Electronic Device Hinge Apparatus Edge-Positioned Cam and Gear Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge apparatuses for electronic devices, due to their integrated cam and gear mechanisms, occupy significant space, limiting the arrangement of main electronic components and increasing the device's size, as they are typically centered, thereby restricting the degree of freedom in component placement.
Innovation Solution
A hinge apparatus design where the cam unit and gear unit are positioned on opposite edges of the plates, allowing for independent rotation and torque generation, enabling the cam unit to be placed adjacent to one edge and the gear unit to the opposite edge, thus creating space for component arrangement between them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cam mechanism and gear mechanism are integrally provided inside the hinge apparatus, then the hinge apparatus can provide 360-degree rotation functionality with toggle retention, but the size of the hinge apparatus becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge apparatus is divided into separate cam unit and gear unit, with the cam unit positioned adjacent to one edge of the plates and the gear unit positioned adjacent to the opposite edge. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized independently and reduces the overall footprint compared to an integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam shafts and cam mechanisms are positioned adjacent to one edge of the first and second plates, while the gear shafts and gear parts are positioned adjacent to the opposite edge. This spatial distribution along the edge dimension reduces the central area occupation, allowing main electronic components to be arranged in the center area of the electronic device.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hinge apparatus is arranged at the center area of the electronic device, then it provides stable rotation axis, but it occupies significant space and limits the arrangement of main electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge apparatus transitions from a symmetric center-based arrangement to an asymmetric edge-based arrangement. The cam unit and gear unit are positioned at opposite edges of the plates, creating an asymmetric layout that moves the rotation mechanism away from the center area, thereby freeing up the center for main electronic components while maintaining rotational stability through the plate-hinge connection.
3Area of stationary object
If the cam unit and gear unit are positioned on opposite edges of the plates, then space is created for component arrangement, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the hinge apparatus into separate cam unit and gear unit positioned at opposite edges, the patent creates distinct functional zones that simplify the internal arrangement of each unit while maximizing the use of available space along the plate edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanisms are localized to one edge area with their own cam shafts and brackets, while the gear mechanisms are localized to the opposite edge area with their own gear shafts and brackets. This local quality approach allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific location and function, reducing overall complexity.
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 enhances the spatial efficiency of electronic devices by allowing for the placement of components between the cam and gear units, reducing the overall size of the device while maintaining 360-degree rotation functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first cam mechanism, including a first spring, that causes the first cam shaft to generate a first torque upon rotation of the first cam shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hinge apparatus for an electronic device that improves space-use efficiency of an electronic device and includes a cam unit and a gear unit provided at a connecting position of an upper plate and a lower plate. The cam unit includes a first cam mechanism for causing a first cam shaft connected to an upper plate to generate a torque and a second cam mechanism for causing a second cam shaft connected to a lower plate to generate a torque. Further, the gear unit includes a first gear shaft connected to the upper plate and a second gear shaft connected to the lower plate, a first gear provided in the first gear shaft, a first gear provided in the second gear shaft, and a gear mechanism that synchronizes and rotates the first gear shaft and the second gear shaft.