Multi-staged Hinge Assembly with Non-circular Spindle for Automatic Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electrical devices with slide designs require users to manually adjust the device's angle for optimal viewing, which is inconvenient across different use conditions and environmental brightness.
Innovation Solution
A multi-staged hinge assembly using a non-circular spindle and cam structures to automatically tilt the device's body portions, allowing for adjustable tilt angles and simplified construction, eliminating the need for sleeves and reducing assembly costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional hinge assemblies with sleeves are used, then the structure is proven reliable, but the overall volume increases and assembling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sleeve component from the hinge assembly, extracting only the essential functional elements (spindle, cam structures, movable components) needed for the tilting mechanism to work. This elimination of unnecessary components directly reduces overall volume while simplifying construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into fewer components. The spindle combines rotational and axial movement functions, while the cam structures integrate both the tilting mechanism and positioning features. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall construction.
2Productivity
If multi-staged hinge assembly with cam structures is used, then assembling efficiency increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam structures are pre-formed with precise geometries during manufacturing, incorporating the tilting and positioning functions into the component design itself. This preliminary action embeds the precision requirements into the manufacturing process rather than requiring complex assembly operations, thereby improving assembling efficiency while maintaining necessary precision through standardized manufacturing techniques.
3Ease of operation
If manual angle adjustment is required, then device structure remains simple, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly uses elastic components that automatically exert force on the cam structures to achieve and maintain the tilted position without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using elastic potential energy to automatically adjust and hold the display at the optimal viewing angle, greatly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly transitions from a static, manually-adjusted structure to a dynamic system where elastic components continuously exert force to maintain the tilted position. The cam structures enable smooth transitions between positions while the elastic force provides automatic positioning, making the device adaptive to different usage conditions without increasing operational complexity.
4Ease of operation
If automatic tilting mechanism is added, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic tilting function is achieved by segmenting the hinge assembly into distinct functional modules: the spindle for rotational movement, the cam structures for position conversion, and elastic components for providing force. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function efficiently, improving ease of operation while keeping the overall complexity manageable through modular design.
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
Enables automatic tilting and adjustable angles for improved user experience across various conditions, enhancing usability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic device, a first movable component and a second movable component which are sequentially disposed onto the spindle... the first movable component is adapted to travel in a non-rotating displacement towards a direction away from the first portion along the spindle when being subjected to an axial thrust from the elastic device
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-staged hinge assembly and a portable electrical device comprising the multi-staged hinge assembly are provided. The multi-staged hinge assembly utilizes a non-circular spindle to associate with a plurality of movable elements disposed thereon. One of the body portions of the portable electrical device automatically tilts at an angle after the body portion slides by the multi-staged hinge assembly. The user could further adjust the angle to meet the demands of various situations.