Hinge Magnet Sensor for Laptop Angle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge devices for electronic apparatuses, such as laptops, face delays in detecting open angles and angular velocities due to the complexity of acceleration sensors, leading to reduced responsiveness and accuracy, especially when used in mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
A hinge device with a rotating shaft, a non-rotatably fixed magnet, and a sensor that detects magnetism changes to calculate open angles and angular velocities, combined with a controller to drive a key depressing mechanism based on these measurements, allowing for real-time detection and mode switching without the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acceleration sensors are used to detect open angle and angular velocity, then measurement capability is provided, but response delay occurs and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acceleration sensors (mechanical/electrical sensing system) with a magnetic field-based detection system consisting of a magnet attached to the rotating shaft and a magnetic sensor (such as Hall sensor or magnetoresistive sensor). This substitution eliminates the need for complex signal processing and computation required by acceleration sensors, thereby reducing response delay and improving measurement precision for both open angle and angular velocity detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection function into two independent components: a magnet that rotates with the shaft to generate magnetic field variations, and a stationary magnetic sensor that detects these variations. This segmentation allows the moving part (magnet) to be simple and the stationary part (sensor) to be precise, improving overall detection accuracy and response time while eliminating the need for complex computational processing.
2Measurement precision
If acceleration sensors are respectively provided in the main-body chassis and the display chassis, then detection capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection function into a single integrated system: one magnet is attached to the rotating shaft, and one magnetic sensor is positioned in the stationary housing. This combination eliminates the need for separate sensors in both chassis, reducing system complexity while maintaining full detection capability for open angle and angular velocity through the relative motion between the magnet and sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic sensor system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects both the open angle position and the angular velocity of rotation through a single detection mechanism. The magnet-sensor configuration provides universal detection capability for all rotational parameters without requiring separate sensing systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If a thin and compact design is pursued, then portability is improved, but space for sensors and mechanisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical sensors and computation units with a compact magnetic field-based detection system. The magnet and magnetic sensor can be positioned in close proximity with minimal spacing requirements, enabling accurate detection of open angle and angular velocity within a thin profile. This substitution allows the device to maintain a compact, portable form factor while preserving full measurement precision.
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
Enables high responsiveness and simplicity in detecting open angles and angular velocities, facilitating quick mode switching and reducing unnecessary mode changes, while maintaining a thin and compact design suitable for mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet that is non-rotatably fixed to the rotating shaft; a sensor that detects a movement of the magnet associated with the rotary motion from a change of magnetism
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge device can detect an open angle and an opening/closing angular velocity with high responsiveness and simple configuration. The hinge device enables rotary motion of a main-body chassis and a display chassis, and includes a first chassis shaft non-rotatably provided with respect to the main-body chassis, a second chassis shaft non-rotatably provided with respect to the display chassis, a cylindrical body into which the first chassis shaft is inserted to rotate with rotary motion thereof, a ring-type magnet non-rotatably fixed to the cylindrical body, a sensor that detects a movement of the magnet associated with the rotary motion from the change of magnetism, and a controller that reads a signal from the sensor to calculate an open angle and an opening/closing angular velocity.