Hinge Arm Conductive Contact Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power management in electronic devices, such as notebook computers, often results in damage due to improper shutdown processes, as users may forget to press the power button, leading to increased power consumption and reduced component lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device that controls power status by adjusting the rotating angles of hinges, using conductive components and a power control unit to manage power states, eliminating the need for a physical power button and preventing system damage by ensuring proper shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power management with power button is used, then user can control power status, but system may be damaged if shutdown is not executed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure automatically triggers power status changes through its own mechanical motion without requiring separate user intervention. When the user opens or closes the lid, the hinge's rotating arm automatically contacts or separates from the conductive component, triggering power-on or power-off sequences without needing to press a power button.
Solution Approach 2:
The system executes preliminary shutdown actions before the lid is fully closed. The hinge mechanism detects the closing motion and initiates power-off procedures in advance, ensuring that the system is in a safe state before physical closure completes, preventing damage from improper shutdowns.
2Productivity
If power button is required for powering on, then power status can be controlled, but powering-on process is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lid-opening action with the power-on trigger into a single motion. The hinge structure integrates the mechanical movement of opening the lid with the electrical triggering mechanism, so that one action (opening lid) simultaneously achieves both mechanical opening and electrical power-on without requiring a separate power button press.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power button component from the device, eliminating it entirely. The power control function is transferred to the hinge mechanism, which uses the existing lid-opening motion to trigger power-on, removing the need for a separate power button hardware element.
3Reliability
If hinge mechanism is added for automatic power control, then system safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism performs multiple functions: it provides the mechanical connection between lid and base, enables lid opening/closing motion, and simultaneously serves as the power status trigger through its rotating arm and conductive component interaction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated power control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating arm on the hinge acts as an intermediary mechanical element that translates lid motion into electrical trigger signals. As the hinge rotates during lid opening/closing, the arm contacts or separates from the conductive component, mediating between mechanical motion and electrical power control without requiring direct integration of complex sensing mechanisms.
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 effectively manages power states by pivoting modules relative to each other, preventing system damage and reducing power consumption, while accelerating the powering-on process without requiring a power button press.
Implementation Method 1
a first hinge for pivoting the second module relative to the first module
Implementation Method 2
a first conductive component of the first module and a power control unit coupled to the first conductive component... whether the first arm contacts the first conductive component
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a first module including a first conductive component and a power control unit coupled to the first conductive component. The electronic device further includes a second module, a first hinge for pivoting the second module relative to the first module, and a first arm connected to the first hinge. The power control unit controls whether to execute a first power management status according to whether the first arm contacts the first conductive component as the second module pivots relative to the first module at a first angle by the first hinge.