Hinge Support Frame Conical Boss Thread Engagement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Low profile portable information handling systems face structural integrity issues due to minimal screw-to-thread engagement at hinge areas, leading to torsion and flexure problems, and frequent failure during repeated rotation cycles.
Innovation Solution
A conical boss extension from the support surface into the hinge opening provides additional thread length for screw engagement, enhancing the structural integrity and alignment of the hinge, allowing for secure coupling of the lid and chassis with dual axis hinges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If minimal structural support is used to reduce weight and dimensions, then portability is improved, but hinge structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge support structure is divided into separate components: a support surface mounted to the chassis, a hinge assembly, and a lid. The support surface includes a recess that receives the hinge, allowing for optimized connection geometry. This segmentation enables the hinge to be designed with appropriate thickness and strength while keeping the overall system lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface extends in a direction perpendicular to the chassis surface, creating a third dimension for hinge mounting. This vertical extension provides additional space for the hinge to have sufficient thickness and structural strength without increasing the horizontal footprint or weight of the system.
2Ease of manufacture
If minimal screw-to-thread engagement is used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but fastening strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge nesting within the recess of the support surface creates a nested structure where the hinge is received by the recess and secured with a fastener. This nesting arrangement allows the fastener to engage with both the hinge and the support surface, providing sufficient fastening strength without requiring excessive screw-to-thread engagement length.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary structure between the support surface and the hinge. It provides a dedicated mounting space that allows the fastener to effectively connect the hinge to the chassis, distributing the fastening load and reducing the requirement for long screw engagement.
3Length of moving object
If hinge thickness is reduced to maintain low profile design, then device dimensions are improved, but alignment stability during rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is pre-formed in the support surface at the correct orientation and position. This preliminary structuring guides the hinge into proper alignment during assembly and maintains stable alignment throughout the rotation cycle, even when the hinge itself has reduced thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface and hinge are designed as composite structural elements where the support surface provides rigid mounting and alignment reference, while the hinge provides rotational functionality. This composite approach allows the hinge to be thin while maintaining overall alignment stability through the robust support surface structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Low profile portable information handling systems rotationally couple a lid and chassis portion with a dual axis hinge that couples at one axis with an extension and countersink engagement to enhance system strength. For example, a conical boss in a lid support frame extends into a countersink formed in a hinge axis and includes threads to accept a screw inserted from the hinge axis into the conical boss. The conical boss inner diameter extends the space available for placement of threads to engage a screw to provide enhanced coupling strength between the hinge axis and lid support frame.