Cam Hinge Ejection for Flush-Stowed Device Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in stowing and ejecting device features without creating unaesthetic clearance gaps, which can interfere with the industrial design and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a device hinge system comprising a hinge member, cam element, bias member, and ejector allows the device feature to nest flush within the electronic device, with the cam element and bias member maintaining the stowed position and the ejector facilitating smooth ejection and adjustment without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a device feature is stowed within an electronic device, then the device feature can be compactly stored, but clearance gaps are created that are unaesthetic and interfere with industrial design
Solution Approach 1:
The device feature is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to transition between a stowed position (minimizing volume) and an extended position (adjustable angle). The hinge mechanism enables the device feature to move from a compact stowed state to an operational extended state, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and aesthetic appearance by making the clearance gap variable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the device feature relative to the electronic device body. By adjusting the angle from 0 degrees (stowed, flush with surface) to greater than 0 degrees (extended), the device feature can maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance when stowed while providing functional adjustment capability when extended, thus resolving the appearance issue.
2Ease of operation
If a device feature is ejected from stowed position and adjusted, then user interaction convenience is improved, but contact or interference with surrounding panels may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism provides dynamic angular adjustment capability, allowing the device feature to be positioned at various angles relative to the electronic device body. This dynamic positioning enables users to adjust the device feature to a convenient interaction angle while the hinge controls the range of motion to prevent contact with surrounding panels, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and avoidance of interference.
3Ease of operation
If clearance gaps are increased to avoid interference, then device feature can be adjusted without contact, but the aesthetic appearance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning where the device feature can be precisely controlled at any angle within the operational range. This allows the device feature to be extended sufficiently for user interaction while maintaining minimal clearance gaps when in the stowed position, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustment range and aesthetic appearance by making the clearance dynamic rather than statically large.
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
This solution minimizes the size and aesthetic impact of clearance gaps, enabling seamless stowing and adjustment of device features while maintaining user interaction convenience and avoiding contact with surrounding panels.
Implementation Method 1
a bias member (108) that biases the device feature (104) in a second direction away from the pivot point
Implementation Method 2
a cam element (106) that engages with the device feature (104)
Implementation Method 3
a cam element (106) that engages with the device feature (104), wherein the cam element (106) is configured to convert rotational motion into linear motion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
In an example, a device hinge may include a hinge member to rotatably engage a device feature to a device. The device hinge may further include a cam element having a cam ramp and a cam face. The cam face may engage with the device feature in a stowed position. The device feature may further include a bias member and an ejector. The ejector may move the device feature from the stowed position to an ejected position, and the bias member may move the device feature to the ejected position such that a clearance gap is created in between a surface of the device feature and a surface of the device