear. Rotation of the gear causes longitudinal movement of the support member with respect to the drive mechanism.