Eccentric Linking Rod Hinge Mechanism for Gap Elimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge structures in portable electronic devices, such as notebook computers, face challenges in providing sufficient support and structural strength while accommodating touch screens, and often result in noticeable gaps between the screen and the system body, leading to poor visual effects.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device design incorporating an eccentric linking rod between two hinges, allowing for angle changes during rotation and opening, which compensates for the gap between device bodies by adjusting their relative positions through eccentric pivotal connections, ensuring they abut when unfolded for improved visual experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional hinge structure is used, then the device provides basic rotation functionality, but noticeable gaps appear between the screen and system body resulting in poor visual effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric hinge design where the two hinges are positioned at different locations and orientations relative to the device bodies. This asymmetric arrangement allows the hinges to work together with the linking rod to eliminate gaps while maintaining structural support, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking rod serves as an intermediary component connecting the two hinges. It transmits and coordinates the rotational forces between hinges, enabling synchronized rotation and gap elimination. The linking rod mediates the interaction between the hinges to achieve both structural support and visual compliance.
2Strength
If the hinge structure is made stronger to support touch screen forces, then structural strength improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements into an integrated hinge system. The two hinges work together as a coordinated pair rather than independent components, and the linking rod connects them into a unified mechanism. This merging approach provides enhanced support strength while avoiding the complexity of separate, independent hinge systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the touch screen, enables rotation between device bodies, eliminates gaps through synchronized movement, and coordinates force distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby managing complexity while strengthening the structure.
3Shape
If the device bodies are designed to abut when unfolded, then visual effects improve, but the rotation synchronization becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The linking rod acts as a mediator that physically connects the two hinges and enforces synchronized rotation. As one hinge rotates, the linking rod transmits the motion to the other hinge, ensuring they move in unison. This mechanical mediation makes synchronization automatic rather than requiring precise manual coordination, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric positioning and configuration of the two hinges, combined with the linking rod, creates a mechanical system where the hinges naturally synchronize during rotation. The asymmetric design allows the linking rod to effectively coordinate the different hinge positions, enabling gap elimination while maintaining ease of operation through automatic synchronization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A portable electronic device including a first body, a second body, a first hinge connected to the first body, a second hinge connected to the second body, and a linking rod is provided. The linking rod has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, wherein the first end is pivoted to the fist hinge eccentric to a rotation axis of the first hinge, and the second end is pivoted to the second hinge eccentric to a rotation axis of the second hinge. The first and the second bodies are rotated to be closed to or far away from each other by the first hinge, the second hinge, and the linking rod.