Dynamic Moveable Hinge With Cam Axis Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges in portable electronic devices protrude into the interior, occupying valuable space and compromising the aesthetic design of thinner-profile devices, which requires a hinge that connects two halves without internal protrusion.
Innovation Solution
A moveable hinge with a cam mechanism that shifts its longitudinal axis in response to rotation, allowing the upper device body to move relative to the lower body without needing additional clearance, utilizing a barrel-type hinge body and an eccentric cam with a variable distance between the longitudinal axis and cam surface, coupled with a spring for counterforce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional hinge is used to connect two halves of a portable electronic device, then the hinge provides stable connection and rotation functionality, but the hinge protrudes into the interior of the bottom half, occupying valuable space and increasing device thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates a cam mechanism that dynamically shifts the longitudinal axis position during rotation. As the top half rotates about the hinge, the cam converts rotational motion into linear displacement, causing the longitudinal axis to move back and forth. This dynamic adjustment allows the hinge to maintain stable connection while eliminating the need for a static half-pipe clearance structure that would increase device thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary element between the rotating top half and the stationary bottom half. It mediates the interaction by converting the rotation motion into longitudinal axis displacement, allowing the hinge to function without requiring the top half to physically clear a half-pipe structure in the bottom half, thus reducing the required device thickness
2Ease of operation
If a half-pipe clearance structure is added to accommodate hinge rotation, then the hinge rotation is enabled, but the structure protrudes into the interior space of the bottom half
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a static half-pipe clearance structure, the invention uses a dynamic cam mechanism that actively adjusts the longitudinal axis position during rotation. This dynamic approach enables hinge rotation functionality while eliminating the need for the protruding half-pipe structure that would consume interior space
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism transforms the rotation motion (one dimensional) into longitudinal axis displacement (another dimension). By operating in an additional dimensional space, the hinge enables rotation without requiring the top half to clear space in the bottom half's interior, thus preserving valuable interior volume
3Shape
If the device profile is reduced to achieve a thinner design, then aesthetics are improved, but there is insufficient space for conventional hinge structures
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic cam mechanism allows the hinge to function within a thinner profile by actively adjusting its configuration during operation. The cam converts rotation into longitudinal displacement, enabling the hinge to accommodate thin-profile device requirements while maintaining proper connection geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the hinge by introducing longitudinal axis displacement as a variable parameter during rotation. This parameter change allows the hinge to adapt to the constrained space of thin-profile devices, maintaining ease of manufacture and installation while achieving the desired aesthetic profile
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
Enables a thinner device profile by eliminating the need for internal clearance, allowing for more compact design and improved aesthetics by keeping the hinge body flush with the device's surface during rotation.
Implementation Method 1
a cam configured to shift a longitudinal axis of the hinge in response to movement of the hinge body
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge which may be used for example in portable electronic devices may raise the upper body of the device from the lower body in response to rotation of the upper body about the hinge. The need to include a half-pipe section on the upper surface of the lower body maybe avoided. Thus more internal space of the lower body may be used without having to accommodate for the hinge. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge may include a cam surface. The cam surface may be configured to shift a longitudinal axis of the hinge on response to the rotation of the upper body. In some embodiments, the shift of the longitudinal axis may be away from the lower body allowing a rear edge of the upper body to move across a rear edge of an upper surface of the lower body.