Optically Connected Hinge for Laptop Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinges in electronic devices with moving parts, such as laptops, face challenges with wire routing due to flexing motion and friction, leading to wire breaks, and existing solutions like radio signaling and direct contact couplings have issues with alignment and interference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a high-speed optical transmitter and receiver pair, optically coupled and aligned along the hinge's center axis, allowing data multiplexing through a small air gap, eliminating the need for physical wiring and reducing alignment issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical wiring is used through the hinge to connect device parts, then data transmission is enabled, but wire breaks occur due to flexing motion and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with an optical communication system. Transmitters and receivers are positioned on opposing surfaces of the hinge, using light signals to transmit data across the hinge gap. This eliminates physical wires that would otherwise be subjected to flexing and friction, resolving the contradiction between wire durability and hinge flexibility.
2Reliability
If radio signaling is used for data transmission across the hinge, then wire breaks are avoided, but alignment issues and interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical components (transmitters and receivers) as intermediaries positioned on the hinge surfaces. These components emit and detect light signals across a small gap, providing a stable data transmission medium that is less susceptible to alignment variations and electromagnetic interference compared to radio signaling, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Reliability
If direct contact couplings are used to connect moving parts, then data transmission is reliable, but alignment issues arise during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes direct mechanical contact couplings with non-contact optical communication. Transmitters and receivers are mounted on hinge surfaces and communicate via light signals across a small air gap. This allows the hinge to move through its full range of motion without requiring precise maintenance of direct contact alignment, resolving the contradiction between transmission reliability and movement adaptability.
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 optical coupling ensures reliable data transmission between device parts without wire-related issues, maintaining alignment and reducing mechanical stress on the hinge, thus enhancing the durability and efficiency of data communication.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter; and a hinge, comprising: a receiver; the receiver being optically coupled to the transmitter and receiving data from the transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides an apparatus, including: a transmitter; and a hinge, comprising: a receiver; the receiver being optically coupled to the transmitter and receiving data from the transmitter. Other aspects are described and claimed.