Portable Device Pivoting Mechanism with Dual Pivot Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices with foldable designs often have limited pivoting ranges due to structural constraints, such as the location of pivoting shafts which can disfigure the device or get interrupted by surfaces like tabletops, restricting the ability to form a 180-degree included angle between the host and display devices.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device design featuring a first and second pivot element, a shaft with pivot connections along parallel axes, and a second body that can rotate to form an initial angle before continuing to pivot with the shaft to achieve a greater than 180-degree included angle, with a battery positioned coaxially with the second axis, allowing increased relative pivoting range without being limited by tabletops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shaft is disposed above the host to enable 180-degree pivoting, then the pivoting range is improved, but the appearance is disfigured when folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shaft from the visible area by positioning it at the rear of the host rather than above it. This allows the shaft to remain functional for pivoting while being hidden from view when the device is folded, thus maintaining both pivoting capability and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the shaft position from a vertical arrangement (above the host) to a horizontal/rear arrangement. This dimensional change allows the shaft to be positioned at the rear of the host, enabling it to be hidden during folding while still providing the necessary pivoting function.
2Shape
If the shaft is disposed at the rear to maintain appearance, then the appearance is embellished, but the pivoting is interrupted by tabletops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pivoting function into two separate pivot elements instead of using a single shaft. The first pivot element provides initial pivoting, and the second pivot element provides additional pivoting range. This segmentation allows the device to overcome obstacles like tabletops by using the second pivot element to continue the pivoting motion after the first element is blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic, multi-stage pivoting mechanism where the second pivot element can be activated when the first pivot element encounters an obstacle. This dynamic system adapts to different situations, providing continuous pivoting capability whether the device is used on a flat surface or needs to clear an obstacle like a tabletop.
3Device complexity
If a single pivot shaft is used, then the structure is simple, but the pivoting range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single pivot shaft into two separate pivot elements, each contributing to the overall pivoting range. The first pivot element provides initial rotation, and the second pivot element provides additional rotation to achieve the desired greater than 180-degree included angle. This segmentation increases functionality while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of two pivot elements to achieve a pivoting range that would be difficult to obtain with a single shaft. By merging the pivoting actions of both elements, the system achieves greater than 180-degree inclusion angles while keeping each individual pivot element relatively simple in design.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device includes a first body, a first pivot element fixed to the first body, a shaft, a second pivot element and a second body fixed to the second pivot element. The shaft having a first block is pivoted to the first pivot element. The second pivot element having a second block is pivoted to the shaft. When the second body covering the first body rotates together with the second pivot element pivoting relatively to the shaft to form a first included angle between the first and second bodies, the second block leans against the first block to restrict the relative pivoting of the second pivot element and the shaft. Then, the second body rotates together with the shaft pivoting relatively to the first pivot element to form a second included angle greater than the first included angle between the first and second bodies.