Detachable Tablet Hinge for Lightweight Portability

Solution Overview

Problem

Current notebook computers, such as the Lenovo YOGA, become thick and heavy when used in tablet mode due to a connected dual-axis hinge or chain hinge design, limiting their portability and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A detachable two-in-one notebook computer design featuring a tablet computer and a keyboard dock connected by hinges with concave grooves and convex tenons or magnets, allowing the tablet to be separated from the keyboard dock, enabling 360-degree rotation and a more lightweight tablet mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a connected dual-axis hinge or chain hinge is used to implement 360-degree flipping, then the notebook computer can be freely flipped around four different screen angles, but the display end and mainframe end cannot be separated, making the tablet computer mode thick and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage mode flexibilityVSAvoidtablet computer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The notebook computer is divided into two separable parts: a tablet computer and a keyboard dock. The hinge structure is segmented into a first hinge connecting the tablet to its cover, and a second hinge connecting the keyboard dock to its cover. These parts can be detached from each other, allowing the tablet to be used independently as a lightweight device while maintaining the ability to combine with the keyboard dock for enhanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard dock is extracted as a separate detachable component from the tablet computer. The connection between them is made optional through a detachable hinge mechanism, allowing users to remove the keyboard dock when only tablet functionality is needed, thereby reducing weight and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a connected dual-axis hinge or chain hinge is used to implement 360-degree flipping, then the notebook computer can be freely flipped around four different screen angles, but the display end and mainframe end cannot be separated, making the tablet computer mode thick and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage mode flexibilityVSAvoidtablet computer thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The notebook computer is divided into two separable parts: a tablet computer and a keyboard dock. The hinge structure is segmented into a first hinge connecting the tablet to its cover, and a second hinge connecting the keyboard dock to its cover. These parts can be detached from each other, allowing the tablet to be used independently as a lightweight device while maintaining the ability to combine with the keyboard dock for enhanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard dock is extracted as a separate detachable component from the tablet computer. The connection between them is made optional through a detachable hinge mechanism, allowing users to remove the keyboard dock when only tablet functionality is needed, thereby reducing weight and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a connected dual-axis hinge or chain hinge is used to implement 360-degree flipping, then the notebook computer can be freely flipped around four different screen angles, but the display end and mainframe end cannot be separated, making the tablet computer mode thick and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage mode flexibilityVSAvoidhinge structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notebook computer is divided into two separable parts: a tablet computer and a keyboard dock. The hinge structure is segmented into a first hinge connecting the tablet to its cover, and a second hinge connecting the keyboard dock to its cover. These parts can be detached from each other, allowing the tablet to be used independently as a lightweight device while maintaining the ability to combine with the keyboard dock for enhanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge structure is designed with universal functionality to support multiple usage modes. The first hinge enables the tablet to rotate relative to its cover, while the second hinge enables the keyboard dock to rotate relative to its cover. When connected, these hinges work together to provide 360-degree flipping capability across four different screen angles, making the system adaptable to various user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11066861B2Notebook computer

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A notebook computer includes a tablet computer and a keyboard dock. The tablet computer includes a tablet computer body, a first hinge cover, and a first hinge, where a first end of the first hinge is connected to the first hinge cover, a second end of the first hinge is connected to the tablet computer body, and the first hinge cover is used for rotating relative to the tablet computer body around a central axis of the first hinge. The keyboard dock includes a keyboard dock body, a second hinge cover, and a second hinge, where a first end of the second hinge is connected to the second hinge cover, a second end of the second hinge is connected to the keyboard dock body, and the second hinge cover is used for rotating relative to the keyboard dock body around a central axis of the second hinge.