Retractable screen-and-keyboard assembly for tables
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable screen and keyboard assemblies for tables face practical implementation challenges due to complex connections and lack of a rotating screen base, leading to aesthetic and functional issues such as gaps and dirt accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A retractable screen and keyboard assembly with a rotating screen base mounted on a fixed axis, utilizing an actuating mechanism with cams and connecting rods to raise the platform, minimizing gaps and ensuring flush surfaces, and optionally incorporating motors and encoders for precise control and obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the screen rotates about a vertically movable axis without a fixed base, then the mechanism can be implemented with simpler connections, but gaps and spaces appear that are aesthetically unpleasing and allow dirt accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
A base structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the screen and the housing. This base rotates about a fixed axis and provides a mounting surface that maintains continuous flush surfaces with the housing in both stowed and use positions, eliminating gaps while enabling reliable rotation mechanics
Solution Approach 2:
The axis of rotation is changed from a vertically movable axis to a fixed horizontal axis. This parameter change allows the screen to rotate while maintaining constant geometric relationships with the housing, ensuring flush surfaces are preserved throughout the rotation range
2Volume of moving object
If the screen and platform are positioned to be adjacent in use position, then space is optimized, but the mechanism becomes more complex with multiple connections
Solution Approach 1:
The screen mounting base and platform positioning mechanism are merged into a coordinated system where the base rotation and platform elevation are linked through cam-follower mechanisms. This allows the screen and platform to be simultaneously positioned adjacent to each other in use position while using integrated mechanical elements rather than separate complex connections
3Shape
If flush surfaces are maintained in both stowed and use positions, then aesthetics and comfort are improved, but the mechanical mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism uses dynamic cam profiles that automatically maintain the flush surface condition throughout the rotation and elevation cycle. The cam geometry is designed so that as the base rotates and the platform elevates, the cam followers naturally track the required positions to keep surfaces flush, converting a static geometric constraint into a dynamic self-adjusting mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Retractable screen (1) and keyboard (2) assembly for tables, comprising a supporting structure provided with a frame (3) defining a housing (4), and with a supporting frame (5) on the table, the screen (1) being able to rotate from a position in which it is stowed inside the housing (4) and flush with the supporting frame (5) to an elevated use position, a platform (6) arranged in the housing (4) on which the keyboard (2) rests, means for guiding (G) the platform (6) vertically from a lower position which leaves space for the stowed screen (1) and an upper use position, and further comprising a base (7) for the screen (1) which can rotate about a fixed axis (Γ) in relation to said frame (3), the screen (1) being mounted on said base (7), the screen (1) and base (7) assembly being able to rotate about said axis (Γ) from the stowed position to the use position.