Rotatable Display Counterbalance for Near-Zero Torque Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with adjustable stands lack a mechanism to provide a nearly weightless experience to users, as they often require significant force to rotate the display and do not maintain orientation effortlessly, resulting in a non-linear torque variation that is not effectively counter-balanced throughout the range of travel.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a base assembly with a crankshaft and multiple biasing elements, including springs and crankpins, which counter-balance the rotational forces by translating the alpha angle into a specific beta angle, providing a nearly net-zero torque experience through a combination of spring forces and crank geometry, allowing effortless rotation and maintaining orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a display device uses a traditional adjustable stand mechanism, then the display can be positioned at different angles, but significant force is required to rotate the display and the torque variation is not effectively counter-balanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of rotationVSAvoidforce required to rotate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies counter-balancing springs that generate opposing torque to the display weight torque. The first spring connects between the arm and base to counter-balance torque in the raised position, while the second spring connects between the display and arm to counter-balance torque in the lowered position. This anti-weight mechanism reduces the net torque variation throughout the rotation range, making the display easier to rotate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the spring system by using two different springs with different characteristics positioned at different locations in the mechanism. This allows the torque counter-balancing to vary throughout the range of motion, adapting to the changing torque requirements as the display moves from raised to lowered positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the display mechanism uses multiple biasing elements and crank geometry to achieve net-zero torque, then the rotation becomes effortless, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffortless rotationVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple biasing elements including two counter-balancing springs and crank geometry to create a net-zero torque condition throughout the range of motion. The first biasing element (spring) counter-balances torque when the arm is raised, while the second biasing element (spring) counter-balances torque when the arm is lowered, achieving effortless rotation despite increased mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Device complexity

If the display stand uses a simple hinge mechanism, then the device complexity is low, but the display cannot maintain orientation effortlessly and requires significant force to adjust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidorientation maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple hinge mechanism with a counter-balanced system using two springs connected at different locations. The first spring maintains stability when the arm is in the raised position by counter-balancing torque, while the second spring maintains stability when the arm is in the lowered position. This provides effortless orientation maintenance while the display remains stable at any position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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

The solution enables a seamless and effortless rotation of the display with minimal user force, providing a weightless experience and maintaining orientation, while effectively counter-balancing torque variations across the range of travel, ensuring robustness and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

The arm assembly and display assembly are configured to cooperate with the biasing element to provide a nearly net-zero torque throughout the range of travel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

biasing element secured relative to the display assembly and configured to counter-balance rotation of the display

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

base assembly with a crankshaft and multiple biasing elements, including springs and crankpins, which counter-balance the rotational forces by translating the alpha angle into a specific beta angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrank mechanism: Crankshaft

Implementation Method 4

crankshaft and multiple biasing elements, including springs and crankpins, which counter-balance the rotational forces by translating the alpha angle into a specific beta angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 5

a friction element configured to counter rotation of the display so that the display maintains a specific orientation unless acted upon by a user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3443437B1Device with a rotatable display
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3443437B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3443437B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3443437B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The description relates to devices, such as computing devices having displays that can be rotated through a range of travel. The device can counter-balance the display to create a near weightless feel for the user when repositioning the display.