Asynchronous Hinge Fulcrum Cam Extension for Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional asynchronous sequential hinges in portable information handling systems face challenges in maintaining stability and industrial design aesthetics due to the need for a secondary fulcrum to support the display housing portion when rotated, which increases system size and reliability risks.
Innovation Solution
A dual axis hinge with a cam mechanism that selectively extends and retracts a fulcrum to engage with the support surface during rotational positions, ensuring stability without protruding components, by aligning the cam with the fulcrum to extend it outward and retracting it when not needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional asynchronous sequential hinge is used with a secondary fulcrum to support the display housing portion when rotated, then stability is improved, but system size increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fulcrum is designed to dynamically extend and retract based on the rotational position of the display housing portion. A cam mechanism on the hinge axle automatically extends the fulcrum when the display rotates to positions requiring support (around 90 degrees), and retracts it when not needed. This dynamic behavior provides stability only when required, eliminating the need for a permanently protruding fulcrum that would increase size and reliability risks.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a protruding rubber component is used as a secondary fulcrum to provide mechanical stability, then stability is improved, but system size increases and industrial design appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fulcrum transitions from a static protruding component to a dynamic element that extends only when needed for support. The cam mechanism ensures the fulcrum is retracted during normal operation and tablet mode, maintaining a clean industrial design appearance, and extends automatically when the display housing portion rotates to positions requiring support against the surface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fulcrum is always extended to provide support, then stability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fulcrum system uses a cam mechanism integrated into the hinge axle to automatically control extension and retraction based on rotational position. This dynamic control eliminates the need for separate actuators, sensors, or control systems, reducing overall device complexity while providing stability only when required by the operational state of the device.
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 solution provides robust support to the information handling system while minimizing the size of the fulcrum and maintaining a clean design, as the fulcrum extends only when necessary to support the system during specific rotational positions, reducing the risk of reliability issues and enhancing the industrial appearance.
Implementation Method 1
A hinge axle that rotates as the display housing portion nears the support surface integrates a cam that comes into alignment with a fulcrum so that the cam forces the fulcrum to extend out of the hinge and engage with the support surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system rotationally couples first and second housing portions with a dual axle sequential hinge. Over a predetermined rotational orientation of one axle, a cam integrated with the axle engages a fulcrum biased into the hinge so that the fulcrum extends out of the hinge to support the information handling system at a support surface. For instance, before rotation of a lid housing portion relative to a main housing portion brings the lid housing portion into contact with the support surface, the fulcrum extends towards the support surface to raise the main housing portion and lid housing portion away from the support surface.