Adjustable Support Arm With Dynamic Spring Linkage Counterbalance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adjustable support arms using gas cylinders are heavy, bulky, prone to failure, and have a limited lifespan due to gas leakage, while mechanical springs exhibit non-linear characteristics and risk fatigue or deformation with over-extension, and frictional forces do not provide consistent counterbalancing.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable support arm utilizing an elastomeric member, such as a spring, coupled to a linkage that varies the support force dynamically to match downward torque, preventing over-extension and maintaining a near-constant force throughout the range of motion, thereby reducing spring fatigue and deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gas cylinder is used to counterbalance the weight of an attached object, then the support arm can provide stable support force, but the device becomes heavy, bulky, and has limited lifespan due to gas leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidsupport arm weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gas cylinder (pneumatic system) with a mechanical spring-based counterbalance mechanism. The spring is attached to a linkage system that converts the spring's linear force into a rotational counterbalance torque, eliminating the need for pressurized gas while achieving similar support functionality with reduced weight and improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a linkage mechanism as an intermediary between the spring and the support arm. This linkage system (comprising links and pivots) transforms the spring's linear elastic force into the appropriate rotational counterbalance torque, allowing the lightweight spring to effectively counterbalance heavy mounted objects without requiring a bulky gas cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of stationary object

If a mechanical spring is used to counterbalance the weight, then the support arm becomes lighter and more compact, but the spring can be over-extended beyond tolerances causing non-linear characteristics and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport arm weightVSAvoidspring durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the spring attachment point dynamic rather than fixed. The linkage mechanism allows the spring's attachment point to move as the support arm rotates, automatically adjusting the spring's effective length and force application point. This dynamic adjustment ensures the spring operates within its linear elastic range throughout the entire range of motion, preventing over-extension and fatigue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the spring by varying its effective length and attachment point position through the linkage mechanism. As the support arm rotates, the linkage dynamically adjusts the spring's geometry, keeping the spring within its optimal operating range and maintaining linear elastic behavior throughout the full range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If frictional forces are used to supplement counterbalancing, then the support force can be enhanced, but the friction does not provide consistent counterbalancing throughout the range of motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecounterbalance forceVSAvoidcounterbalance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces reliance on frictional forces with a positive mechanical counterbalance system. The spring-loaded linkage mechanism provides direct mechanical counterbalance torque through elastic restoration, eliminating the inconsistency of friction-based supplementation and providing reliable, predictable counterbalancing throughout the entire range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a dynamic attachment point that adjusts the support force to match the object's weight, ensuring a consistent counterbalance force across the support arm's range of motion, reducing fatigue and deformation, and maintaining stability without the drawbacks of gas cylinders or mechanical springs.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric member, which can be a spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The elastomeric member can be coupled to a linkage, which provides a dynamic attachment point for the elastomeric member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20260016114A1Adjustable Support Arm

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 HUMANSCALE CORP

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.