Nested Slide Plate Height Adjustment Mechanism
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, leading to increased cost, size, 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 a spring to reduce user effort and minimize structural components, eliminating the need for friction washers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heavy column with constant force spring and racks with gears is employed for height adjustment, then the height adjustment function is achieved, but the assembly becomes very heavy and costly to ship and set up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy constant force spring and gear rack components from the height adjustment mechanism, retaining only the essential sliding component and spring assembly. This extraction of unnecessary heavy parts directly reduces assembly weight while preserving the core height adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spring configuration from a heavy constant force spring to a lighter coil spring arrangement that works in conjunction with the sliding component's geometry. This parameter change in the spring mechanism achieves the required force characteristics with significantly reduced weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If friction washers are used to keep the double pivoted arm in position, then the arm remains stable, but users must overcome friction during adjustment requiring more force or additional springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely eliminates friction washers from the mechanism. Instead of using friction-based positioning, the design relies on the geometric interlocking of the sliding component with the first and second mechanical sub-components, achieving stability without friction-induced resistance during adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical positioning system with a geometry-based interlocking system. The sliding component's movement through defined paths and its engagement with meshing mechanical structures provide inherent stability and positioning without relying on friction washers, thereby eliminating the need to overcome friction during operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the double pivoted arm assembly is made sufficiently stiff to resist wobbling, then stability is improved, but parts, weight, size, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the double pivoted arm assembly entirely and replaces it with a sliding component mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need for additional stiffening parts and complex pivot structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability through the sliding mechanism's inherent geometric constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the height adjustment function into discrete sliding movements of the first sliding component relative to fixed and movable reference points. This segmentation into controlled sliding phases provides inherent stability without requiring a stiff, complex overall structure, as each segment's movement is independently constrained by the mechanical interlocking features.
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
Enables efficient and effortless vertical height adjustment with a thinner assembly, reducing the need for additional structural support and minimizing torque on tilt mechanisms, thus enhancing user convenience and reducing overall weight and cost.
Implementation Method 1
an assembly that includes a spring that can be positioned within a confined space
Implementation Method 2
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.