Foldable Chassis Heat Transfer Sheets for Quiet Hinge Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic apparatuses with rotatable chassis experience thermal imbalance and generate abnormal noise due to sliding between graphite sheets and flexible boards during rotation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a hinge device connecting two chassis, featuring a spine component and heat transfer sheets with protective layers made of sliding materials to facilitate heat transportation without generating abnormal noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If graphite sheets with PET protective films are used for heat transfer, then heat transportation between chassis is achieved, but abnormal noise is generated due to sliding between the protective films and flexible board during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sliding material layer as an intermediary between the PET protective film and the flexible board. This sliding material acts as a mediator that reduces friction and prevents abnormal noise during relative rotation, while still allowing heat to be conducted from the graphite sheet through the protective film to the flexible board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the protective layer by coating it with a sliding material that has different friction characteristics. This parameter change in surface friction allows the system to maintain heat transfer functionality while eliminating the harmful sliding noise that occurs during chassis rotation.
2Loss of information
If flexible board is used for wiring between chassis, then information exchange is enabled, but the board expands and contracts due to circumferential length difference during rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a sliding material to the protective layer that enables dynamic adjustment during rotation. The sliding material allows the flexible board to expand and contract smoothly during rotational movement, accommodating the circumferential length difference without causing damage or excessive stress to the wiring.
3Temperature
If spine component covers the gap between chassis edges in first posture, then thermal connection is maintained, but the component must straddle the edges in second posture which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding material coating on the protective layer serves multiple functions: it maintains thermal conduction during the first posture when the spine component covers the gap, and simultaneously reduces friction and noise during the second posture when the component straddles the edges. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall design by using a single material solution for both thermal and mechanical requirements.
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
Effectively transports heat between chassis while preventing abnormal noise, maintaining thermal balance and reducing mechanical components for cost and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a spine component including a thermal-conductive material, and extending along a first edge of the first chassis, the first edge being adjacent to the second chassis, and a second edge of the second chassis, the second edge being adjacent to the first chassis
Implementation Method 2
the protective layer extending over an entire surface of the corresponding heat transfer sheet that faces the spine component and including a sliding material, the protective layer and the spine component coming in contact
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a first chassis and a second chassis that are rotatably connected via a hinge device. A graphite sheet is disposed on an inner face of the first chassis to come in contact with a spine component in the 180-degree posture. A graphite sheet is disposed on an inner face of the second chassis to come in contact with a spine component in the 180-degree posture. A flexible board extends across the first and second chassis, and forms substantially S-shaped surplus length absorbing parts having a first folded part and a second folded part that are curved in opposite directions in the chassis. In the graphite sheet, a protective layer at the place where it comes in contact with the surplus length absorbing parts includes a sliding material.