Flexible Auxiliary Gear Hinge for Smooth Dual-Axis Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual-axis hinge devices in portable apparatuses suffer from deviations in gear teeth peaks, leading to disrupted smooth opening/closing movements and increased manufacturing costs due to die-casting processes.
Innovation Solution
A gear hinge device with a driving cam gear and an auxiliary gear formed from flexible material, where the number and phase shift of gear teeth can differ, providing a smooth operation by engaging in a slightly compressed state to ensure stability and reduce manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dual-axis hinge device uses gear teeth with peaks, then the opening/closing movement can be driven, but minute deviations at the gear teeth peaks cause disruption in smooth movement and reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic member that预先 cushions the impact between cam protrusions and cam grooves during the opening/closing movement. This elastic member absorbs shocks and compensates for minute deviations in gear teeth peaks, ensuring smooth and reliable operation without requiring extremely precise gear tooth fabrication.
2Device complexity
If a single-axis hinge device is used, then the structure is simpler, but the portable apparatus cannot rotate about two parallel axes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate hinge axes into a single integrated hinge device structure. The driving cam and driven cam are positioned to simultaneously provide rotation about two parallel axes while being manufactured and assembled as one unified component, thus maintaining structural simplicity while achieving dual-axis functionality.
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 device achieves stable and smooth opening/closing movements while being cost-effective to manufacture, ensuring reliable operation and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member to provide a stopping angle of the housing of the portable apparatus as being rotated
Implementation Method 2
a hinge device for rotatably connecting two housings... employs a cam unit (a driving cam and a driven cam)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a gear hinge device employed in a portable apparatus including first and second housings. The gear hinge device connects the first and second housings in such a manner such that the first and second housings can be rotated about first and second hinge axes, respectively. The gear hinge device includes: a first driving unit comprising a first driving cam gear that is rotated about the first hinge axis and a second driving unit comprising a second driving cam gear that is engaged with the first driving cam gear and rotated about the second hinge axis that is parallel to the first hinge axis and a flexible auxiliary gear that is arranged coaxially to the second driving cam gear.