Tablet Support Arm Counterbalance for Variable Payload Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting arm structures for screens face challenges in supporting different loads and positioning screens at various heights, especially in clean environments like hospitals, where maintaining sterility is crucial, and they often struggle with rotating or pivoting the screens effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a core arm with a non-adjustable gas spring counterbalance and friction pack for up/down resistance, allowing 360-degree rotation, and features a joint rotation stop structure with a floating stop key to prevent cable winding and collisions, enabling easy installation and maintenance with concealed cable routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mounting arm structures are used to support screens, then screen support is achieved, but it becomes difficult to support different loads and position screens at different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm is divided into multiple segments (first arm, second arm, third arm) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each arm segment can rotate relative to the others, allowing the screen to be positioned at various heights and angles while supporting different loads through the distributed mechanical structure.
2Ease of operation
If mounting arm structures are used to support screens, then screen support is achieved, but it becomes difficult to rotate or pivot the screen at desired positions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm structure incorporates dynamic rotation capabilities at each joint, allowing the screen to be rotated and pivoted to desired positions. The first arm rotates relative to the base, the second arm rotates relative to the first arm, and the third arm rotates relative to the second arm, providing multi-degree-of-freedom movement for flexible screen positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power and cabling are connected to support arms, then functionality is enabled, but maintaining a sterile environment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system nests cables within the mounting arm structure itself. Cables are routed through channels inside the arms, keeping them concealed and protected. This allows power and data connectivity while maintaining a clean, sterile appearance suitable for medical environments, as the cables are not externally exposed.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If cable routing is concealed in mounting arms, then aesthetics and sterility are maintained, but cable installation and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm structure includes pre-configured cable routing channels and access points that are built into the design. During installation, cables can be easily fed through these pre-planned pathways without requiring complex modifications later. Maintenance access points are also pre-positioned, allowing technicians to reach cables without disassembling the entire structure.
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
This solution provides stable support for a range of payloads, allows flexible positioning, and maintains a clean environment by preventing cable damage and facilitating easy maintenance, while ensuring the screen can be rotated and positioned as needed without compromising sterility.
Implementation Method 1
a non-adjustable gas spring counterbalance
Implementation Method 2
friction pack for up/down resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
Structures and systems are disclosed for supporting tablets or displays. A core arm extends from a rear end toward a front end, in which the rear end is pivotably mounted either directly to a mount structure, or to an extension arm that is mounted to a mount structure. The front end is pivotably mounted to a front mount structure. The core arm can include a gas spring to provide counterbalance force, and a non-adjustable friction pack element for up/down resistance to support different payloads. The counterbalance can be set within the payload range, while the friction offsets the sink or float that would occur for lighter or heavier payloads. The structures and systems can thus be readily configured for light or heavy configurations, with or without the use of an extension arm, and can conceal cable routing, which is accessible, via snap fit covers, for easy installation and maintenance.