Pedestrian Orientation System With Linked Rotating Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pedestrian orientation furniture struggles to effectively convey spatial information in a way that is accessible and easy to understand, particularly in urban environments, as it often requires complex mental construction and memorization of routes, which digital tools can address but traditional guidance tools cannot.

Innovation Solution

An orientation system featuring a base with a rotating information carrier mounted at an inclined axis, where the rotations of the information carrier and the base are linked to preserve orientation, allowing cartographic information to be presented in a synchronized and readable manner, with optional casings to control information visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional orientation furniture is used, then the device structure is simple, but the information readability and ease of orientation are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of orientationVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the information carrier rotatable relative to the base structure. The information carrier can rotate around a vertical axis to allow users to orient the displayed information in different directions, and the display surface can tilt to adjust the viewing angle. This dynamic adjustment capability significantly improves ease of orientation while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure consisting of a base, support, and information carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an additional dimensional degree of freedom by allowing the information carrier to rotate not only horizontally around a vertical axis but also to tilt at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. This two-dimensional rotation capability (horizontal + vertical tilt) enables users to view information from multiple angles and orientations, greatly enhancing readability and ease of orientation without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the information carrier is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different viewing angles and orientations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to viewing anglesVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information carrier is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. It can rotate around a vertical axis to change horizontal orientation and tilt at a predetermined angle to adjust the vertical viewing angle. This dynamic design provides adaptability to different viewing angles and orientations while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure with basic rotational joints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation system is segmented into distinct functional components: a base structure, a support element, and a rotatable information carrier. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the base provides stability, the support enables rotation, and the information carrier provides the display surface. The modular segmented structure achieves high adaptability without excessive overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the information carrier rotates freely, then the adaptability is high, but the orientation precision and readability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation precisionVSAvoidrotation freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by constraining the rotation of the information carrier to specific predetermined angles rather than allowing completely free rotation. The information carrier is configured to rotate at predetermined angular intervals or to specific oriented positions. This parameter-based constraint ensures that the information is always displayed at optimal readable angles while maintaining sufficient adaptability to different viewing directions through the ability to select from multiple predetermined orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3437084B1Improved pedestrian orientation structure
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 VOOG
  • EP3437084B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3437084B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3437084B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An orientation system (1) comprises a base to be mounted on a surface, an information medium (3) mounted on the base, the base comprising a fixed part (21) designed for being mounted on a surface, and a movable part (22) rotatably mounted relative to the fixed part (21) about a vertical axis of rotation (Z-Z), the system being characterised in that the information medium (3) is rotatably mounted relative to the base (2) about an axis of rotation (X-X) which is inclined by an angle (a) of 20° to 90° relative to the vertical axis of rotation (Z-Z), the system (1) being designed in such a way that the rotation of the information medium (3) and the rotation of the movable part (22) are linked to ensure that the orientation of the information carrier (3) remains the same.