Hinge Configuration for Electronic Device Rotation and Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tablet devices and their accessories lack integration, with limited motion range and fixed angular orientations, stifling user flexibility and hindering the overall user experience, especially in laptop orientation usage.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with disc-toothed wheels and magnetic bands that securely attach the top portion of an electronic device to an accessory, allowing rotation and enabling power and data flow, while providing mechanical and magnetic retention, and a snap-band configuration for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional tablet devices and accessories are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but integration and motion range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hinge assembly with magnetic retention features, disc-toothed wheel mechanisms, and snap-bands into an integrated system that attaches the top portion to the base portion. This merging of multiple functions (mechanical connection, magnetic retention, angular positioning) into a single integrated assembly resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced integration and motion range while managing complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical connection between portions, enables rotation through multiple angular orientations, maintains position through magnetic retention, and allows detachment when needed. This multi-functionality directly addresses the technical contradiction by making the device more adaptable and versatile without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If fixed angular orientations are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but user flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic hinge assembly that can rotate between multiple angular orientations rather than being fixed at a single angle. The disc-toothed wheel mechanism allows the top portion to rotate to various angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) while maintaining secure attachment through magnetic retention. This dynamic capability provides user flexibility while the standardized rotational mechanism keeps manufacturing relatively simple.
3Reliability
If magnetic retention is added, then attachment security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic retention feature is extracted as a separate functional element within the hinge assembly, working in conjunction with the disc-toothed wheel mechanism. By isolating the magnetic retention function from the mechanical connection function, the design improves attachment security without requiring a complete redesign of the entire hinge structure, thus managing complexity effectively.
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 configuration offers enhanced integration and flexibility, allowing multiple device orientations, improved user experience, and efficient power management between the device and accessories, such as keyboards, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The accessory includes one or more magnetic bands that attract one or more rings provided in the top portion
Data Source
AI summary
Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a hinge assembly to secure a top portion of the electronic device to an accessory. The hinge assembly is to allow a rotation of the top portion in relation to the accessory. The hinge assembly may include a plurality of discs to receive a plurality of segments of the accessory as the hinge assembly engages to secure the top portion of the electronic device to the accessory.