Hinge Structure Torque Assembly for Thin Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge structures in electronic devices, such as laptops, face limitations in achieving a thinner and lighter design due to the need for increased size or number of elastic pieces to prevent unwanted rotation, which conflicts with the goal of reducing thickness and weight.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure incorporating a torque assembly with a sliding rod and guiding rod, along with a torsion spring and torque reinforcing member, allows for flexible torque generation while reducing thickness by enabling stable rotation and limiting the angle between device bodies without excessive bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the size or number of elastic pieces is increased to prevent unwanted rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the hinge by replacing multiple elastic pieces with a torque assembly consisting of a sliding rod, guiding rod, and torque reinforcing member. This parameter change maintains the required torque (reliability) while reducing the overall size and weight of the hinge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure is segmented into functional components: linking rods for rotation, a sliding rod for linear movement, a guiding rod for constraint, and a torque reinforcing member for torque generation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving reliability without excessive weight.
2Reliability
If the size or number of elastic pieces is increased to prevent unwanted rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including a sliding rod that can move linearly and a guiding rod that constrains this movement. This dynamic mechanism replaces static elastic pieces, generating the necessary torque through controlled movement rather than through increased size, thereby maintaining thinness while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding rod acts as an intermediary between the sliding rod and the hinge structure, converting the sliding motion into rotational constraint. This intermediary mechanism enables torque generation without requiring bulky elastic pieces, thus maintaining thinness while improving reliability.
3Device complexity
If conventional elastic pieces are used, then the structure is simple, but the torque is insufficient to prevent rotation when no user force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into an integrated torque assembly: the sliding rod provides linear movement, the guiding rod provides constraint, and the torque reinforcing member provides torque generation. This merged structure achieves sufficient torque without significantly increasing overall complexity compared to conventional elastic piece designs.
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
The proposed hinge structure effectively generates torque to maintain the closed state without user force and allows for flexible expansion, meeting the design requirements of being thinner and lighter while ensuring stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
torque is also generated due to friction
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of elastic pieces are usually sleeved on a shaft of a hinge structure. In a process in which the two bodies are rotated with respect to each other, these elastic pieces may generate axial thrust
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge structure includes a first base, a second base, a first linking rod, a second linking rod, and a torque assembly. The first linking rod has a first pivot part, a first sliding part, and a second pivot part. The first pivot part is pivoted to the first base, and the first sliding part is slidably connected to the second base. The second linking rod has a second sliding part, a shaft part, a third pivot part, and a fourth pivot part. The second sliding part is slidably connected to the first base. The third pivot part is pivoted to the second base. The second pivot part is pivoted to the fourth pivot part. The torque assembly has a sleeve part sleeved on the shaft part and a connection part connected to the second base. The sleeve part generates torque during rotation with respect to the shaft part.