Full-Motion TV Mount Friction Control for Outdoor Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing full-motion television mounts are prone to shifting and damage when used outdoors due to wind and external forces, as they lack effective motion control mechanisms to stabilize the television.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates motion control arms with adjustable friction controls pivotally coupled to the wall and arm assembly, and wrist motion controls with adjustable friction between the arm assembly and television interface, allowing for selective limitation of shifting and stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If full-motion mount with extendable arms and tilt/swivel capability is used, then television maneuverability is improved, but stability against wind and external forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetelevision maneuverabilityVSAvoidmount stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mount incorporates adjustable friction controls that allow the system to dynamically transition between two states: a high-friction stable state for outdoor use where wind resistance is maximized, and a low-friction maneuverable state for indoor use where ease of positioning is prioritized. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the same mount to optimize for different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The friction control mechanism changes the friction parameter between the arm assembly and motion control arm, enabling the mount to adapt its mechanical properties. By adjusting this parameter, the system can increase stability when needed for outdoor deployment while maintaining maneuverability for indoor positioning, thus resolving the fundamental trade-off between these two characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If friction control is increased to prevent shifting, then stability is improved, but ease of adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidadjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic switching between high-friction and low-friction states through the adjustable friction control. During installation or repositioning, the user can temporarily reduce friction for easy adjustment, then increase friction to lock the position for stable operation, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustment ease and position stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If motion control features are added to limit shifting, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutdoor use reliabilityVSAvoidmount structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction control acts as an intermediary mechanism between the arm assembly and motion control arm. This relatively simple friction-based interface provides the necessary motion limiting functionality without requiring complex mechanical stops, motors, or electronic control systems, thus achieving improved reliability with minimal increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively stabilizes the television by adjusting friction levels to counteract wind and external forces, preventing undesirable shifting and damage, enabling secure outdoor mounting.

Implementation Method 1

the friction control is selectively adjustable to increase and decrease sliding friction between the motion control arm and the arm assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the wrist motion control is selectively adjustable to increase and decrease friction between the television interface and the arm assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4464925A1Television mount with motion control features
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 LEGRAND AV INC
  • EP4464925A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4464925A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4464925A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A full-motion television mount (20) having features enabling the use of televisions outdoors by controlling the motion of the mount to alleviate the effects of wind and other inadvertent shifting. The motion control features can include one or more motion control arms pivotally coupled to a wall interface (22) of the mount and slidably coupled to an arm assembly (25) of the mount through a friction control, wherein the friction control is selectively adjustable to increase and decrease sliding friction between the motion control arm and the arm assembly (25), thereby selectively limiting shifting of the arm assembly (25) relative to the wall interface (22). Also, the motion control features can include one or more wrist motion controls operably coupled between the arm assembly (25) and the television interface (24), wherein the wrist motion controls are selectively adjustable to increase and decrease friction between the television interface (24) and the arm assembly (25), thereby selectively limiting shifting of the television interface (24) relative to the arm assembly (25).