Projector Mount Quick Release Mechanism for Precision Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current projector mounts lack quick and easy precision adjustment in roll, pitch, and yaw orientations, offer limited security against theft, and have a bulky design, making them inconvenient and vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A projector mount with a support structure that includes multiple axes of rotation, balanced to maintain the projector's position during adjustments, featuring a single adjustable friction element for each axis and a geared adjustment mechanism for precise control, along with a key lock system for enhanced security and quick disconnect features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate fasteners are used for pitch and roll adjustments, then security against theft is improved, but adjustment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastener functions into a single integrated quick-release mechanism that secures both pitch and roll adjustments simultaneously. This single mechanism can be rapidly engaged or disengaged with one action, eliminating the need to manipulate multiple separate fasteners while maintaining security against theft through a locked position.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-release mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically, allowing rapid adjustment when needed while providing secure theft deterrence when locked. The mechanism enables the mount to adapt between two distinct operational modes: secure installation and quick adjustment.
2Strength
If a bulky mount structure with channels is used to support the projector, then structural strength is improved, but aesthetic appearance and compact size deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mount is divided into functional segments: a compact base structure, separate adjustment mechanisms, and integrated cable management. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining overall structural strength while minimizing the volume of individual parts and eliminating bulky external channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Cable management features are nested within the mount structure itself rather than requiring external channels. The cables are routed through internal pathways integrated into the mount's framework, eliminating the need for bulky external cable concealment structures.
3Ease of operation
If the projector is allowed to hang freely during adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but position accuracy deteriorates due to weight pulling the mount out of adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism incorporates preliminary positioning features such as indexed stops or guide rails that pre-establish accurate angular positions before final locking. This allows the projector to be easily moved into approximate position and then precisely locked into the correct orientation, maintaining both ease of operation and position accuracy.
4Device complexity
If a single friction element is used for all axes, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision for each individual axis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The friction control is segmented into independent adjustable elements for each rotational axis (pitch and roll). Each axis has its own friction adjustment mechanism that can be independently tuned, allowing precise control of each axis while keeping the overall device relatively simple through modular design.
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 rapid, precise adjustment of projector position with high security and theft deterrence, maintaining accuracy and preventing unauthorized access, while maintaining a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
a single selectively adjustable friction element for any one or all of the first, second, and third portions of the support structure interface to frictionally resist shifting of the device interface about the first, second, or third, axes of rotation
Data Source
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AI summary
A mount for attaching a projection device to an overhead structure includes a device interface (42) operably attachable to the projection device with a plurality of fasteners. The device interface has a first portion (50) and a second portion (52) slidably disposed on the first portion. The first and second portions (50,52) together define a plurality of retaining structures, each retaining structure for receiving a separate one of the plurality of fasteners. The second portion (52) is selectively slidably shiftable relative to the first portion (50) between a first latched position wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is received and retained in a separate one of the retaining structures and a second unlatched position wherein the plurality of fasteners is freely disengagable from the retaining structures.