Pivoting Mechanism Torque Adjustment for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices lack an effective mechanism to adjust the angle of their support for comfortable viewing, leading to user inconvenience and instability during use.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting mechanism comprising a pivot shaft, connecting members, and a torque adjusting assembly with sliding sleeves and protrusions that adjust the deformation of an elastic member, allowing the electronic device's main body and support to rotate relative to each other, thereby setting and maintaining specific angles for optimal viewing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional support is used to hold the electronic device, then the device can be placed on a table with a proper inclination, but the angle is fixed and cannot be adjusted for comfortable viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a fixed static design to a dynamic adjustable mechanism. The pivoting mechanism allows the support angle to be dynamically changed between different predetermined angles (first, second, and third angles) through the interaction of the elastic member, protrusions, and recesses, enabling users to select the most comfortable viewing angle while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the geometric parameter of the support angle by utilizing the elastic deformation of the elastic member. When the protrusion engages with different recesses on the support, the elastic member deforms to different extents, thereby changing the support angle parameter to provide multiple predetermined viewing positions.
2Ease of operation
If the support angle is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot achieve optimal viewing positions
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting through user interaction. When the user applies force to the electronic device, the elastic member deforms and the protrusion automatically engages with different recesses to lock the support at the desired angle, eliminating the need for complex control systems or additional actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary element between the protrusion and the recesses. It transmits and stores mechanical energy, enabling smooth transitions between different support angles while providing automatic locking when the protrusion engages with a recess, thus simplifying the overall mechanism.
3Weight of moving object
If the support is made lightweight, then portability is improved, but the support may lack stability and resistance to maintain inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member functions as a counterweight mechanism by storing elastic potential energy when deformed. This stored energy provides a restoring force that counteracts gravitational effects and external disturbances, enabling the support to maintain its inclined position stably without requiring additional weight or complex stabilization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism provides periodic stable positions at predetermined angles through the discrete engagement points (recesses) on the support. Each engagement position represents a stable equilibrium point where the elastic force balances the gravitational and external forces, allowing the lightweight support to maintain stability at multiple discrete angles.
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 mechanism provides adjustable angles for comfortable viewing and increased resistance to maintain the support's inclination, ensuring stability and ease of use by automatically adjusting torque based on user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member through which the pivot shaft is disposed. The at least one first protrusion is slidable relative to the at least one second protrusion and the at least one third protrusion is slidable relative to the at least one fourth protrusion, for adjusting an amount of deformation of the elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting mechanism for an electronic device includes a pivot shaft, a first connecting member disposed on the pivot shaft for being connected with a support of the electronic device, a second connecting member disposed on the pivot shaft for connected with a main body of the electronic device, and a torque adjusting assembly. The torque adjusting assembly includes four sleeves and an elastic member through which the pivot shaft is disposed. Each of the sleeves includes at least one protrusion. The protrusion of one of the four sleeves is slidable relative to the protrusion of another sleeve for adjusting an amount of deformation of the elastic member. A portable electronic device including a main body, a support and the pivoting mechanism is provided.