Docking Station Hinge Auto Lock Mechanism for Tilt Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices, such as notebook computers, tend to tilt backward when the display screen is opened beyond a certain angle due to the weight distribution, leading to instability.
Innovation Solution
A docking station with a hinge structure incorporating a pivot, fixed rack, rotating rack, first positioning cam set, and second positioning cam set, which provides an auto lock function by engaging at specific angles to prevent excessive tilt, ensuring stability as the screen is rotated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display screen is opened beyond a certain angle to improve accessibility and usability, then the user can operate the device more conveniently, but the device loses balance and tilts backward due to weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a counterbalance mechanism using a spring-loaded arm that provides an opposing force to the display screen's weight. The spring arm is positioned to leverage the screen's weight against the hinge, creating a counterbalancing moment that prevents the device from tilting backward when the screen is opened beyond a certain angle, thus maintaining device stability while allowing improved accessibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display screen is rotated freely to increase operational flexibility, then the user can position the screen at various angles, but the device becomes unstable and tilts backward when rotated beyond a proper angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a preliminary counterbalancing mechanism that anticipates and prevents the instability problem before it occurs. The spring-loaded arm is pre-configured to engage at specific angles and provide counterbalancing force in advance, preventing the device from tilting backward even when the screen is rotated to various angles for operational flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A docking station includes a docking body and a hinge structure. The docking body includes a casing having an articulated portion and an operation interface disposed at the casing. The hinge structure is connected with the docking body vertiginously and includes a hinge assembly and a pivot portion. The hinge assembly includes a pivot, a fixed rack, a rotating rack, a first positioning cam set and a second positioning cam set. The pivot is connected with the pivot portion, while the pivot portion is articulated with the articulated portion. One end of the pivot is connected with the fixed rack. The fixed rack is connected with the docking body. The rotating rack is rotatable relative to the fixed rack and has a first spacing angle by the first positioning cam set and a second spacing angle by the second positioning cam set.