Hinge Apparatus with Housing-Integrated Biasing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable mobile electronic devices, such as hand-portable radiotelephones, face challenges in minimizing the diameter of the hinge element while maintaining the ability to hold the device in open and closed configurations, as reducing the diameter below 5-6 mm is difficult due to the need for housing mechanical components and electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a hinge positioned at the edge of the housings with a biasing mechanism integrated into the housings rather than the hinge, allowing for a reduced hinge diameter while maintaining the ability to bias the device between open and closed configurations, utilizing a linkage element and a helical compression spring to achieve bistable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hinge element houses mechanical components and electrical connections to provide holding capability, then the device can maintain open and closed configurations, but the diameter of the hinge element cannot be reduced below 5-6 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the biasing mechanism from the hinge element, dividing the functions into two independent components: the hinge element (providing rotation and electrical connections) and the biasing mechanism (providing holding capability). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the hinge diameter to be reduced below 5-6 mm while maintaining reliable holding capability through the separate biasing mechanism integrated into the housing.
2Shape
If the hinge element is miniaturised to improve appearance, then the diameter can be reduced, but reducing the diameter below 5-6 mm becomes particularly challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the biasing mechanism from the hinge element and places it in the housing. This extraction removes the primary constraint on hinge miniaturisation, allowing the hinge element diameter to be reduced to below 5-6 mm without compromising the holding capability, thus enabling both improved appearance and feasible manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the biasing mechanism is integrated into the hinge element, then the holding capability is maintained, but the hinge diameter cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention relocates the biasing mechanism from the radial dimension (within the hinge element) to the axial dimension (within the housing along the hinge axis). This dimensional change allows the hinge element to be miniaturised in diameter while the biasing mechanism occupies space in the housing, maintaining holding capability without constraining hinge diameter reduction.
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 hinge diameter of less than 5 mm, potentially down to 1 mm, while maintaining robustness and hiding the mechanism, resulting in a cleaner appearance and improved design for foldable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism comprised with the first and/or second housings and not with the hinge
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a linkage element and a helical compression spring to achieve bistable operation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (10) for an electronic device, the apparatus comprising a first housing (12) having a first face (14) and a second housing (11) having a first face (13), the apparatus comprising a hinge (15) arranged towards the edge of the first faces to allow the first faces to be folded towards and away from one another between respective closed and open configurations of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a biasing mechanism (17) arranged to bias the apparatus between the open and closed configurations, the biasing mechanism comprised with the first and/or second housings and not with the hinge.