Internal Pivot Assembly for Electronic Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional openable electronic devices, such as notebook computers, have exposed pivot structures that compromise their appearance and allow external substances and dust to enter, reducing the service life of the pivot assembly.

Innovation Solution

A pivot assembly design where the first and second pivots, connecting members, and pivots are internally disposed within the device bodies, with a cover hiding the connecting members, ensuring the assembly is not exposed and protected from external contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If pivot structures protrude outside the device bodies to facilitate assembly, then the assembly process is simplified, but the appearance becomes unneat and external substances can enter the pivot assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly facilitationVSAvoiddust and substance ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot structures are nested inside the device bodies rather than protruding outward. The first pivot structure is disposed inside the first device body, and the second pivot structure is disposed inside the second device body, creating a nested configuration that protects the pivot assembly from external contaminants while maintaining assembly functionality through alignment features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful external exposure of pivot structures is extracted/removed from the design. By taking out the protruding pivot structures and relocating them internally within the device bodies, the invention eliminates the direct pathway for dust and substances to enter the pivot assembly while preserving the essential pivoting function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If pivot structures are exposed outside the device bodies, then assembly is easier, but the appearance of the device bodies becomes unneat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly facilitationVSAvoidappearance neatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot structures are nested inside the device bodies rather than protruding outward. The first pivot structure is disposed inside the first device body, and the second pivot structure is disposed inside the second device body, creating a nested configuration that protects the pivot assembly from external contaminants while maintaining assembly functionality through alignment features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot assembly is segmented into distinct components (first pivot structure, second pivot structure, connecting member) that can be separately positioned and assembled. This segmentation allows the pivot structures to be hidden inside device bodies while maintaining assembly facilitation through precise alignment features between segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If pivot structures protrude outside device bodies, then assembly is facilitated, but gaps are formed allowing external substances to enter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly facilitationVSAvoidservice life of pivot assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot structures are nested inside the device bodies rather than protruding outward. The first pivot structure is disposed inside the first device body, and the second pivot structure is disposed inside the second device body, creating a nested configuration that protects the pivot assembly from external contaminants while maintaining assembly functionality through alignment features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful external exposure of pivot structures is extracted/removed from the design. By taking out the protruding pivot structures and relocating them internally within the device bodies, the invention eliminates the direct pathway for dust and substances to enter the pivot assembly while preserving the essential pivoting function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10317950B2Electronic device and pivot assembly thereof

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A pivot assembly adapted to an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first device body including a first pivot side edge and a second device body including a second pivot side edge. The pivot assembly comprises a first pivot pivotally disposed inside the first device body, a second pivot pivotally disposed at the second device body, a first connecting member pivotally connected to the first pivot and the second pivot, a third pivot pivotally disposed at the second device body, a fourth pivot pivotally disposed inside the first device body, and a second connecting member pivotally connected to the third pivot and the fourth pivot. The third pivot is closer to the second pivot side edge relative to the second pivot. The fourth pivot is closer to the first pivot side edge relative to the first pivot.