Anti-Lock Hinge Linkage for Smooth Folding Device Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge designs for computing devices, particularly thin devices, suffer from binding or locking issues when attempting to open or close, especially when incorporating flexible displays, which can lead to device malfunction and damage.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with an anti-lock link mechanism that allows the hinge arm to rotate freely until it contacts the anti-lock link, preventing further extension and ensuring smooth operation, and reversely rotates without contacting the outer arced surface to prevent locking, thereby maintaining hinge functionality and reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional hinge design is used to accommodate flexible displays, then the hinge can provide rotation functionality, but the hinge arm contacts the outer arced surface causing binding and locking when the device is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the anti-lock link) between the hinge arm and the outer arced surface. This anti-lock link has a curved surface that interfaces with the hinge arm, preventing direct contact between the hinge arm and the outer arced surface. The intermediary anti-lock link transfers the rotational motion while preventing binding, thus resolving the contradiction between smooth operation and locking prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the spine with inner and outer arced surfaces, the hinge arm, and the anti-lock link. By segmenting the hinge system, the patent allows the anti-lock link to independently manage the contact interface, separating the rotation function from the constraint function, thereby preventing binding while maintaining rotational capability.
2Ease of operation
If the hinge arm is designed to rotate freely for smooth operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the hinge arm may contact the outer arced surface causing binding
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-lock link serves as a mediator that allows free rotation of the hinge arm while preventing harmful contact with the outer arced surface. The curved surface of the anti-lock link is designed to guide the hinge arm's motion, ensuring that the hinge arm rotates freely within the safe envelope defined by the anti-lock link's geometry, thus eliminating binding without restricting necessary rotation.
3Reliability
If the anti-lock link is positioned to prevent binding, then reliability is improved, but device real-estate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-lock link is nested within the existing hinge assembly structure, utilizing the space between the spine and the hinge arm. The anti-lock link's curved surface is positioned to interface with the hinge arm's path of motion, allowing the binding-prevention mechanism to be integrated into the existing hinge volume without adding significant external dimensions to the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-lock link utilizes the radial dimension between the inner and outer arced surfaces of the spine to prevent binding. By positioning the anti-lock link in this radial space and designing its curved surface to interact with the hinge arm's rotational path, the solution prevents binding without requiring additional axial or lateral space that would increase device real-estate.
Data Source
AI summary
The description relates to hinged devices. One example can include a spine defining inner and outer arced surfaces and a hinge arm positioned between the inner and outer arced surfaces and configured to arcuately move from a retracted position to a fully extended position. The example includes an anti-lock link captured between the spine and the hinge arm to move along an arc. Rotation of the hinge arm to the fully extended position is configured to rotate the anti-lock link along the arc and partially out of the spine until the anti-lock link contacts the spine and blocks further extension of the hinge arm. Reverse rotation of the hinge arm from the fully extended position toward the retracted position is configured to initially cause the hinge arm to contact the anti-lock link and not the outer arced surface.