Webcam Stand Mechanism for One-Hand Document View Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in positioning webcams to view documents effectively, as existing mechanisms require manual adjustment or removal of the webcam, lacking intuitive and stable movement for alternating views between users and documents.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable stand with a base, extendable pole, and rotatable arm allows for intuitive positioning of electronic devices like cameras, enabling horizontal and vertical movement with a single hand, incorporating a clamping mechanism for height adjustment and a mechanical zoom function by grasping the camera and moving it along the pole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the webcam is attached to the top of a computer display with a clamping mechanism, then the webcam is securely positioned, but the user cannot easily adjust the view to show documents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the arm extendable and rotatable between horizontal and vertical positions, allowing the webcam to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. The arm can be extended horizontally to position the webcam over documents, or rotated to a vertical position for user-facing views, enabling easy view adjustment without complex repositioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a base, a vertically extendable pole, and an extendable arm with clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component - the pole height, arm extension, and arm rotation - providing flexible document viewing capabilities while keeping each individual mechanism simple.
2Ease of operation
If the user removes the webcam from the clamping mechanism to point it downward at documents, then the view of documents is improved, but the webcam positioning is no longer stable
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism incorporates a button-operated release system that allows dynamic transition between stable clamped positions and movable positions. When the button is depressed, the clamping force is released, allowing the arm to be moved to different positions for document viewing. When the button is released, the clamping force stabilizes the webcam at the desired position, resolving the contradiction between ease of movement and positional stability.
3Ease of operation
If the arm is fixed at a specific height on the pole, then the webcam position is stable, but the user cannot adjust the height to achieve different viewing angles
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the arm and pole is made dynamic through the button-operated clamping mechanism. The arm can be moved vertically along the pole when the clamp is released, allowing height adjustment for different viewing angles. When the clamp engages, it stabilizes the arm at the selected height, providing both adjustability and stability as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable stand for an electronic device that is operable for stable movement in two directions with the use of a single hand of a user. An ergonomic design leverages a natural and intuitive movement of a user's hand to maintain an orientation of the electronic device throughout at least 180 degrees of movement.