Articulated Support Arm Rotation Stops for Stable Screen Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting arm structures struggle to support different loads and position screens at various heights, while also failing to rotate or pivot the screens effectively, especially in sterile environments like hospitals where cleanliness is a priority.

Innovation Solution

The development of a tablet arm system that includes a core support arm with a pivotable connection to an extension arm, featuring a gas spring counterbalance and a friction pack for stability, along with a joint rotation stop structure to limit rotation within a defined range, ensuring secure and adjustable positioning of screens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mounting arm structure is designed to support different loads and position screens at various heights, then the adaptability and positioning capability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to support different loads and position at various heightsVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting arm is divided into multiple articulated segments (first arm, second arm, third arm) that can move independently relative to each other. Each segment has its own rotation axis and can be positioned independently, allowing the system to support various loads and reach different positions without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration of the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting arm employs dynamic joints with rotation stops that allow movement within defined angular ranges. The rotation stop structures enable each arm segment to rotate dynamically between predetermined angular positions, providing adaptability for different positioning requirements while maintaining structural control and preventing excessive complexity through bounded motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the mounting arm allows rotation and pivoting of screens, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of maintaining stable position decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to rotate and pivot screensVSAvoidstability at desired position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rotation stop structures are pre-configured at each joint to automatically engage when the arm reaches predetermined angular positions. These stops are built into the structure beforehand, so when the user rotates an arm segment, the rotation stop automatically engages to lock the position, providing both ease of operation and reliable stability without requiring active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation stop structures are designed to self-engage and self-lock at predetermined positions. When a user rotates an arm segment, the geometry of the rotation stop automatically causes it to engage with the corresponding feature on the adjacent arm, providing automatic positioning and locking without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the support structure engages with cabling to maintain sterile environment, then the cleanliness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterile environment maintenanceVSAvoidcable management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Cables are routed through hollow passages within the arm segments, nesting the cable management system inside the structural components. The cabling is concealed within the mounting arm itself, eliminating external cable clutter and maintaining sterile environments in medical settings without adding separate, complex cable management accessories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 tablet arm system effectively supports a range of payloads, allows for precise positioning and rotation of screens, and maintains a sterile environment by managing cabling and preventing cable binding, thus enhancing usability and cleanliness in medical and dental facilities.

Implementation Method 1

featuring a gas spring counterbalance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas spring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

along with a joint rotation stop structure to limit rotation within a defined range, ensuring secure and adjustable positioning of screens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12313211B2Joint rotation stop structures for articulated support arms

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 GCX CORP

AI summary

Improved support structures and systems are disclosed for installing tablet devices, display screens, flat screen monitors, or medical devices within a wide variety of environments. A core arm extends from a rear end, toward a front end, in which the rear end is configured to be pivotably mounted either directly to a mount structure, or to an extension arm that in turn is mounted to a mount structure. The front end is configured to be pivotably mounted to a front-end panel mount structure. The structures and systems can be configured for light or heavy configurations, with or without the use of an extension arm, and can provide fully concealed cable routing, in which one or more cables are readily accessible, via snap fit covers, for easy installation and maintenance, which can provide a clean structure that can readily be serviced and cleaned as desired.