Swing Lid Hinge Cable Routing for Compact Storage Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices with swingable lids are bulky due to the incorporation of hinges that receive cables, compromising their size and service life.
Innovation Solution
A storage device design featuring a movable hinge with cable holes and grooves that allow the cable to extend externally, connecting below the base portion, thereby preventing bending and maintaining a compact size while ensuring a long service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hinge is designed to receive the cable internally, then the cable bending is prevented, but the hinge size and overall device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the cable routing from a three-dimensional internal path within the hinge to a two-dimensional external path along the hinge surface. The cable extends through a cable hole in the base portion and is guided by a groove on the hinge's outer surface, changing the spatial dimension of cable accommodation from internal volume to external surface, thereby reducing hinge volume while preventing cable bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cable routing function from the internal structure of the hinge. Instead of incorporating the cable within the hinge body, the cable is routed externally through a cable hole and along a groove on the hinge surface. This extraction eliminates the need for internal cable receiving space, reducing hinge volume while maintaining cable protection.
2Volume of moving object
If the hinge size is reduced to make the device compact, then the device size decreases, but the cable may bend when the lid swings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a groove structure on the hinge surface to guide and protect the cable. This groove acts as a flexible pathway that accommodates cable movement during lid swinging without requiring large internal space. The groove constrains the cable to a safe path, preventing bending while maintaining compact hinge dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures the cable path through the cable hole and groove before the lid swings. The cable is positioned in advance along the predetermined external route, ensuring it follows the correct path during operation and preventing bending without requiring internal hinge space for cable accommodation.
3Volume of moving object
If the cable is routed externally through a hole and groove, then the device remains compact, but the cable routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cable routing function with the existing hinge structure. The cable hole and groove are integrated into the hinge body design, combining multiple functions (structural support, cable guidance, and protection) into a single component. This reduces overall complexity compared to separate cable management systems while maintaining compact dimensions.
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 design prevents cable bending, allowing for a smaller and more durable storage device with improved comfort and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a movable hinge provided on a rotational axis such that the hinge can rotate relative to the storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes a storage unit that can store a thing or things therein, and a lid that can swing to open and close an upper face of the storage unit. The lid includes movable hinges provided on a rotary shaft, a main body supported by the movable hinges, a base portion supported by the main body, an electronic component provided on a part of an upper surface of the base portion, and a cable for feeding electricity to the electronic component. A part of the electronic component passes through an electronic component hole formed in the base portion, and the electronic component and the cable are connected to each other below the base portion.