Dual-Axis Hinge Assembly With Elastic Member For Damage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hinged electronic devices, such as laptops and flip mobile phones, often suffer damage when users accidentally insert objects between the display and main housings during closure or opening, leading to potential damage to the display or keyboard.

Innovation Solution

A dual-axis hinge assembly with an elastic member that allows the pivot axes to adjust their distance, enabling the shafts to slide along slots when a force greater than the elastic member's fixed force is applied, thereby increasing the gap between the display and main housings to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pivot axes are fixed at a constant distance, then the hinge assembly maintains stable structure and precise positioning, but the display housing and main housing may collide and cause damage when objects are accidentally inserted during closure or opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidhinge assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly transitions from a fixed pivot axis distance to a dynamic adjustable distance. The elastic member enables the pivot axes to move relative to each other along guide slots when external force is applied (such as when an object is inserted), increasing the distance between display housing and main housing to prevent damage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining fixed positioning during normal use while allowing distance increase during abnormal situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member is pre-installed in the hinge assembly to provide beforehand cushioning. When an object is accidentally inserted between the housings during closure or opening, the elastic member compresses or extends to increase the pivot axis distance, creating a protective buffer that prevents damage before it occurs. This prior cushioning mechanism resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance to handle abnormal situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the pivot axes are allowed to move to increase distance for damage prevention, then the reliability improves, but the positioning precision and structural stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidpivot axis positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly uses guide slots to constrain the movement of pivot axes to specific linear paths, maintaining precise positioning control during normal operation. When force is applied, the pivot axes move only along the predetermined slot directions, ensuring that positioning precision is maintained while allowing the necessary distance adjustment for damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the distance parameter between pivot axes dynamically based on external conditions. During normal use, the distance remains at the precise manufactured value. When an object is inserted and force is applied, the elastic member allows the distance parameter to change by moving the pivot axes along the guide slots, preventing damage while maintaining control over the movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents damage by increasing the distance between pivot axes when an object is present, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring the longevity of the device.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic member may enable at least one of the shafts to slide along the slots to variably adjust a distance between a pivot axis of the display housing and a pivot axis of the main housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11237599B2Dual-axis hinge assembly for electronic devices
Publication Date: 2022.02.01 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • US11237599B2 patent drawing
  • US11237599B2 patent drawing
  • US11237599B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In one example, a dual-axis hinge assembly for an electronic device is disclosed, which may include a casing defining a pair of slots and an elastic member disposed in the casing. The elastic member may include mounting features at opposite ends. The dual-axis hinge assembly may include a pair of shafts received through a respective one of the mounting features and the slots, and engaged with display housing and a main housing of the electronic device to pivotably connect the display housing to the man housing. The elastic member may enable at least one of the shafts to slide along the slots to variably adjust a distance between a pivot axis of the display housing and a pivot axis of the main housing.