Rack and Pinion Hinge with Flexible Cover for Low Profile Laptops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable information handling systems with low profile housings face mechanical robustness issues due to thin, flexible components, leading to increased flex and torsion, which can cause damage and mechanical failure, and require multiple hinges that complicate cable routing and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a rack and pinion gear mechanism enclosed in a flexible cover that stretches to accommodate 360 degrees of rotation, providing a robust and synchronized motion while minimizing hinge thickness and allowing for cable routing within the cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If low profile housing components with minimal thickness are used, then housing size is minimized, but mechanical robustness decreases and flex increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into multiple segments including a first hinge portion, second hinge portion, and intermediate portion with rack and pinion gears. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity in a low-profile configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge utilizes composite construction combining rigid materials for structural components (hinge portions, rack, pinion gears) with flexible materials for the cover. This composite approach enables the thin-profile design to maintain mechanical robustness through material property optimization rather than increasing thickness.
2Length of moving object
If minimal thickness hinge components are used, then housing profile is reduced, but display stability deteriorates due to increased flex and torsion
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge incorporates rounded corners and curved transition zones in the rack and pinion gear interfaces. These curved geometries distribute stress more evenly and reduce stress concentration points that would cause torsion and instability in thin-profile components.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate portion of the hinge acts as an intermediary between the first and second hinge portions, containing the rack and pinion gear mechanism that provides controlled motion while stabilizing the connection. This intermediary structure prevents direct rigid coupling that would transmit flex and torsion to the display.
3Reliability
If multiple hinges are used to meet mechanical requirements, then rotational support is improved, but cable routing becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated assembly: the first hinge portion, second hinge portion, intermediate portion with rack and pinion gears, and flexible cover all work together as one unit. This merged design provides robust rotational support while maintaining simple, unified cable routing paths through the flexible cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the internal hinge components, provides a pathway for cable routing, and accommodates the rack movement during rotation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall complexity.
4Length of stationary object
If low profile hinge components are used, then housing thickness is reduced, but cable routing space becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge utilizes the flexible cover as a three-dimensional routing pathway that can expand and contract with rack movement. Cable routing is achieved through the thickness and surface area of the flexible cover rather than requiring additional lateral space, enabling compact cable management within the low-profile constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover is designed to dynamically expand and contract as the rack moves during hinge rotation. This dynamic behavior creates temporary space for cable routing during operation while maintaining a compact profile when the hinge is stationary, optimizing both cable access and housing thickness.
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 solution offers a robust and aesthetically appealing low profile hinge assembly that reduces flexion transfer to housing components, enhances mechanical stability, and simplifies cable routing, thereby improving the longevity and usability of portable information handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
A hinge assembly with a rack and pinion gear mechanism enclosed in a flexible cover that stretches to accommodate 360 degrees of rotation
Implementation Method 2
A flexible sheath covers the hinge assembly to enclose the hinges. The racks of multiple hinges are interconnected by the connection plates so that the flexible cover is stretched in response to the movement of the rack
Data Source
AI summary
A portable information handling system has lid and main portions rotationally coupled to each other with a set of hinges having motion managed by rack and pinion gears. The rack translates motion between pinions by moving outward from the housing portions during rotation of the housing portions. A flexible cover over the rack stretches in response to movement of the rack to contain the hinges within the portable information handling system structure.