Magnetic Hinge Coupling for Computing Device Housing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices with hinge assemblies face limitations in providing a seamless and low-resistance mechanism for orienting display and keyboard housings, often requiring mechanical coupling and visible hinge pieces, which can be aesthetically unappealing and increase assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic edges with engagement surfaces on the housings allows for pivotable coupling without mechanical hinges, enabling adjustable orientations with minimal resistance and self-alignment, using magnetic components that can be coded for specific alignments and orientations, such as clamshell, tablet, or planar configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical hinge assemblies are used to couple housings, then structural strength and stability are improved, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hinge assembly with a magnetic coupling system. Magnets embedded in engagement surfaces of both housings create magnetic attraction forces that couple the housings together, eliminating the need for mechanical hinges, screws, and other traditional fastening mechanisms. This substitution reduces assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity through magnetic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical hinge components from the housing coupling system. By taking out the mechanical hinge assembly entirely and replacing it with magnetic coupling, the design eliminates visible hinge pieces and reduces the number of parts, thereby simplifying the overall device structure and assembly process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical hinge assemblies are used to couple housings, then structural stability is improved, but visibility of hinge pieces increases affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling system replaces visible mechanical hinges with invisible magnetic forces. The magnets are embedded within the housing engagement surfaces, making them hidden from external view. This substitution maintains structural stability through magnetic attraction while achieving a sleek, seamless aesthetic appearance without visible hinge pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnets are nested within the housing structures, embedded in the engagement surfaces. This nesting conceals the magnetic components inside the housings, making them invisible from the outside while still providing the coupling function, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance without sacrificing structural stability.
3Strength
If mechanical hinge assemblies are used to couple housings, then coupling strength is improved, but resistance to orientation adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling system provides dynamic coupling strength that adapts to the orientation and distance between housings. Magnetic forces naturally adjust based on the relative positions, providing strong coupling when housings are aligned and allowing easy adjustment when misaligned. This dynamic characteristic enables both strong coupling and easy orientation adjustment, unlike rigid mechanical hinges.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling strength varies with parameters such as distance and orientation between the housings. By changing these parameters, the coupling strength dynamically adjusts - providing strong attraction when properly aligned for stable operation, and reduced resistance when adjusting orientation. This parameter-dependent behavior resolves the contradiction between coupling strength and ease of adjustment.
4Device complexity
If magnetic edges with engagement surfaces are used to couple housings, then assembly complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic engagement surfaces provide self-aligning and self-coupling functionality. The magnetic attraction forces automatically guide the housings into proper alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for precise pre-positioning or complex alignment procedures. This self-service characteristic reduces assembly complexity while the magnetic tolerance to positional variations mitigates the impact of manufacturing precision variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system has inherent tolerance to parameter variations such as distance and angular misalignment. By designing the magnetic engagement surfaces with appropriate magnetic strength and distribution, the system can accommodate a range of manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective coupling. This reduces the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements compared to mechanical hinge systems that require exact fitment.
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
This solution provides a sleek, low-resistance mechanism for adjusting the orientation of computing device components, reducing assembly complexity and part count while maintaining robust coupling, thus enhancing user experience and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic edge that includes a first engagement surface... and a second magnetic edge that includes a second engagement surface that engages the first engagement surface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus can include a processor; memory accessible by the processor; a first housing that includes the processor and a first magnetic edge that includes a first engagement surface; and a second housing that includes an electronic component accessible by the processor and a second magnetic edge that includes a second engagement surface that engages the first engagement surface to pivotably couple the first housing and second housing.