Hinge Structure With Pivot Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single hinge designs for consumer electronic products fail to accurately limit the turning angle, leading to damage when the screen is opened beyond a specific angle, such as 90°, as there is no constraint mechanism between the fixed and rotary holder members.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure comprising a bracket, first and second pivot sets, with the first pivot set having elongated ribs and a guide groove, and the second pivot set having a head with flat cut faces, allowing the second pivot set to be locked at 0° and unlocked at 90°, enabling rotation in the vertical direction only after reaching the predetermined angle, with additional features like cam wheel sets and stop members for self-locking and angle limitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional single hinge design is used, then the structure is simple, but the turning angle cannot be accurately limited leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is divided into multiple functional components: a bracket with top and side panels, a first pivot set with pivot shaft and elongated ribs, a second pivot set with pivot shaft and flat cut faces, and constraint elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively achieving accurate angle limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first pivot set acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bracket and the second pivot set. It transmits rotational motion from the bracket to the second pivot set while simultaneously providing the constraint function through its elongated ribs interacting with the flat cut faces, preventing direct damage.
2Ease of operation
If the screen can be opened beyond 90° for greater flexibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of damage increases due to lack of constraint
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure applies preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing the constraint mechanism through the interaction between the elongated ribs and flat cut faces. This constraint is built into the structure before use, automatically preventing the screen from being opened beyond the safe angle without requiring user awareness or additional control actions.
3Reliability
If a constraint mechanism is added to prevent damage, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint function is merged with the existing hinge structure rather than being added as a separate external mechanism. The elongated ribs and flat cut faces are integrated into the pivot sets, combining the rotational function and constraint function into a unified structure that achieves damage prevention without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge structure includes a bracket, which has a horizontal top panel and a vertical side panel, a first pivot set inserted through the side panel of the bracket and rotatably coupled to a support and having two elongated ribs protruded from one end of the pivot shaft and a guide groove defined between the elongated ribs, and a second pivot set inserted through the horizontal top panel of the bracket and rotatably coupled to a mounting frame and having a two flat cut faces at two sides of the head of the pivot shaft thereof for stopping against the elongated rids of the pivot shaft of the first pivot set such that the second pivot set is locked when the first pivot set is not turned to the predetermined angle, or unlocked for rotation when the first pivot set is turned to the predetermined angle.