Hinged Lid Mechanism with Projection for Secure Open State

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lid opening and closing mechanisms for electronic devices, such as digital cameras, do not maintain an open state securely without user intervention, complicating access to internal terminals.

Innovation Solution

A hinged-door mechanism with a projection portion on the inner lid that engages with the hinge to maintain the open state, allowing the hinge to be bended and unbended for easy operation, ensuring the lid remains open without manual support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a prior art cover mechanism with a hinge is used, then the lid can be opened and closed, but the opened state is not sufficiently maintained requiring user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid open state maintenanceVSAvoiduser operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism automatically maintains the lid in an opened state through its own structural design without requiring user intervention. The hinge includes a projection portion that engages with a corresponding recess in the casing to lock the lid in the opened position, and automatically returns to the closed position when the projection is pushed inward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge is designed with movable characteristics, allowing it to transition between different states (closed and opened) and maintain the opened state dynamically without user support. The projection portion can move between engaged and disengaged positions with the casing recess, enabling automatic state maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the hinge remains inside the casing, then the structure is compact, but the lid cannot be sufficiently maintained in opened state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid open state maintenanceVSAvoidhinge position space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is designed with movable characteristics, allowing it to transition between different states (closed and opened) and maintain the opened state dynamically without user support. The projection portion can move between engaged and disengaged positions with the casing recess, enabling automatic state maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge mechanism utilizes movement in multiple dimensions - it can protrude outward from the casing in the opened state and retract inward in the closed state. This dimensional change allows the hinge to maintain the lid in an opened position without permanently occupying external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the hinge protrudes outside the casing in opened state, then the lid open state is maintained, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid open state maintenanceVSAvoidhinge mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism automatically maintains the lid in an opened state through its own structural design without requiring user intervention. The hinge includes a projection portion that engages with a corresponding recess in the casing to lock the lid in the opened position, and automatically returns to the closed position when the projection is pushed inward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge is designed with movable characteristics, allowing it to transition between different states (closed and opened) and maintain the opened state dynamically without user support. The projection portion can move between engaged and disengaged positions with the casing recess, enabling automatic state maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 mechanism securely maintains the open state of the lid, facilitating easier access to internal terminals by preventing accidental closure during operations like connecting cables.

Implementation Method 1

a hinge operable to be bended and unbended to open and close the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8779289B2Electronic apparatus including lid opening and closing mechanism

Publication Date: 2014.07.15 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A lid opening and closing mechanism includes a casing having an opening, an inner lid provided in the opening, and an outer lid operable to close the opening. The outer lid has a door operable to cover the inner lid, a hinge operable to be bended and unbended to open and close the door. The inner lid has a projection portion that protrudes from a surface of the inner lid. The hinge can move in a direction from the hinge to the door, so that the hinge is accommodated inside the casing when the door is closed, and is pulled outside the casing when the door is opened. When the hinge moves while the state of the door changes from the closed state to the opened state, the hinge goes onto the projection portion to be bended by the projection portion to a direction to outside the casing.