Portable Computer Hinge Reducing Biaxial Size
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge devices for portable computers face challenges in reducing size due to the need for a pin to be interposed between two shafts, which restricts further miniaturization as the pin's diameter must be sufficient to maintain the required distance and rotation functionality.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a lock member and arm member that selectively switches the rotation of two shafts based on the opening/closing angle position between two chassis, allowing for reduced inter-shaft distance and minimized height by alternately engaging projections with recesses on the shafts, enabling flexible rotation from 0 to 360 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin is interposed between two shafts to maintain rotation functionality, then the rotation switching function is achieved, but the distance between shafts increases and device size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pin from the system and replaces it with a lock member having projections that engage with recesses in the shafts. This removes the need for a large-diameter pin while maintaining the rotation switching function, thereby reducing the distance between shafts and overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the engagement mechanism from a pin-based system to a projection-recess system. This parameter change allows for a more compact configuration where the lock member can selectively engage either shaft without requiring a large inter-shaft distance, thus resolving the contradiction between functional reliability and compact size.
2Reliability
If the pin diameter is increased to ensure proper engagement and rotation control, then the rotation switching reliability is improved, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is extracted and replaced with a lock member that uses projections engaging with recesses in the shafts. This eliminates the need for a large-diameter pin, thereby reducing the device height while maintaining reliable rotation control through the projection-recess engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a pin-based engagement (requiring radial space) to a projection-recess engagement system that utilizes axial and radial dimensions more efficiently. This dimensional optimization allows for reliable rotation control with a reduced overall device height.
3Volume of moving object
If the distance between two shafts is reduced to minimize device size, then the portability is improved, but the rotation switching mechanism becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is removed and replaced with a lock member featuring projections that engage with recesses in the shafts. This extraction allows for a compact shaft arrangement while maintaining the rotation switching function through the simplified projection-recess engagement mechanism, making both manufacturing and compact design feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism parameters are changed from pin-based to projection-recess-based, enabling effective rotation switching even when the distance between shafts is minimized. This parameter change facilitates both compact device size and ease of manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge device capable of reducing a reduced-size biaxial structure that can selectively switch rotations of two shafts according to an opening/closing angle position between two chassis is disclosed. The hinge device includes a first shaft attached to a first chassis, and a second shaft attached to a second chassis. The first shaft includes a recess located on an outer peripheral surface of the first shaft, and the second shaft includes a recess located on an outer peripheral surface of the second shaft. The hinge device also includes a lock member having a first projection engageable the said first recess, a second projection engageable with the second recess, and an arm member coupling the first projection to the second projection. The lock member allows rotation of one of the first shaft or the second shaft and restricts rotation of each other according to an opening/closing angle position between the first chassis and the second chassis by alternately performing engagement of the first projection with said first recess and engagement of the second projection with the second recess by means of sway of the arm member.