Hinge Guide Surface Elements for Free Play Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinges in electronic devices often exhibit free play due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to a loose feeling and reduced functionality when supporting components like kickstands in mobile computing devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating surface elements on the guides of hinge components to reduce or eliminate free play by providing a form fit or interference fit arrangement, which minimizes the gap between interacting hinge components, thereby enhancing the stability and usability of support components in electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional hinge components are used without surface elements, then manufacturing is simpler and cost is lower, but free play and loose feeling occur due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
Surface elements are added only at specific critical locations on the guide surfaces where free play occurs, rather than modifying the entire hinge structure. This localized approach reduces free play at interaction points while keeping the rest of the hinge structure simple and easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
Surface elements act as intermediary features between mating hinge components, providing a form fit or interference fit arrangement that mediates the gap caused by manufacturing tolerances. These elements fill the void space and provide precise positioning without requiring high-precision manufacturing of the entire component
2Stability of the object's composition
If surface elements are added to provide form fit or interference fit, then free play is reduced and stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Only specific regions of the hinge components are modified with surface elements at the guide surfaces where components interact. This localized modification provides stability where needed while keeping the majority of the hinge structure simple and easy to manufacture using conventional processes
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge components are divided into functional zones: critical guide surfaces that receive surface elements for stability, and other areas that remain simple and easy to manufacture. This segmentation allows different manufacturing approaches for different parts of the same component
3Manufacturing precision
If gap between hinge components is minimized, then free play is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Surface elements serve as intermediary features that fill the gap between mating components. Instead of requiring the components themselves to be manufactured with tight tolerances to achieve small gaps, the surface elements provide the precise fit, allowing the base components to be manufactured with more relaxed tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The approach changes the parameter control strategy: rather than controlling the gap through tight manufacturing tolerances of the base components, the gap is controlled through the geometry and placement of surface elements, which can be manufactured with standard tolerances
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are hinge devices having reduced or minimized free play. Specifically, disclosed herein are hinge devices having surface elements positioned on a surface of a hinge component to reduce or eliminate any free play present between interacting hinge components. In one or more embodiments, the hinge includes a first hinge component having a first guide and a second hinge component having a second guide, wherein the second hinge component is rotatably mounted on at least one surface of the first hinge component such that the first guide is positioned within the second guide or the second guide is positioned within the first guide. At least one surface element is disposed on a surface of the first guide or the second guide to provide a reduction in free play at a location of the at least one surface element.