Bistable Hinge With Arcuate Rail for Thin Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hinges for electronic devices are bulky and intrusive, limiting the interior volume and component selection in thin and compact electronic devices, while also lacking the ability to maintain stable open and closed states efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A bistable hinge design with a first and second portion that are rotatable via complementary arcuate rails and grooves, supported by a biasing element applying a radial force, allowing the hinge to maintain two stable positions with a high torque output in a compact package, minimizing thickness and intrusion into the device's interior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional hinges are used in electronic devices, then the device can achieve stable open and closed states, but the hinge becomes bulky and intrusive, limiting interior volume and component selection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable open and closed statesVSAvoidinterior volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can move relative to each other, with the biasing element integrated into one of the portions. This segmentation allows the hinge to maintain stability while reducing overall volume and intrusion into the device interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing element is integrated directly into the first or second portion of the hinge mechanism, combining the biasing function with the structural component. This merging eliminates the need for separate biasing mechanisms, reducing overall hinge volume while maintaining stable states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional hinges are used in electronic devices, then the device can achieve stable open and closed states, but the hinge thickness increases and intrudes into the device's interior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable open and closed statesVSAvoidhinge thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism utilizes arcuate grooves and rails that guide motion in a curved path rather than a linear trajectory. This dimensional change in the motion path allows the hinge to achieve stable states with reduced thickness, as the arcuate geometry distributes forces more efficiently through the thinner structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact hinge design is used to reduce thickness and volume, then the device interior volume increases, but the hinge may lack sufficient torque output to maintain stable states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge volumeVSAvoidtorque output

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The arcuate grooves and rails incorporate curved geometries that optimize the mechanical advantage throughout the hinge's range of motion. The curved path of the rail within the groove ensures that the biasing element applies force at optimal angles, maximizing torque output despite the compact size of the hinge components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing element's surface profile is specifically designed with varying curvature and contact geometry to modulate the radial force applied to the leading edge. By changing the geometric parameters of the surface profile, the hinge achieves high torque output in a compact package, as the optimized profile ensures maximum force application at critical points in the motion cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 bistable hinge provides a high torque output in a low-profile design, allowing for thinner electronic devices with more flexible component arrangements and maintaining stable open and closed states, while minimizing thickness and intrusion into the device's interior volume.

Implementation Method 1

the first portion and second portion are bistable in a closed state relative to one another and an open state relative to one another based at least partially on a surface profile of the biasing element applying a radial force to the leading edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11809238B2Systems and methods for electronic devices with integrated support

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A hinge device for supporting an electronic device includes a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion with a biasing element supported by one or the first portion or the second portion. The first portion has an arcuate groove, and the second portion has an arcuate rail configured to complementarily mate with the arcuate groove and slide therein. The biasing element contacts a leading edge of the other of the first portion or second portion, and the first portion and second portion are bistable in a closed state relative to one another and an open state relative to one another based at least partially on a surface profile of the biasing element applying a radial force to the leading edge.