Pivot Apparatus Retainer Mechanism for Damage-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pivot devices require significant force for assembly, risk damaging surfaces during assembly, and have an unappealing design due to necessary openings for separation, complicating manufacturing and assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A pivot apparatus with a first member having a hinge receiving portion and a rotating shaft, a second member with fitting holes, and a base member with a retardant portion to stop the hinge body, allowing for simplified assembly and disassembly without surface damage, featuring a spring-connected hinge head for flexibility and a keypad module as an operation interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the hinge head is pressed to retract in the hinge body during assembly, then the pivot device can be assembled, but great force is required and the surface of the second member is scraped or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer component is introduced as an intermediary element between the hinge head and the second member. The retainer includes a retaining groove that receives the protruding hinge head, and a retaining protrusion that engages with the first member. This mediator allows the hinge head to be retained without requiring excessive assembly force or sliding across the second member's surface, thereby preventing surface damage while achieving the assembly goal.
2Ease of operation
If an opening is formed on the first member to separate it from the second member, then the hinge head can be pulled back for retraction, but the appearance is unpleasing and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main structure. It can be independently installed and removed without requiring openings in the first member. The retainer's protrusion engages with the first member's groove, while its groove receives the hinge head, enabling disassembly and reassembly operations without compromising the aesthetic appearance or increasing structural complexity of the main device body.
3Productivity
If great force is applied to push the hinge head into the hinge body, then assembly is completed, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-positioned on the second member before the hinge head is inserted. The retaining groove is already in place to receive the hinge head's protrusion, and the retaining protrusion is positioned to engage with the first member's groove. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for high assembly force during the hinge head insertion process, making the assembly operation easier and faster while maintaining secure retention.
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
Simplifies assembly and disassembly, prevents surface damage, and enhances manufacturing efficiency by reducing the need for unappealing openings, while maintaining the rotational functionality of the pivot device.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge body further comprises a spring disposed therein and connected to the hinge head.
Data Source
AI summary
A pivot apparatus. The pivot apparatus includes a first member, a hinge body, a hinge head, a second member and a base member. The first member has a hinge receiving portion. The hinge body is movably disposed in the hinge receiving portion. The hinge head is connected to the hinge body. The second member is rotatably disposed on the first member and has a first fitting hole to receive the hinge head. The base member is disposed under the first member and has a retardant portion. The hinge body is stopped by the retardant portion such that the hinge head connected thereto is received in the first fitting hole.