Reconfigurable Stand Hinge and Lift Arm for Slop-Free Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic device stands often suffer from poor ergonomics, high manufacturing costs, and unsightly components due to complex designs and materials, leading to issues like 'slop' and 'blowback' in hinges when adjusting the device's tilt or position.
Innovation Solution
A connector system that securely aligns and locks an electronic device's bar within a support stand using guide surfaces and a fastener, restricting movement in multiple degrees of freedom, and a counterbalance mechanism to enhance ergonomics and adjustability, while hiding unsightly components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex designs and materials are used in stands, then stability and support quality are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is divided into multiple independent components including a bar, connector, hinge, and adjustable arms. Each component has a specific function and can be manufactured separately using standard materials and processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining stability through precise assembly of these segmented parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable arms that can be repositioned along the bar, and a hinge mechanism that allows tilt adjustment. These dynamic features enable the stand to adapt to different device sizes and user preferences without requiring multiple different stand designs, thereby maintaining reliability while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If complex designs and materials are used in stands, then stability and support quality are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bar and connector components are designed with universal features that can accommodate different device types and sizes. The standardized interface and mounting mechanisms allow the same basic components to serve multiple functions across different applications, reducing the need for custom parts and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand uses adjustable parameters such as arm position, tilt angle, and height to provide customized support configurations. By varying these parameters rather than creating different physical components, the stand achieves multiple performance levels using the same basic structure, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining stability.
3Ease of operation
If adjustment mechanisms are added to stands, then ergonomics and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stand incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable arms that can be repositioned along the bar, and a hinge mechanism that allows tilt adjustment. These dynamic features enable the stand to adapt to different device sizes and user preferences without requiring multiple different stand designs, thereby maintaining reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be easily operated by users without requiring tools or complex procedures. The ergonomic features such as friction-based locking and simple sliding adjustments allow users to independently configure the stand to their needs, improving ease of operation without adding complex control systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanisms are added to stands, then ergonomics and adaptability are improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bar and connector components are designed with universal features that can accommodate different device types and sizes. The standardized interface and mounting mechanisms allow the same basic components to serve multiple functions across different applications, reducing the need for custom parts and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand uses adjustable parameters such as arm position, tilt angle, and height to provide customized support configurations. By varying these parameters rather than creating different physical components, the stand achieves multiple performance levels using the same basic structure, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining stability.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.