Computing Hinge Assembly With Balanced Friction-Band Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable computing devices with hinges that generate torque on shafts to maintain display orientations often experience uneven torque application, leading to mismatched rotation rates and uneven wear on gear surfaces, resulting in an undesirable user experience and increased gear backlash over time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hinge assemblies with first and second hinge brackets, drive gears, and idler gears, along with first and second friction bands that are independently movable to balance torque applied to the drive gear shafts, ensuring synchronized rotation and reduced torque differences between the shafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If torque is generated on drive gear shafts to maintain display orientations, then the displays can maintain particular orientations, but uneven torque application causes mismatched rotation rates and uneven wear on gear surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The friction band is divided into two separate bands, each independently adjustable to apply friction force to different portions of the drive gear shafts. This segmentation allows independent control of torque application on each shaft, enabling balanced torque distribution and uniform gear wear while maintaining display orientation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction bands are made adjustable to change the friction force parameter applied to each drive gear shaft independently. By modifying the friction force parameter, the system can balance torque application between shafts, ensuring uniform gear wear while maintaining the required display orientations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If friction bands are used to apply torque to drive gear shafts, then torque can be generated to maintain orientations, but independent adjustment of friction bands is needed to balance torque, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The friction bands are designed to be independently adjustable by the user or through simple mechanisms, allowing self-balancing of torque without requiring complex automated control systems. Each friction band can be independently tuned to achieve balanced torque distribution, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining torque balance.
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 effectively balances torque across the drive gear shafts, reducing rotation mismatches and gear backlash, thereby enhancing the user experience and extending the lifespan of the hinge components by ensuring consistent wear patterns.
Implementation Method 1
A first friction band comprises a first arcuate contacting surface, an opposing second arcuate contacting surface, and a first biasing portion between the first arcuate contacting surface and the second arcuate contacting surface. The first biasing portion is biased in a first direction to press the first arcuate contacting surface against a first portion of the first drive gear shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling first and second substrates of a computing device comprises first and second hinge brackets affixed to the first and second substrates, with each bracket including a drive gear and shaft. First and second idler gears engage the drive gears. A first friction band comprises a first biasing portion that is biased in a first direction to press a first arcuate contacting surface of the first friction band against the first drive gear shaft and a second arcuate contacting surface against the second drive gear shaft. A second friction band comprises a second biasing portion that is biased in a second direction to press a third arcuate contacting surface of the second friction band against the first drive gear shaft and a fourth arcuate contacting surface against the second drive gear shaft.