Laptop Hinge Wear Inspection Using Acceleration and Visual Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in information handling system (IHS) component reuse and recycling lies in evaluating the remaining life and wear of components such as hinges, keyboards, and batteries, which is difficult without disassembly, and the need for matching replacement parts with varying torque specifications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using cameras to capture two and three-dimensional images and apply acceleration to evaluate hinge wobble, keyboard wear, and battery swell through telemetry, enabling automated assessment of component condition for reuse and recycling decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If visual image inspection with cameras is used to evaluate hinge wear, then evaluation efficiency and automation are improved, but measurement precision and reliability of wear assessment may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated optical inspection system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The visual inspection system captures images of hinge components and uses computational methods to measure wear, eliminating the need for physical disassembly and manual measurement while maintaining measurement accuracy through digital image analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies (images) of the hinge components instead of physically examining them. By capturing visual data and creating 3D models from images, the system can repeatedly measure wear without physical contact, preserving the original component while enabling precise, non-contact measurement through digital replication
2Productivity
If automated visual inspection is implemented, then human interaction is reduced and productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system performs self-service by automatically capturing, processing, and analyzing images without requiring manual intervention. The system independently completes the entire inspection workflow from image capture to wear assessment, eliminating the need for operator expertise and reducing complexity in terms of human skill requirements while maintaining high automation
Solution Approach 2:
The visual inspection system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various inspection tasks through a single integrated platform. The same camera system and processing software can assess different components (hinges, keyboards, batteries) with different wear patterns, making the system universally applicable across multiple inspection scenarios and reducing overall system complexity
3Loss of time
If components are evaluated without disassembly, then inspection time is reduced and productivity improves, but measurement precision and reliability of wear assessment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical disassembly and manual inspection with non-contact optical imaging. By using cameras to capture images of components in their assembled state and processing these images to detect wear patterns, the system eliminates the time-consuming disassembly process while maintaining measurement precision through digital image analysis algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system hinge is tested for wear to determine reuse or recycling by subjecting the information handling system to an acceleration and capturing a visual image of hinge movement in response to the acceleration. Excessive hinge wear is detected when housing movement exceeds a threshold distance or fails to achieve threshold dampening effect. After detection of hinge wear, when a hinge has sufficient torque for use in a selected of plural information handling system platforms, the hinge is reused, otherwise the hinge is broken down and recycled.