Hinge Mechanism for Portable Device Display Gap Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable information devices with hinge mechanisms face challenges in achieving a thinner chassis while minimizing the gap between displays when used as a single large screen, as the hinge structure either thickens the device or creates a wide divided portion due to uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with slide support and fixed support parts allows the chassis to slide and rotate smoothly, reducing the gap between displays when used as a single screen and enabling a thinner design by not requiring the hinge mechanism to be on the surface, with hinge shafts aligned along the chassis' aligning direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the hinge shaft is arranged on the surfaces of the chassis, then the gap between displays is reduced, but the chassis thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge shaft is repositioned from the surface dimension to the thickness dimension by extending it in the thickness direction of the chassis. This allows the hinge shaft to be arranged within the chassis volume rather than on its surface, reducing the gap between displays without increasing chassis thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge shaft is nested within the chassis structure by arranging it in the thickness direction and positioning it between the first and second chassis. This nesting approach allows the hinge mechanism to be integrated into the chassis volume, eliminating the need for surface mounting and thereby reducing the display gap.
2Length of moving object
If the hinge shaft does not overhang on the chassis surface, then the chassis thickness is reduced, but the gap between displays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is designed to be slidable in the aligning direction of the chassis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the hinge shaft position. This enables the hinge shaft to extend into the alignment direction to reduce the display gap while maintaining a compact thickness profile through the sliding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge shaft is pre-positioned in the thickness direction to extend toward the alignment direction, preparing the structure to minimize the display gap. The sliding mechanism then allows this pre-positioned hinge shaft to adjust its extent as needed, achieving optimal gap reduction without permanently increasing chassis thickness.
3Volume of moving object
If the chassis are made compact for carrying, then portability is improved, but the display viewing area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into two separate displays on different chassis that can be independently positioned. The hinge mechanism allows these segmented displays to be arranged side-by-side in the alignment direction, creating a combined viewing area that exceeds that of a single display while maintaining compact individual chassis volumes for portability.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information device is disclosed. The portable information device includes a first chassis having a first display, a second chassis having a second display, and a hinge mechanism rotatably couples the first chassis to the second chassis. The hinge mechanism includes a set of hinge shafts with axial directions provided along an aligning direction of the first and second chassis, a slide support part supported by the first chassis to be slidable along the aligning direction to support a first one of the hinge shafts closest to the first chassis in a manner to be relatively rotatable, and a fixed support part fixed to the second chassis to support a second one of the hinge shafts closest to the second chassis in a manner to be relatively rotatable.