Multi-link hinge assembly gap reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge assemblies in foldable back support holders fail to minimize the gap between the main body and kickstand when in a fully folded state, resulting in an increased thickness of the device.
Innovation Solution
A multi-link hinge assembly comprising a first link lever unit, a second link lever unit, a central shaft, a first base, a second base, a first torque shaft, and a second torque shaft, which allows the sliding rods to move along grooves, minimizing the height and reducing the overall thickness by creating torsional friction forces to stabilize the support holder at desired angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional hinge assembly is used to connect the kickstand to the main body, then the hinge assembly can provide basic pivoting function, but the gap between the kickstand and main body cannot be minimized in fully folded state
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into multiple link levers (first link lever, second link lever, third link lever) connected through sliding rods and torque shafts. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to gap reduction while maintaining the overall pivoting function, resolving the contradiction between minimizing gap and preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly employs dynamic elements including sliding rods that move along grooves and torque shafts that rotate, enabling the structure to adapt its configuration. When folded, the sliding rods move to reduce the gap between kickstand and main body, while during operation the dynamic joints maintain smooth pivoting capability.
2Length of moving object
If the gap between kickstand and main body is minimized, then the entire thickness of the foldable back support holder is reduced, but the hinge assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly uses a nested configuration where the first link lever, second link lever, and third link lever are arranged in sequence with sliding rods and torque shafts integrated within the structure. This nesting allows multiple components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing the overall thickness while managing structural complexity through organized integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly utilizes multi-dimensional arrangement of components, with sliding rods moving in grooves that extend in multiple directions and torque shafts positioned at different spatial levels. This dimensional arrangement allows gap reduction in the thickness direction while distributing structural complexity across multiple spatial dimensions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hinge assembly uses sliding rods moving along grooves to minimize gap, then torsional friction forces are generated to stabilize the support holder, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly generates stabilizing torsional friction forces by controlling the movement parameters of sliding rods along grooves. By designing the groove geometry and sliding rod dimensions appropriately, the system achieves stable positioning at desired angles through friction forces, balancing manufacturing precision requirements with stability performance.
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 multi-link hinge assembly effectively minimizes the gap and thickness of the foldable back support holder while providing stable torsional friction to maintain the support holder at various angles, enhancing its compactness and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The first sliding rod moves along the first sliding grooves toward the central shaft, and the second sliding rod moves along the second sliding grooves toward the central shaft
Implementation Method 2
The first torque shaft is connected to the first base in interference fit. The second torque shaft is connected to the second base in interference fit
Implementation Method 3
creating torsional friction forces to stabilize the support holder at desired angles
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-link hinge assembly includes first and second link levers, first and second sliding rods, first and second bases, a central shaft, and first and second torque shafts. The first link lever is connected to the second base by the second torque shaft and is slidable along with the first sliding rod within the first base. The second link lever is connected to the first base by the first torque shaft and is slidable along with the second sliding rod within the second base. The central shaft extends through the first and second link levers. When the second base is rotated relative to the first torque shaft, the first and second sliding rods move toward the central shaft.