Perpendicular Two-Shaft Hinge Mechanism for Collision-Free Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-shaft hinge devices with rotation-limiting functions in portable electronic devices, such as video cameras and portable telephones, face challenges in reducing size due to the need for recess sections in the shafts, limiting their ability to open in both longitudinal and lateral directions without colliding housings.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with perpendicularly arranged first and second rotation shafts, where the movement limiting opening and closing shaft member and rotation limiting rotation shaft member are designed to rotate freely in one direction but not the other, preventing collision by incorporating restraining end surfaces and lock protrusions to limit rotation beyond a predetermined angle, allowing for size reduction by setting the shaft direction length of the opening and closing limiting protrusion portion to approximately half of the rotation limiting protrusion portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If recess sections are formed in the shafts to limit rotation, then housing collision is prevented, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a conventional two-shaft perpendicular arrangement to a three-shaft arrangement where the third shaft extends in a direction different from both first and second shafts. This dimensional change allows rotation limiting to be achieved through spatial configuration rather than requiring recess sections, thereby reducing the hinge device size while maintaining housing collision prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a retention member as an intermediary component that rotatably supports the perpendicular portion of the shafts. This mediator enables the rotation limiting function through the interaction between the retention member and the third shaft, eliminating the need for recess sections in the original shafts and reducing overall device volume.
2Volume of stationary object
If the shaft direction length is reduced for size reduction, then device volume decreases, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retention member is designed with a through hole that automatically guides and aligns the third shaft during assembly. The shaft insertion itself serves the alignment function, eliminating the need for complex external alignment mechanisms. This self-aligning feature enables precise shaft positioning even in compact dimensions, maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing device size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge mechanism allows opening in both longitudinal and lateral directions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three-shaft hinge mechanism serves multiple functions: the first and second shafts enable rotation in the first direction, while the third shaft enables rotation in the second direction. This multi-functional design allows a single hinge mechanism to provide both longitudinal and lateral opening capabilities, achieving versatility without requiring separate mechanisms for each direction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hinge mechanism in which two housings are respectively connected to a first rotation shaft and a second rotation shaft that are arranged perpendicular to each other and the housing are arbitrarily openable about either one of the shafts is provided. In the hinge mechanism 1, at an end of a rotation shaft holding section (4) of a hinge housing (1), an end of an opening and closing shaft holding section (5) is integrated together in a state of being perpendicular to each other, the rotation shaft holding section (4) being formed in it a tubular shaft hole for supporting a rotation shaft section (3), and the opening and closing shaft holding section (5) being formed in it a tubular shaft hole for supporting an opening and closing shaft section (2), and the hinge housing (1) is substantially L-shaped as a whole. When the opening and closing shaft (2) is rotated, an opening and closing limiting outer peripheral surface enters an escape recess to cause a restraining end section to be restrained by the opening and closing limiting outer peripheral surface, and as a result, rotation of the rotation shaft section (3) is restrained. When the rotation shaft section (3) is rotated, a rotation limiting outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft section (3) enters a portion of a restraining end surface to cause rotation of the opening and closing shaft (2) to be restrained.