Articulating Support Arm With Integral Abutment for Simpler Tilt Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard tilt mechanisms require separate metal components and complex assembly processes, which increase manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An articulating support arm with a platform made from fibre reinforced plastic, featuring an integral angled abutment and a slider that moves along the abutment to vary the pitch, simplifying assembly and reducing costs by eliminating the need for additional metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If separate metal components are used for the angled shaft and slide link, then the structural strength and precision are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment is integrated directly into the platform as a single molded component, eliminating the need for separate angled shaft and slide link components. This merging of functions reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the required structural strength through the fiber-reinforced plastic material and optimized abutment geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is constructed from fiber-reinforced plastic, combining the strength and stiffness of fibers with the molding capabilities of plastic. This composite material allows the platform to achieve metal-level structural performance while enabling integral forming of complex features like the angled abutment, thereby reducing component count.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate metal components are used for the angled shaft and slide link, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment is molded integrally with the platform in a single manufacturing operation, eliminating multiple machining and assembly steps. This integration maintains precision through mold-based feature definition while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process by producing one component instead of multiple precision-machined parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The material state is changed from solid metal requiring machining to moldable fiber-reinforced plastic that can be formed into complex shapes in one operation. This parameter change in material form and processing method achieves both high precision (through mold accuracy) and ease of manufacture (through single-step production).
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 a cost-effective and simplified assembly process for the articulating support arm, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing component costs while maintaining functional flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A slider is mounted on the shaft, the slider having a second screw thread corresponding to the first screw thread. The slider moves along the shaft as the shaft rotates.
Implementation Method 2
The abutment is oriented at an angle to the shaft and the slider is sized and shaped to contact and slide along the abutment as the shaft rotates, thereby varying a pitch of the platform relative to the body.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating support arm is used with a work station and has a central body with two ends. The inner end has a base pivotally connected thereto and the outer end has a platform pivotally connected thereto. The platform has an angled abutment that is integral with the platform and is located to be contacted by a slider that moves from side to side on a threaded shaft located on the central body. As the shaft is rotated, the slider slides along the abutment to vary the pitch of the platform relative to the body.