Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8089750?dq=7,013,345/
Timestamp: 2015-07-03 06:39:34
Document Index: 331040650

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 5091', 'arts 5092', 'art 5246', 'art 5272', 'art 5272', 'art 5237', 'art 5237', 'art 5237', 'art 5237', 'art 5237', 'art 5237']

Patent US8089750 - Multi-sectioned arms for portable electronic devices - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsMulti-sectioned arms are used as a basic mechanism for coupling the display and the base of a portable computer. With this mechanism, one single computer can support all of the following capabilities. The display can move continuously, relative to the back edge of the base, along any combination of up...http://www.google.com/patents/US8089750?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8089750 - Multi-sectioned arms for portable electronic devicesAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8089750 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/999,620Publication dateJan 3, 2012Filing dateDec 6, 2007Priority dateOct 18, 2005Also published asUS20080094792, US20110252628Publication number11999620, 999620, US 8089750 B2, US 8089750B2, US-B2-8089750, US8089750 B2, US8089750B2InventorsShaofen Chen, Zhaofang WenOriginal AssigneeComputer Ergotech, LlcExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (62), Referenced by (6), Classifications (22), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMulti-sectioned arms for portable electronic devices
US 8089750 B2Abstract
Multi-sectioned arms are used as a basic mechanism for coupling the display and the base of a portable computer. With this mechanism, one single computer can support all of the following capabilities. The display can move continuously, relative to the back edge of the base, along any combination of up and down, backward and forward, and left and right directions. The display can be tilted up and down as well as sideway for viewing angle adjustment, and also set to portrait and landscape orientations. When the display is in conventional open or close positions, each arm can be folded and parked alongside and parallel to as well as away from the edge of the base. The arms can be detached from the computer. The base and the display can overlay each other in four ways. Finally, mechanical mechanisms for implementations of the arms and connections to the computer are presented.
1. A multi-sectioned arm for connecting the display and the base of a portable electronic device, comprising, two or more sections linked together, including at least one said section for connecting to said base and at least one said section for connecting to said display; wherein when said arm is connected to said base and said display and when said base is horizontal, two or more said sections are relatively rotatable around one or more horizontal rotational axes, and said arm has a motion that is capable of opening and folding said display from and against said base, and moving said display substantially, relative to the back edge of said base, in at least one direction selected from the group consisting of: an up and down direction, a forward and backward direction, and a left and right direction; when said display is substantially elevated relative to said base and having the same viewing orientation as a conventional viewing position, the viewing angle of said display can be tilted around a horizontal tilting axis that is substantially non-parallel to at least one of said horizontal rotational axes.
2. The multi-sectioned arm of claim 1, wherein when connected to said base and said display, said arm allows said display to be set to both portrait and landscape viewing orientations.
3. The multi-sectioned arm of claim 1, further comprising an embedded wiring cable for transmitting power or signal between said base and said display.
4. The multi-sectioned arm of claim 1, wherein some of said sections are linked together extendably and contractibly.
5. The multi-sectioned arm of claim 1, further comprising at least one built-in connection pivot for connecting to said base or said display.
6. The multi-sectioned arm of claim 1, wherein said multi-sectioned arm is capable of moving said display along a straight line direction relative to said base.
7. A connection mechanism for connecting the display and the base of a portable electronic device, comprising: two or more rotatably linked sections; wherein said connection mechanism allows said display to move relative to said base along a straight line direction through relative rotations of said linked sections around rotational axes; and wherein when said display is in a conventional viewing position, said display can be tilted around a horizontal tilting axis that is substantially non-parallel to at least one of said rotational axes that are horizontal.
8. The connection mechanism of claim 7, wherein further allowing said display to move up and down relative to said base.
9. The connection mechanism of claim 7, wherein when connected to said base and said display, said display can be set to both portrait and landscape viewing orientations.
10. The connection mechanism of claim 7, further comprising wiring for transmitting power or signal between said base and said display.
11. The connection mechanism of claim 7, comprising extendably and contractibly linked sections.
1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/713,269, filed on Mar. 2, 2007, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/252,671, filed on Oct. 18, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,538, entitled “Portable Computer with Multi-Sectioned Arms to Support Display Position Adjustment and Multiple Configurations”, 2) PCT international application No. PCT/US2006/040604, filed Oct. 17, 2006, entitled “MULTI-SECTIONED ARM FOR DISPLAY OF PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICES”, and 3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/725,294, filed Mar. 19, 2007, entitled “Multi-sectioned arm for portable electronic devices”, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/252,671, filed on Oct. 18, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,538. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
(1) Improved Notebook configuration: The display screen can be adjusted to a desirable viewing angle, and to a position by height (up or down relative to the base) and by depth (forward or backward relative to the base's user edge). (2) Shared viewing configuration: This is configuration (1) plus display adjustment by width (left or right of the space above the keyboard). In addition, this configuration allows the display to tilt left and right relative to the usage orientation of the keyboard. This configuration can be useful when more than one people are looking at the screen at the same time. (3) Tablet PC configuration: The portable computer is closed with the base stacked underneath the upward-facing screen to be used as input pad. (The keyboard in this configuration can either be facing down or up. But it does not matter.) (4) Stylus input configuration: The portable computer is open with screen up in normal viewing position; but the bottom side (opposite to the keyboard) of the base is up and used as input pad. (5) Space saving configuration: The portable computer is closed with the display stacked underneath the base, so that the base can be used as a desktop machine together with a desktop display unit, typically with a bigger and better screen. (6) Desk note configuration: The display is completely detached from the base so that the base can be used as a desktop machine together with a desktop display unit. (Both this configuration and the Space saving configuration can get the built-in display out of the way of the desktop monitor screen.) (7) Flexible display orientation configuration: The display screen supports both portrait and landscape viewing orientations. There have been numerous attempts to support various subsets of these seven configurations. Many of them are focused on the screen viewing position adjustment using various approaches, which are all different from the multi-sectioned arm approach in the present invention. Some others are focused on mode transitioning between conventional notebook and tablet PC. There has been no single invention until now that can solve all seven configurations in a single computer.
A portable computer according to the present invention generally includes a computer base and a display, which are connected together through one or more multi-sectioned arms. Such a multi-sectioned arm includes rotatably linked sections; and it may also include extendably and contractibly linked sections. The electronic and electric wiring cable between the base and the display can run completely inside one or more of the arms. The wiring cable can also run separately without going through the arm (or arms); and in this case, a retractable cable may be used.
The connection linking each arm to the display (and similarly, the base) can either be a pivotal hinge (connection pivot) or a mounting mechanism as simple as a tunnel to receive an end section of the arm. In either case, the screen's viewing angle can be adjusted, either by rotating the display around the connection pivots (if any), or by turning some of the arm sections relatively to each other.
The arms can be folded and parked alongside the portable computer in closed positions. At the conventional screen viewing position, the folded arms can be turned away so that they do not block the computer base's edges for other uses, such as DVD, network card, and other outlets.
The arms can also be flexibly stretched to allow continuous adjustment of the screen's spatial position by height (up or down relative to the base), depth (forward or backward relative to the base's user edge), and width (left or right away from space above the base). The screen can also be tilted left and right. (See configurations (1) and (2) in the Background section.)
To see the range of screen position adjustment, consider the position of the middle point of the lower edge of the display, relative to the back edge of the base. In the conventional clam shell design (as shown in FIG. 5), this mid-point travels along a pre-determined curve with a semi-diameter about the height of the hinge connection between the base and the display. In contrast, a portable computer of the present invention allows such a mid-point to be positioned at any position in a 3-dimensional range with a diameter about the height of the fully stretched multi-sectioned arm.
Either friction mechanisms or locking mechanisms can be used at the joints and the connection pivots (if any) to keep the arm sections, the base, and the display in their chosen relative positions. There are mechanisms at the joints and the connection pivots to limit how much the attached arm sections can rotate or turn. (This can prevent potential wiring and other damages from unlimited rotating and turning.) There are also locking mechanisms to secure each arm's connections to the base and the display.
For illustration, several embodiments of the computer according to this invention are presented, based on the numbers of arms and sections in each arm as well as how the each arm is connected to the computer base and the display. First, for simplicity of presentation, drawings of these embodiments are done using several notations representing basic parts such as arm sections and ways for linking them, assuming these notations can be implemented mechanically based on current mechanical manufacturing capabilities in the field. Then we provide detailed mechanical mechanisms for the implementations of these basic parts. Last, a preferred embodiment of a portable computer according the present invention is presented to show how the mechanical mechanisms can be used together.
In the first embodiment, one single multi-sectioned arm is connected to the back edges of the base and the display. In the second embodiment, two double-sectioned arms connect the base and the display by their side edges, with one on the left and the other on the right. The third embodiment is an extension of the second embodiment by replacing the two-sectioned side arms with side arms using combo-joints, thus enabling the display to move sideways (left and right relative to the base). In the fourth embodiment, a bridge arm anchors on the left and the right edges of the computer base, and connects to the lower edge of the display. The fifth embodiment is an extension of the second embodiment by using triple-sections arms (to show that it is possible to use side arms of more than two sections). In the presentations of these embodiments, some simple variations are also mentioned.
Some basic mechanical mechanisms are presented to implement the multi-sectioned arms and connection pivots, including several embodiments of two mechanical friction joint mechanisms, a method for installing a wiring cable inside a multi-sectioned arm when using a cable that is already pre-connected with connectors at its ends, and attachment mechanisms for connecting the arm to the display and the base. Specifically, the mechanical friction joint mechanisms for arm section joints and connection pivots contain friction discs placed in close contact with each other for friction generation. When the linked parts rotate relatively, some discs engage and rotate in sync with one of the parts in one direction, while the rest of the discs rotate in the opposite direction. The discs rotating relatively in opposite directions are interposed, so their rotational friction collectively contributes to the friction of the joint mechanisms. Also, a wiring cable can pass through such a joint mechanism without interfering with the relative rotation of the friction discs. More details of the mechanical structures of the mechanisms will be described later.
It is worth mentioning that the mechanical mechanisms and method presented in this invention also address the following practical and manufacturing issues:
Minimal changes (if any at all) to conventional portable computer base and display enclosures and their connecting cable: For example, the multi-sectioned arms can simply be attached somewhere on the edges and sides of the base and the display; and there is basically no change to the base and the display (inside or outside). Furthermore, most of the conventional cable designs do not need to change either, except to make the cable longer to accommodate for the portion that runs through the arm. Portability of the same arm (design) to a wide variety of portable computers: For example, the friction joint mechanisms according to the present invention enable scalable levels of friction by varying the number of friction discs in the joint during installation. This allows the same arm design to be portable to different displays. In summary, all or a subset of configurations (1)-(7) can be supported in one single computer with multi-sectioned arms according to the present invention. This invention also presents mechanical mechanisms to build the arms, and ways to assemble such a computer (especially by adopting the base and the display as well as their connecting cable of a conventional portable computer).
FIG. 2 is a list of notations used in the drawings to show the relative movements of the arm sections that are linked together.
FIG. 6D is a simpler variation of a single arm portable computer of the present invention.
FIG. 6E is yet another variation by modifying the arm in FIG. 6D to enhance stability.
FIG. 6F is a variation of computer 100 to support both portrait and landscape orientations of the display.
FIG. 6G is a perspective view of the computer in FIG. 6F when the display is set to the portrait orientation.
FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the portable computer (200) of the second embodiment of the present invention with two double-sectioned side arms. It is in a position where the screen is lifted and facing the user.
FIG. 18B shows that the pair of arms 231 and 232 in computer 200 can be substituted by another pair of arms 231B and 232B.
FIG. 18C shows that the pair of arms of computer 200 can also be substituted with yet another pair of arms.
FIG. 20A is a perspective view of computer 200 in conventional open position.
FIG. 20B shows a variation of computer 200.
FIG. 41B is a perspective side view of computer 500 in a position where the screen is lifted and facing the user, and the keyboard is facing down. (This is for the stylus input configuration.)
Basic Mechanical Mechanisms to Implement the Design Notations
FIG. 45 presents a groove and locking tip mechanism.
FIG. 46 shows some ways in which two arm sections can be rotatably engaged together, either by direct engagement or by engagements with other intermediate parts. (For convenience, we also refer to such an engagement as “rotatably linked together”.)
FIG. 47 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5000) of the present invention.
FIG. 48 shows a friction joint (5000A), which a variation of friction joint 5000.
FIG. 49 shows a friction joint (5000B), which is another variation of friction joint 5000.
FIG. 50 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5100) of the present invention.
FIG. 51 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5300) of the present invention
FIG. 52 shows an embodiment of a friction joint mechanism (5400) of the present invention. Such a mechanism can be built into the ends of a multi-sectioned arm for pivotally mounting the arm to the base or the display of a portable computer (for example, computer 5200 in FIG. 62).
FIG. 53 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5500) of the present invention.
FIG. 54 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5600) of the present invention.
FIG. 55 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5700) of the present invention.
FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5800) of the present invention.
FIG. 57 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5900) of the present invention.
FIG. 58 shows some ways in which arm sections directly linked to friction joint 5000 can be extended.
FIG. 59 shows some ways in which mechanical joints 5000 and 5100 can be combined to create combo joints.
FIG. 60 presents a method for assembling multi-sectioned arms with embedded wiring cable when the cable used is pre-connected with connectors at the ends.
FIG. 61 shows how to attach a multi-sectioned arm to the base or the display of the portable computer of the present invention. This is a mechanical implementation of the notation in FIG. 3A-FIG. 3D.
FIG. 62 shows a portable computer (5200). This is a mechanical implementation of the second embodiment of the portable computer (200) of the present invention with two double-sectioned side arms.
FIG. 2E is perspective view of a combination of two joints and three arm sections. The purpose is to show how simple joints can be combined to allow more flexible rotations of the end sections. Around joint 841, arm section 831 can rotate in any selected plane; and the selected plane can change when arm section 832 turns (relative to arm section 833) around joint 842. If we look at the combination as a whole, the end sections 831 and 833 can turn independently on separate planes. That is, even when arm section 833 stays still, arm section 831 can turn on its own on a selected plane; and furthermore, this selected plane can change even when section 833 does not move. (In engineering implementation, if the middle section 832 is short, it may help to think of such a joint combination as just one combo-joint mechanism which allows the two attached end sections 831 and 833 to rotate independently. Therefore, we also have the notation of FIG. 2F.
FIG. 2G denotes a joint that allows arm section 835 to rotate around section 834.
FIG. 2H denotes two or more arm sections that are extendably and contractibly linked together to form a shortenable and elongatable arm portion. The doubled-headed arrow indicates the directions in which the linked sections can extend and contract. For convenience, these linked sections together are referred to as the extendable sections and also as the contractible sections. In engineering implementations, for example, such sections can be telescopically linked together; and they can also be slidably linked together.
FIGS. 6 to 17 show a portable computer (100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Computer 100 has one single back arm.
FIG. 6D is a simpler variation of a single arm portable computer of the present invention. This arm is functionally less flexible than the arm in computer 100. With this simpler arm, the display can move up and down, and left and right, relative to the base. Since our focus at this point is to discuss computer 100 (FIG. 6A), we shall skip the detailed discussion of this variation. FIG. 6E is yet another variation by modifying the arm in FIG. 6D to enhance stability.
FIG. 6F is a variation of computer 100. In this variation, 131 and connection pivot 151 in FIG. 6A are replaced by sections 131 a and 131 b, joint 140, and connection pivot 150 (on the back side of the display). Notice that joint 140 serves the role previously served by pivot 151, and that the location connection 150 on the back of the display allows the display to rotate between landscape and portrait orientations. FIG. 6G is a perspective back view when the screen is a portrait orientation.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of computer 100 in a conventionally opened, screen-up position, with the folded arm placed next to the base's left back edge 82 (from the user's point of view). This position can be obtained by swinging the arm sections simultaneously around 141 and 144 (using the functions denoted by the horizontal white bars inside the black circles) in FIG. 8 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of computer 100 in a conventionally opened, screen-up position, with the folded arm placed away from the base's back edge 82 (to avoid blocking the back edge 82 of the base for other uses, such as various cable outlets.) This position can be obtained by swinging the arm simultaneously using the functions denoted by the horizontal white bars in 141 and 144 in FIG. 8.
FIGS. 18 to 27 show a portable computer (200) of a second embodiment of the present invention. Computer 200 has two double-sectioned side arms.
FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the portable computer (200) of the second embodiment of the invention. The computer has two double-sectioned side arms. It is in a position where the screen is lifted and facing the user. The portable computer 200 generally includes a display 90, a base 80, and two double-sectioned side arms 231 and 232. The left arm 231 is connected to the display at pivot 251, and to the base at pivot 253. The right arm 232 is connected to the display at pivot 252, and to the base at pivot 254. The viewing angle of the screen can be adjusted by rotating the display around pivot 251 and pivot 252. The double-sectioned arms can be adjusted synchronously through joints 241 and 242, thus allowing continuous adjustment of the display's position by height and depth (see Configuration (1) in the Background section). The range of adjustment can be as far as the length of the fully stretched arms. The portable computer can be arranged into various configurations by setting how the screen 98 and the keyboard 87 face each other; and this can be achieved by turning the base and display around the connection pivots (at 251, 252, 253, and 254). There are locks to prevent the arms from unintentional detachment from the base and the display. There are also mechanisms to control how much the end sections of the arm can turn at pivots 251, 252, 253, and 254.
FIG. 18B shows that the pair of arms (231 and 232) in computer 200 can be substituted by another pair of arms (231B and 232B). Both 231B and 232B have extendable sections at their ends.
FIG. 20B is a variation of computer 200. The arms (231B and 232B) have extendable sections at their ends. The extendable sections allow each of the folded arms to adjust its distance from the edges of the base and the display. This added feature of the arms is useful in certain situations. For example, an external network card (for wired and wireless networking alike) of many of today's brands often leaves a big portion of the card's body outside of the insertion slot; and the un-inserted portion of the card may interfere with the folded arm parked by the edge of the base if the arm is too close to the edge.
FIG. 21 is perspective side view of computer 200 in a position with the screen up-lifted and facing the user. It shows how the upper and lower sections of arm 232 can turn independently around joint 242. It also shows how the display can rotate around arm at 252 and how the arm can turn relatively around the base at 254. (The left arm is not shown in this view.) These mechanisms allow the portable computer to transition from its current position to any of the configurations as shown in FIG. 24-FIG. 26.
FIGS. 28 to 33 show a portable computer (300) of a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is an enhancement of the second embodiment by substituting the side arms in computer 200 with an enhanced pair of arms, in order to allow the display to move left or right relative to the base.
FIG. 28A is a perspective view of a portable computer (300) of the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is an extension of the second embodiment by substituting the side arms (231 and 232) in computer 200 with a different pair of arms as shown in FIG. 28B. Each of these new arms has two additional combo-joints 341 and 345 (also 342 and 346 on the other arm). The additional joints allow the middle sections of the arms to swing away from the side edges of the computer (300), and consequently enabling the display to move sideway, as shown in FIG. 33. This swinging movement uses the functions of the joints denoted by white horizontal bars inside the black circles (joints 341, 345, 342, and 346). And the white circles inside the black circles are for cooperation with middle joints 343 and 344 in folding and stretching of the long sections (333, 335, 334, and 336). In addition to sideway movement for the display (or adjustment by width as specified in Configuration (2) of the Background Section), computer 300 of the third embodiment retains all the allowable positions and configurations of computer 200 of the second embodiment.
FIG. 34-FIG. 39 show a portable computer (400) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Computer 400 has a bridge arm.
FIG. 34A is a perspective view of the portable computer (400) of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has one multi-sectioned bridge arm. It is in a position where the screen is lifted and facing the user. The portable computer 400 generally includes a display 90, a base 80, and a multi-sectioned bridge arm 430. The bridge arm sections 433 and 434 are attached to the based at pivots 451 and 452, respectively; and the middle section 439 is connected to the display at pivot 450. The viewing angle of the screen can be tilted by turning arm section 439 relatively to joints 441 and 442. The screen can rotate around pivot 450. Upper side arm sections 431 and 432 (similarly lower side arm sections 433 and 434) are adjustable synchronously. Adjusting the side arm sections allows continuous adjustment of the display's position by height and depth (Configuration (1) of the Background Section). The range of adjustment is limited by the length the side arm sections. The portable computer can be arranged into various configurations by setting how the screen 98 and the keyboard 87 face each other. There are locks to prevent the arms from unintentional detachment from the base and the display. (FIG. 39 shows how the arm can be completely detached from the base and the display.) There are also mechanisms to control how much the end section of the arm can turn at pivots 450, 451 and 452.
FIG. 39 is a perspective view of computer 400 when the arm is completely detached from base 80 and display 90. (For example, one possible way to make this bridge arm detachable from the base in this case is to use extendable sections (see FIG. 2H) at the ends that connect to the base.
FIG. 40A is a perspective view of computer (500) having two triple-sectioned side arms. It is in a position where the screen is lifted and facing the user. The portable computer generally includes a display 90, a base 80, and two triple-sectioned side arms attached to base and the display on their left and right sides. The adjustability of the display and the allowable configurations of this portable computer are similar to those of portable computer 200. FIG. 41A shows how the arm sections, joints, and pivots can be adjusted. It allows the portable computer to transition from its current position to a variety of the positions shown in FIG. 41B-FIG. 44.
FIG. 44 is a perspective side view of computer 500 in a closed position with arms folded, base sitting on top of the display, and keyboard facing up (for space saving when the portable computer is used as a desktop machine). Notice that up to this point, we have presented embodiments as well as variations of the portable computer of the present invention with arms that have various numbers of arm sections and that connect to a number of combinations of the edges and sides of the base and the display. It should become obvious that other embodiments with arms designed in such ways to connect to other combinations of edges and sides of the display and the base can easily be worked out. Therefore, there is no need to enumerate more variations.
Locking Mechanisms and Rotatable Connections
FIG. 45 presents a groove and locking tip mechanism for preventing two rotatably linked sections from detaching and for limiting the relative rotation of the two linked sections within a pre-determined range.
FIG. 45A presents a C-shaped groove and locking tip mechanism 1200. The outer surface of cylinder 1211 has a C-shaped groove 1291. The inner surface of cylinder 1212 has a tip 1292. The diameter of the cylinder 1211 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of cylinder 1212, so that 1211 can be inserted into 1212. When 1211 is fully inserted into 1212, tip 1292 is engaged with groove 1291. Tip 1292 only yields to pressure from the back, and therefore allows the insertion of cylinder 1211 into cylinder 1212. Tip 1292 does not yield to pressure from other directions. Therefore, groove 1291 and tip 1292 together provide two functions: (1) to prevent cylinder 1211 from backing out of cylinder 1212, as shown in FIG. 45B, and (2) to limit the rotation of 1211 within 1212 in a pre-determined range, as shown in FIG. 45C. The tip 1292 and groove 1291 can be implemented in manner known per se by a person skilled in the art, for which reason they will not be described in greater detail here.
FIG. 45B is a sectional view of mechanism 1200.
FIG. 45C is another sectional view of mechanism 1200.
FIG. 46 shows several ways in which two arm sections can be rotatably engaged together, either by direct engagement as in FIG. 46A, or by engagements with other intermediate parts as in FIG. 46B or FIG. 46C. In FIG. 46B, both the sections on the left and right are engaged with intermediate part 5091. In FIG. 46C, 5092 a and 5092 b are rotatably mounted together; and 5092 a will be inserted into the object on the left and 5092 b to the object on the right. A locking (or securing) mechanism can be added to keep the linked arm sections from disengaging. For example, the locking mechanism can be a groove and tip mechanism as in FIG. 45; and in the case of FIG. 46C, a simple locking tip, a latch, a screw, or even superglue can be used to keep parts 5092 a and 5092 b from retreating from the inserted positions inside the left and right arm sections, respectively.
Friction Joint Mechanisms
In the figures (FIG. 47-FIG. 57) illustrating embodiments of the friction joint mechanisms of the present invention, we focus on the details of the friction mechanisms of the joints. We do not enumerate various ways for linking the arm sections, and engagement securing or locking mechanisms that can be applied, because both of these can be can easily be handled by people skilled in the art. For simplicity of presentation and drawing, we assume that an appropriate means including the ones listed above is used to prevent the linked parts from disengaging. Furthermore, the external shapes of the two linked hollow objects in the embodiments are for illustration purpose only; other external shapes are possible so long as the objects can be rotatably linked together.
Before presenting specific details of various embodiments of the mechanical friction joint mechanisms of the present invention, it would be helpful to discuss the general mechanisms first. FIG. 47-FIG. 55 illustrate a number of embodiments of a friction joint mechanism of the present invention for rotatably linking two hollow objects, a first object and a second object. These two objects can be two arm sections; and as shown in FIG. 52, they can also be an end section of an arm and a connection pivot that is built into the arm for mounting to the base or the display of a portable computer (for example, computer 5200 in FIG. 62). This friction joint mechanism allows the two linked objects to rotate relatively around a common axis. Along the rotation axis, there is a shaft with a deformed small diameter portion inserting into two groups of discs by the insertion holes on the individual discs. Referred to as the first group and the second group for convenience, each group includes one or more discs; and the discs of the first group are interposed with the discs of the second group. The discs are placed closely for frictional contact with one another. A fastening means such as a screw (or a screw nut) and optionally an elastic means such as a spring washer (or disc spring) are provided to tighten the frictional contact of the discs. The shaft is either a portion of the first object (as in the case of FIG. 55) or a separate piece that is firmly mounted to first object (as in FIG. 47-FIG. 54). The disks along with their engaged portion of the shaft are held inside the second object. The discs have such sizes and shapes, and they are mounted on the shaft and inside the second object in such a way that, when the first object rotates relatively to the second object, the first group of discs rotates in sync with the shaft and the second group of discs rotates in sync with the second object. Therefore, the rotational friction between the contacting discs of the two groups contributes to the friction of the joint mechanism. Furthermore, this friction joint mechanism allows a wiring cable to run from the inside of the first object to the inside of the second object, without leaving the enclosure of joint mechanism. In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 47-FIG. 54, the wiring cable does not insert into the discs; and these embodiments vary slightly in how the two linked objects are angled relative to the rotation axis, for example, parallel to or perpendicular to the rotation axis. In the embodiment in FIG. 55, the shaft is a portion of the first object; and in this case, the wiring cable runs directly from the inside of the first object into the inside of the second object; and consequently the wiring cable indirectly inserts into the discs.
FIG. 56-FIG. 57 illustrate two embodiments of another friction joint mechanism of the present invention for linking two hollow objects, a first object and a second object. These two objects can be arm sections. This mechanism allows the objects to rotate around two parallel axes, a first axis and a second axis. Along the first and second rotation axes, there are two shafts, respectively referred to as the first shaft and the second shaft. These two shafts can be portions of the two linked objects (as in the case of FIG. 57); and they can also be separate pieces firmly mounted to the respective objects (as in FIG. 56). The joint mechanism also includes three groups of discs, a first group, a second group, and a third group. Each group has one or more discs. Each of the discs in the first and the second groups has an insertion hole; while each of the discs in the third group has a pair of insertion holes. A deformed small diameter portion of the first shaft inserts into the first group of discs by their insertion holes; and a deformed small diameter portion of the second shaft inserts into the second group of discs by their insertion holes. In addition, the two shafts both extend through each pair of insertion holes of the discs in the third group. The discs in the third group are interposed with the discs of the first group on the first shaft, and interposed with the discs of the second group on the second shaft. The discs are placed closely for frictional contact with one another. A fastening means such as a screw and optionally an elastic means such as a spring washer are provided to tighten the frictional contact of the discs on each shaft. The discs of the first and second groups have such sizes and shapes, and they are respectively mounted on the first and the second shafts in such a way that, when the first and second linked objects respectively rotate around the two rotation axes, the first group of discs rotates in sync with the first shaft, and the second group of discs rotates in sync with the second shaft; however, the third group of discs does not rotate around either of the two axes. Therefore, the rotational friction between the first and third groups of discs and the rotational friction between the second and third groups of discs contribute to the friction of this joint mechanism. Optionally, an enclosure can added to house the three groups of discs as well as their engaged portions of the two shafts. Furthermore, this friction joint mechanism allows a wiring cable to run from the inside of the first object to the inside of the second object, without leaving the enclosure of joint mechanism. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 56, the wiring cable does not insert into the discs. In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 56-FIG. 57, the two linked objects are angled perpendicular to the two rotation axes.
We now describe the mechanical implementation of the friction joint mechanisms of the present invention in more specific details.
FIG. 47A is an exploded view of the friction joint mechanism. The two hollow objects linked together are 5033 and 5034. 5080 is a shaft that is firmly mounted inside 5033; and at the portion (5080 a) for mounting, a pass way is reserved for the wiring cable to bypass the friction mechanism. Spring washer 5010 and screw 5020 are included for tightening the frictional contact of the discs, as shown in FIG. 47E.
FIG. 47B shows that the shaft has a deformed small diameter portion 5080 c with screw thread at the end. There are two groups of discs, 5050 and 5060, which are interposed.
FIG. 47C shows the cross section views of the deformed small diameter portion of shaft and the discs in group 5050 and 5060. A disc in group 5050 has a circular edge and a deformed insertion hole that matches the deformed shape of small diameter portion 5080 c. A disc in group 5060 has a circular insertion hole and a shape that matches the shape of cavity 5034 a. Because the matching of the shapes (and sizes), when 5033 and 5034 rotate relatively to each other, the discs in group 5050 rotate in sync with 5033, and discs in group 5060 rotate in sync with 5034.
FIG. 47D is a perspective view of the joint when 5033 and 5034 rotatably linked together.
FIG. 47E is a sectional view of the joint; it shows how the discs of groups 5050 and 5060 are interposed with frictional contact tightened by spring washer 5010 and screw 5020, engaged with shaft 5080, and held inside 5034. Dashed line 5070 shows how a wiring cable can run from the inside of 5033 to the inside of 5034, bypassing the discs, the spring washer, and the screw using pass way 5071, without leaving the enclosure of the joint mechanism.
FIG. 47E shows that simple variations are possible by altering the shape of the discs in group 5060 and the shape of the cavity in 5034.
FIG. 48 shows a friction joint (5000A), which is a slight variation of friction joint 5000 by adding an intermediate part (5091) for engaging 5033 and 5034. The rest of the details are similar to FIG. 47. FIG. 48A is an exploded view; FIG. 48B is a perspective view; and FIG. 48C is a sectional view.
FIG. 49 shows a friction joint (5000B), which is another slight variation of friction joint 5000. In this variation, 5033 and 5034 are engaged indirectly by engaging with the shaft and the discs. To secure the engagement, cap 5090 is mounted on object 5034 to prevent the discs from backing out the insertion inside 5034. The rest of the details are similar to FIG. 47. FIG. 49A is an exploded view; FIG. 49B is a perspective view; and FIG. 49C is a sectional view.
FIG. 50 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5100) of the present invention. The two linked hollow objects are 5133 and 5134. FIG. 50A is an exploded view; FIG. 50B is a different perspective view of 5133. FIG. 50C is a perspective view of the joint; and FIG. 50D is a sectional view. The basic idea here is the same as that of friction joint 5000 (FIG. 47); and for those components that are the same as in FIG. 47, such as the discs, the spring washer, and the screw, we use the same labels. There are a few minor differences. Here, the shaft (5180), firmly mounted on 5133, is perpendicular to 5133. For variation, we choose different external shapes for 5133 and 5134; and it would not affect the functionality of the joint if they had circular external shapes. Dashed line 5170 shows how a wiring cable can run from the inside of 5133 to the inside of 5134, bypassing the discs, the spring washer, and the screw using pass way 5171, without leaving the enclosure of the joint mechanism. Notice here how the cable can go around the shaft (5180) inside 5133.
FIG. 51 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5300) of the present invention. FIG. 51A is an exploded view; FIG. 51B is a perspective view; and FIG. 51C is a sectional view. The two linked hollow objects are 5333 and 5334. The basic idea here is the same as that of friction joint 5000 (FIG. 47) except that the wiring cable here does not need to bypass the friction mechanism using a pass way in 5334, because as the cable enters the joining portion, it goes in the opposite direction of the friction mechanism residing in portion 5334 a. For those components that are the same as in FIG. 47, such as the discs, the spring washer, and the screw, we use the same labels. There are a few other minor differences. Here, the shaft (5380) is perpendicular to the extended portion of 5334. For variation, we choose a different external shape for the extended portion of 5334; and it would not affect the functionality of the joint if it had a circular external shape. Dashed line 5370 shows how a wiring cable can run from the inside of 5333 to the inside of 5334, without leaving the enclosure of the joint mechanism. Notice here how the cable can go around the shaft (5380) inside 5333.
FIG. 52 shows an embodiment of a friction joint mechanism (5400) of the present invention. Such a mechanism can be built into the ends of a multi-sectioned arm for pivotally mounting the arm to the base and the display of a portable computer (for example, computer 5200 in FIG. 62). The two linked objects are 5433 and 5441. FIG. 52A is an exploded view; FIG. 52B is a different perspective view of 5433. FIG. 52C is a perspective view of the joint; and FIG. 52D is a sectional view. The basic idea here is the same as that of friction joint 5100 (FIG. 50) except that the wiring cable here does not need to bypass the friction mechanism using a pass way in 5441, because the cable exits 5441 at hole 5471. For those components that are the same as in FIG. 50, such as the discs, the spring washer, and the screw, we use the same labels. Dashed line 5470 shows how a wiring cable can run from the inside of 5433 to the inside of 5441, and exit at insertion hole 5471 (potentially entering another object, such as the display or the base of the portable computer of the present invention). Notice here how the cable can go around the shaft (5480) inside 5433.
FIG. 53 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5500) of the present invention. The two linked objects are 5533 and 5534. FIG. 53A is an exploded view; FIG. 53B is a different perspective view of 5533. FIG. 53C is a perspective view of the joint; and FIG. 53D is a sectional view. The basic idea here is the same as that of friction joint 5100 (FIG. 50). For those components that are the same as in FIG. 50, such as the discs, the spring washer, and the screw, we use the same labels. There are a few minor differences. The extended portions of the 5533 and 5534 are parallel to each other; and they are placed on the same side of the friction mechanism; and this allows the wiring cable (5570) to run from the inside of 5433 to the inside of 5534, without having to bypass the friction mechanism in portion 5434 a. Notice here how the cable can go around the shaft (5580) inside 5333.
FIG. 54 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5600) of the present invention. The two linked objects are 5633 and 5634. FIG. 54A is an exploded view; FIG. 54B is a different perspective view of 5633. FIG. 54C is a perspective view of the joint; and FIG. 54D is a sectional view. As far as the friction mechanism is concerned, the basic idea here is the same as that of friction joint 5500 (FIG. 53). For those components that are the same as in FIG. 53, such as the discs, the spring washer, and the screw, we use the same labels. There is one noticeable difference: the two linked objects here have special shapes. These special shapes give the effect that the extended portions of the two linked objects can rotate relatively to each other, and that their rotation is confined within two (imaginary) parallel planes separated by a distance equal to the identical heights of their elongated portions. Externally, hollow object 5633 has an opening at one end (5633 h) of its elongated portion, and at the other end it has two concentric cylindrical portions 5633 a and 5633 b with a common opening; and internally there is a tunnel that starts at 5633 h, runs through the entire elongated portion, enters 5633 a, and exits at the common opening of 5633 a and 5633 b. Hollow object 5634 has an opening at one end (5634 h) of its elongated portion, and at the other end it has two portions 5634 a and 5634 b with a common opening; and internally there is a tunnel that starts at 5634 h, runs through the entire elongated portion, enters 5634 a, and exits at the common opening of 5634 a and 5634 b. Portion 5634 a holds the disks, the spring washer, and the screw. The external size and circular shape of 5633 b match those internal ones of 5634 b so that they can be nested as concentric cylinders; and this rotatably links 5633 and 5634 together. Dashed line 5670 shows how a wiring cable can run from the inside of the elongated portion of 5633, through the inside of 5633 a and 5633 b, into the inside of 5634 a, and further into the inside of the elongate portion of 5634, without leaving the enclosure of the joint. Notice here how the cable (5670) goes around shaft 5680 inside 5633 a and 5633 b. FIG. 55 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5700) of the present invention. FIG. 55A is an exploded view; FIG. 55B is a perspective view; and FIG. 55C is a sectional view. The two linked objects are 5733 and 5734. The basic idea here is the same as that of friction joint 5000B (FIG. 49). A noticeable difference is that the “hollow shaft” here is served by a deformed small diameter portion (5733 a) of 5733. We use different labels here for the discs (5750 and 5760), the spring washing (5710), the screw (5720), and the cap (5790); but they serve basically the same functions as their counterparts in joint 5000B (FIG. 49). Because the “shaft” is hollow, there is no need to have a pass way for the wiring cable to bypass the friction mechanism; the cable can simply runs inside the “shaft” and therefore the friction mechanism.
FIG. 56 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5800) of the present invention. FIG. 56A is an exploded view. The two linked hollow objects are 5837 and 5838, each having a tunnel to allow the wiring cable to run through. Two shafts 5887 and 5888 are firmly mounted on the 5837 and 5838, respectively. Shafts 5887 and 5888 respectively have deformed small diameter portions 5887 c and 5888 c, each having screw thread at the end. There are three groups of discs: upper row of 5850 engaged with 5887, and lower row of 5850 engaged with 5888, and 5860 engaged with both 5887 and 5888. The discs from different groups are interposed and placed closely for frictional contact. A pair of spring washers (5810) and a pair of screws (5820) are respectively engaged with 5887 c and 5888 c to tighten the frictional contact between the discs. Component 5872 is optional; and when included, it is used to enhance the structural stability of the mechanism and also to prevent the edges of 5837 a and 5838 a from “cutting” the cable during rotation.
FIG. 56B is a perspective view of 5837. The corresponding perspective view of 5838 would be similar.
FIG. 56C shows perspective split views of 5887 and 5888. Shafts 5887 and 5888 respectively have deformed small diameter portions 5887 c and 5888 c for engaging with the discs. Both 5887 c and 5888 c have screw threads at the ends.
FIG. 56D shows the cross section views of the deformed small diameter portions of the shafts 5887 c and 5888 c, and the discs in group 5850 and 5860. A disc in group 5850 has a circular edge and a deformed insertion hole that matches the deformed shapes of small diameter portion 5887 c and 5888 c. A disc in group 5860 has two circular insertion holes. Because the matching of the shapes (and sizes), when 5837 and 5838 respectively rotate around shafts 5887 and 5888, the upper row of discs in group 5850 rotates in sync with 5837, the lower row of discs in group 5850 rotates in sync with 5838, while discs in group 5060 do not rotate with either of the shafts. The rotational friction between the two rows of discs in group 5850 against the discs in group 5860 contributes the friction of the joint mechanism.
FIG. 56E is a perspective view of joint 5800 when the 5837 and 5838 are linked together.
FIG. 56F is a sectional view of the joint mechanism. The dashed line (5870) shows how a wiring cable can run from the inside of 5837 to the inside of 5838.
FIG. 56G and FIG. 56H illustrate that cover 5840 is optional. The mechanism can function even without 5840.
FIG. 56I shows that shafts can be mounted differently on the two hollow objects (relabeled as 5834 and 5835 from 5837 and 5838, respectively), in a way similar to how shaft 5080 is mounted on 5033 in joint mechanism 5000 as shown in FIG. 47.
FIG. 57 shows an embodiment of a friction joint (5900) of the present invention. FIG. 57A is an exploded view; FIG. 57B is a perspective view; and FIG. 57C is a perspective view; and FIG. 57D is a sectional view. The two linked objects are 5937 and 5738. The basic idea here is the same as that of friction joint 5800 (FIG. 56). A noticeable difference is that the “hollow shafts” here are served by deformed small diameter portions of 5937 a and 5938 a. We use different labels here for the discs (5950 and 5960), the spring washing (5910), the screw (5920), and the cover (5940) along with its cap (5941); but they serve basically the same functions as their counterparts in joint 5800 (FIG. 56). Dashed line 5970 shows how a wiring cable can run from inside of 5937 to inside of 5938. Component 5972 is optional; and when included, it is used to enhance the structural stability of the mechanism and also to prevent the edges of 5937 a and 5938 a from “cutting” the cable during rotation.
FIG. 58 shows some of the possible ways how friction joint mechanism 5000 can be used in connecting two arm sections of the various extensions.
FIG. 59 shows some of the possible ways in which how friction joint mechanism 5000 as well as 5100 can be used to create combo joints.
Support for Joint Notations in FIG. 2 Up to this point, we have presented mechanical joints to support the rotatable joint notation in FIG. 2. The following is a summary.
Notation in FIG. 2A can be implemented by joint 5500 (FIG. 53), or the mechanism in FIG. 58D. Notation in FIG. 2B can be implemented by joints 5600 (FIG. 54). Notation in FIG. 2C can be implemented by joints 5800 (FIG. 56), 5900 (FIG. 57), and the mechanism in FIG. 58F. Notation in FIG. 2D can be implemented by joints 5000 (FIG. 47), 5000A (FIG. 48), 5000B (FIG. 49), and 5700 (FIG. 55). Notation in FIG. 2F can be implemented by combo-joints shown in FIG. 59A and FIG. 59B. Notation in FIG. 2G can be implemented by joints 5100 (FIG. 50) and 5300 (FIG. 51).
A Method for Installing Wiring Cables in Multi-Sectioned Arms
FIG. 60A shows a wiring cable (5275) that is pre-connected with connectors 5275 a, 5275 b, and 5275 c at its ends. This is typical of the wiring cables between the displays and the bases for many of the today's notebook computers based on the conventional clamshell design. The figure also shows some solid pieces, 5294 a and 5294 b, 5295 a and 9295 b, and 5296 a and 5296 b, for constructing hollow objects that the wiring cable needs to run through. At least two of the connectors (5275 a and 5275 b) on the opposite ends of the wiring cable (parallel cable) are too large to pass through the narrow tunnels of the objects after the separate solid pieces are merged into the desirable objects. The method here is to place the wiring cable before merging the separate solid pieces. Different from other hollow objects in the figure, 5293 is not constructed from separate solid pieces. As amplified in FIG. 60F, object 5293 has a narrow gap 5293 a along its tunnel. To run the entire cable through the tunnel of 5293, the method here is to slide through the gap at 5293 a, one by one, wires of the cable. The width of the slide-through gap (i.e. 5293 a) needs to be just slightly wider than the diameter of each individual wire. (Note: For the parallel cable between the base and the display of today's typical notebook computer, each such wire is ultra-thin, usually about 0.5 mm in diameter or thinner.)
FIG. 60B is a perspective view of wiring cable 5275 running through the hollows objects that are merged together from the separate solid pieces as shown in FIG. 60A.
FIG. 60C shows how two solid pieces, 5294 a and 5924 b, can embrace to form a tunnel. FIG. 60D shows how 5295 a and 5295 b can form a circular tunnel by merging along their edges. FIG. 60E shows that 5296 a can slide into 5296 b to close the opening of 5296 a. In actually implementation, one possible combination would be to use separate pieces to form components that are exposed, and to use slide-through gaps for parts that are hidden after assembly.
The examples here are provided for illustrative purposes. There are many other ways to form a hollow object from two or more separate pieces. In merging separate solid pieces to form a hollow object, the formation can be secured using standard mechanisms such as screw, superglue, locking groove etc. After the cable is placed inside a hollow object, the slide-through gap, such as 5293 a, should be filled, with a narrow strip, rubber glue etc. Such details are easy to people skilled in the art, and therefore not elaborated here.
Attachment of Multi-Sectioned Arms to the Base and the Display
FIG. 61 shows some possible ways for mounting a multi-sectioned arm to the base and the display of a portable computer of the present invention. A tunnel can be provided directly on the base (as shown in FIG. 61C) or the display so that an end section of the multi-section can be inserted. Alternative, an arm attachment mechanism can be mounted to the display and the base, as shown in FIG. 61A and FIG. 61B.
FIG. 61A shows that, using part 5246 c, the arm attachment mechanism (5246) can be hung off the bottom of the display. The opening (5246 a) on top of 5246 is for the wiring cable to pass between the arm and the base. Next to opening 5246 a is a “slide-through gap” for the individual wires of the wiring cable to slide into 5246 a (as discussed earlier in FIG. 60.) FIG. 61B shows that arm attachment mechanism (5247) can be mounted on the back edge of the base of the portable computer. Notice that, in actual implementations, such an arm attachment mechanism can also be mounted on other sides and edges of the base and the display.
FIG. 61C. shows that an insertion tunnel can be created on the base (and similarly on the display) of the portable computer of the present invention. Depending on whether or not it is desirable for the inserted portion of the arm section to rotate relatively to the tunnel, we can choose the shape of the tunnel to be of either cylindrical shape to allow relative rotation or a special shape matching that of the inserted portion to prevent relative rotation. In FIG. 61C, a cubical tunnel is chosen.
We should point out that the methods discussed here for mounting an attachment mechanism to the base and the display are also applied to directly mount the end sections or the built-in connection pivots of a multi-sectioned arm, as shown in FIG. 62.
Putting it all Together: a Complete Design of Multi-Sectioned Arms for a Portable Computer
FIG. 62 presents a portable computer (5200) with two double-sectioned arms according to the present invention. Computer 5200 resembles portable computer 200 in FIG. 18A, allowing the same set of possible movements and configurations. This is to show how the mechanisms presented earlier can be used to implement the multi-sectioned arms of a portable computer of the present invention. Designs of the mechanical parts and the structures of the arms are presented in great details, including the joints, the hollow arm sections, wiring, and the connection pivots for mounting the arms on the display and the base of the computer.
FIG. 62A is a perspective front view of computer 5200. The computer is in an open position with the arms fully stretched in the vertical direction, screen 98 facing the user, and keyboard 87 facing upward. The two arms are similar, and therefore we only present the details of the left arm. There are four pivotal axes. Pivotal axis 5221 around 5241 supports the relative rotation of display 90 and the upper sections of the arms (5237 and its counterpart on the right arm). Pivotal axis 5224 around 5242 supports the relative rotation of the lower sections of the arms (5238 and its counterpart on the right arm) and base 80. Pivotal axes 5222 and 5223 at joint 5240 support the relative folding and stretching of the upper and lower arm sections.
FIG. 62B is a partially exploded view of the left arm of computer 5200. Details of the lower connection pivot (5242) are not shown, its structure similar to that of the upper connection pivot, with the possible exception of having different number of discs due to different friction needs.
The middle joint (with cover 5240) is based on friction joint mechanism 5800 in FIG. 56, although the parts are given different labels here from those in FIG. 56. Specifically, 5250 represents two rows of discs for engaging with shafts 5282 and 5283, respectively; 5260 is the group of the discs for engaging with both shafts simultaneously; and 5220 and 5210 are a pair of spring washer and screw for tightening the frictional contact of the discs in group 5250 and 5260. Part 5272 provides additional stability of the structure and protects the wiring from the edges of 5237 d and 5238 d during arm rotation. Compared to FIG. 56, one special feature here is the slide-through gaps (5272 a and 5272 b) on part 5272. Such gaps are used for installation of a wiring cable that is pre-connected with connectors on its ends (as discussed earlier in details in FIG. 60).
The upper connection pivot (with cover 5241) is based on mechanism 5400 in FIG. 52, although its components are given different labels here from those in FIG. 52. Specifically, 5251 is the group of discs for engaging with shaft 5281; 5261 is the group of discs for engaging the inside of 5241; and spring washer 5211 and screw 5221 are used to tighten the frictional contact between friction discs in groups 5251 and 5261.
FIG. 62C shows the external structure of the connection pivot (5241). The structure and function of this part is similar to 5441 in joint mechanism 5400 in FIG. 52. The difference here is the slide-through gap (5241 a) useful for wiring cable installation (as discussed earlier in details in FIG. 60).
FIG. 62D shows two perspective views of hollow part 5237 c. Part 5237 d (not shown in this figure) is similar in structure. There is a slide-through gap and a wider opening along the gap on part 5237 c. The slide-through gap is for cable installation. The wider opening is used after installation to receive the wiring cable from the tunnel in the elongated portion of section 5237.
FIG. 62E shows the structure of shaft 5281. It has a large diameter top portion 5281 a, a cubical portion 5281 b (matching the shape of insertion hole 5237 h on the top portion of 5237 a), a mid portion 5281 c (of cylindrical shape so as to minimize the wearing with the wiring cable during rotation), and deformed small diameter portion 5281 d with screw thread at the end.
FIG. 62F is an exploded view of arm section 5237. It shows how hollow arm section 5237 is composed of separate solid parts. Specifically, the elongated portion of the 5237 b is embraced by 5237 a to form the elongated portion of 5237. (This idea is similar to the one shown in FIG. 60C.) Shaft 5281 inserts into insertion hole 5237 h. The mounting portion (5281 b) of the shaft matches 5237 h in size and shape, so that shaft 5281 does not rotate relative to 5237 after installation. Part 5237 c is inserted in the top hollow portion of 5237 a so that shaft 5281 also inserts into 5237 c. Part 5237 c is hollow and has an opening and a slide-through gap on the side. The opening is for the wiring cable to come through from 5237 c after installation; and the slide-through gap is needed for wiring cable installation (as discussed earlier in details in FIG. 60.) The installations of part 5237 d and shaft 5282 are similar to those of 5237 c and shaft 5281, respectively.
FIG. 62G shows three perspective views of 5237 a, from an angle (between the front and a side), from the front, and from the back.
FIG. 62H shows three perspective views of 5237 b, side view, front view, and back view. On the top portion of 5237 b, there is an insertion hole (5237 i).
It should be mentioned that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only; and in actual implementation, the relative sizes of the components do not have to be proportional to those in the drawings.
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