Dual-Axle Hinge With Integrated Interconnects for Thin 360° Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hinge designs for electronic devices face challenges in achieving a thin or ultra-thin form factor while allowing for 360° rotation and effective communication between connected housings, particularly in touch-based designs where sufficient space is needed for interconnects, leading to bulkiness and limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring dual axles with built-in torsional elements and interconnect pathways that enable 360° rotation, allowing for a thin profile and accommodating multiple electrical connections, including coax wires, while maintaining positional control without bulkiness, by using hinge links and interconnects that facilitate communication between housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinge designs are used to allow 360° rotation, then rotational flexibility is improved, but device thickness increases and thin form factor is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple independent components: a first hinge assembly for primary rotation and a second hinge assembly for additional rotation. This segmentation allows each assembly to be optimized independently, enabling 360° rotation while keeping each component thin, thus resolving the contradiction between rotational flexibility and device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane rotation hinge to a multi-dimensional hinge system with two separate rotation axes. The first hinge assembly provides rotation in one dimension while the second hinge assembly provides rotation in another dimension, enabling 360° rotational versatility without increasing the thickness of individual components.
2Reliability
If sufficient space is allocated for interconnects in touch-based designs, then communication reliability is improved, but device thickness increases and thin profile is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnect pathways are nested within the hinge link structure itself. The hinge links contain internal channels and pathways that route coax wires and electrical connections through the hinge mechanism. This nesting approach provides sufficient space for reliable communication while maintaining the thin external profile of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural components of the hinge (hinge links, axles) are merged with the communication infrastructure (interconnect pathways, wire routing channels). This integration eliminates the need for separate communication channels that would increase thickness, while still providing adequate space for reliable electrical connections.
3Ease of operation
If dual axles with torsional elements are used, then positional control is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
Torsional elements are localized specifically within the hinge links at the rotation points where positional control is needed. The dual axles incorporate torsional springs or similar elements only at critical positions, providing precise positional control for the first and second hinge assemblies without adding torsional components throughout the entire device structure, thus minimizing thickness increase.
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
The proposed hinge design allows for a thin, ultra-thin electronic device form factor with 360° rotation, supporting dual-screen configurations and various usage modes, such as laptop and tablet, while ensuring reliable communication and electrical connections, enhancing user experience and device versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The first axle and the second axle can each include a torsional element built into the axle to provide the frictional or positional control features
Data Source
AI summary
Particular embodiments described herein provide for device that includes a first housing that includes a first module, a second housing that includes a second module, and a hinge that rotatable couples the first housing to the second housing. The hinge can include a first axle, a second axle, and a plurality of hinge links. At least one of the hinge links includes an interconnect to provide a communication path between the first module and the second module.