Hinge Assembly Segmentation for Oscillation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges in computing devices face challenges in providing reduced oscillation, secure fastening, and high structural stability without compromising operating characteristics or increasing size, while maintaining optimal rotational movement and hinge force requirements.
Innovation Solution
The friction hinge design incorporates separate hinge members with structural stiffening and damping features, including appropriately dimensioned mounting plates and tongue portions, which are vertically spaced and widened to enhance rigidity and stability, decoupling operating characteristics from structural stability aspects for independent optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If structural stiffening features and damping features are added to the hinge members, then structural stability and oscillation reduction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into separate hinge members (first hinge member and second hinge member), each with its own mounting plates and tongue portions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of structural stability features in each member without complicating the entire assembly, as each member can be designed and manufactured separately with specific stiffening and damping characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Structural stiffening features are applied locally to specific regions of the hinge members, such as the mounting plates and tongue portions, rather than throughout the entire structure. The mounting plates are dimensioned and configured with specific geometric features at critical locations to provide localized rigidity where needed for structural stability, while other regions maintain flexibility for rotational movement.
2Strength
If tongue portions are widened and vertically spaced apart, then rigidity and stability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue portions are separated into distinct segments (first tongue portion and second tongue portion) that are vertically spaced apart. This segmentation transforms the manufacturing challenge of creating a single complex wide tongue into two simpler, narrower tongue portions that are easier to manufacture with high precision. Each tongue portion can be independently formed and attached, reducing the cumulative precision errors that would occur in a monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue portions are arranged in the vertical dimension (spaced apart vertically) rather than only extending in the horizontal plane. This dimensional arrangement achieves the desired rigidity and stability by distributing structural load across multiple vertical levels, while each individual tongue portion maintains manageable width and manufacturing precision requirements. The vertical spacing creates a more rigid overall structure without requiring each tongue to be excessively wide.
3Reliability
If hinge members are optimized for structural stability, then oscillation is reduced and stabilization is faster, but operating characteristics such as rotational movement and hinge force requirements may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is segmented into multiple independent hinge members that can be individually optimized. Some members (with stiffening features) are optimized for structural stability and oscillation control, while other members are optimized for smooth rotational movement and low friction. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function without compromising the other, as the members work together in the assembled hinge system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions and components of the hinge assembly have different quality characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The mounting plates and certain hinge members have high rigidity and stiffening features for structural stability, while the tongue portions and friction surfaces are designed with appropriate flexibility and surface properties for smooth operation. This local differentiation of material properties and structural characteristics enables simultaneous optimization of both stability and ease of operation.
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 design achieves reduced oscillation, secure fastening, and increased structural stability, providing a better user experience with faster stabilization and improved rigidity without affecting the hinge's operating characteristics or increasing its size, allowing it to fit within the limited space of a computing device.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge members may incorporate structural stiffening features and damping features
Implementation Method 2
friction hinge design incorporates separate hinge members with structural stiffening and damping features
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly of a computing device may be provided, for example. The hinge assembly may include a first hinge member and a second hinge member. The first hinge member may include a first mounting plate attached to a first gudgeon member via a first tongue portion. The second hinge member may include a second mounting plate attached to a second gudgeon member via a second tongue portion. The first and second mounting plates may be shaped so that they can be stacked in parallel along an axis such that the first and second gudgeons may be aligned perpendicular to the axis to allow a pintle member to be inserted through the first and second gudgeons and such that the first and second tongue portions may be spaced apart along the axis.