Detachable Hinge Assembly with Tool Access Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices with clamshell designs face challenges in easy maintenance and repair, particularly in accessing and replacing components like the display housing assembly, due to complex hinge mechanisms and lack of direct access to fasteners.
Innovation Solution
The computing device incorporates a hinge assembly that allows the display housing assembly to be detachable from the keyboard housing assembly via tool-based access to fasteners, facilitated by tool access panels that can be opened to provide direct access to the hinge mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hinge assembly uses complex mechanisms to securely couple the display housing assembly and keyboard housing assembly, then the structural stability and strength are improved, but the ease of repair and maintenance access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is segmented into multiple functional components including a first hinge portion coupled to the display housing assembly, a second hinge portion coupled to the keyboard housing assembly, and a hinge bar connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be independently accessed and serviced while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the overall hinge mechanism by providing separate fasteners that can be independently accessed through access openings in the keyboard housing assembly. This allows maintenance personnel to service the hinge assembly without disassembling the entire device structure.
2Reliability
If the fasteners are concealed within the hinge mechanism to provide a clean appearance and secure coupling, then the structural reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces access openings as intermediary structures that provide a pathway from the external environment to the concealed fasteners. These openings allow maintenance personnel to insert tools and service the fasteners without compromising the secure coupling or requiring complete disassembly of the housing assemblies.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the design requires removal of multiple components to access the hinge fasteners, then the structural protection of internal components is improved, but the repair time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access openings are pre-configured in the keyboard housing assembly to provide direct access to the hinge fasteners. This preliminary design feature eliminates the need for sequential disassembly of multiple components during maintenance, allowing service personnel to quickly reach the fasteners while the structural protection remains intact during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device can include a processor; memory accessible to the processor; a display housing assembly that includes a display panel and display housing hinge mount features; a keyboard housing assembly that includes a keyboard, keyboard housing hinge mount features, and one or more tool access panels; and a hinge assembly that rotatably couples the display housing assembly and the keyboard housing assembly via the display housing hinge mount features, the keyboard housing hinge mount features, and one or more fasteners, where the display housing assembly is attachable to and detachable from the keyboard housing assembly via opening of the one or more tool access panels for tool-based access to and operation of the one or more fasteners.