Magnetic Hinge for Foldable Electronics with Adjustable Repulsive Moment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinges in foldable electronic devices rely on friction force, which is inconvenient to adjust and prone to degradation due to abrasion, leading to inconsistent moment production and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A hinge utilizing magnetic interaction between magnetic parts, where the repulsive moment is adjustable by varying the distance between the magnetic parts, allowing for dynamic moment adjustment and resistance to rotation, eliminating the reliance on friction force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If friction force is used to produce moment in conventional hinges, then the hinge can provide required moment for keeping apparatus unfolded, but the moment becomes fixed after assembly and cannot be adjusted for different products or requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical principle from friction-based moment to magnetic field-based moment. By adjusting the distance between magnetic parts (a parameter change), the repulsive moment can be varied without mechanical complexity. The magnetic moment is controlled by varying the gap between magnets rather than by complex mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based moment system with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of relying on friction between contacting surfaces, the hinge uses repulsive magnetic forces between two magnetic parts to generate the required moment, eliminating the need for friction-based adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If friction force is used in hinge, then initial moment can be provided, but abrasion occurs during operation leading to moment degradation and hinge failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contact and friction by substituting the friction-based moment generation with a magnetic field-based system. The two magnetic parts interact through their magnetic fields without physical contact, thereby eliminating abrasion and the associated reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the two magnetic parts. Instead of direct mechanical contact and friction, the interaction is mediated through the magnetic field, allowing moment generation without physical wear.
3Reliability
If single fixed moment is provided by hinge, then maximum required moment can be compensated for friction decrement, but the moment becomes excessively large for user operation during unfolding or folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the moment dynamic rather than fixed. As the hinge rotates and the distance between the magnetic parts changes, the repulsive moment automatically varies. This dynamic adjustment allows the moment to be appropriate for both user operation and maintaining the unfolded state, without requiring excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between magnetic parts changes as a function of the hinge rotation angle, causing the magnetic repulsive moment to vary dynamically. This parameter change (distance) allows the moment to be small during user operation when magnets are far apart, and large when maintaining the unfolded state when magnets are closer together.
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 magnetic hinge provides a consistent and adjustable repulsive moment, maintaining the apparatus in a required unfolded state, reducing wear and tear, and enhancing user convenience by varying the moment output with rotation angle.
Implementation Method 1
uses magnetic interaction by magnetic parts so that when the magnetic parts rotate relatively, a repulsive moment resisting the rotation is produced
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge includes a pivot, two connection members pivotally connected by the pivot, a first magnetic part connected to one of the connection members, a second magnetic part moveably disposed relative to the first magnetic part and kinetically connected to the other one of the connection members, and an adjustment part kinetically connected to the other connection member and urging against the adjustment part. The magnetic moment of the second magnetic part is opposite to that of the first magnetic part. When the two connection members rotate relatively, the other connection member drives the adjustment part and the second magnetic part to rotate relative to the first magnetic part, so as to produce a repulsive moment resisting the rotation and varies with the rotation. A foldable electronic apparatus has the hinge.