Keyboard Support Linkage for Pinch-Free Parallel Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable support mechanisms, such as four-bar linkage mechanisms, face limitations including restricted rotational movement due to overlapping link arms, potential pinch points, and interference with knee-hole space, which hinder effective height adjustment of a keyboard support surface relative to a fixture.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable support mechanism comprising a first and second bracket, a connecting member, and a linking member that allows pivotal movement of the first bracket to translate into corresponding transverse movement of the linking member, which in turn adjusts the second bracket, enabling parallel height adjustment without the limitations of traditional parallelogram mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional four-bar linkage mechanisms are used for height adjustment, then the support surface height can be adjusted, but the rotational movement is limited by overlapping link arms and pinch points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment rangeVSAvoidpinch points and interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism divides the adjustment function into two independent brackets (first bracket for support surface attachment, second bracket for fixture attachment) connected by separate connecting members, eliminating the overlapping link arms that cause pinch points in traditional four-bar linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting members act as intermediaries between the first and second brackets, transmitting the pivotal movement while maintaining safe clearance and eliminating direct contact between moving parts that creates pinch points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional four-bar linkage mechanisms are used, then height adjustment is possible, but the link arms and brackets intrude into knee-hole space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidknee-hole space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism transitions from a planar four-bar linkage to a three-dimensional arrangement where connecting members extend laterally from the brackets, moving the mechanism components out of the knee-hole space while preserving height adjustment functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional parallelogram mechanisms are used, then parallel relationship between brackets is maintained, but the mechanism complexity increases with protection guards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel relationship between bracketsVSAvoidprotection guards and link arms

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful link arms from the mechanism, retaining only the essential brackets and connecting members needed for parallel height adjustment, thereby removing the need for protection guards while maintaining bracket parallelism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7717383B2Adjustable support mechanism

Publication Date: 2010.05.18 HUMANSCALE CORP

AI summary

An adjustable support mechanism is assembled from: a first bracket that can attach to the underside of a desk; a second bracket that can attach to a keyboard platform; a pivotally coupled connecting member; and a linking member. In one embodiment of the present invention, pivotal movement of the connecting member relative to the first bracket causes the linking member to move the second bracket in a corresponding manner.