Screen Angle Clutch Mechanism for Silent Monitor Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video image display apparatuses mounted on vehicle head restraints face issues with delicate angular adjustments and operational noise during screen angle adjustments, which affect user comfort and design aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A screen angle adjusting mechanism incorporating a one-way clutch mechanism with a torsion coil spring, cam unit, and engagement unit allows for precise angular adjustments without operational noise, enabling the screen to be adjusted in a near direction while maintaining silence and allowing for delicate adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ratchet wheel mechanism is used for screen angle adjustment, then the screen angle can be adjusted in discrete steps, but delicate angular adjustment cannot be attained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional ratchet wheel mechanism with a friction-based clutch mechanism. Instead of using discrete mechanical teeth for engagement, the invention uses a friction plate that can be pressed against a friction wheel to create continuous frictional engagement. This allows the screen to be held at any angular position along the arc rather than being restricted to discrete ratchet positions, thereby achieving delicate angular adjustment while maintaining ease of operation through simple pushing motion.
2Reliability
If a lock member contacts the ratchet wheel during angle adjustment, then the screen angle can be locked, but collision sound is produced giving harsh noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the ratchet wheel and lock member contact mechanism entirely, replacing it with a friction-based holding system. The friction plate pressed against the friction wheel creates continuous frictional engagement that holds the screen at the desired angle without any clicking or collision sounds. The elastic force from the spring maintains the frictional contact, providing reliable angle locking while completely avoiding the harmful collision noise produced by traditional ratchet mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction plate acts as an intermediary element between the driving mechanism and the screen. Instead of direct contact between hard metal components (lock member and ratchet teeth), the friction plate provides a compliant friction-based connection that absorbs impact and eliminates collision noise while still providing sufficient holding force to maintain the screen angle.
3Ease of operation
If the screen is mounted close to the front seat head, then the display position is optimized, but operational noise disturbs the front seat occupant
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the noisy ratchet wheel mechanism with a friction-based clutch system, the invention eliminates the source of operational noise (clicking and collision sounds) that would be particularly disturbing to front seat occupants. The friction-based holding mechanism operates silently, allowing the screen to be positioned close to the front seat head without creating noise disturbance, thereby optimizing display positioning while eliminating the harmful noise factor.
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 mechanism eliminates operational noise and enables precise angular adjustments, enhancing user comfort and maintaining a sleek design by allowing the screen to be adjusted silently and to any desired angle.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic unit that applies elastic force, which allows a screen angle of the monitor case to be changed in a near direction, to the monitor case
Implementation Method 2
when the screen angle of the monitor case is changed in a push-in direction, the restriction for the rotation of the cam unit by the engagement unit is not removed, and only the second gear unit is rotated through the first torsion coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
A video image display apparatus is configured such that a monitor case includes a first gear unit that rotates according to a screen angle of the monitor case, and a clutch mechanism includes: a first torsion coil spring; a second gear unit that is meshed with the first gear unit, wherein a cylindrical portion is fitted to one end of the first torsion coil spring so as to rotate; a cam unit that rotates with a cylindrical portion being fitted to the other end of the first torsion coil spring; and an engagement unit that restricts the rotation of the cam unit, wherein when the screen angle of the monitor case is changed in a near direction, the restriction for the rotation of the cam unit by the engagement unit is removed, and the second gear unit, the first torsion coil spring, and the cam unit are rotated as being interlocked with one another, and when the screen angle of the monitor case is changed in a push-in direction, the restriction for the rotation of the cam unit by the engagement unit is not removed, and only the second gear unit is rotated through the first torsion coil spring.