Dual-Shaft Hinge Torque Structure for Thin, Low-Vibration Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge mechanisms in electronic devices require larger diameters to generate sufficient rotational torque, leading to manufacturing difficulties and potential vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a first and second shaft, a connecting member, and torque application units that apply frictional forces in opposite directions to generate sufficient torque without increasing diameter, using a synchronization unit to synchronize shaft rotation and reduce vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a larger diameter is used to generate sufficient rotational torque, then the torque generation capability is improved, but the thickness of the electronic apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device is divided into multiple functional components: a shaft, a bracket with a curled portion, and a leaf spring. The curled portion of the bracket wraps around the shaft to generate torque, while the leaf spring provides additional torque generation. This segmentation allows sufficient torque to be generated without increasing the overall diameter of the hinge device, thereby maintaining the thinness of the electronic apparatus.
2Force
If the curled portion is made long in the axial direction to generate sufficient rotational torque, then the torque generation capability is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases due to high straightness requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The curled portion of the bracket is designed with specific local geometric characteristics, including a controlled curvature radius and axial length. By optimizing these local parameters, sufficient torque is generated without requiring excessive axial length or extremely high straightness, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty while maintaining torque generation capability.
3Force
If the curled portion is made elastic to generate rotational torque, then the torque generation capability is improved, but vibration occurs between the two chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device combines multiple torque generation mechanisms: the elastic deformation of the curled bracket portion and the elastic force of the leaf spring. This merging of mechanisms provides sufficient torque while the leaf spring acts as a vibration-damping element, reducing the harmful vibrations that would otherwise occur between the chassis during rotation.
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 hinge device generates sufficient torque with a smaller diameter, reducing manufacturing complexity and minimizing vibration, while maintaining stability and ease of operation across various angular positions.
Implementation Method 1
a first torque application unit configured to apply a frictional force to a peripheral surface of the first shaft by fitting the first shaft to the first torque application unit
Implementation Method 2
a second torque application unit configured to apply a frictional force to the second shaft in an axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided are a hinge device and an electronic apparatus capable of generating a sufficient torque while having a small diameter and suppressing vibration between chassis. A hinge device includes a first shaft that is fixed to a display chassis, a second shaft that is fixed to a main body chassis, connecting plates to which the first shaft and the second shaft are rotatably fitted, a synchronization unit configured to synchronously rotate the first shaft and the second shaft in opposite directions with respect to the connecting plates, a first torque application unit configured to apply a frictional force to a peripheral surface of the first shaft by fitting the first shaft to the first torque application unit, and a second torque application unit configured to apply a frictional force to the second shaft in an axial direction.