Nested Slide Height Adjustment Mechanism With Low User Effort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional height adjustment mechanisms for electronic devices are often heavy, bulky, and require significant user effort due to friction washers and additional components, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact height adjustment mechanism using nested slide plates and a spring mechanism, where the movement of one sliding component causes expansion or retraction, assisted by a gear system that winds or unwinds to supplement user force, reducing the need for additional parts and friction washers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a heavy column with constant force spring and racks with gears is used for height adjustment, then vertical height adjustment capability is achieved, but the assembly becomes very heavy and costly to ship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the heavy column structure from the height adjustment mechanism. Instead of using a traditional heavy column with constant force spring and racks with gears, the invention uses a lightweight arm structure with pivot points, removing the unnecessary weight while preserving the height adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical column-based system with a lighter arm-based pivot system. The constant force spring mechanism is replaced with a simpler spring and friction washer system that provides the same height adjustment capability with significantly reduced weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If friction washers are used to keep the double pivoted arm in position, then position stability is achieved, but users must overcome friction during adjustment requiring more force or additional springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic friction washer system that provides stability when the arm is in position but allows easy adjustment when force is applied. The friction washer is designed to engage and disengage based on the applied force, providing automatic damping during normal operation while allowing smooth adjustment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction washer system automatically provides the necessary friction to hold the arm in position without requiring additional active control mechanisms. The system self-regulates the friction level based on the operational state, providing stability during static operation and smooth movement during adjustment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the double pivoted arm assembly is made sufficiently stiff to provide stability and resist wobbling, then stability is improved, but parts, weight, size, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the counterbalancing effect of the spring mechanism to offset the instability and wobbling that would otherwise require additional stiffening structures. The spring provides a restoring force that naturally dampens oscillations and maintains stability without requiring extra structural components.
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 provides a lightweight, compact, and efficient vertical height adjustment with minimal user effort, reducing the overall size and weight of the assembly while maintaining stability, and eliminating the need for friction washers, thus lowering costs and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
A movement of the first sliding component causes either an expansion or a retraction of the first mechanical sub-component
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustment mechanism for electronic equipment is disclosed. The height adjustment mechanism includes a first sliding component that includes a first set of mechanical structures for engaging a second set of mechanical structures, a first mechanical sub-component coupled to the first sliding component and coupled to a second mechanical sub-component that includes the second set of mechanical structures and a second sliding component coupled to the first sliding component. The first set of mechanical structures and the second set of mechanical structures are configured to mesh. A movement of the first sliding component causes either an expansion or a retraction of the first mechanical sub-component.