Hinge Bracket Position-Locking Ball Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-pivot hinge structures for electronic devices face issues with accurate positioning due to misalignment of supplementary plate members, leading to noise and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The hinge structure incorporates a bracket with a pivot shaft, a locating plate, a holding down spring plate, and a spacer, featuring arched limiter grooves and a ball mechanism that ensures precise positioning and smooth operation by accommodating deformation and limiting the turning angle, thereby enhancing the locking and unlocking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the through hole on the side panel of the bracket is spaced behind the center of the side panel at a distance about 1.2 mm, then the pivot shaft can be inserted through the bracket, but the raised portions of the supplementary plate member may not all accurately engaged into the slots of the side panel of the bracket when the first pivot set is rotated to the predetermined angle
Solution Approach 1:
A supplementary plate member is introduced as an intermediary component between the pivot shaft and the bracket. This plate member carries raised portions that engage with slots on the bracket, mediating the connection and ensuring accurate engagement regardless of the pivot hole positioning. The intermediary plate absorbs the misalignment issue and provides a reliable engagement mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional two-pivot hinge structure is used, then the cover can be opened from the base member, but misalignment of supplementary plate members causes noise and operational inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure incorporates a dynamic limiting mechanism that adaptively controls the rotation angle of the pivot set. The limiting member rotates with the pivot shaft and engages with the stop rod at specific angles, dynamically adjusting the operational range. This ensures smooth operation without noise by preventing excessive rotation and maintaining proper alignment throughout the motion range.
3Measurement precision
If the raised portions of the supplementary plate member are engaged into the slots of the side panel of the bracket, then the positioning is achieved, but the misalignment causes incomplete engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into multiple independent elements: the pivot shaft, the supplementary plate member with raised portions, and the bracket with slots. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the raised portions can be precisely shaped and positioned on the supplementary plate to ensure reliable engagement with the slots, while the pivot hole positioning can be optimized for manufacturing ease.
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 ensures accurate and noise-free operation by maintaining precise positioning of the bracket relative to the pivot set, allowing for smooth rotation and secure locking at predetermined angles, addressing the misalignment issues of conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation portion of the holding down spring plate is forced by the ball to deform, and the gap defined by the spacer between the holding down spring plate and the support accommodates deformation of the actuation portion of the holding down spring plate
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge structure with position-locking engagement means includes a bracket, which has on its side panel a pivot hole, a recessed positioning hole, and a first arched limiter groove adjacent to the recessed positioning hole and sloping in one direction, a pivot shaft inserted through the pivot hole of the side panel of the bracket and pivotally fastened to a support, a locating plate affixed to the pivot shaft, a ball rotatably mounted in a ball hole on the locating plate and selectively engageable into the recessed positioning hole and arched limiter groove of the side panel, a holding down spring plate affixed to the pivot shaft and having an actuation portion pressed on the ball to force the ball into the recessed positioning hole and first arched limiter groove of the side panel selectively, and spacer affixed to the pivot shaft and defining a gap between the holding down spring plate and the support for accommodating deformation of the actuation portion of the holding down spring plate when the bracket is biased relative to the pivot shaft.