Narrow Width Dual Axis Hinge for Compact Display Spacing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable information handling systems face challenges in maintaining displays in close proximity due to the width of conventional hinges, which disrupts the viewing experience and increases the system's height.
Innovation Solution
A dual axis hinge assembly with a gear assembly and torque brackets that synchronize housing portion rotation, allowing for close proximity of displays while decoupling torque generation from the gear mechanism, reducing the width between axles and minimizing the hinge cap size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional hinge assembly is used to rotationally couple housing portions, then the hinge provides sufficient torque and synchronization, but the width between axles increases, causing displays to be spaced farther apart
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is segmented into two independent functional modules: a narrow dual-axle mechanism for synchronization and a separate torque bracket for torque management. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, resulting in a compact overall width while maintaining reliable torque and synchronization functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate torque bracket acts as an intermediary component that couples to the dual-axle mechanism. This intermediary allows the torque generation function to be decoupled from the synchronization function, enabling the axles to be positioned closer together while still providing sufficient torque through the intermediate torque bracket structure.
2Length of moving object
If displays are positioned in close proximity to enhance viewing experience, then the system height is reduced, but a conventional hinge cannot accommodate the close spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly segments the synchronization function (dual axles) from the torque function (separate bracket), allowing the axles to be positioned very close together to enable display proximity, while the torque bracket extends outward to provide the necessary mechanical advantage for torque generation without increasing the critical width between displays.
3Reliability
If a robust hinge assembly is used to ensure reliable torque and synchronization, then the hinge functions reliably, but the distance between axles increases, translating to increased distance between displays
Solution Approach 1:
The reliable torque and synchronization functions are maintained by segmenting the hinge into a precise dual-axle synchronization mechanism and a robust separate torque bracket. This segmentation allows the axles to be close together for small display spacing, while the torque bracket provides the robust mechanical structure needed for reliable torque management.
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 solution enables displays to be positioned in close proximity, enhancing the viewing experience with minimal spacing and reducing the overall system height, resulting in a more compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
a gear assembly that synchronizes housing portion rotational movement by translating rotational movement of the housing portions between each other through interlocking gears disposed on the dual axles
Implementation Method 2
Each torque bracket resists rotation about its axle to generate torque independent of the gear assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system narrow width dual axes hinge rotationally couples portable information handling system housing portions to each other with minimal spacing between the housing portions. A gear assembly synchronizes motion about the dual axles at one end of the dual axles, the gear assembly having brackets to couple to each housing portion. Torque brackets couple to the opposite end of the dual axles, each torque bracket couple to a housing portion and resisting rotation of the housing portions by generating friction at the axle.