Elliptical Spur Gear Hinge for Dual Screen Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing dual-display mobile compute devices face a limitation in the size of the gap between the two displays due to the fixed distance between circular gear centers, restricting their configuration flexibility and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

The use of elliptical spur gears as hinges allows for a varying separation distance between the display housings, enabling more configurations while maintaining structural integrity, with the option of mechanical linkages and enclosures for enhanced functionality and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If circular gears are used as hinges, then structural integrity is maintained, but the gap between displays remains large and fixed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap size between displaysVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the gear from circular to elliptical, allowing the center distance between gears to vary during rotation. This parameter change enables the gap between displays to be reduced from a fixed large value to a variable small value, resolving the contradiction between gap size and configuration flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static fixed gap of circular gears into a dynamic variable gap using elliptical gears. The varying center distance creates different display configurations (laptop mode, book mode, tablet mode) dynamically, improving adaptability while maintaining structural integrity through the gear meshing mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between gear centers is fixed, then manufacturing is simplified, but configuration flexibility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by transitioning from circular to elliptical gear geometry. This allows the center distance to vary naturally during rotation, providing multiple display configurations without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetry through elliptical gear shapes, where the varying radius creates different center distances at different rotation angles. This asymmetric geometry enables multiple configurations (laptop, book, tablet modes) while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through standardized gear cutting methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS10571977B2Technologies for hinges for dual screen devices

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Technologies for hinges on mobile compute devices with dual screens are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the mobile compute device with two housings each having a display are connected to each other by a hinge with elliptical spur gears that allow for one housing with a display to be rotated 360 degrees relative to the other housing. The elliptical shape of the spur gears allows the separation between the gears to change as one housing is rotated and, in particular, allows a smaller separation between the gears in certain configurations of the mobile compute device. The illustrative hinge includes a mechanical linkage system that allows the hinge to expand and contract as one housing is rotated.