Segmented Support Arm Locking With Friction-Layer Ball Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable support arms lack the ability to maintain configuration and position under forces and torques that alter their shape, and they often require increased exterior size, material, or applied force to lock configurations, limiting continuous three-dimensional adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support arm featuring a plurality of segments connected by ball-and-socket joints with interleaved friction layers and a locking mechanism using a tension cable and resilient elements, allowing for bending and secure locking without increasing size or material, enabling continuous three-dimensional adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing adjustable support arms use traditional locking mechanisms, then they can maintain configuration under forces and torques, but they require increased external forces or size to lock configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into multiple segments connected by ball-and-socket joints, each with interleaved friction layers. This segmentation allows the locking function to be distributed across multiple interfaces rather than requiring a single large locking mechanism, enabling effective locking without increasing overall arm size.
Solution Approach 2:
Friction layers are introduced as intermediary elements between the ball and socket components. These friction layers mediate the locking action by providing friction-based resistance to motion, allowing the joint to maintain configuration under forces and torques without requiring traditional mechanical locks that would increase size.
2Strength
If existing adjustable support arms use traditional locking mechanisms, then they can lock configurations, but they require increased external forces to achieve locking
Solution Approach 1:
The friction layers and resilient elements work together to create a self-locking mechanism. When the arm is positioned, the resilient elements automatically apply normal forces to the friction layers, generating locking forces without requiring additional external forces from the user. The system serves itself by converting positional energy into locking force.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics and normal forces are dynamically adjusted based on the arm's configuration and loading conditions. The resilient elements automatically modify the contact pressure between friction layers according to the position and forces applied, optimizing locking strength without requiring increased external forcing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing adjustable support arms are designed for locking, then they can maintain position, but they limit continuous three-dimensional adjustment to discrete positions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The friction layers and resilient elements continuously adapt to the arm's position and applied loads, providing stable locking at any configuration point in three-dimensional space. This allows continuous adjustment while maintaining stability, as the system can lock reliably at any position rather than only at predetermined discrete positions.
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 solution provides enhanced strength against external forces and torques while maintaining configuration, allowing for continuous adjustment without discrete positions, and does so without increasing size or material usage, ensuring secure locking and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
The friction layers and locking mechanism maintain the configuration of the arm when forces and torques that alter the shape of the arm are applied
Implementation Method 2
the device includes a resilient element for applying tension to the cable
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support arm device includes a plurality of segments. Ball-and-socket joints each connect two adjacent segments. Each joint includes a plurality of interleaved friction layers between a ball and a socket of that joint. A locking mechanism applies a normal force to the friction layers to lock the joints, the mechanism being releasable to enable bending of the joints.