Self-erectable Display with Elastic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-erectable displays face challenges in efficiently transitioning between a collapsed state for transport and an erected state for display, requiring complex mechanisms that are not always reliable or easy to deploy and stow.
Innovation Solution
A self-erectable display design featuring a tubular shroud formed from interconnected substrates with internal support structures and lines of weakness, allowing for easy folding and deployment, utilizing elastic members and connection mechanisms like resilient members and notches to maintain the erected shape and facilitate automatic deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used to transition between collapsed and erected states, then the transition reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple collapsible segments connected by hinges, allowing the display to transition between erected and collapsed states through sequential folding motions. This segmentation enables reliable transitions without requiring complex centralized mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The display structure incorporates dynamic elements including hinges, elastic members, and movable support members that automatically adjust during transitions. The elastic members provide restoring forces that guide the structure through transition states, improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If simple mechanisms are used for deployment and stowage, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of maintaining erected state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display structure employs self-erecting mechanisms where the support members and elastic members automatically engage to maintain the erected state without requiring active control systems. The elastic members continuously apply restoring forces, and the hinge connections automatically lock into position, providing reliable stability through passive self-service mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex active control systems are replaced with passive mechanical elements including spring-loaded support members, elastic members providing continuous force, and friction-based hinge connections. These mechanical substitutions maintain reliability while simplifying operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the display structure is made rigid to maintain shape, then the stability improves, but the ease of folding and transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support structure is segmented into multiple rigid sections connected by flexible hinge joints. Each segment maintains its rigid shape for stability, while the hinges between segments provide the flexibility needed for folding and collapsing during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic collapsible configuration through hinges and movable support members. During operation, the structure maintains rigid stability; during transport, the same structural elements dynamically fold through the hinge connections.
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 efficient and reliable transition between collapsed and erected states, ensuring stable display functionality while simplifying the deployment and stowage process, and allowing for various cross-sectional shapes and profiles.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elastic members couple the support member to at least one of the first joint and the second joint, the one or more elastic members being adapted to bias the support member into the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a shroud having first and second sheet portions disposed in opposition to one another, the first and second sheet portions being connected to one another at a first side by a first joint and at a second side by a second joint. A support member is disposed between the first and second sheet portions and between the first and second joints, the support member being affixed to the first and second sheet portions and movably disposed relative to the first and second joints, the support member being positionable between a closed position and an open position, the open position outwardly biasing the support member against the first and second sheet portions to cause the shroud to assume a curvilinear cross-sectional shape along a length of the shroud. Notches are formed in the first and second joints at a first position along the length of the shroud. One or more elastic members couple the support member the first and/or second joints and bias the support member into the open position and toward engagement with the notches.