Dynamic Spring Linkage in Adjustable Support Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable support arms using gas cylinders are heavy, prone to failure, and leak gas, while mechanical springs suffer from non-linear characteristics leading to sagging or creeping effects and potential fatigue, and both require additional frictional forces for counterbalancing.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support arm incorporating an elastomeric member, such as a spring, dynamically attached to a linkage that varies support force with position, providing a matching upward torque force or constant force throughout the range of motion to prevent over-extension and reduce spring fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If gas cylinders are used to counterbalance the weight, then the support arm can provide stable counterbalancing force, but the device becomes heavy, bulky, and prone to failure with limited lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gas cylinder from the support arm system entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused reliability issues, weight problems, and gas leakage. The counterbalancing function is then achieved through a mechanical spring system with optimized geometry rather than relying on pressurized gas cylinders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, heavy gas cylinders with simpler, lighter mechanical springs that are more reliable and easier to maintain. While springs have limited lifespan due to fatigue, the design optimizes spring geometry to extend their operational life and reduces the need for frequent replacements.
2Weight of moving object
If mechanical springs are used to counterbalance the weight, then the support arm becomes lighter and more compact, but the spring can be extended beyond tolerances causing non-linear characteristics, sagging, and creeping effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic attachment point that moves relative to the support arm structure. This dynamic mechanism adjusts the spring's effective length and angle throughout the arm's range of motion, ensuring the spring operates within its linear elastic region at all positions. The dynamic adjustment prevents over-extension that would cause non-linear behavior, sagging, or creeping effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the spring attachment system dynamically. By varying the attachment point position and spring angle as functions of the arm's position, the system maintains optimal spring characteristics throughout the full range of motion, preventing the spring from entering non-linear deformation zones.
3Force
If frictional forces are used to supplement counterbalancing, then the support arm can maintain position throughout range of motion, but additional frictional forces are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for additional friction-based mechanisms by optimizing the spring support system. The dynamic attachment point and optimized spring geometry provide sufficient counterbalancing force throughout the entire range of motion without requiring supplemental frictional forces from brakes, clamps, or other friction-based positioning mechanisms.
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 elastomeric member ensures a consistent counterbalancing force, reducing the likelihood of spring deformation and fatigue, and maintaining stability across the support arm's range of motion without the need for excessive frictional forces.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric member positioned between the upper arm and the lower arm. The elastomeric member, which can be a spring, can be coupled to the third link and can have a length that expands or contracts relative to a change of angle of the support arm
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable support arm utilizing an elastomeric member having a dynamic attachment point to support the weight of an attached object. The adjustable support arm can include a lower bracket that is connected to an upper bracket by an upper arm and a lower arm. The elastomeric member counterbalances the weight of an attached object. The first end of the elastomeric member can be attached to a linkage, which can include a first, second, and third link and the second end of the elastomeric member can be attached to one of the arms. The links can be coupled to each other between the upper and lower arms such that the linkage is dynamically moveable upon movement of the support arm.