Hinged Electronic Housing With Magnetic Gap-Cover Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotatable multi-body devices, such as laptops, face challenges in maintaining an intact appearance when folded due to the need for a gap at the pivot side to allow the second machine body to flip over, which can lead to interference and reduced appearance integrity.
Innovation Solution
A rotating member is positioned beside the second machine body, driven by magnetic repulsion and torsion spring mechanisms to create a non-interfering rotation path, allowing the second machine body to flip over without compromising the device's appearance, and includes a stopper to prevent accidental rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gap is provided at the pivot side to allow the second machine body to flip over, then the second machine body can rotate smoothly without interference, but the appearance integrity of the device is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member is designed to dynamically change its position between two states: covering the gap when the device is closed to maintain appearance integrity, and moving away to create rotation path space when the device is opened. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the structural element adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating member acts as an intermediary element between the first and second machine bodies. It mediates the conflict between appearance integrity and rotation smoothness by positioning itself to cover the gap during closed state while facilitating smooth rotation during opened state, thus resolving the contradiction through its intermediate positioning function.
2Shape
If the rotating member is positioned to cover the gap when closed, then appearance integrity is maintained, but the rotation path may be blocked during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member's position is made dynamic rather than fixed. It automatically adjusts its position based on the device state: covering the gap for appearance integrity when closed, and moving away to clear the rotation path when opening. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining appearance and enabling smooth rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating member performs preliminary action by positioning itself in advance to cover the gap before the device is fully closed, maintaining appearance integrity. Conversely, it moves away in advance to clear the rotation path before opening occurs, ensuring smooth rotation without blocking.
3Extent of automation
If magnetic repulsion and torsion spring mechanisms are used to drive the rotating member, then automatic positioning is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member is designed to be self-servicing through the magnetic repulsion and torsion spring mechanisms. It automatically positions itself without external intervention: the magnetic repulsion provides the force to move away during opening, and the torsion spring provides the restoring force to return to covering position during closing. This self-service capability achieves automatic positioning while minimizing the need for additional control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with magnetic repulsion and elastic torsion spring mechanisms. Instead of using motors, sensors, and control circuits to achieve automatic positioning, it uses passive magnetic and elastic forces that naturally provide the required positioning behavior, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automation.
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 solution enables smooth rotation of the second machine body without interference, maintains the device's appearance integrity, and enhances heat dissipation by covering and uncovering air outlets as needed.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring, configured to drive the rotating member to return
Implementation Method 2
driven by magnetic repulsion and torsion spring mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A multi-body device (10) includes a first machine body (12), a second machine body (14), a rotating member (18), a first magnetic member (142), a second magnetic member (182), and a stopper (160). The second machine body (14) is pivoted to a pivot side (16) of the first machine body (12). The rotating member (18) is pivoted to the pivot side (16) of the first machine body (12) and located beside the second machine body (14). The first magnetic member (142) is disposed at the second machine body (14). The second magnetic member (182) is disposed at a portion of the rotating member (18) corresponding to the first magnetic member (142). Two corresponding ends of the first magnetic member (142) and the second magnetic member (182) are magnetically repulsive to each other. The stopper (160) is driven by the second machine body (14) and disposed at the pivot side (16) of the first machine body (12), so as to stretch into or retreat from a rotation path of the rotating member (18).