Geared Housing Assembly for Versatile Device Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices with hinge assemblies face challenges in efficiently orienting display and keyboard components, particularly in achieving ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing designs that allow for comfortable handling and versatile usage modes while minimizing the number of moving parts and assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a geared housing assembly with interlocking geared edges on the display and keyboard housings, allowing for rotation and orientation changes, including a link system that couples and meshes these edges to facilitate electrical connections and power transmission, reducing the need for separate gears and assembly steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinge assemblies are used to orient display and keyboard portions, then the device can achieve versatile usage modes, but the device complexity and number of moving parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge function and gear mechanism into a single integrated geared housing assembly. The display housing and keyboard housing each have geared edges that directly mesh with each other, eliminating the need for separate hinge components and standalone gears. This merging of functions reduces the number of moving parts while maintaining the ability to orient the display portion at various angles relative to the keyboard portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The geared edges on the housing portions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the mechanical connection between display and keyboard housings, enable rotational movement for different usage modes, and transmit mechanical power. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while achieving versatile usage configurations.
2Reliability
If separate gears and link systems are used for orientation and power transmission, then electrical connectivity and power distribution can be maintained, but assembly steps and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the power transmission function into the geared edge mechanism itself. As the geared edges mesh and rotate to change orientation, they naturally transmit mechanical power from the keyboard portion to the display portion. This eliminates the need for separate link systems and reduces assembly steps while maintaining reliable power distribution and electrical connectivity through the integrated structure.
3Reliability
If multiple components are used for hinge functionality, then reliable orientation control is achieved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hinge functionality directly into the housing structures themselves through the geared edges. The display housing and keyboard housing each incorporate geared edges that directly engage, eliminating the need for separate hinge components. This integration reduces the overall weight of moving parts while maintaining reliable orientation control through the meshing gear mechanism.
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
This solution enables a robust, ergonomic, and aesthetically pleasing computing device that can transition seamlessly between modes such as tablet and laptop, with reduced part count and assembly complexity, while maintaining effective electrical connectivity and power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a link that operatively couples and meshes the first geared edge and the second geared edge
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus can include a processor; memory accessible by the processor; a first housing that includes a first geared edge and a processor; a second housing that includes a second geared edge and an electronic component accessible by the processor; and a link that operatively couples and meshes the first geared edge and the second geared edge.