Indexed Mounting Assembly for Heavy Device Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ball joint mounting assemblies struggle to securely hold heavy playback devices in position due to insufficient friction, and their adjustability becomes impractical for commercial settings where precision installation is challenging, especially at elevated heights.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable mounting assembly with an internal indexing system that includes a housing with a threaded collar and a spring-biased internal indexing system, allowing indexed movement and secure fixation via interlocking engagements, preventing rotation about axes when tightened, and enabling adjustability when loosened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional ball joint mounting assemblies are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they cannot securely hold heavy playback devices due to insufficient friction
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a housing, a ball joint mechanism, and a toothed rack system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the ball joint provides friction-based holding while the toothed rack provides precision positioning - without requiring the entire assembly to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
A toothed rack acts as an intermediary element between the ball joint and the mounting interface. This intermediary translates the friction-based holding force of the ball joint into precise, indexed positioning through engagement with corresponding teeth, thereby enhancing holding capability while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional ball joint mounting assemblies are used, then the device is easy to operate, but precision installation is challenging especially at elevated heights
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed rack is pre-configured with precisely spaced teeth that define specific angular positions. This preliminary action of creating fixed reference points allows the mounting assembly to achieve precise installation positions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or difficult manual alignment operations at elevated heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothed rack provides periodic positioning stops at regular angular intervals, creating a series of predetermined precise positions. This periodic structure enables easy adjustment to specific orientations by simply engaging the next tooth, maintaining ease of operation while achieving measurement precision.
3Strength
If adjustable mounting assemblies are made more complex to support heavy devices, then holding capability improves, but installation and adjustment become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mounting assembly into modular components (housing, ball joint, toothed rack), the design achieves enhanced holding capability for heavy devices while keeping each component relatively simple to manufacture and install. The modular nature allows for easier assembly and maintenance compared to a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The toothed rack and ball joint mechanism work together in a self-service manner where the toothed rack automatically engages with the ball joint to provide both holding force and precision positioning. This self-engaging mechanism reduces the need for complex external adjustment devices, thereby easing installation and operation.
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
The assembly supports heavy playback devices while maintaining adjustability, providing precise installation and preventing unwanted movement, even at elevated heights, with clear indexing for accurate orientation and easy installation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned within the housing, the spring arranged to bias (1) the first rib into the teeth of the intermediate member and (2) the second rib into the teeth of the rear collar
Implementation Method 2
a housing with an adjustable collar that may be loosened to permit indexed movement of an internal mounting body
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable mounting assembly includes a housing including a front collar and a rear collar joined by a threaded engagement, an internal indexing system comprising a front member, an intermediate member comprising teeth oriented towards the rear collar, a rear member comprising a first rib oriented towards the front collar and a second rib oriented towards the rear collar, and a spring arranged to bias the first and second ribs into the teeth. When the threaded engagement is in first position, the first and second ribs are fixed in an interlocking engagement, respectively, with the teeth of the intermediate member and the teeth of the rear collar, preventing the front member from rotating about either a pitch or yaw axis and when the threaded engagement is in a second position, these engagements are loosened, thereby allowing the front member to rotate about the yaw or pitch axis.