Adjustable Support Arm With Friction Damping and Quick-Release Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable support arms lack the necessary range of height, depth, and angle adjustments to accommodate the diverse ergonomic needs of users in modern workspaces, particularly in environments where users switch between seated and standing positions or where multiple users of different sizes share workstations.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adjustable support arm that provides users with a wide range of height, depth, tilt, and swivel options through features such as quick-release joints, friction cartridge assemblies, adjustable panning inserts, bearings, and accessory fastening mechanisms, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable support arms provide a wide range of height, depth, and angle adjustments, then adaptability to different users and positions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into multiple independent segments (base assembly, arm assembly with first and second arms, articulating joint) that can be independently adjusted. Each segment provides specific adjustment functions (height, depth, tilt, swivel) through dedicated mechanisms, allowing wide adaptability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including a friction cartridge assembly that allows continuous adjustment of friction levels to control movement resistance. The articulating joint enables dynamic reconfiguration of the arm's position and orientation, providing adaptability for different users and positions while maintaining manageable complexity through controlled flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If quick-release joints and friction cartridge assemblies are added to reduce slack and enable easy attachment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-release joint incorporates a spring-loaded latch that is pre-positioned to automatically engage with a connector shaft when the arm assembly is attached to the base assembly. This preliminary positioning of the latch mechanism allows for easy attachment and detachment operations while containing the complexity within a standardized joint design.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction cartridge assembly is designed to automatically adjust friction levels based on the operational state of the joint. The mechanism self-regulates the friction force to reduce slack and stabilize the arm position without requiring external intervention, improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable complexity through autonomous friction control.
3Ease of operation
If bearings are positioned in the hub to reduce force required for adjustments, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Bearings are positioned in the hub of the base assembly to act as intermediaries between the connector shaft and the base structure. These bearings reduce friction and the force required for swiveling and adjusting the arm assembly. The bearing design incorporates tolerance compensation features that maintain ease of operation while reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements through self-aligning capabilities and distributed load paths.
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
This adjustable support arm effectively addresses the ergonomic needs of users by providing extensive adjustability, reducing the force required for adjustments, and allowing for easy reconfiguration to suit different users and work environments, thereby promoting healthier working postures and optimizing workspace usage.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded latch coupled to the base assembly which releasably engages an indentation in a connector shaft secured to the arm assembly
Implementation Method 2
a friction cartridge assembly for dampening side-to-side movement of the arm assembly and reducing slack in the joints
Implementation Method 3
a bearing positioned in the hub of the base assembly for reducing the amount of force required to adjust the side-to-side motion of the support arm
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support arm capable of providing users with a wide range of height, depth, tilt, and swivel options. The adjustable support arm may comprise an arm assembly releasably mounted to a base assembly. In further embodiments, the adjustable support arm may also comprise an articulating joint connected to the arm assembly, and an accessory bracket assembly connected to the articulating joint. A quick-release joint comprising a spring-loaded pivot latch may be utilized to releasably connect the arm assembly to the base assembly. To dampen side-to-side movement of the arm assembly, the adjustable support arm may also comprise a friction cartridge assembly comprising a taper-lock bushing and one or more set screws. A ring-shaped, adjustable panning insert can be coupled to the arm assembly to restrict the range of side-to-side motion of the support arm. The adjustable arm can further comprise a quick-release accessory fastening mechanism for easy removal and attachment of a mounted object (e.g., an electronic display, keyboard, or other item) to the support arm.