Rotatable link
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotatable links for securing mobile electronic devices like card terminals or tablets fail to provide a compact design that allows easy orientation changes and prevents cable pinching or kinking during rotation, especially when the device is angled.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable link comprising a body section, a base section with a cable channel, an elongated member, and a rotation disc with a stop pin, along with a washer system to reduce friction and prevent excessive rotation, enabling smooth sideways and up-and-down movements while maintaining device orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the rotatable link is designed to be compact, then the space occupied is reduced, but the ease of operation for orientation changes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable link is divided into separate functional components: a base section with cable management features and a rotation disc with mounting features. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the base section can be compact while the rotation disc provides adequate rotation leverage, resolving the contradiction between compact overall volume and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
An elongated member acts as an intermediary between the base section and rotation disc, providing a rotation axis that enables smooth orientation changes. This intermediary element facilitates easy rotation operation while allowing the overall structure to remain compact by defining a precise rotation path without requiring excessive space.
2Reliability
If the cable channel is designed to prevent pinching during rotation, then cable protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable channel is designed with a curved path that follows the rotation arc of the rotation disc. This curvature ensures cables naturally follow the rotation movement without being pinched or kinked, providing reliable cable protection through geometric design rather than complex mechanical safeguards.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable channel is pre-configured in the base section and rotation disc to accommodate the full range of rotation movements. By planning the cable path in advance to match the rotation trajectory, the design prevents pinching issues before they occur during operation, maintaining reliability without adding complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rotation is limited to prevent excessive movement, then device stability is improved, but the adaptability for different orientations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation limiting mechanism allows adjustment of rotation parameters (range and limits) to match different operational requirements. This enables the same device to provide stable, limited rotation for precise positioning while also offering sufficient adaptability for various orientations needed in different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation disc and limiting mechanism are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the rotation range to be modified based on operational needs. This dynamic capability enables the device to switch between stable, limited rotation for precision work and greater adaptability for different mounting orientations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rotatable link for use for a plate/mounting head on which a piece of hardware, such as a card terminal or tablet, may be secured. The rotatable link comprises a body section, a base section, a rotation disc, and a first fastener. The body section may be of different form and functionality.