Nested Screw Hinge for Thin Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biaxial pivot structures in notebook computers occupy significant space, preventing thin and lightweight designs and inconvenient operation, as they often position lenses away from the display screens.
Innovation Solution
A hinge structure comprising a first screw rod, a sliding rod, and a second screw rod, where the first screw rod has a threaded shaft with a helical slot, and the sliding rod and second screw rod have guiding portions that allow for 360-degree rotation while reducing overall size, incorporating a passive module with a lens and magnetic attraction for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional biaxial pivot structure is used to connect hosts and display screens, then the structure provides stable 360-degree rotation, but it occupies much space and prevents thin and lightweight design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the sliding rod inside the hollow cylindrical structure of the screw rod, and positioning the guiding portion within the helical slot. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy the same spatial envelope, dramatically reducing the overall volume of the hinge structure while maintaining structural stability and 360-degree rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional biaxial pivot to a uniaxial screw rod mechanism that utilizes helical geometry (adding a dimensional aspect) to achieve both rotational and linear motion. The helical slot converts rotational motion into linear displacement of the sliding rod, enabling compact 360-degree rotation within a smaller volume by exploiting a different dimensional approach.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional biaxial pivot structure is used, then rotation functionality is achieved, but the lens is disposed away from the display screen, reducing operating convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hinge rotation mechanism with the lens positioning system into a single integrated structure. The passive module containing the lens is directly coupled to the screw rod assembly, so that lens positioning and machine body rotation are achieved through the same mechanical motion. This eliminates the need for separate lens positioning mechanisms and reduces overall structural complexity while improving operating convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw rod assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the rotational connection between machine bodies, positions the lens relative to the display screen, and enables 360-degree rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall structure while enhancing ease of operation.
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 hinge structure enables a thin and lightweight design while allowing for convenient 360-degree rotation of machine bodies, with the lens being strategically exposed for optimal user operation, thus addressing the space and design constraints of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the second screw rod is magnetically attracted to the passive module
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge structure including a first screw rod, a sliding rod, and a second screw rod is provided. The first screw rod comprises a threaded shaft. The sliding rod is sleeved on the threaded shaft. The second screw rod is sleeved on the sliding rod. The threaded shaft has a first helical slot. The sliding rod has a first guiding portion and a second guiding portion, and the first guiding portion is coupled to the first helical slot. The second screw rod has a second helical slot, and the second guiding portion is coupled to the second helical slot.