Dual-Axle Belt-Synchronized Hinge for Variable Display Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable information handling systems with dual displays face challenges in rotating housing portions over objects like keyboards without damaging the hinge assembly or displays, due to minimal size and precise gear mechanisms that fail under excessive force.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly that adjusts the distance between housing portions using dual axle or single axle configurations with scissor assemblies, mesh gears, helical gears, and breakaway brackets to provide clearance and synchronize rotation, preventing damage from objects between the displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a hinge assembly with minimal size and precise gear mechanisms is used, then the system footprint is reduced and mobility is improved, but the hinge assembly fails under excessive force when objects are placed between housing portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge assembly sizeVSAvoidhinge assembly reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly incorporates a breakaway bracket that can dynamically change its mechanical state from engaged to disengaged under excessive force. The bracket is designed to break away from the gear mechanism when a threshold force is exceeded, allowing the housing portions to separate without damaging the precise gear components. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability under abnormal conditions while preserving the minimal size for normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The breakaway bracket serves as a pre-designed failure point that protects the precise gear mechanism from damage. By intentionally creating a weaker link in the force transmission path, the system cushions against excessive force before it can reach the fragile gear components, ensuring the main hinge mechanism remains intact and reusable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the housing portions are rotated closed over an object like a keyboard, then the system can be compacted for storage, but the excessive force damages the display or hinge assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing portion rotationVSAvoiddamage to display or hinge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The breakaway bracket acts as an intermediary element between the housing portions and the precise gear mechanism. When excessive force is applied during rotation, the bracket breaks away first, serving as a sacrificial component that prevents the force from transmitting to the display or hinge assembly, thus protecting them from damage while still allowing the housing to rotate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harmful effect of excessive force during housing rotation is converted into a beneficial protective mechanism. The breakaway bracket is designed to fail under excessive force, but this failure mode actually protects the more valuable components (display and hinge assembly) from damage. The controlled breakdown prevents uncontrolled damage elsewhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a dual axle hinge assembly with scissor assembly is used, then variable distance between housing portions is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariable spacing between housing portionsVSAvoidhinge assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly is segmented into distinct functional modules: the dual axle mechanism for rotation, the scissor assembly for variable distance adjustment, and the breakaway bracket for force protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the complex system more manageable and easier to manufacture despite the increased adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11016539B2Belt synchronized expandable dual axle hinge

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A portable information handling system housing rotationally couples first and second housing portions with a hinge assembly having first and second axles held in a parallel fixed lateral disposition by interaction of first and second chassis that slide to move the axles to varied distances. The first and second axles transfer rotation through one or more belts and first and second transfer pulleys rotationally coupled with members that adjust transfer pulley positions as the distance between the first and second axles change to maintain belt tension.