Clickable Pivoting Cover Assembly for Electronic Device Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices are vulnerable to dust and contaminants due to exposed slots, and existing cover mechanisms do not enhance user experience in terms of ease of opening and closing or positioning.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting assembly comprising a pivoting shaft, inner and intermediate movable members with engaging structures, and stationary members that allow the cover to pivot smoothly, utilizing elastic positioning structures for reduced friction and intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is connected to the housing to protect slots from dust and contaminants, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but the ease of opening and closing or positioning the cover deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one with multiple positioning capabilities. The pivoting assembly allows the cover to rotate between a closed position (covering the slot for protection) and an open position (allowing access), with intermediate positioning options. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by enabling the cover to adapt between protection and accessibility states.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the cover body, the pivoting shaft, the movable member with engaging structures, and the stationary member. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the cover provides protection while the pivoting mechanism provides ease of operation, resolving the contradiction through functional decomposition.
2Device complexity
If a traditional hinge mechanism is used to connect the cover, then the structure is simple, but the user experience in terms of positioning precision and operation smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A movable member is introduced as an intermediary between the cover and the housing. This movable member includes engaging structures that interact with corresponding features on the housing, enabling precise positioning at specific angles while maintaining smooth rotation. The intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing both precision (through engaged positions) and smoothness (through the movable member's rotation capability).
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting assembly changes the rotational parameter of the cover from a simple hinge rotation to a controlled rotation with defined stop positions. The engaging structures create discrete angular positions where the cover can be precisely held, while allowing smooth movement between these positions. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational quality.
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 pivoting assembly improves user experience by enabling easy and precise control over the cover's position with reduced friction and intuitive clicks, effectively protecting the device from contaminants while maintaining accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the movable member includes a number of first engaging structures and a number of first positioning structures made from an elastic material
Implementation Method 2
utilizing elastic positioning structures for reduced friction
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting assembly for an electronic device, being a clickable-open and clickable-shut cover or shield with click-step positioning includes a pivoting shaft extending along an imaginary axis, an inner movable member, an intermediate movable member, and an outer stationary member concentrically surrounding the imaginary axis. First positioning structures and first engaging structures are connected to one of the inner movable member and the intermediate movable member and a number of second positioning structures and second engaging structures are also so connected. When the pivoting shaft is rotated in an opening direction, the first positioning structures compress and slide across the first engaging structures. When the pivoting shaft is rotated in a closing direction, the second positioning structures compress and slide across the second engaging structures.