Electronic Apparatus Hinge Mechanism Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatus configurations with a third chassis acting as a hinge between a first chassis with a keyboard and a second chassis with a display suffer from compromised appearance quality due to exposed bezels and complex hinge structures, while removing torque mechanisms leads to instability in maintaining rotations and angles.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus design featuring a first chassis with a keyboard, a second chassis with a display, and a third chassis, where the first chassis and second chassis are connected via a hinge with a torque mechanism, and the third chassis is connected to the first chassis via a torque-free hinge, utilizing traction members and a lock section to stabilize the third chassis at specific angles and prevent unwanted rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both the first chassis and the second chassis are connected to the third chassis in a relatively rotatable manner (making the third chassis function as a hinge block), then the chassis can be connected in a flexible manner, but the bezel at the bottom edge of the front surface is markedly exposed and the hinge structures become complicated and large, degrading appearance quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hinge functionality from the third chassis and relocates it to the first chassis. Specifically, the first hinge connecting the first and second chassis is provided with a torque mechanism section, while the second hinge connecting the third chassis to the first chassis is designed without a torque mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need for the third chassis to function as a hinge block, thereby preventing bezel exposure and simplifying the overall hinge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional arrangement by positioning the hinge mechanism in a different spatial location. Instead of having the third chassis serve as the central hinge block, the hinge mechanism is relocated to connect the first and second chassis directly, with the third chassis attached to the first chassis in a different configuration. This dimensional repositioning resolves the appearance quality issues while maintaining functional flexibility.
2Reliability
If torque mechanism sections are provided in both hinges, then stable rotation and angle maintenance is achieved, but the hinge structures become complicated and large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the torque mechanism section only in the first hinge where it is most needed for stable rotation and angle maintenance, while omitting it from the second hinge. This localized application of the torque mechanism reduces overall structural complexity and size while maintaining the necessary stability for the primary rotating connection between the first and second chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the torque mechanism functionality, concentrating it in the first hinge rather than distributing it to both hinges. This segmentation allows the system to achieve stable rotation maintenance through a single, well-positioned torque mechanism while keeping the second hinge simpler and more compact.
3Device complexity
If torque mechanism sections are removed from the hinges, then the hinge structure is simplified, but it becomes difficult to stably maintain rotations and angles between the first chassis and the second chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the torque mechanism section in the first hinge, which is the critical connection for maintaining stable rotation and angles between the first and second chassis. The second hinge is kept simple without a torque mechanism, as it connects the third chassis to the first chassis and does not require the same level of rotational stability. This localized approach maintains rotation stability where needed while achieving structural simplicity overall.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes: a first chassis having a keyboard mounted thereon; a second chassis having a display mounted thereon; a third chassis adjacent to end portions of the first chassis and the second chassis; a first hinge connecting the first chassis with the second chassis in a relatively rotatable manner; a torque mechanism section that is disposed in the first hinge and imparts predetermined rotational torque to a rotation between the first chassis and the second chassis; a second hinge connecting the third chassis to the first chassis in a relatively rotatable manner; and a lock section that locks the third chassis placed at an attitude protruding from the end portions of the first chassis and the second chassis with respect to the second chassis at the 0-degree attitude such that the lock section restricts a rotation of the third chassis by the second hinge.