Dual-Shaft Hinge Module With Adjustable Wheelbase for Accessories
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge modules for portable electronic devices have a fixed wheelbase, limiting their ability to accommodate additional accessories due to a fixed space correspondence relationship, which restricts their functionality when additional accessories are added.
Innovation Solution
A dual-shaft hinge module with a gear set and links that allows for adjustable shaft wheelbase, enabling synchronous rotation of the first and second shafts and maintaining a fixed center distance between engaged gears, thereby adjusting the relative distance between the shafts to accommodate additional accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed wheelbase hinge module is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability is poor when additional accessories are added
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge module employs a dynamic wheelbase adjustment mechanism where the distance between the first and second shafts can be changed along with different engagement positions of the driven gears. This allows the hinge module to adapt between a compact state (for basic functionality) and an expanded state (when accessories are added), resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft wheelbase is made adjustable to accommodate accessories, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wheelbase adjustment function with the existing hinge rotation mechanism by integrating driven gears that engage with the first and second driving gears. The same gear engagement system that enables synchronous rotation of the shafts also controls the wheelbase distance, combining multiple functions into a unified mechanism rather than adding separate complex adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The driven gears serve multiple functions: they enable synchronous rotation of the first and second shafts, control the relative distance between shafts (wheelbase adjustment), and work with links to maintain fixed center distances. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the relative distance between shafts is changed to create accommodation space, then the adaptability for accessories improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces links as intermediary components that pivot between the driving gears and driven gears. These links maintain fixed center distances between engaged gears while allowing the overall shaft distance to change, effectively decoupling the precision requirements. The links act as mediators that translate gear engagement positions into controlled shaft distance changes without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances.
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 dual-shaft hinge module provides additional space for accessories by adjusting the relative distance between the shafts, allowing for expanded functionality and the inclusion of additional components, such as a physical keyboard, in portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first driving gear, a second driving gear, and a pair of driven gears. The first driving gear is disposed on the first shaft, the second driving gear is disposed on the second shaft, and the driven gears are coupled between the first driving gear and the second driving gear
Implementation Method 2
The links are respectively pivoted between the first driving gear and one of the driven gears, between the driven gears, and between another one of the driven gears and the second driving gear to keep a center distance of engaged gears fixed
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-shaft hinge module including a first shaft, a first driving gear disposed on the first shaft, a second shaft, a second driving gear disposed on the second shaft, a pair of driven gears coupled between the first driving gear and the second driving gear, and multiple links is provided. The links are respectively pivoted to any two engaged gears to keep a center distance of the engaged gears fixed. A relative distance of the first shaft and the second shaft is changed along with different engagement positions of the driven gears relative to the first driving gear and the second driving gear. A portable electronic device is also provided.